Weekly series

Acne alternative remedies

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:56:00 +0000

Acne alternative remedies

Acne is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and/or bacteria

Description:

Acne vulgaris, the medical term for common acne, s the most common skin disease. It affects nearly 17 illion people in the United States. While acne can arise t any age, it usually begins at puberty and worsens during dolescence. Nearly 85% of people develop acne ome time between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. Up o 20% of women develop mild acne. It is also found in ome newborns.

The sebaceous glands lie just beneath the skin’s urface. They produce sebum, an oily secretion that elps to preserve the flexibility of the hair and moisturizes he skin. These glands and the hair follicles within hich they are found are called sebaceous follicles.

These follicles open onto the skin through pores that llow the sebum to reach the hair shaft and the skin. In ertain situations, the glands excrete excess sebum and t cannot be cleared from the pores efficiently. This appens, for instance, at puberty when increased levels f the androgen hormones cause overproduction of ebum. In addition, cells lining the follicle are shed too uickly and begin to clump together. The excess sebum ombines with the dead cells and forms a plug, or omedo (also called omedones), that blocks the pore, hich is not usually seen. When the follicle begins to ulge and show up as a small whitish bump mostly nder the skin, it is called a whitehead. If the comedo pens up, the top surface of the plug darkens, and it is eferred to as a blackhead.

Infection results when a plugged follicle is invaded y Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria that normally ives on the skin, and possibly other microorganisms.

The bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes that bring n inflammation. Pimples are the result of infected lackheads or whiteheads that rupture, releasing sebum, acteria, dead skin, and white blood cells onto the surrounding issues. Inflamed pimples near the skin’s surface re called papules; they are red and raised, and may e quite tender to the touch. The papules may become illed with pus, and are then called pustules. If the follicle ontinues to enlarge rather than rupture, it forms a losed sac, called a cyst, which can be felt as a lump nder the skin. Large hard swellings deep within the skin re called nodules. Both nodules and cysts may cause ain and scarring.

Causes & symptoms:

The exact cause of acne is mostly unknown. Sometimes hen acne in women is due to excess male hormone roduction, it is diagnosed by an onset of the condition n adulthood; excessive growth of hair, especially n places not usual on a female, called hirsuitism; irregular enstrual cycles; and premenstrual flare-ups of acne.

A 2001 study demonstrated that menstrual cycle does affect cne. Surprisingly, the study revealed that 53% of omen over age 33 experienced a higher premenstrual cne rate than women under age 20.

Many alternative practitioners assert that acne is ften related to a condition of toxicity in the intestines or iver. This may be due to the presence of bacteria such as

Clostridia spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica, a low-fiber iet; a lack of friendly gut flora such as Lactobacillus pp.; an intestinal overgrowth of Candida albicans; and ood allergies.

The interaction between the body’s hormones, skin rotein, skin secretions, and bacteria determines the ourse of acne. Several other factors have also been hown to affect the condition:

• Age. Teenagers are more likely than anyone to develop cne.

• Gender. Boys have more severe acne and develop it ore often than girls.

• Disease. Hormonal disorders can complicate acne in irls.

• Heredity. Individuals with a family history of acne have reater susceptibility to the condition.

• Hormonal changes. Acne can flare up before menstruation, uring pregnancy, and menopause.

• Diet. Although they are not the primary cause of acne, ertain foods may bring on flare-ups or make the condition orse.

• Drugs. Acne can be a side effect of antibiotics, oral ontraceptives, and anabolic steroids.

• Personal hygiene. Use of abrasive soaps, hard scrubbing f the face, or handling pimples will often make hem worse.

• Cosmetics. Oil-based makeup and hair sprays worsen cne.

• Environment. Exposure to oils and greases, polluted ir, and sweating in hot weather can all aggravate acne.

• Stress. Emotional stress may contribute to acne.

• Friction. Continual pressure or rubbing on the skin by uch things as bicycle helmets, backpacks, or tight lothing, as well as hard scrubbing of the skin, can orsen acne.

The most common sites of acne are the face, chest, houlders, and back, since these are the parts of the body here the most sebaceous follicles are found. In eenagers, acne is often found on the forehead, nose, and hin. As people get older, it tends to appear towards the uter part of the face. Adult women may have acne on heir chins and around their mouths. The elderly often develop hiteheads and blackheads on the upper cheeks and kin around the eyes. Inflamed lesions may cause redness, ain, tenderness, itching, or swelling in affected areas.

Diagnosis:

Acne has a characteristic appearance and is, therefore, ot difficult to diagnose. A complete medical history hould be taken, including questions about skin care, iet, factors that improve or worsen the condition, medication se, and prior treatment. Physical examination ncludes the face, upper neck, chest, shoulders, back, and ther affected areas. Under good lighting, the doctor can etermine what types and how many blemishes are present, hether they are inflamed, whether they are deep r superficial, and whether there is scarring or skin discoloration.

Blood tests are done when the patient appears o have hormonal or other medical problems. Stool tests an be helpful in determining whether there is a bacterial r yeast overgrowth contributing to the condition. Food llergy testing should also be considered.

Treatment:

Alternative treatments for acne focus on proper leansing to keep the skin oil-free; intermittent fasting; ating a good diet; an elimination diet where the individual voids alcohol, dairy products, smoking, affeine, sugar, processed foods, and foods high in iodine, mineral which appears to contribute to acne.

Supplementation with herbs that are blood cleansers r blood purifiers is recommended. These herbs trengthen the action of the liver and the kidneys, helping ith detoxification and excretion. Dandelion root incture (Taraxacum officinale) is recommended. Others nclude burdock root (Arctium lappa), also known as obo, and can be purchased fresh at health food grocers r in Asian markets. It can be used either raw or cooked n salads, stir-fries, or other vegetable dishes. Burdock oot tincture can also be used. Red clover (Trifolium ratense) makes a pleasant tea that can be consumed hroughout the day. Milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum) an either be taken in tincture form or the seeds an be ground up and eaten in combination with hot cereal, ranola, or other foods.

Other herbs useful in the treatment of acne include chinacea spp. and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

Goldenseal is particularly helpful in clearing up underlying onditions of intestinal toxicity. Herbal remedies sed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for acne nclude cnidium seed, (Cnidium monnieri), and honeysuckle lower (Lonicera japonica). Supplementation nutrients, uch as essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin B omplex, zinc, vitamin A or beta-carotene, and chromium re also recommended.

Bowel toxicity may contribute to acne flare-ups, and hould be addressed. Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus ulgaricus should be taken in yogurt or in apsules to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora.

Goldenseal can be used to kill toxic bacteria. Allergic oods should be identified and removed from the diet.

Dietary fiber, such as oats and wheat bran, beans, fruits nd vegetables and their skins, and psyllium seed, hould be increased in the diet. The fiber will absorb toxins nd carry them through the colon to be excreted.

In addition, those with acne may want to participate n movement therapy, such as yoga or t’ai chi, or begin n exercise regimen. The person may also consider tress reduction or meditation.

Allopathic treatment:

Acne treatment consists of reducing sebum and keratin roduction, encouraging the shedding of dead skin ells to help unclog the pores, and killing or limiting acteria. Treatment choice depends upon whether the cne is mild, moderate, or severe. Complicated cases are eferred to a dermatologist, or an endocrinologist, who reats diseases of the glands and the hormones. Counseling ay be necessary to clear up misconceptions about he condition and to offer support regarding the negative ffect of acne on the physical appearance.

Topical drugs:

Treatment for mild acne consists of reducing the ormation of new comedones with over-the-counter acne edications containing benzoyl peroxide (e.g., Clearasil,

Fostex), salicylic acid (Stridex), sulfur (Therac lotion), esorcinol (Acnomel cream). Treatment with stronger edications requires a doctor’s supervision. Such medications nclude comedolytics, which are agents that oosen hard plugs and open pores. Adapalene (Differin), he vitamin A acid tretinoin (Retin-A), and concentrated ersions of salicylic acid, resorcinol, and sulfur are in his group. Topical antibiotics, such as erythromycin, lindamycin (Cleocin-T), and meclocycline (Meclan), ay be added to the treatment regimen. Drugs that act as oth comedolytics and antibiotics, such as benzoyl peroxide, zelaic acid (Azelex), or benzoyl peroxide plus rythromycin (Benzamycin), are also used.

After washing with a mild soap, the acne medications re applied alone or in combination, once or twice day over the entire affected area of skin. It may take any months to years to control the condition with these edications. Possible side effects include mild redness, eeling, irritation, dryness, and an increased sensitivity o sunlight that requires use of a sunscreen.

Oral drugs:

When acne is severe and the lesions are deep, oral ntibiotics may be taken daily to reduce the spread of acteria. Tetracycline is the medication most often used. inocycline, however, may be more preferable because t has fewer side effects. Erythromycin and doxycycline re also used, and they also have side effects, including izziness, photosensitivity, gastrointestinal problems, nd darkening of the skin. Other possible side effects include llergic reactions, yeast infections, dizziness, ooth discoloration, and folliculitis. It is necessary for ntibiotics to be used for up to three months to clear up he condition.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) can be used in cases of very evere acne, or if antibiotic therapy proves unsuccessful.

It may clear up resistant cysts and nodules in up to 90% f people and prevent scarring. Some do require a second ourse of treatment before this happens, however.

Although the medication can be quite helpful, women ho might become pregnant should use it with care.

Isotretinoin can cause birth defects up to a month after it as stopped being used. Therefore, strict attention is paid o pregnancy tests and contraceptive requirements for omen of child-bearing age who take this medication.

The course of treatment with isotretinoin lasts about our to five months. If dosage is kept low, a longer ourse of therapy is needed. Isotretinoin is a strong medication.

Side effects are very common, mostly dryness of he eyes, genital mucosa, and lips. Other effects may include ncreases in cholesterol, tryglicerides, and abnormal iver enzymes. Blood tests taken each month should e monitored during the course of treatment to ensure hat the medication is not causing serious harm.

Anti-androgens, drugs that inhibit androgen production, re used to treat women who are unresponsive to ther therapies. Oral contraceptives such as norgestimate/

ethinyl estradiol (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen) have been hown to improve acne. In late 2001, a clinical trial emonstrated that ultra low-dose birth control pills

(Alesse) prove as effective in treating acne as do pills ith higher doses of estrogen. Improvement may take up o four months.

Other drugs, such as spironolactone and corticosteroids, ay be used to reduce hormone activity in the drenal glands, reducing production of sebum. This is he treatment of choice for an extremely severe, but rare ype of acne called acne fulminans, found mostly in adolescent ales. Acne conglobata, a more common form of evere inflammation, is characterized by numerous, eep, inflammatory nodules that heal with scarring. It is reated with oral isotretinoin and corticosteroids.

Other types of treatment:

Several surgical or medical treatments are available o alleviate acne or the resulting scars:

• Comedone extraction. The comedo is removed from he pore with a special tool.

• Chemical peels. Glycolic acid is applied to peel off the op layer of skin to reduce scarring.

• Dermabrasion. The affected skin is frozen with a chemical pray, and removed by brushing or planing.

• Punch grafting. Deep scars are excised and the area repaired ith small skin grafts.

• Intralesional injection. Corticosteroids are injected directly nto inflamed pimples.

• Collagen injection. Shallow scars are elevated by collagen rotein injections.

• Laser treatments. Two types of laser treatments are proving ffective in treating acne scars. Laser-treated skin heals in hree to 10 days, depending on the treatment chosen.

Expected results:

Most dermatologists now use a combination of therapies o treat acne, depending on the individual. Results f specific treatments will vary. Acne is not a serious ealth threat. The most troubling aspects of this condition re the negative cosmetic effects and potential for ermanent scarring. Some people, especially teenagers, ecome emotionally upset about their condition, and this ay contribute to social or emotional problems.

Acne is not considered curable, although it can be ontrolled by proper treatment, with improvement possibly aking many months. Acne tends to reappear when reatment stops, but it often spontaneously improves over ime. Inflammatory acne may leave scars that require urther treatment.

Prevention:

There are no sure ways to prevent acne, but the following teps may be taken to minimize flare-ups:

• Gentle washing of affected areas once or twice every day.

• Avoidance of abrasive cleansers.

• Limited use of makeup and moisturizers; with avoidance f oil-based brands altogether.

• Oily hair should be shampooed often and worn up, way from the face.

• A healthy, well-balanced diet should be eaten. Fresh ruits and vegetables should be stressed, and foods that eem to trigger flare-ups should be avoided.

• The face can be washed gently, twice daily with a soap ompounded of sulfur, Calendula officinalis, or other ubstances that are useful against acne.

• Affected areas should not be handled excessively. Pimples hould not be squeezed or prodded, as this may contribute o scarring, as well as spreading the acne lesions.

• Emotional stress should be kept in check.

KEY TERMS:

Androgens—Male sex hormones that are linked ith the development of acne.

Comedo—A hard plug composed of sebum and ead skin cells.

Follicles—Structures where pimples form.

They re found within the skin and house the oil glands nd hair.

Isotretinoin—A drug that decreases sebum production nd dries up acne pimples.

Sebum—An oily skin moisturizer produced by sebaceous lands.

Almond soup Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:15:00 +0000

Almond soup Recipes

Serves 4

Ingredients:

225g/8oz blanched almonds, minced

3 egg yolks, hard-boiled

1.2 litres/2pt chicken stock

25g/1oz butter, softened

25g/1oz plain flour

125ml/4fl oz single cream salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Using a mortar and pestle, reduce the almonds to a paste with the egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of the stock. Set aside.

• Make a beurre manié by working the butter and flour together into a smooth paste using a fork.

Bring the remaining stock to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Add the beurre manié in small knobs, whisking vigorously after each addition until completely dissolved. Whisk in the almond paste until smooth, then cook gently for 30 minutes.

• Strain the soup through a sieve into a clean pan. Add the cream, and season with salt and pepper.

Reheat gently and serve.

Macrobiotic diet steep by steep

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:15:00 +0000

Macrobiotic diet steep by steep

A macrobiotic diet is part of a philosophy of life that incorporates the ancient Oriental concept or theory of yin and yang. The diet itself consists mainly of brown rice, other whole grains, and vegetables. It requires foods to be cooked over a flame, rather than by electricity or microwave.

Origins:

The term macrobiotics comes from two Greek words; macro (great) and bios (life). The macrobiotic diet is believed to have originated in nineteenth century Japan, with the teachings of Sagen Ishizuka, a natural healer. George Ohsawa (1893–1966), a Japanese teacher and writer, introduced macrobiotics to Europeans in the 1920s. Ohsawa claims to have cured himself of tuberculosis by eating Ishizuka’s diet of brown rice, soup, and vegetables. The diet did not attract much attention in the United States until the mid-1960s, when Ohsawa’s book Zen Macrobiotics was published and became a best seller, especially among the 1960s counterculture. The diet’s popularity heightened in the 1970s when the macrobiotic philosophy was embraced by former Beatle John Lennon (1940–1980) and his wife,Yoko Ono (1933– ).

Benefits:

In the macrobiotic diet, foods are selected for their metaphysical qualities rather than their nutritional value.

The regime, which is high in whole grains, vegetables, beans, and soy protein, has many of the same benefits as a vegetarian or vegan diet. Numerous scientific studies have shown that a diet of this type can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and various cancers. The macrobiotic diet is rich in vitamins, high in dietary fiber, and low in fatty foods.

Description:

In addition to its holistic approach to nutrition, macrobiotics applies these beliefs to life in general.

Its philosophy recommends the following behaviors:

• eating two or three meals a day

• chewing each mouthful of food approximately 50 times to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients

• avoiding food for at least three hours before bedtime

• taking short baths or showers as needed, with warm or cool water

• consuming only organic foods

• using grooming, cosmetic, and household products made from natural, non-toxic ingredients

• wearing only cotton clothing and avoiding metallic jewelry

• spending as much time as possible in natural outdoor settings and walking at least 30 minutes daily

• doing such aerobic or stretching exercises as yoga, dance, or martial arts on a regular basis

• placing large green plants throughout the house to enrich the oxygen content of the air, and keeping windows open as much as possible to allow fresh air circulation

• avoiding food preparation with electricity or microwaves; using gas or wood stoves; and using only cast iron, stainless steel, or clay cookware

• avoiding television viewing and computer use as much as possible

The macrobiotic diet assigns yin and yang energies to foods. Yin and yang are opposite energies that are complementary and harmonious, such as day and night.

Yin energies are directed outward while yang energies are directed inward. In this ancient Asian philosophy, everything in the universe is assigned a yin or yang quality.

Balance, harmony, order, and happiness are achieved when the forces of yin and yang are in balance.

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and hard cheeses are considered yang, while milk, cream, fruit juice, alcohol, and sugar are yin. The macrobiotic diet consists mainly of foods in the middle, such as brown rice and other whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruit, and nuts. The diet is flexible, and allows fish on occasion. Its flexibility enhances its appeal. The macrobiotic diet allows people to design their own food regimens based on their personal requirements, environment, and medical conditions.

One of the principles of the macrobiotic diet is that people should primarily eat organically grown foods native to their climate and area. The theory is that human health depends on the ability to adapt to the changes in the environment. When people eat foods from a climate that differs from where they live, they lose that adaptability.

Propronents of the macrobiotic diet claim that as society has moved away from its traditional ecologically based diet, there has been a corresponding rise in chronic illness.

Therefore, for optimal health, the belief is that people need to return to a way of eating based on foods produced in their local environment, or at least grown in a climate that is similar to where they live.

Foods considered yang (contracted energy) last longer and can originate from a wide geographic area.

Sea salt and sea vegetables are examples of yang foods.

They can come from anywhere within the same hemisphere.

Whole grains and legumes are also yang, and can originate anywhere within the same continent since they keep for a long time. Fresh fruits and vegetables are considered yin (expansive energy).

Since they have a relatively short shelf life, they should be chosen only from those types that grow naturally within one’s immediate area. According to macrobiotic beliefs, balance between yin and yang in diet and food helps achieve inner peace and harmony with one’s self and the surrounding world.

Another aspect of the macrobiotic diet is that the type of foods eaten should change with the seasons. In the spring and summer, the food should be lighter, cooler, and require less cooking. This change is necessary because— according to the macrobiotic philosophy—the energy of fire is abundant in the form of sunlight and does not need to be drawn from cooked food. In the autumn and winter, the opposite is true.

The time of day also plays an important role in the macrobiotic diet since it relates to atmospheric energy levels.

In the morning, when upward energy is stronger, breakfast should include light foods, such as a whole grain cooked in water. In the evening, when downward energy is stronger, the meal can be larger. Lunch should be quick and light, since afternoon energy is active and expansive.

In macrobiotics, it is believed that the dietary standards that are effective for one person may not work for another. These standards may change from day to day.

Therefore, this diet requires a change in thinking from a static view of life to a dynamic one.

Many people are attracted to the diet because of claims that it can prevent or cure cancer. While no scientific studies support these claims, there are many people who believe the diet helped rid them of the disease when such conventional treatments as chemotherapy and radiation failed. Others use the diet to help treat diabetes, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and other forms of heart disease. Many of the diet’s supporters believe that these and other degenerative diseases occur because the body’s yin and yang are out of balance, and that a macrobiotic diet helps restore this balance.

Macrobiotic foods:

The primary food in the standard macrobiotic diet is whole cereal grains, including brown rice, barley, millet, rolled oats, wheat, corn, rye, and buckwheat. A small amount of whole grain pasta and breads is allowed. Grains should comprise about 50% of the food consumed.

Fresh vegetables should account for 20–30% of the diet. The most highly recommended vegetables include green cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, carrots, parsnips, winter squash, bok choy, onions, parsley, daikon radishes, and watercress.

Vegetables that should be eaten only occasionally include cucumber, celery, lettuce, and most herbs.

Vegetables that should be avoided include tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, spinach, beets, and summer squash.

About 10% of the diet should consist of beans and sea vegetables. The most suitable beans are azuki, chickpeas, and lentils. Tofu and tempeh are also allowed.

Other beans can be eaten several times a week. Sea vegetables include nori, wakame, kombu, hiziki, arame, and agar-agar. Another 10% of the diet should include soups made with regular or sea vegetables.

Other permitted items include sweeteners such as barley malt, rice syrup, and apple juice; such seasonings as miso, tamari, soy sauce, rice or cider vinegar, sesame oil, tahini, and sea salt; occasional small amounts of seeds and nuts (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, and almonds); and white-meat fish once or twice a week. Beverages allowed include tea made from twigs, stems, brown rice, and dandelion root, apple juice, and goodquality water without ice.

Items not allowed include meat; dairy products; fruits; refined grains; anything with preservatives, artificial flavorings and colorings or chemicals; all canned, frozen, processed, and irradiated foods; hot spices; caffeine; alcohol; refined sugar, honey, molasses, and chocolate.

Preparations:

There are no specific procedures involved in preparing for the diet, except to change from a diet based on meat, sugars, dairy products, and processed foods, to one based primarily on whole grains, vegetables, and unprocessed foods. Some advocates of the macrobiotic diet recommend making the switch gradually rather than all at once.

Precautions:

The macrobiotic diet does not include many fruits and vegetables that are important sources of nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta carotene. If followed rigidly, the diet can also be deficient in protein, calcium, vitamin B12, folate, and iron. Persons accustomed to a diet high in fat can experience sudden and drastic weight loss if they switch to a rigid macrobiotic diet. In its original form, the macrobiotic diet required foods to be slowly eliminated from the diet until only rice and beans were consumed. Carried to this extreme, the diet lacks significantly in necessary vitamins and nutrients.

A macrobiotic diet may worsen cachexia (malnutrition, wasting) in cancer patients. It is not recommended for people who have intestinal blockages, gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease), or cereal grain allergies.

Children, pregnant women, and persons with intestinal disorders, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney disease, or malnutrition should consult their physician before starting a macrobiotic diet.

Side effects:

There are no negative side effects associated with a macrobiotic diet in adults, other than such minor problems as dizziness in some people who experience rapid weight loss.

Research & general acceptance:

Like many alternative therapies, the macrobiotic diet is controversial and not embraced by allopathic medicine.

Most of the controversy surrounds claims that the diet can cure cancer. These claims stem from anecdotal reports and are not substantiated by scientific research. The

American Medical Association opposes the macrobiotic diet. The allopathic medical community is also concerned that people with such serious diseases as cancer may use the diet as a substitute for conventional treatment.

Scientific studies in the United States and Europe have shown that a strict traditional macrobiotic diet can lead to a variety of nutritional deficiencies, especially in protein, amino acids, calcium, iron, zinc, and ascorbic acid. These deficiencies can result in drastic weight loss, anemia, scurvy, and hypocalcemia. In children, a strict macrobiotic diet can cause stunted growth, protein and calorie malnutrition, and bone age retardation.

Training & certification:

No special training or certification is required. There are, however, several institutes in the United States that offer courses in the macrobiotic philosophy and diet.

Bad breath Diagnosis to the Treatment with alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:14:00 +0000

Bad breath Diagnosis to the Treatment with alternative medicine

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the breath. Usually it is due to poor hygiene, but it can be an indication of underlying health problems.

Bad breath is likely to be experienced by most adults and many children, at least occasionally. Some people are strongly convinced that bad breath is present when it is not. Bad breath can have a significant impact on a person’s social and professional life.

Causes & symptoms:

Accumulation of plaque on the teeth is a major cause of bad breath. Plaque is a mucus film that mixes with food particles, saliva, and bacterial residue in the mouth. Bad breath can also be caused by any number of other problems. These include sores in the mouth, infected tonsils, tooth or gum disease, fermentation of food particles in the mouth, sinus infections, and badly cleaned dentures.

Conditions that may cause bad breath are not only limited to the oral and nasal areas. Other possible sources of the problem might be indigestion, lung infection, kidney failure, tuberculosis, syphilis, liver disease, stomach and intestinal problems, stress, dehydration, zinc deficiency, and cancer.

Cigarette smoking can also lead to bad breath, not only in the smoker, but also in someone constantly exposed to secondhand smoke.

A diet high in fats, spicy foods, or one that includes coffee may contribute to unpleasant breath odors.

Medications causing dry mouth or dehydration may also be a source of problems, since the flow of saliva helps clean out the mouth.

Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, diuretics, and some heart medications may have a dehydrating effect, and could be a cause of bad breath.

Diagnosis:

The easiest way to determine if one has bad breath is to ask a friend who is trustworthy and discrete, or to ask a doctor or dentist. A test that can be attempted on one’s own, is to cup a hand over the mouth, exhale, and then inhale through the nose while smelling the breath.

A physical examination by a doctor or dentist may be used to diagnose other problems that may be causing the bad breath.

Treatment:

Leaves of parsley, Petroselinum crispum; wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens; or peppermint, Mentha piperita; can be chewed to freshen the breath by the introduction of their aromatic substances into the lungs.

A strong tea made of Echinacea spp.; myrrh, Commiphora molmol; and bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis; can be used as a daily mouthwash.

Fresh apples, citrus fruits, and celery are also good foods for helping to clean out the mouth.

Possible homeopathic remedies that may be useful for bad breath include Nux vomica and Kali phosphoricum.

Supplementing with zinc and vitamin C may also be of benefit.

Allopathic treatment:

The most effective treatment of bad breath is to treat the cause. If bad breath is a continuing problem or there are other symptoms, such as bleeding gums, a doctor or dentist should be consulted.

A medication change may be warranted if a prescription drug is contributing to bad breath.

A physician should be consulted any time a change in medication is planned.

Expected results:

Most bad breath can be treated successfully with good oral hygiene or medical care. Occasionally, a person may develop delusional or obsessive behavior regarding breath odor problems, and mental health counseling may be appropriate.

Prevention:

A healthy diet, high in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, should be eaten. Processed foods such as sugar and white bread and grains contribute to plaque formation and should be avoided. Spicy foods such as onions, peppers, garlic, pastrami, salami, pepperoni, anchovies, and others should be avoided. Plenty of water should be consumed throughout the day to avoid dehydration and dry mouth. Water should be consumed after taking any food or drink to wash away residues that may accumulate with plaque.

The teeth should be brushed and flossed daily after meals. Toothbrushes should be changed monthly, since there may be a tendency for bacteria to accumulate on them. Baking soda is a good choice to use for cleaning the teeth when bad breath is a problem.

The baking soda makes the mouth pH less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria.

Gentle brushing of the tongue should also be included in the routine of daily oral hygiene, since the tongue itself may harbor tiny particles of food. A device called a tongue blade can be useful for cleaning the tongue. It may be available from a store that sells Asian or Middle Eastern products. An oral irrigation device, such as a Water Pik, is recommended to more thoroughly remove food and debris from the teeth. Mouthwashes are often helpful, especially those containing zinc. A dentist should regularly check the health of the gums and teeth for disease. A dental hygienist should clean the teeth regularly, especially if there is an increased tendency to form plaque.

Dance therapy as kind of alternative medicine and remedies

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:12:00 +0000

Dance therapy as kind of alternative medicine and remedies

Dance therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement to further the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development of the individual. Dance therapists work with people who have many kinds of emotional problems, intellectual deficits, and life-threatening illnesses.

They are employed in psychiatric hospitals, day care centers, mental health centers, prisons, special schools, and private practice. They work with people of all ages in both group and individual therapy.

Some also engage in research.

Dance therapists try to help people develop communication skills, a positive self-image, and emotional stability.

Origins:

Dance therapy began as a profession in the 1940s with the work of Marian Chace. A modern dancer, she began teaching dance after ending her career with the Denishawn Dance Company in 1930. In her classes, she noticed that some of her students were more interested in the emotions they expressed while dancing (loneliness, shyness, fear, etc.) than the mechanics of the moves.

She began encouraging them by emphasizing more freedom of movement rather than technique.

In time, doctors in the community started sending her patients. They included antisocial children, people with movement problems, and those with psychiatric illnesses.

Eventually, Chace became part of the staff of the Red Cross at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. She was the first dance therapist employed in a formal position by the federal government. Chace worked with the emotionally troubled patients at St. Elizabeth’s and tried to get them to reach out to others through dance. Some of them were schizophrenics and others were former servicemen suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Success for these patients meant being able to participate with their class in moving to rhythmic music. “This rhythmic action in unison with others results in a feeling of well-being, relaxation, and good fellowship,” Chace said once.

Chace eventually studied at the Washington School of Psychiatry and began making treatment decisions about her patients along with other members of the St. Elizabeth’s medical team. Her work attracted many followers and the first dance therapy interns began learning and teaching dance therapy at St. Elizabeth’s in the 1950s.

Other dancers also began using dance therapy in the 1940s to help people feel more comfortable with themselves and their bodies. These dancers included Trudi Schoop and Mary Whitehouse.

Whitehouse later became a Jungian analyst and an influential member of the dance therapy community. She developed a process called “movement in-depth,” an extension of her understanding of dance, movement, and depth psychology. She helped found the contemporary movement practice called “authentic movement.” In this type of movement, founded on the principles of Jungian analysis, patients dance out their feelings about an internal image, often one that can help them understand their past or their current life struggles. One of Whitehead’s students, Janet Alder furthered Whitehead’s work in authentic movement by establishing the Mary Starks Whitehouse Institute in 1981.

In 1966, dance therapy became formally organized and recognized when the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was formed.

Benefits:

Dance therapy can be helpful to a wide range of patients—from psychiatric patients to those with cancer to lonely elderly people. Dance therapy is often an easy way for a person to express emotions, even when his or her experience is so traumatic he or she can’t talk about it. It is frequently used with rape victims and survivors of sexual abuse and incest. It can also help people with physical deficits improve their self-esteem and learn balance and coordination.

Dance therapists also work with people who have chronic illnesses and life-threatening diseases to help them deal with pain, fear of death, and changes in their body image.

Many people with such illnesses find dance therapy classes to be a way to relax, get away from their pain and emotional difficulties for a while, and express feelings about taboo subjects (such as impending death).

Dance therapy is suitable even for people who are not accomplished dancers, and may even be good for those who are clumsy on the dance floor.

The emphasis in dance therapy is on free movement, not restrictive steps, and expressing one’s true emotions.

Children who cannot master difficult dances or can’t sit still for traditional psychotherapy often benefit from free-flowing dance therapy. Even older people who cannot move well or are confined to wheelchairs can participate in dance therapy.

All they need to do is move in some way to the rhythm of the music.

Dance therapy can be useful in a one-on-one situation, where the therapist works with only one patient to provide a safe place to express emotions. Group classes can help provide emotional support, enhanced communication skills, and appropriate physical boundaries (a skill that is vital for sexual abuse victims).

Description:

There are currently more than 1,200 dance therapists in 46 states in the United Sates and in 29 foreign countries. Like other mental health professionals, they use a wide range of techniques to help their patients.

Some of the major “schools of thought” in dance therapy include the Freudian approach, Jungian technique, and object relations orientation. Many therapists, however, do not ascribe to just one school, but use techniques from various types of dance therapy.

The authentic movement technique is derived from the Jungian method of analysis in which people work with recurring images in their thoughts or dreams to de-rive meaning in their life. Instead of asking the patient to dance out certain emotions, the therapist instructs the patient to move when he or she feels “the inner impulse.”

The moves are directed by the patient and the therapist is a noncritical witness to the movement.

The moves are supposed to emerge from a deep level within the patient.

In Freudian technique, dance therapists work with patients to uncover feelings hidden deep in the subconscious by expressing those feelings through dance.

In object relations technique, the therapist often helps the patient examine problems in his or her life by considering the primary initial relationship with the parents.

Emotions are expressed in a concrete, physical way.

For instance, a patient would work out his fears of abandonment by repeatedly coming close to and dancing at a distance from the therapist.

Dance therapists sometimes use other types of therapy along with dance, such as art or drama.

Therapists also discuss what happens during a dancing session by spending time in “talk therapy.” Dance therapists use visualizations during sessions, too. For example, the therapist might instruct patients to imagine they are on a beautiful, peaceful beach as they dance.

In one frequently used technique, the therapist mirrors the movements of the patient as he or she expresses important emotions. This is especially powerful in private one-on-one therapy.

It is thought that this device provides a sense of safety and validates the patient’s emotions.

The underlying premise of dance therapy is that when people dance, they are expressing highly significant emotions. A fist thrust out in anger into the air or a head bent in shame has deep significance to a dance therapist.

Through dance therapy, the theory goes, patients are able to more easily express painful, frightening emotions, and can progress from there. After experiencing dance therapy, they can talk about their feelings more freely and tear down the barriers they have erected between themselves and other people.

The hope is that eventually they can go on to live more psychologically healthy lives.

Preparations:

People who want to use dance therapy should find a qualified therapist. The ADTA provides lists of qualified therapists. The person should begin dance therapy with an open mind and a willingness to participate so he or she can get the most benefit.

Precautions:

A qualified dance therapist should have completed a graduate program in dance therapy approved by the ADTA and should be registered with the ADTA. He or she should not just be a dancer, but should also have extensive training in psychology.

Research & general acceptance:

Dance therapy was once dismissed as simply an ineffective, “feel good” treatment, but it is now more respected.

Many research studies have proven that dance therapy can be an effective tool to help people overcome psychological problems.

In a 1993 study, older people with cognitive deficits showed that dance therapy could significantly increase their functional abilities. Patients improved their balance, rhythmic discrimination, mood, and social interaction.

In 1999, a pilot study of 21 university students showed that those who took a series of four to five group dance therapy sessions in a period of two weeks significantly reduced their test anxiety as measured by a wellknown exam called the Test Anxiety Inventory. Afterwards, the subjects reported that their dance movement experience was positive and provided them with psychological insight. The researchers concluded that dance therapy could be a viable method of treatment for students who suffer from overwhelming test anxiety, and should be researched further.

In another 1999 study presented at the ADTA national conference in November 1999, dance therapist Donna Newman-Bluestein reported success in using techniques of dance therapy with cardiac patients. In a stress reduction class, health professionals used dance therapy methods to teach body awareness, relaxation, self-expression, creativity, and empathy. According to Newman-Bluestein, the dance therapy techniques helped the patients deal with such stressful emotions as anger, increased their selfawareness, made them more relaxed, and helped them adjust emotionally to having heart disease.

Training & certification:

Dance therapists should have dance experience and a liberal arts background with coursework in psychology for their undergraduate degree. Professional dance therapy training takes place on the graduate level. A qualified dance therapist has received a graduate degree from a school approved by the ADTA, or has a master’s degree in dance or psychology and has taken additional dance therapy credits.

After graduation, dance therapists can become registered with the ADTA, meaning that they are qualified to practice. After two years they may receive an additional recognition when they become an Academy of Dance Therapist Registered.

They can then teach dance therapy and can supervise interns.

Dance therapists can also obtain psychological credentials by taking a test and becoming registered by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.

Balm of Gilead's remedies in alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Balm of Gilead's remedies in alternative medicine

Balm of Gilead (Cammiphora opobalsamum, known as Populus candicans in the United States) is a substance used in perfumes that is derived from the resinous juices of the balsam poplar tree. The tree is a member of the Bursera family. The variety that is native to the continents of Africa and Asia is a small tree of 10–12 ft (3-3.6 m)in height. The cultivated North American variety can grow to heights of 100 ft (30 m).

The herb’s name derives from the ancient region of Gilead in Palestine, known for the great healing powers of its balm. Balm of Gilead is mentioned several times in the Bible (e.g., Jeremiah 8:22). The writings of Pliny the Elder indicate that the tree was brought to Rome in the first century A.D. The historian Josephus recorded that the Queen of Sheba made a gift of balm of Gilead to King Solomon.

General use:

In addition to being used in the composition of perfumes, balm of Gilead is used to soothe ailments of the mucous membranes. It is taken internally to ease coughs and respiratory infections. The balm is also said to relieve laryngitis and sore throats. It can also be combined with coltsfoot to make a cough suppressant.

Preparations:

The resin of the balsam poplar tree is collected when it seeps out of the tree during the summer months.

Seepage increases when humidity levels are high. Slits may be made in the tree’s bark to collect the resin more rapidly. The bark and leaf buds are also collected.

For the internal treatment of chest congestion, balm of Gilead is made into a tincture or a syrup

To make a syrup, the balm is combined with equal parts of elecampane, wild cherry bark and one-half part of licorice mixed with honey. The syrup can be taken by tablespoons as needed.

For external treatment of bruises, swellings and minor skin irritations, the balm is combined with lard or oil and applied as needed. The bark, which contains stomtraces of salicylic acid, can be combined with willow and rosemary and used as a analgesic to relieve fevers, muscle aches and arthritic pain.

Precautions:

The sale and use of herbs as medicines, including balm of Gilead, are not regulated by government agencies. Therefore, consumers should exercise caution in purchasing and using herbs in this manner.

Consultation with a physician or pharmacist is always recommended.

Side effects:

In general, balm of Gilead is safe to use in small amounts for coughs and other minor health problems.

Some people, however, may have allergic reactions to the resin. In addition, patients with kidney and liver disease, as well as pregnant and nursing women, should avoid the internal use of balm of Gilead.

Interactions:

Balm of Gilead has no known interactions with standard pharmaceutical preparations.

Baked mushrooms Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Baked mushrooms Recipes

Ingredients:

8 large flat mushrooms, wiped with damp kitchen paper

2 tablespoons olive oil

250g/9oz Taleggio or Brie cheese, thickly sliced

1 bunch of fresh lemon thyme, leaves only salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 400°F/Gas mark 6.

• Trim the stalks from the mushrooms.

Put the mushrooms, rounded cap side down, in a medium roasting dish.

Season with salt and pepper

• Pour the olive oil over the mushrooms. Place the cheese slices on top, and finally sprinkle with the lemon thyme. Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve hot.

Hangover: remedies and most successful alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Hangover: remedies and most successful alternative medicine

Hangover is the collection of physical and mental symptoms that occur after a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol.

Hangovers have probably been experienced since prehistoric time when alcohol was first discovered.

A survey found that about 75% of the persons who drank enough to be intoxicated (drunk) sometimes experienced hangover. Although very prevalent, hangovers have not been extensively studied. It is known that ethanol is the primary chemical component of alcohol to produce the effects associated with drinking.

Whether hangover affects complex mental tasks and the performance of simple tasks is unclear. Studies on these areas have yielded conflicting results, presumably due to differences in methods. Clearly, alcohol consumption can affect sleep, and sleep deprivation is known to affect performance.

Causes & symptoms:

The cause of hangover is believed to be multifactorial.

Hangover is likely caused by a combination of direct effects of ethanol, effects of ethanol removal, effects of ethanol breakdown products, effects of other components of the alcoholic beverage, personal characteristics, and behaviors associated with alcohol use.

Direct effects of ethanol:

Ethanol can directly affect the body by causing dehydration (loss of fluids), electrolyte (body chemicals) imbalance, stomach and intestinal irritation, low blood sugar, and sleep disruption. In addition, alcohol directly affects the circadian rhythm (internal 24-hour clock) causing a feeling similar to jet lag. Ethanol causes vasodilation (enlarged blood vessels) and affects bodily chemicals, like serotonin and histamine, which may contribute to the headache associated with hangover.

Effects of ethanol removal:

Because hangover symptoms peak at around the same time that the blood alcohol concentration falls to zero, some researchers propose that hangover is actually a mild form of withdrawal. Excessive drinking causes changes in the chemical messenger system of the brain and, when the alcohol is removed, the system becomes unbalanced.

Many of the symptoms of hangover are similar to those associated with mild withdrawal. Some differences exist, however, between hangover and withdrawal; specifically, hangover symptoms do not include the hallucinations, seizures, and the lengthy impairment of withdrawal.

Effects of ethanol breakdown products:

In the body, ethanol is first broken down to acetaldehyde and then to acetate. Acetaldehyde is a reactive chemical that, at high concentrations, can cause sweating, rapid pulse, skin flushing, nausea, and vomiting. Some researchers believe that acetaldehyde causes hangover.

Although there is no acetaldehyde in the blood when the blood alcohol concentration reaches zero, the toxic effects of acetaldehyde on the body may still persist.

Other factors:

Most alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of other active compounds besides ethanol. These compounds add to the smell, taste, and appearance of the beverage.

Gin or vodka, which contain almost pure ethanol, produce fewer hangover symptoms than alcoholic beverages that contain other alcohol compounds (such as red wine, brandy, or whiskey). For example, methanol is implicated in contributing to hangover. Red wine, whiskey, and brandy all contain high levels of methanol.

Some inherent personal traits place persons at risk of experiencing hangover. In some persons, high levels of acetaldehyde accumulate (because of a deficient enzyme) which causes them to experience more severe hangovers. Persons who are neurotic, angry, or defensive, feel guilty about drinking, experience negative life events, or have a family history of alcoholism have increased hangover symptoms.

Certain behaviors associated with drinking increase the chance of experiencing hangover. These include drug use, disruption of normal sleep patterns, restricted food intake, and cigarette use.

Hangover symptoms begin within several hours after a person has stopped drinking and may last up to 24 hours.

The specific symptoms experienced may vary depending upon the individual, the occasion, and the type and amount of alcohol consumed. The physical symptoms of hangover include headache, fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, muscle aches, eye redness, thirst, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Hangover can cause rapid heartbeat, tremor, increased blood pressure, and sweating.

Mental symptoms associated with hangover are decreased sleep, changes in sleep stages, decreased attention, decreased concentration, depression, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, and a sense that the room is spinning (vertigo).

Treatment:

Eating balanced meals, drinking extra water, and limiting total alcohol help to reduce or avoid hangover.

There are also many alternative treatments to prevent or reduce hangover symptoms. Drinking additional alcohol to relieve hangover, although it reduces short-term symptoms, is not recommended. Some experts believe that drinking alcohol to relieve hangover is a sign of impending alcoholism. The primary measure to fight hangover is to drink plenty of water while drinking alcoholic beverages, before going to bed, and the day after.

Sweating from exertion, exercise, sauna, or massage may also help.

Food therapy:

Hangover symptoms may be reduced by taking in lots of extra water and fluids and by eating foods that are high in vitamin C and the B vitamins, which are believed to speed the removal of alcohol from the body.

Oranges, guava, grapefruit, and strawberries are rich in vitamin C and beans, fish, and whole grains are rich in the B vitamins. A cocktail prepared from orange juice (1 cup), pineapple juice (1 cup), kiwi fruit (one), vitamin- B-enriched nutritional yeast (1 tablespoon), and honey (1 tablespoon) provides important nutrients which the body needs to recover from hangover.

Juice therapists recommend drinking a mixture of carrot juice (8 oz), beet juice (1 oz), celery juice (4 oz), and parsley juice (1 oz) twice during hangover. The Chinese drink fresh tangerine juice and eat 10 strawberries to treat hangover.

Eating bland complex carbohydrates, such as crackers or toast, is easy on the stomach and helps to raise blood sugar levels. Drinking tea or coffee can relieve fatigue and possibly the headache.

Throughout the world, traditional food remedies for hangover have certain things in common. These include eggs, tripe, hot spices, hearty soups, and fruit and vegetable juices. These foods all serve to replenish vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients lost by the body as it detoxifies alcohol.

Ayurveda:

Ayurvedic practitioners believe that hangover reflects the symptoms of excess pitta. Immediate relief may be found after drinking water containing lime juice (1 teaspoon), sugar (one half teaspoon), salt (pinch), and baking soda (one half teaspoon).

Orange juice containing cumin (pinch) and lime juice (1 teaspoon) helps hangover.

Drinking cool lassi, water containing yogurt (1 tablespoon) and cumin powder (pinch), three or four times daily may relieve nausea, headache, and drowsiness.

Herbals:

The following herbal remedies are useful in treating hangover symptoms:

• An Ayurvedic remedy is to take one half teaspoon of a mixture of shatavari (5 parts), shanka bhasma (one eighth part), kama dudha (one eighth part), and jatamamsi (3 parts) with water 2–3 times daily.

• An Ayurvedic antidote for alcohol toxicity is one half teaspoon of tikta (or myrrh, aloe vera, or sudharshan) with warm water three times during the day.

• Barberry (Barberis vulgaris) tea reduces hangover symptoms.

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and burdock (Arctium lappa) tea (with gentian extract, powdered ginger, and honey) can ease the nausea.

• Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) oil helps to replenish lost gamma-linoleic acid.

• Milk thistle (Silybum marinum) reduces alcohol toxicity on the liver.

• Nux vomica (Strychnos nux vomica) is a homeopathic antidote for alcohol overconsumption.

• Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) helps the body adjust to the stress of alcohol toxicity.

• Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) tea with hot pepper (Capsicum) sauce relieves the headache.

Other hangover remedies:

Various other remedies for hangover include:

• Acupressure. Point LI 4 (between the thumb and index finger) relieves headache and stomach ailments and the B2 points (upper edge of the eye socket) relieves headache accompanied by light sensitivity.

• Aromatherapy. The nausea of hangover may be relieved by drinking an aromatic cocktail of water, lemon juice, and a drop of fennel essential oil before breakfast.

• Imagery. The hangover sufferer may visualize being on a ship in a stormy ocean. The ocean gradually becomes calm until the ship is gently bobbing in the water.

• Probiotics. The bacteria Bifidobacterium bifidus is able to remove alcohol breakdown products. To fight hangover, naturopaths recommend taking B. bifidus before going to bed and again the following day.

• Supplements. Taking 50 mg of vitamin B3 before going to bed may relieve hangover.

• Hydrotherapy. Drinking a glass of water containing activated charcoal powder before going to bed may absorb alcohol in the stomach and reduce hangover symptoms.

Allopathic treatment:

Hangover symptoms may be relieved by taking antacids for nausea and stomach pain and aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or naproxen) for headache and muscle pains.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be avoided while drinking or during hangover because alcohol enhances acetaminophen’s toxic effects on the liver. Caffeine, usually taken as coffee, is historically used to treat hangover, although this has not been studied.

Expected results:

Hangover may be prevented by limiting the intake of alcohol, or drinking alcoholic beverages with a lesser incidence of causing hangover such as gin, vodka, or pure ethanol. Getting adequate sleep may reduce the fatigue associated with hangover. Drinking nonalcoholic beverages, both during and after drinking alcohol, may reduce dehydration and reduce hangover symptoms.

Taking 120 mg of milk thistle before drinking can help the liver detoxify the alcohol.

The Jet lag remedies with alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:13:00 +0000

The Jet lag remedies with alternative medicine

Jet lag is a condition marked by fatigue, insomnia, and irritability that is caused by air travel through changing time zones. It is commonplace: a 2002 study of international business travelers (IBTs) found that jet lag was one of the most common health problems reported, affecting as many as 74% of IBTs.

Living organisms are accustomed to periods of night and day alternating at set intervals.

Most of the human body’s regulating hormones follow this cycle, known as circadian rhythm. The word circadian comes from the Latin, circa, meaning about, and dies, meaning day.

These cycles are not exactly 24 hours long, hence the “circa.” Each chemical has its own cycle of highs and lows, interacting with and influencing the other cycles. Body temperature, sleepiness, thyroid function, growth hormone, metabolic processes, adrenal hormones, and the sleep hormone melatonin all cycle with daylight.

There is a direct connection between the retina (the light-sensitive structure at the back of the eye) and the part of the brain that controls all these hormones.

Artificial light has some effect but sunlight has much more. Disruption of circadian rhythms affects the sleep-wake cycles of night-shift workers as well as travelers.

When people are without clocks in a compartment that is completely closed to sunlight, most of them fall into a circadian cycle of about 25 hours. Normally, all the regulating chemicals follow one another in order like threads in a weaving pattern. Every morning the sunlight resets the cycle, stimulating the leading chemicals and thus compensating for the difference between the 24-hour day and the 25-hour innate rhythm.

When traveling through a number of time zones, most people reset their rhythms within a few days, demonstrating the adaptability of the human species. Some people, however, have upset circadian rhythms that last indefinitely.

Causes & symptoms:

Traveling through a few time zones at a time is not as disruptive to circadian rhythms as traveling around the world can be. The foremost symptom of jet lag is altered sleep pattern—sleepiness during the day, and insomnia during the night. Jet lag may also include indigestion and trouble concentrating. Individuals afflicted by jet lag will alternate in and out of a normal day-night cycle.

Treatment:

Exposure to bright morning sunlight cures jet lag after a few days in most people. A few will have pro-longed sleep phase difficulties. For these, there is a curious treatment that has achieved success. By forcing one’s self into a 27 hour day, complete with the appropriate stimulation from bright light, all the errant chemical cycles will be able to catch up during one week.

When selecting an international flight, individuals should try to arrange an early evening arrival in their destination city.

When an individual is traveling to a destination in the east, he or she can try going to bed and waking up a few hours earlier several days before their flight.

If travel is to the west, going to bed and waking up later than usual can help the body start to adjust to the upcoming time change.

More specific recommendations are available as of 2002, tailored to whether the person is traveling through six time zones, 7–9 zones, or 10 or more.

The following precautions taken during an international flight can help to limit or prevent jet lag:

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and juices to prevent dehydration. Beverages and foods with caffeine should be avoided because of their stimulant properties.

Alcohol should also be avoided.

• Stretch and walk. As much movement as possible during a flight helps circulation, which moves nutrients and waste through the body and aids in elimination.

• Stay on time. Set watches and clocks ahead to the time in the destination city to start adjusting to the change.

• Sleep smart. Draw the shade and sleep during the evening hours in the destination city, even if it is still daylight outside of the airplane. Earplugs and sleep masks may be helpful in blocking noise and light.

Many airlines provide these items on international flights.

• Dress comfortably. Wear or bring comfortable clothes and slippers that will make sleeping during the flight easier.

Once arriving in their destination city, individuals should spend as much time outdoors in the sunlight as possible during the day to reset their internal clock and lessen the symptoms of jet lag. Bedtime should be postponed until at least 10 P.M., with no daytime naps.

If a daytime nap is absolutely necessary, it should be limited to no more than two hours.

To promote a restful sleeping environment in a hotel setting, travelers should request that the hotel desk hold all phone calls. Because sleeping in too late can also prolong jet lag, an early wake up call should be requested if an alarm clock is not available. If the hotel room is noisy, a portable white noise machine can help to block outside traffic and hallway noises.

A room air conditioner or fan can serve the same purpose. The temperature in the room should also be adjusted for sleeping comfort.

New information shows that exercise when at the destination can also help. When headed westbound, travelers should exercise for one hour in the evening. If going eastbound, they do best by exercising in the morning.

All antioxidants help to decrease the effects of jet lag. Extra doses of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and selenium, two days before and two days after a flight help to alleviate jet lag. Melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate circadian rhythms, can also help to combat jet lag. Melatonin is available as an over-the counter supplement in most health food stores and pharmacies.

Reports in 2002 show that the drug is safe for short-term use and recommend 5 mg between 10 pm and midnight at the destination to help fall asleep and to sleep better.

If weather prevents an individual from spending time in the sunlight, light therapy may be beneficial in decreasing jet lag symptoms. Light therapy, or phototherapy, uses a device called a light box, which contains a set of fluorescent or incandescent lights in front of a reflector.

Typically, the patient sits for 30 minutes next to a 10,000-lux box (which is about 50 times as bright as an ordinary indoor light). Light therapy is safe for most people, but those with eye diseases should consult a healthcare professional before undergoing the treatment.

In 2002, a team from Flanders University invented new jet lag sunglasses equipped with a vision device that used light to stimulate travelers’ brains.

They believed that wearing the glasses before and during flights could help the internal human clock adjust more easily to changing time zones. The researchers were looking for a commercial partner to help them further study the glasses and make them widely available.

The effectiveness of glasses or other head-mounted light devices is still uncertain, however.

A team of researchers at Columbia University reported in the fall of 2002 that the use of a head-mounted light visor yielded only modest improvement in the test subjects’ symptoms of jet lag.

Allopathic treatment:

In cases of short-term insomnia triggered by jet lag, a physician may recommend sleeping pills or prescription medication. Such medication should be taken only under the guidance of a health care professional.

A newer medication that is considered investigational is a melatonin agonist presently known as LY 156735.

An agonist is a drug that stimulates activity at cell receptors that are normally stimulated by such naturally occurring substances as melatonin. LY 156735 was found to speed up the read aptation time of volunteer subjects following a simulated 9-hour time shift.

Another new area of research involves the genes that encode the proteins governing circadian rhythms.

It is known as of late 2002 that differences among individuals in adaptability to time zone changes are to some extent genetically determined. Targeting the genes that affect this adaptability may yield new treatments for jet lag and other disorders of circadian rhythm.

Expected results:

Jet lag usually lasts 24–48 hours after travel has taken place. In that short time period, the body adjusts to the time change, and with enough rest and daytime exposure to sunlight, it returns to normal circadian rhythm.

Prevention:

Eating a high-protein diet that is low in calories before intended travel may help reduce the effects of jet lag.

Spinach, feta & pear salad Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Spinach, feta & pear salad Recipes

Ingredients

2 dessert pears such as Comice, peeled, cored and sliced

4 tablespoons walnut oil

100g/4oz baby spinach leaves

175g/6oz feta cheese, diced

75g/3oz walnut pieces

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

• Toss the pears in a little of the oil.

• In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, feta cheese and walnut pieces. Gently stir in the pears.

• Whisk together the lemon juiceand remaining oil, and season with pepper. Drizzle over the salad.

• Refrigerate, covered, until required

Kampo medicine remedies: Origins, Precautions and Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Kampo medicine remedies: Origins, Precautions and Benefits

Kampo (sometimes spelled kanpo) is a Japanese variant of Chinese traditional medicine that involves the extensive use of herbs. The name is derived from the

Japanese symbols kan, which means

China

and po, which means medicine. Kampo treatment has become very much integrated in the Japanese health care system.

It is widely available from hospitals and physicians there, and is the most popular form of complementary health care in contemporary Japan. Kampo herbal preparations are sold by many Japanese pharmacies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Japan has the highest per capita consumption of herbal medicine in the world. In addition to herbal treatments, Kampo practitioners may also administer acupuncture, moxibustion, and manipulative therapy.

Origins:

Oriental traditional medicine has employed herbs for almost 4,000 years. Much of the earliest literature about the subject comes from ancient China, where wealthy families hired herbalists who were paid only when everyone in the family enjoyed good health.

Kampo medicine is a form of traditional Chinese herbalism, which came to

Japan

about 16 centuries ago and was refined over the years by Japanese practitioners.

At Shoso-in, a famous historical site in western

Japan

, a 1,200-year-old cache of medicinal herbs was discovered, stored n air-tight wooden boxes. Researchers found that many of those samples still retained full medicinal potency.

Western medicine started to enter Japan with Jesuit missionaries and Dutch traders during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, but never succeeded in fully displacing traditional practices. In recent years, there has been a considerable resurgence of Kampo’s popularity.

Benefits:

Kampo preparations are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, and gynecological problems. Other applications include allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, diabetic retinopathy, bronchial asthma, endometrial cancer, collagen disease, bedwetting, colds, nausea, and high cholesterol levels.

Description:

Like other forms of Oriental traditional medicine, Kampo is based on concepts quite foreign to Western medical thinking. These concepts include In-You (negative and positive); Gogyou (five lines); Ki (air); Sui (water); and Ketu (blood). Unlike Western medicine, which thinks largely in terms of diseases affecting specific organs, Kampo emphasizes identifying patterns of “whole body” symptoms.

Kampo herbal treatments are divided into three basic groups, related to urination, sweating, and defecation.

Most prescriptions consist of a combination of crude drugs used to treat whatever disharmony is detected. Kampo remedies usually take longer to work than standard pharmaceuticals.

A typical trial period for a new prescription is three months.

Patients may continue taking some prescriptions for years.

Examples of crude drugs used in Kampo preparations include glycyrrhiza (licorice), rhubarb, and ginseng.

Since the 1970s, Kampo has been recognized by Japan’s medical regulators, and Kampo herbs are included in the list of reimbursable drugs under the country’s national health insurance plan. During the 1990s and continuing into the new millennium, Japanese officials required recertification of a number of Kampo drugs, insisting that their safety and effectiveness be reevaluated.

Japanese pharmacists are allowed to manufacture a limited number of drugs themselves. Of these licensed products, 50% are Kampo products, according to the Japan Pharmaceutical Association.

Precautions:

As with all Oriental herbal remedies, persons should use only Kampo preparations obtained from a reliable source. Serious problems have arisen when Oriental herbal prescriptions were misidentified or contained adulterants.

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine in the United Kingdom recommends that patent medicines mixing Western and Oriental herbs be avoided, together with any patent preparation containing heavy metals. Some patients have developed hepatitis after taking patent-medicine tablets based on traditional Oriental formulas. An investigation revealed that the tablets did not contain the complete herb, but rather a chemical isolated from a single herb.

This practice contradicts the most basic principles of Oriental traditional medicine, which uses combinations of whole herbs. Because of Kampo’s complexity, self-treatment is usually not advised; consulting a knowledgeable practitioner is essential. Some patients have experienced serious, even fatal, kidney or liver problems after treatment with Oriental herbs.

Anyone with a history of disease in those organs should not be treated without accompanying blood tests to monitor their function. It has also been suggested that patients who consume considerable amounts of alcohol should receive liver function tests.

It is important that patients be monitored after starting Oriental herb treatments to check for signs of liver or kidney problems.

Side effects:

Because Kampo and other forms of Oriental traditional medicine are so old, practitioners say that most side effects were identified long ago and so are easily avoided by an experienced practitioner.

Some Oriental herbal preparations, however, are known toxins that continue to be prescribed because of their beneficial effects.

These must be used with extreme care, employing only low doses under the direction of a highly competent and certified practitioner. In most cases, these preparations should be used only in a hospital setting. In addition, some people may have an allergic hypersensitivity to certain herbs.

Research & general acceptance:

In Japan, Kampo treatment is studied and frequently prescribed by medical doctors. As many as 70% of Japanese gynecologists are said to employ Kampo, particularly in menopausal patients.

Training & certification:

In Japan, Kampo drugs are widely available from medical doctors and pharmacists. In the rest of the world, Kampo preparations and practitioners are largely unregulated.

Lachesis remedies in alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Lachesis remedies in alternative medicine

Not all products used in alternative healing come from plants. Lachesis is the venom of the bushmaster snake, Lachesis mutus. It is used in homeopathic medicine.

L. mutus is a tropical snake that lives in the jungles of Central and South America, growing to a length of 12 feet (3.6 m). It is the largest poisonous pit viper in the Western hemisphere, and second in size in the world only to the king cobra. L. mutus is related to the familiar North American rattlesnake.

A large bushmaster can have fangs more than 1 in (2.5 cm) long. Its venom is deadly and kills rapidly by inhibiting nervous impulses or slowly by interfering with blood clotting and accelerating the destruction of red blood cells. The bushmaster is also called the surucucu (sometimes spelled surukuku).

General use:

Homeopathic medicine operates on the principle that “like heals like.” This means that a disease can be cured by treating it with substances that produce the same symptoms as the disease, while also working in conjunction with the homeopathic law of infinitesimals.

In opposition to traditional medicine, the law of infinitesimals states that the lower a dose of curative, the more effective it is.

To achieve a low dose, the curative is diluted many, many times until only a tiny amount remains in a huge amount of the diluting liquid.

In homeopathic terms, fresh L. mutus venom was “proved” as a remedy by Constantine Hering around 1830. Although born in what is now Germany, Hering is considered to be the founder of American homeopathy.

In 1827 he went to Surinam, South America, to conduct biological research for his government.

In experimenting with lachesis venom in an attempt to find a homeopathic inoculation for smallpox, he accidentally poisoned himself with a small amount of venom.

This led him to his “proof” that lachesis was a homeopathic remedy. Ever the curious scientist, Hering later accidentally paralyzed his right side by continuing to test higher and higher doses of lachesis on himself.

Lachesis is used in homeopathy to treat a wide range of symptoms. These fall into the following general categories of:

• Menstrual and menopausal complaints

• Throat and mouth complaints

• fear, paranoia, and associated mental complaints

• Nervous system complaints

• Circulatory complaints

All these complaints exhibit certain patterns or modalities that indicate they should be treated with lachesis.

These symptoms may:

• worsen after sleep and upon awakening

• worsen in the spring

• worsen after drinking hot beverages, taking hot baths, or direct exposure to the sun

• worsen if touched or if the body is constricted by tight clothes

• worsen with alcohol consumption

• produce surging waves of pain

• Move from the left side to the right side of the body

• result in a mottled, engorged, congested face

• result in a very sensitive neck

• improve from eating

• improve from the onset of bodily discharge

• improve from exposure to cold and fresh air

In homeopathy, certain remedies are thought to be especially effective in people with specific personality and physical traits. The “lachesis personality” tends to be egocentric, self-important, unstable, and jealous.

They may be possessive.

This personality type often talks about doing great things, but rarely follows through.

Physically, lachesis types tend to be overweight and bloated. They often have red hair and freckles.

Lachesis is a major homeopathic remedy for hot flashes associated with menopause. It is also used to treat premenstrual and menstrual symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual pain, and short menses.

Throat and mouth complaints are also treated with lachesis. A sore throat that worsens when hot liquids are swallowed is a good example of the type of throat complaint for which lachesis is considered appropriate. Similarly, so is a sore throat with left-sided pain or pain in the left ear, and a purplish, engorged throat, swollen gums, tongue, and foul-tasting saliva.

The throat, neck, and larynx are extremely sensitive to touch.

Lachesis is used to alleviate certain mental or emotional symptoms. These include suspicion and distrust that can border on paranoia, extreme talkativeness that reflects nervousness and restless, depression, petty jealousy, and unsociability.

Circulatory complaints treated with lachesis include:

• Swollen and engorged veins that give the skin a bluish cast

• Varicose veins

• Nose bleeds

• Slow-to-heal, bluish wounds

• A throbbing sensation in various parts of the body

• Weak, irregular rapid pulse

• Palpitations

• fainting

The main nervous system complaint treated by lachesis is cluster headaches. These are headaches that produce pulsating waves of pain, often on the left side, or beginning on the left side then moving to the right.

They often precede menstruation and improve once menses begins. Petit mal seizures and angina are also treated with lachesis.

Other complaints that lachesis is said to alleviate include stomach pains, appendicitis, vomiting and gastrointestinal complaints, anal spasms, bleeding hemorrhoids, and cravings for alcohol, coffee, and shellfish.

Preparations:

Fresh venom is commercially prepared in a very highly diluted form. It is available in tablets or liquid and is known as lachesis 12X. It can be taken with other complementary homeopathic remedies.

Precautions:

No particular precautions have been reported when using lachesis, however, caution must be taken when using this—and any homeopathic treatment. Individuals should consult a licensed homeopath or physician.

Side effects:

When taken in the recommended dilute form, no side effects have been reported. However, concentrated quantities of the venom cause paralysis and hemorrhaging, and can be fatal.

Interactions:

Studies on interactions between lachesis given in homeopathic doses and conventional pharmaceuticals are nonexistent.

Crispy cheese balls Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Crispy cheese balls Recipes

Ingredients

250ml/8fl oz milk

250g/9oz plain flour

75g/3oz butter

250g/9oz Cheddar cheese, grated

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 eggs, beaten

Salt

Vegetable oil for deep-frying

Serves 6

• Warm the milk in a large heavy saucepan over a medium heat, stirring constantly while gradually adding the flour.

• Add the butter and, once the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and mix in the cheese.

• Add salt to taste, the cayenne and the beaten eggs.

• Allow the mixture to cool. It should now be thick enough to shape into about 24 balls.

• Heat the oil in a deep heavy saucepan until very hot. Deep-fry the balls in batches of about six until they are golden brown.

• Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately.

Ignatia remedies for physical or sexual abuse and alternative medicine therapy

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:48:00 +0000

Ignatia remedies for physical or sexual abuse and alternative medicine therapy

Ignatia is a homeopathic remedy that is derived from the bean of a small tree that is native to the Philippine Islands and China. The tree belongs to the Loganiaceae family, and has long, twining, smooth branches.

On the branches grows a fruit that is the size and shape of a pear. Inside the fruit are almond-shaped seeds, or beans, that have a fine, downy covering and are blackish gray or clear brown in color.

The Latin name is Ignatius amara, amara being the Latin work for bitter. The bean was named after St. Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish Jesuit who was responsible for bringing the beans to Europe from the Philippines in the seventeenth century. As a result, the beans are often called St. Ignatius beans. The missionaries were introduced to the beans by the locals, who wore the beans as amulets to prevent disease. The bean was then used as a treatment for gout, epilepsy, cholera, and asthma.

The beans contain a substantial amount of strychnine, a bitter substance that is often used in rat poison.

Strychnine is fatal to humans if taken in large doses. Small doses cause headaches, loss of appetite, cramps, muscle twitching, trembling, frightening dreams, cold sweat, nervous laughter, and giddiness.

General use:

Ignatia is one of the best remedies for conditions brought about by emotional upset such as grief, shock, jealousy, fear, anger, depression, embarrassment, fright, or ridicule. Homeopaths frequently recommend ignatia when the patient is suffering from romantic disappointment or the loss of a spouse, relative, friend, or pet.

The remedy helps the patient bear the grief and suffering common to emotional upsets.

Suppression of the emotions is the general cause of ignatia complaints. Men and women of all ages may benefit from Ignatia when they are grieving, but Ignatia is particularly well suited for sensitive, delicate women and children. It is recommended for children who develop ailments after being punished, teenagers who are suffering from a lost love, women who have had a miscarriage, and elderly folk who grieve silently. Ignatia is a good remedy for children who suffer from extreme trembling after a fright. Ignatia is frequently prescribed in cases of physical or sexual abuse.

Women who suffer from nervousness, confusion, or forgetfulness during their menstrual cycles may also benefit from Ignatia.

Persons who require the interaction of Ignatia are idealistic, introspective, moody, quarrelsome, sensitive to pain, timid, easily startled, weepy, and depressed. As a result of their grief they become fearful, apprehensive, and antisocial. They dislike consolation and desire to be alone.

When in the company of others they are secretive and try to hold in their emotions, although they sigh frequently and loudly. When alone, they are prone to frequent bouts of sobbing alternating with nervous laughter.

They are conscientious about performing tasks correctly.

Ignatia is a remedy of contradictions. It is used to treat symptoms that are often paradoxical and erratic.

For example, symptoms of nausea are relieved by eating, a sore throat is better from swallowing solids, and simple foods are harder to digest than heavier foods.

Symptoms may be relieved after passing a hard stool.

Lying on the painful side may make the symptoms better.

Eating causes the patient to have more hunger. She may crave sour or hard to digest foods. She may also want to remain uncovered when cold. The patient dislikes fresh air and is sensitive to coffee and tobacco.

General symptoms are aggravated by cold air, emotional excitement, mental exertion, sweets, and consolation.

They are worse in the morning, evening, night, and before and during menstruation. Symptoms may appear at regular intervals, such as headaches that occur every seven days.

Symptoms are improved by warmth and eating.

Ignatia is also used as a remedy for headaches, sore throat, trembling, nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, gas, indigestion, weakness, and weeping.

Other conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, painful hemorrhoids, or a dry, tickling cough.

The cough is a dry, irritating cough that is often accompanied by a stitching pain in the chest.

Suppression of the cough is helpful. The patient is made worse by coughing or lying in bed, and the cough is worse in the evening. Ignatia is often used in the treatment of whooping cough or croup.

The fever is often accompanied by extreme thirst and chills. The patient feels better when uncovered, and is worse in the afternoon.

Headaches typical of Ignatia start gradually and stop suddenly. The pain is gathered in the forehead.

The patient may complain of a sensation as if a nail were being driven through her head. Headaches are often caused by emotional upset and are worse in a smoky room.

A sore throat accompanied by stitching pains and a sensation as if there were a lump in the throat is often present as a result of suppressed emotions. The throat is worse in the evening and is better from swallowing.

When indigestion is present, the patient may feel as though her stomach were empty. She may suffer from sour-tasting belches that ameliorate her symptoms.

Preparations:

Ignatia is prepared by grinding the bean into a powder and steeping the powder in alcohol.

The mixture is strained and diluted until it becomes a non-toxic substance.

It is then succussed to create the final preparation.

During an emotional crisis, take a single dose of 30X or 30C. If the symptoms are unchanged after eight hours, try another remedy. If the dose helps, repeat the dose only when the symptoms worsen.

Do not take more than two times a day for three days.

Precautions:

If symptoms do not improve after the recommended time period, consult your homeopath or health-care practitioner.

Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Ignatia may cause insomnia and should be taken in the morning.

Side effects:

The only side effects are individual aggravations that may occur.

Interactions:

When taking any homeopathic remedy, do not use peppermint products, coffee, or alcohol.

These products may cause the remedy to be ineffective.

Pasta with caviar Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:47:00 +0000

Pasta with caviar Recipes

Ingredients

225g/8oz fresh vermicelli

75g/3oz unsalted butter

100g/4oz good-quality caviar

8 fresh chives, chopped

8 quail’s eggs, soft-boiled and peeled

1 lemon, thinly sliced

Serves 4

• Cook the pasta in lightly salted boiling water until al dente, then drain, retaining a very little of the cooking water, and toss in the butter. Arrange in swirls on four small serving plates.

• Put a dollop of caviar in the centre of each mound of pasta, and sprinkle the chives over the top.

• Garnish each serving with two quail’s eggs and lemon slices.

The alternative medicine remedies for Macular degeneration

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:47:00 +0000

The alternative medicine remedies for Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration (MD) is the progressive deterioration of the macula, the light-sensitive cells of the central retina, at the back of the eye. The retina is the sensitive membrane (soft layer) of the eye that receives the image formed by the lens and is connected with the brain by the optic nerve. As these macular cells malfunction and die, central vision becomes gray, hazy, or distorted, and eventually is lost. Peripheral (away from the center) vision is unaffected.

Description:

Millions of people suffer from MD and it accounts for about 12% of all blindness in the

United States

The macula contains the highest concentration of photosensitive cells in the retina. These cells transform light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing into vision. Fine detail vision and critical color vision are located in the macula. The macula depend on nutrient diffusion from the choroid layer, a region of several delicate vascular (pertaining to blood vessels) membranes or structures behind the retina and under the macula.

Anything that interferes with this nutrient supply can lead to MD.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is by far the most common type of MD. One in six Americans develops AMD between the ages of 55 and 64 and one in three Americans over 75 has AMD. About 10% of those with AMD eventually suffer severe vision loss.

The incidence of AMD is expected to triple by 2025, as the population ages. Whites and Asians are more susceptible than blacks.

Women and those with lighter-colored eyes are somewhat more susceptible.

AMD may occur in only one eye. However there is a very high likelihood that the other eye will be affected eventually.

About 90% of AMD is the dry form. Over time, the macula thins and the pigmented retinal epithelium, a dark-colored cell layer that supports the retina, is gradually lost. About 10% of dry AMD cases progress to the wet form. In a process called choroidal neovascularization (CNV), new blood vessels proliferate in the choroids and may invade the retina.

These fragile vessels can leak blood and fluid into the retina, damaging or killing macular cells and resulting in scar tissue that interferes with vision. If untreated, the macula may be destroyed.

Wet AMD progresses more rapidly than dry AMD and severe vision loss typically occurs within two years.

Less common forms of MD include:

• Juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), a group of inherited disorders affecting children and younger adults

• cystoid macular degeneration, the development of fluid-filled cysts (sacs) in the macular region, associated with aging, inflammation, or severe myopia (nearsightedness)

• Diabetic macular degeneration

• Retinal pigment epithelial detachment, a rare form of wet MD in which fluid leakage from the choroid causes the detachment or disappearance of the pigmented retinal epithelium

Causes & symptoms:

Causes:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appears to result from a combination of hereditary, environmental, and metabolic factors. Over time, highly reactive free-oxygen radicals damage and destroy macular cells.

Free radicals are produced by:

• Bombardment of light on the macula, particularly longterm exposure to ultraviolet and blue light, including sunlight and sunlamps

• Smoking, which increases the risk of AMD two- to four-fold

• A high-fat diet The body’s antioxidant systems that destroy free radicals become less effective with aging.

Factors that contribute to the hardening and blocking of the capillaries supplying the retina and lead to AMD include:

• Smoking

• Diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol

• Low dietary consumption of antioxidants

AMD is unknown. However many people with AMD also have cataracts and cataract surgery increases the risk of dry AMD progressing to wet AMD.

Symptoms:

AMD is painless, and in the early stages, the brain easily compensates for vision loss, particularly if AMD is restricted to one eye. Symptoms of AMD include:

• requiring more light for reading

• Reduction, blurring, a blank spot, or loss of central vision while peripheral vision is unaffected

• Difficulty recognizing faces

• Visual distortions such as the bending of straight lines

• Images appearing smaller

• Changes in color perception or abnormal light sensations

• A decline of at least two lines in visual acuity as measured on a standard eye chart. For example, 20/20 vision declining to 20/80

• Phantom visions, called “Charles Bonnet syndrome”

Diagnosis:

Although vision loss is irreversible, early detection may halt or slow the progression of dry to wet AMD.

However AMD is often fairly advanced by the time an ophthalmologist (a physician specializing in eye defects and diseases) is consulted.

Tests for MD include:

• An Amsler grid, a checkerboard pattern with a black dot at the center. While staring at the dot with one eye, MD causes the straight lines to appear wavy or disappear or some areas to appear blank.

• A dilated eye exam whereby drops are used to dilate the pupils and a special magnifier called an ophthalmoscope shines a very bright light on the back of the lens to examine the retina. Gross macular changes, including scarring, thinning, or atrophy, may indicate MD.

Numerous mid-sized yellow bumps called drusen, or one or more large drusen, can indicate intermediatestage AMD. However, most people over age 42 have drusen in one or both eyes.

• Fluorescein or eye angiography, or retinal photography.

An indicator dye is injected and photographs are taken to detect dye leakage from retinal blood vessels.

• Indocyanine green angiography examines choroids blood vessels that cannot be seen with fluorescein.

• Optical coherence tomography. Light waves are used to obtain cross-sectional views of eye tissue. This is easier and quicker than fluorescein angiography.

• An electroretinogram, whereby a weak or missing electrical signal from an illuminated point in the macula indicates MD.

• In a family history of MD suggesting hereditary juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), molecular genetic screening can reveal the presence of JMD-causing genes, facilitating early detection.

Treatment:

Those with dry AMD should have a complete dilated eye examination at least once a year and use an Amsler grid daily to check for signs of wet AMD.

Diet:

Dietary factors that can speed the progression from early-stage to advanced MD include:

• High fat consumption (70 gm versus 24 gm daily) triples the risk of advancement

• Trans-fats consumption (4 gm versus 0.5 gm daily) doubles the risk

• Consumption of commercial baked goods (two or more servings weekly) doubles the risk

• Obesity doubles the risk of advancement

Foods containing omega-3 fats, such as nuts and fish, lower the risk of progression to advanced MD.

One study found that those with the highest dietary intake of lutein had a 57% lower risk for AMD.

Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin include:

• Kale

• Spinach

• Mustard greens

• Collard greens

• Romaine lettuce

• Leeks

• Celery

• Broccoli (cooked)

• Peas

• Corn

• Zucchini

• Yellow squash

• Cucumbers

• Orange bell peppers

• Red grapes

• Mangoes

• Oranges

Many multi-vitamins also contain lutein.

Other factors for preventing AMD include:

• The use of sunglasses with UV protection

• maintaining normal blood pressure

• avoiding the risk factors, including smoking and secondhand smoke

• The use of supplemental estrogen by postmenopausal women is associated with a lower risk for AMD

Obesity remedies in all alternative medicines

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:46:00 +0000

Obesity remedies in all alternative medicines

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual’s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.

The branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of obesity is known as bariatrics. As obesity has become a major health problem in the United States, bariatrics has become a separate medical and surgical specialty.

Description:

Obesity traditionally has been defined as body weight at least 20% above the weight corresponding to the lowest death rate for individuals of a specific height, sex, and age (designated as the ideal weight).

Twenty to forty percent over ideal weight is considered mildly obese; 40–100% over ideal weight is considered moderately obese; and 100% over ideal weight is considered severely, or morbidly, obese.

According to some estimates, approximately 25% of the

United States

population can be considered obese, 4 million of whom are morbidly obese. Other studies state that over 50% of American adults are obese, based on body mass index (BMI) measurements.

Excessive weight can result in many serious, and potentially deadly, health problems, including hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent diabetes), increased risk for coronary disease, increased unexplained heart attack, hyperlipidemia, infertility, and a higher prevalence of colon, prostate, endometrial, and possibly, breast cancer.

Approximately 300,000 deaths a year are attributed to obesity, prompting leaders in public health, such as former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to label obesity “the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States.”

Causes & symptoms:

The mechanism for excessive weight gain is clear—more calories are consumed than the body burns, and the excess calories are stored as fat (adipose) tissue. However, the exact cause is not as clear and likely arises from a complex combination of factors. Genetic factors significantly influence how the body regulates appetite and the rate at which it turns food into energy (metabolic rate).

Studies of adoptees confirm this relationship.

The majority of adoptees followed a pattern of weight gain that more closely resembled that of their birth parents than their adoptive parents. A genetic predisposition to weight gain, however, does not automatically mean that a person will be obese. Eating habits and patterns of physical activity also play a significant role in the amount of weight a person gains.

Some recent studies have indicated that the amount of fat in a person’s diet may have a greater impact on weight than the number of calories the food contains.

Carbohydrates like cereals, breads, fruits and vegetables, and protein (fish, lean meat, turkey breast, skim milk) are converted to fuel almost as soon as they are consumed. Most fat calories are immediately stored in fat cells, which add to the body’s weight and girth as they expand and multiply.

There is continuing research on the theory that fat is metabolized as fuel and energy and that only excess carbohydrates are converted to stored fat.

Current evidence shows that weight gain comes mostly from total calories consumed, rather than from the amount of carbohydrates.

A study published in 2002 found that low-fat diets are no more effective in weight reduction programs than low-calorie diets.

At any rate, a sedentary life-style, particularly prevalent in affluent societies like the United States, can contribute to weight gain. Psychological factors, such as depression and low self-esteem may, in some cases, also play a role in weight gain.

At what stage of life a person becomes obese can effect his or her ability to lose weight. In childhood, excess calories are converted into new fat cells (hyperplastic obesity), while excess calories consumed in adulthood only serve to expand existing fat cells (hypertrophic obesity).

Since dieting and exercise can only reduce the size of fat cells, not eliminate them, persons who were obese as children can have great difficulty losing weight, since they may have up to five times as many fat cells as someone who became overweight as an adult.

Obesity can also be a side effect of certain disorders and conditions, including:

• Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder involving the excessive release of the hormone cortisol

• Hypothyroidism, a condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland

• neurologic disturbances, such as damage to the hypothalamus, a structure located deep within the brain that helps regulate appetite

• Consumption of certain drugs, such as steroids, antipsychotic medications, or antidepressants

The major symptoms of obesity are excessive weight gain and the presence of large amounts of fatty tissue. Obesity can also give rise to several secondary conditions, including:

• Arthritis and other orthopedic problems, such as lower back pain

• Heartburn

• High cholesterol levels

• High blood pressure

• Menstrual irregularities or cessation of menstruation (amenorhhea)

• Shortness of breath that can be incapacitating

• Skin disorders, arising from the bacterial breakdown of sweat and cellular material in thick folds of skin or from increased friction between folds

Diagnosis:

Dignosis of obesity is made by observation and by comparing the patient’s weight to ideal weight charts.

Many doctors and obesity researchers refer to the body mass index (BMI), which uses a height-weight relationship to calculate an individual’s ideal weight and personal risk of developing obesity-related health problems.

Physicians may also obtain direct measurements of an individual’s body fat content by using calipers to measure skin-fold thickness at the back of the upper arm and other sites.

The most accurate means of measuring body fat content involves immersing a person in water and measuring relative displacement; however, this method is very impractical and is usually only used in scientific studies requiring very specific assessments.

Women whose body fat exceeds 30% and men whose body fat exceeds 25% are generally considered obese.

Doctors may also note how a person carries excess weight on his or her body. Studies have shown that this factor may indicate whether or not an individual has a predisposition to develop certain diseases or conditions that may accompany obesity. “Apple-shaped” individuals who store most of their weight around the waist and abdomen are at greater risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes than “pear-shaped” people whose extra pounds settle primarily in their hips and thighs.

Treatment:

Treatment of obesity depends primarily on the degree of a person’s overweight and his or her overall health.

However, to be successful, any treatment must affect life-long behavioral changes rather than short-term weight loss. “Yo-yo” dieting, in which weight is repeatedly lost and regained, has been shown to increase a person’s likelihood of developing fatal health problems than if the weight had been lost gradually or not lost at all.

Behavior-focused treatment should concentrate on:

• What a person eats and how much. This aspect may involve keeping a food diary and developing a better understanding of the nutritional value and fat content of foods. It may also involve changing grocery shopping habits (e.g. buying only what is on a prepared list and going only on a certain day), timing of meals (to prevent feelings of hunger, a person may plan frequent small meals), and actually slowing down the rate at which a person eats.

• How a person responds to food. This may involve understanding what psychological issues underlie a person’s eating habits. For example, one person may binge eat when under stress, while another may always use food as a reward. In recognizing these psychological triggers, an individual can develop alternate coping mechanisms that do not focus on food.

• How people spend their time. Making activity and exercise an integral part of everyday life is a key to achieving and maintaining weight loss. Starting slowly and building endurance keeps individuals from becoming discouraged. Varying routines and trying new activities also keeps interest high.

For most who are mildly obese, these behavior modifications entail lifestyle changes they can make independently while being supervised by a family physician.

Other mildly obese persons may seek the help of a commercial weight loss program (e.g. Weight Watchers).

The effectiveness of these programs is difficult to assess, since programs vary widely, dropout rates are high, and few employ members of the medical community. However, programs that emphasize realistic goals, gradual progress, sensible eating, and exercise can be very helpful and are recommended by many doctors. Programs that promise instant weight loss or feature severely restricted diets are not effective and, in some cases, can be dangerous.

For individuals who are moderately obese, medically supervised behavior modification and weight loss are required. While doctors will put most moderately obese patients on a balanced low-calorie diet (1200–1500 calories a day), they may recommend that certain individuals follow a very low-calorie liquid protein diet (400–700 calories) for as long as three months.

This therapy, however, should not be confused with commercial liquidprotein diets or commercial weight-loss shakes and drinks. Doctors tailor these diets to specific patients, monitor patients carefully, and use them for only a short period of time. In addition to reducing the amount and type of calories consumed by the patient, doctors will recommend professional therapists or psychiatrists who can help the individual effectively change his or her behavior in regard to eating.

The Chinese herb ephedra (Ephedra sinica, or ma huang), combined with exercise and a low-fat diet in physician-supervised weight-loss programs, can cause at least a temporary increase in weight loss.

However, the large doses of ephedra required to achieve the desired result can also cause:

• Anxiety

• Heart arrhythmias

• Heart attack

• High blood pressure

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Nervousness

• Seizures

• Strokes

• Death

Ephedra should not be used by anyone with a history of diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid problems.

It is not recommended for long-term use, and can cause serious medical or psychiatric problems if used too long.

An article that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in early 2003 advised against the use of ephedra.

Diuretic herbs, which increase urine production, can cause short-term weight loss but cannot help patients achieve lasting weight control.

The body responds to heightened urine output by increasing thirst to replace lost fluids, and patients who use diuretics for an extended period of time eventually start retaining water again anyway. In moderate doses, psyllium, a mucilaginous herb available in bulk-forming laxatives like Metamucil, absorbs fluid and makes patients feel as if they have eaten enough. Red peppers and mustard help patients lose weight more quickly by accelerating the metabolic rate.

They also make people more thirsty, so they crave water instead of food. Walnuts contain serotonin, the brain chemical that tells the body it has eaten enough.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) can raise metabolism and counter a desire for sugary foods.

The amino acid 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, which is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant, is thought to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, that regulates mood and thus can be linked to mood-related eating behaviors.

When physical and mental stress reduces serotonin levels in the body, 5-HTP may be helpful in regulating mood by boosting serotonin levels.

Individuals should consult with their healthcare professional before taking 5-HTP, as the amino acid may interact with other medications and can have potentially serious side effects.

Acupressure and acupuncture can also suppress food cravings. Visualization and meditation can create and reinforce a positive self-image that enhances the patient’s determination to lose weight.

By improving physical strength, mental concentration, and emotional serenity, yoga can provide the same benefits.

Also, patients who play soft, slow music during meals often find that they eat less food but enjoy it more.

Eating the correct ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and good-quality fats can help in weight loss via enhancement of metabolism. Support groups and self-help groups such as Overeaters Anonymous and TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) that are informed about healthy, nutritious, and balanced diets can offer an individual the support he or she needs to maintain this type of eating regimen.

Allopathic treatment:

For individuals who are severely obese, dietary changes and behavior modification may be accompanied by surgery to reduce or bypass portions of the stomach or small intestine.

The risks of obesity surgery have declined in recent years, but it is still only performed on patients for whom other strategies have failed and whose obesity seriously threatens their health.

Other surgical procedures are not recommended, including liposuction, a purely cosmetic procedure in which a suction device is used to remove fat from beneath the skin, and jaw wiring, which can damage gums and teeth and cause painful muscle spasms.

A newer approach to weight loss is the development of functional foods, which are food products that incorporate natural compounds shown to help in weight loss programs.

These compounds include carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, which help to suppress appetite; green tea extract, which increases the body’s energy expenditure; and chromium, which encourages the body to burn stored fat rather than lean muscle tissue.

Functional food products are currently undergoing clinical testing.

Appetite suppressant drugs are sometimes prescribed to aid in weight loss. These drugs work by increasing levels of serotonin or catecholamine, which are brain chemicals that control moods and feelings of fullness.

Appetite suppressants, though, are not considered truly effective, since most of the weight lost while taking them is usually regained after stopping. Also, suppressants containing amphetamines can be potentially abused by patients. While most of the immediate side effects of these drugs are harmless, the long-term effects in many cases, are unknown. Two drugs, dexfenfluramine hydrochloride (Redux) and fenfluramine (Pondimin) as well as a combination fenfluramine-phentermine

(Fen/Phen) drug, were taken off the market when they were shown to cause potentially fatal heart defects.

In 1999, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new prescription weight loss drug, Orlistat. Unlike other anti-obesity drugs that act as appetite suppressants, Orlistat encourages weight loss by inhibiting the body’s ability to absorb dietary fat.

The drug can cause side effects of abdominal cramping, gas, and diarrhea.

Other weight-loss medications available with a doctor’s prescription include:

• Sibutramine (Meridia)

• Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan)

• Mazindol (Mazanor, Sanorex)

• Phendimetrazine (Bontril, Prelu-2)

• Phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin, Ionamin, Oby-Cap)

Phenylpropanolamine (Acutrim, Dextarim) is the only nonprescription weight-loss drug approved by the FDA. These over-the-counter diet aids can boost weight loss by 5%. Combined with diet and exercise and used only with a doctor’s approval, prescription anti-obesity medications enable some patients to lose 10% more weight than they otherwise would.

Most patients regain lost weight after discontinuing use of either prescription medications or nonprescription weight-loss products.

Prescription medications or over-the-counter weight loss products can cause:

• Constipation

• Dry mouth

• Headache

• Irritability

• Nausea

• Nervousness

• sweating

None of the weight loss drugs should be used by patients taking monoamine oxidate inhibitors (MAO inhibitors).

Doctors sometimes prescribe fluoxetine (Prozac), an antidepressant that can increase weight loss by about 10%. Weight loss may be temporary and side effects of this medication include diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and thirst. Weight loss drugs currently being developed or tested include ones that can prevent fat absorption or digestion, reduce the desire for food and prompt the body to burn calories more quickly, and regulate the activity of substances that control eating habits and stimulate overeating.

Expected results:

As many as 85% of dieters who do not exercise on a regular basis regain their lost weight within two years.

In five years, the figure rises to 90%. Repeatedly losing and regaining weight (yo-yo dieting) encourages the body to store fat and may increase a patient’s risk of developing heart disease. The primary factor in achieving and maintaining weight loss is a lifelong commitment to regular exercise and sensible eating habits.

Prevention:

Obesity experts suggest that a key to preventing excess weight gain is monitoring fat consumption rather than counting calories, and the National Cholesterol Education

Program maintains that only 30% of calories should be derived from fat. Only one-third of those calories should be contained in saturated fats (the kind of fat found in high concentrations in meat, poultry, and dairy products). Because most people eat more than they think they do, keeping a detailed food diary is a useful way to assess eating habits. Eating three balanced, moderateportion meals a day—with the main meal at mid-day—is a more effective way to prevent obesity than fasting or crash diets. Exercise increases the metabolic rate by creating muscle, which burns more calories than fat.

When regular exercise is combined with regular, healthful meals, calories continue to burn at an accelerated rate for several hours. Finally, encouraging healthful habits in children is a key to preventing childhood obesity and the health problems that follow in adulthood.

New directions in obesity treatment:

The rapid rise in the incidence of obesity in the United States since 1990 has prompted researchers to look for new treatments. One approach involves the application of antidiabetes drugs to the treatment of obesity.

Metformin (Glucophage), a drug that was approved by the Food and Dug Administration (FDA) in 1994 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, shows promise in treating obesity associated with insulin resistance.

Another field of obesity research is the study of hormones, particularly leptin, which is produced by fat cells in the body, and ghrelin, which is secreted by cells in the lining of the stomach. Both hormones are known to affect appetite and the body’s energy balance. Leptin is also related to reproductive function, while ghrelin stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.

Further studies of these two hormones may lead to the development of new medications to control appetite and food intake.

A third approach to obesity treatment involves research into the social factors that encourage or reinforce weight gain in humans.

Researchers are looking at such issues as the advertising and marketing of food products; media stereotypes of obesity; the development of eating disorders in adolescents and adults; and similar questions.

Crab quiche Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:46:00 +0000

Crab quiche Recipes

Ingredients

For the pastry

175g/6oz flour, sifted

75g/3oz butter, cubed pinch of salt

For the filling

225g/8oz cooked crabmeat

2 eggs

300ml/5fl oz double cream

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh fennel

1 spring onion, chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas mark 5.

• Put the flour, butter and pinch of salt in a bowl, and work with the tips of your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add 2 tablespoons water, and mix to a dough. Knead the pastry on a floured surface until smooth. Form into a slightly flattened disk, wrap in cling film and chill for 30–45 minutes.

• Roll out the pastry and use to line a 20cm/8in pie dish. Break up the crabmeat with a fork, and scatter over the bottom of the pastry shell.

• Put the eggs, cream and parsley in a bowl.

Season with salt and pepper

Beat together until the mixture is smooth, and then pour over the crabmeat.

• Bake in the oven for 40 minutes until the filling is set and the top is golden. Serve hot or warm, garnished with the spring onion.3

Beef & stout casserole Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:14:00 +0000

Beef & stout casserole Recipes

Ingredients

700g/11⁄2lb beef

175g/6oz lean bacon, cubed

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

15g/1⁄2oz butter

2 tablespoons plain flour

1 bottle of stout

450g/1lb shallots

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon wine or cider vinegar

Salt and freshly ground

Black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 150°C/

300°F/Gas mark 2.

• Sauté the beef and bacon in the oil. Drain off the excess liquid.

Remove the meat and set aside.

• Add the butter to the pan and melt.

Stir in the flour to make a roux; cook, stirring, for a minute or two.

Gradually stir in the stout.

• Put the meat and the shallots in a deep casserole dish, and season with salt and pepper.

Add the garlic. Sprinkle the sugar on top, and pour in the sauce.

Cover and put in the oven. Cook very gently for up to 3 hours.

• Remove from the oven and mix in the vinegar. Serve hot with boiled potatoes.

Remedies of the Native American medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Remedies of the Native American medicine

According to Ken “Bear Hawk” Cohen, “Native American medicine is based on widely held beliefs about healthy living, the repercussions of disease-producing behavior, and the spiritual principles that restore balance.”

These beliefs are shared by all tribes; however, the methods of diagnosis and treatment vary greatly from tribe to tribe and healer to healer.

Origins:

The healing traditions of Native Americans have been practiced in North America since at least 12,000 years ago and possibly as early as 40,000 years ago. Although the term Native American medicine implies that there is a standard system of healing, there are approximately 500 nations of indigenous people in North America, each representing a diverse wealth of healing knowledge, rituals, and ceremonies.

Many aspects of Native American healing have been kept secret and are not written down.

The traditions are passed down by word of mouth from elders, from the spirits in vision quests, and through initiation. It is believed that sharing healing knowledge too readily or casually will weaken the spiritual power of the medicine.

There are, however, many Native American healers who recognize that writing down their healing practices is a way to preserve these traditions for future generations.

Many also believe that sharing their healing ways and values may help all people to come into a healthier balance with nature and all forms of life.

Benefits:

Native American medicine can benefit anyone who sincerely wishes to live a life of wholeness and balance.

These benefits may be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

There is, however, the understanding that “the diseases of civilization,” or white man’s diseases, often need white man’s medicine. In those cases, Native American medicine can be an important part of an integrative approach to healing. For example, the most successful programs for treating alcohol addiction in Native communities have combined Western approaches to psychological counseling, social work, and traditional Native American healing practices.

Such inherited conditions as birth defects or retardation are not easily treatable with Native American medicine.

Native healers also believe that some illnesses are the result of a patient’s behavior. Sometimes they will not treat a person because they do not want to interfere with the life lessons the patient needs to learn.

Other illnesses are not treated because they are “callings” or initiation diseases. Native healer Medicine Grizzly Bear Lake explains, “The calling comes in the form of a dream, accident, sickness, injury, disease, near-death experience, or even actual death.”

Description:

Native American medicine is based upon a spiritual view of life. A healthy person is someone who has a sense of purpose and follows the guidance of the Great Spirit.

This guidance is written upon the heart of every person.

To be healthy, a person must be committed to a path of beauty, harmony, and balance. Gratitude, respect, and generosity are also considered to be essential for a healthy life. Ken Cohen writes, “Health means restoring the body, mind, and spirit to balance and wholeness: the balance of life energy in the body; the balance of ethical, reasonable, and just behavior; balanced relations within family and community; and harmonious relationships with nature.”

Theories of disease causation and even the names of diseases vary from tribe to tribe. Diseases may be thought to have internal or external causes or sometimes both. According to Cherokee medicine man Rolling Thunder, negative thinking is the most important internal cause of disease. Negative thinking includes not only negative thoughts about oneself but also feelings of shame, blame, low self-esteem, greed, despair, worry, depression, anger, jealousy, and self-centeredness.

Johnny Moses, a Nootka healer, says “No evil sorcerer can do as much harm to you as you can do to yourself.”

Diseases have external causes too. “Germs are also spirits,” according to Shabari Bird of the Lakota Nation.

A person is particularly susceptible to harmful germs if they live an imbalanced life, have a weak constitution, engage in negative thinking, or are under a lot of stress.

Other people or spirits may also be responsible for an illness.

Another external source of disease is environmental poisons. These poisons include alcohol, impure air, water, and some types of food.

Native American healers believe that disease can also be caused by physical, emotional, or spiritual trauma.

These traumas can lead to mental and emotional distress, loss of soul, or loss of spiritual power. In these cases the healer must use ritual and other ways to physically return the soul and power to the patient. Some diseases are caused when people break the “rules for living.”

These rules may include ways of showing respect for animals, people, places, ritual objects, events, or spirits.

Native American healers have several different techniques for diagnosing an illness. These may include a discussion of one’s symptoms, personal and family history, observation of non-verbal cues like posture or tone of voice, and medical divination. More important than the particular technique is the healer’s intuition, sensitivity, and spiritual power.

There is no typical Native American healing session.

Methods of healing include prayer, chanting, music, smudging (burning sage or aromatic woods), herbs, laying-on of hands, massage, counseling, imagery, fasting, harmonizing with nature, dreaming, sweat lodges, taking hallucinogens (e.g., peyote), developing inner silence, going on a shamanic journey, and ceremony.

Family and community are also important in many healing sessions.

Sometimes healing happens quickly. Sometimes a long period of time is needed for healing.

The intensity of the therapy is considered to be more important than the length of time required. Even if the healing happens quickly, however, a change in life style is usually required in order to make the healing last.

A medicine bundle may also be used in Native American healing. The medicine bundle is a bag made of leather or an animal pelt in which the healer carries an assortment of ritual objects, charms, herbs, stones, and other healing paraphernalia. The bundle is a concrete token of the medicine power that the spirits have given the healer, either for healing in general or for healing a particular illness. The bundles vary according to clan, tribe, and individual.

Native American medicine is not covered by insurance unless perhaps the practitioner is a licensed health care provider. Most Native healers do not charge a set fee for their services. Healing is considered to be “a gift from the Great Spirit.” Gifts to the healer are welcomed, however.

The offering of a gift “ensures success of treatment because healing spirits appreciate generosity.” Gifts may include groceries, cloth, money, or another personal expression of respect and appreciation. Frequently the only gift that is required is a pouch of tobacco.

Preparations:

The medicine person tells the patient what preparations are necessary before the healing ceremony.

Precautions:

A medicine person is essential to ensure safe healing through Native American medicine. People with hypertension should watch themselves during a sweat lodge ceremony for a possible increase in blood pressure.

People with asthma may have difficulty when sage or cedar is used in a ceremony. People who are claustrophobic may find the close, hot, dark environment of a sweat lodge overwhelming.

Side effects:

Some herbs may cause vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.

From the Native American point of view these reactions are usually welcomed and considered a form of purging or cleansing of the physical body.

Research & general acceptance:

There has been no formal scientific research conducted on Native American healing practices.

Medicine people do not write down their practices out of fear that they might be misused by people who are not trained in their sacred ways.

The most prominent users of this form of medicine are Native Americans or others who want a spiritually based approach to medicine.

Training & certification:

Native American medicine has been passed down by word of mouth for thousands of years. Healing power can come from one’s ancestors, another healer, or through training and initiation.

Generally, healers train under one primary mentor. Today, however, with the ease of long-distance travel and communication, many healers have several mentors. Training as a medicine person is a long process that requires strength, sacrifice and patience.

Denet Tsosi, a Navajo medicine man, said that it took him six years to learn one of the chants.

Beef goulash Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Beef goulash Recipes

Ingredients

450g/1lb stewing beef, cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 teaspoons sunflower oil

175ml/6fl oz beer

175ml/6fl oz water

50ml/2fl oz tomato purée

1 tablespoon paprika

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon caraway seeds

450g/1lb potatoes

225g/8oz canned sauerkraut

2 tablespoons snipped fresh

Flat-leaf parsley

• In a frying pan, cook the beef and onion in the oil until the beef is brown. Add the beer, water, tomato purée, paprika, salt and caraway seeds. Cover and simmer for 11⁄4–11⁄2 hours.

• Add the potatoes, undrained sauerkraut and parsley to the pan. Cook, covered, for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Remove the lid from the pan and cook, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes or until the mixture is thickened and most of the liquid has evaporated.

• Serve hot with rice.

Paleolithic diet in alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Paleolithic diet in alternative medicine

The Paleolithic, or caveman, diet is a reversion to the foods eaten by humans prior to the advents of civilization, agriculture, and technology. Before those developments, the human diet during the Stone Age is thought to have consisted largely of lean red meat and vegetation.

Modern-day adherents to Paleolithic diets add vigorous physical activity to mimic the Stone Age’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle. In some cases, modern-day “Paleos” actually adopt such a lifestyle, hunting their own food in the natural environment.

Origins:

The Paleolithic Period of human development, characterized by the use of chipped, stone tools, began about 2.5 million years ago. Whenever possible, Paleolithic peoples consumed large amounts of animal meat and offal, deriving 45-65% of their energy from animals.

Among those aboriginal, hunter-gatherer societies in Australia, Africa, and South America that survived into the twentieth century, the rates of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and other conditions were remarkably low until they switched to modern diets. In most other cultures, this switch to modern diets happened about 10,000 years ago, when it was discovered that many inedible plants could be rendered suitable for human consumption by cooking. This resulted in the introduction of grains, beans, and potatoes as foods, and later followed by sugar, milk, and milk products.

Benefits:

Many nutritionists and scientists believe a Paleolithic diet and lifestyle might be an effective weapon against the adverse effects of modern affluence, reducing risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions. Since this was the diet practiced during much of human evolution, advocates argue, it is the food that humans were designed to eat. Additionally, these advocates endorse the idea that milk (after weaning) and grains were never intended for human consumption.

Description:

There is really no single Paleolithic diet. Huntergatherer cultures in different parts of the world ate widely differing diets, due to the availability in each locality.

Stone Age diets also varied significantly depending on the season. Generally, however, such diets included much lean red meat from game, as well as eggs, fish, fruit, nuts, and vegetables. Excluded from most Paleolithic diets were grains (e.g., breads, pasta, cereals, corn), milk, refined sugars, beans, soy beans, or lentils.

For twenty-first century adherents to Caveman diets, potatoes and peanuts are also forbidden.

These diets are high in high-quality protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, iron, mono-unsaturated fats, omega-3 fats, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. They are low in salt, saturated fats, enzyme inhibitors such as protease or amylase inhibitors, exorphins, and glycoalkaloids.

Precautions:

Concerns have been expressed about the environmental effects of millions of people switching to diets heavy in red meats, requiring many agricultural operations to switch from growing crops to raising livestock. Sensitive wild areas could be ravaged in the search for insufficient quantities of Paleolithic foods.

The global food supply is widely thought to be incapable of supporting widespread adoption of this diet. It is also believed that Stone Age peoples had access to a broader range of wild foods than are currently available, and modern-day “Paleos” should monitor their consumption to ensure a balanced diet.

Some nutritionists caution against total dietary exclusion of milk and milk products, arguing that low-fat dairy products can be useful to maintain sufficient levels of calcium.

Side effects:

A balanced Paleolithic diet is thought to be generally free of harmful side effects, although anyone excluding milk and dairy products should be careful to maintain sufficient dietary levels of calcium to avoid problems such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, and tetany.

Research & general acceptance:

Many aspects of the Paleolithic diet have proven health benefits. There is absolutely no question that people who get plenty of exercise and eat lots of fruits and vegetables and avoid saturated fats tend to be healthier.

Some experts are dubious, however, as to whether the benefits of the caveman diet extend into old age.

They argue that diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis are found less frequently in hunter-gatherer societies because few members of those societies survive to an age at which those conditions become problems.

Training & certification:

There is no organization dedicated specifically to training and certification of Paleolithic diet advisors, although a substantial number of scientists, physicians, and nutritionists are interested in the subject and can provide advice.

Quan yin remedies in alternative medicine

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Quan yin remedies in alternative medicine

Quan yin is the English transliteration of the Chinese name for a Buddhist divine figure whose Sanskrit name is Avalokitesvara. The meaning of this name is usually given as “the lord who hears and sees all,” or “the lord who is seen within [the believer’s soul].” The Chinese name Quan yin is sometimes translated as “the one who hears prayers.” Quan yin is also known in China as Guanshiyin; in Japan as Kannon, Kanzeon, or Kwannon; in southeastern Asia as Quon Am; in Bali as Kanin; and in Tibet as Chen-resigs or Spyan-ras-gzigs. Although some English-language sources refer to Quan yin as a “goddess” or “saint,” these terms are somewhat misleading because of their association with Western religions.

Peter Matthiessen’s phrase, “mythical embodiment of Buddhahood,” or bodhisattva, is a more accurate description. A bodhisattva is a spirit or person who has earned the right, through renunciation of passions and cravings, to escape from the cycle of reincarnation and enter nirvana, but chooses to postpone his/her own bliss until his/her has have helped others to achieve enlightenment.

Origins:

Devotion to Quan yin as the bodhisattva of infinite mercy and compassion is widespread in the Buddhist world, and can be dated as far back as the first centuries of the Christian era. It is important to note, however, that the notion of deity in Buddhism is quite different from Jewish and Christian concepts of God as creator and ruler of the universe. In classical Buddhist teachings, there are three forms or bodies of Buddhahood: the body of essence (Buddha as disembodied and impersonal absolute truth or reality; nirvana); the body of bliss (Buddha as a formless spirit with the power to save humans); and the body of emanation or transformation (Buddha assuming a human form to guide people to enlightenment).

Avalokitesvara (Quan yin) is regarded as the embodiment of Buddha who guards the world between the appearance of Sakyamuni, the historical Siddhartha Gautama (born in India about 500 B.C.), and Maitreya, the Buddha of the future.

Avalokitesvara was originally portrayed as a male among Indian Buddhists, because a female bodhisattva is impossible according to the oldest Buddhist texts. Devotion to Avalokitesvara in the form of Quan yin was introduced into China as early as the first century A.D., and into

Japan

in the sixth or seventh century. Prior to the twelfth century A.D., Quan yin was always portrayed as a male in Chinese and Japanese art. The reason for later artistic representations of her as a female is not completely understood.

Some scholars attribute the change to the popularity of a passage in the Lotus Sutra that speaks of Avalokitesvara as having the power to grant children to childless women, and to assume a human body of either sex in order to guide others to nirvana. By the eighth century, the Lotus Sutra was honored in China and Japan above all other Buddhist sacred texts because it was understood to mean that women could also attain enlightenment.

Other scholars think that a Chinese legend about Quan yin may have also played a part in popular devotion to this bodhisattva as a woman. According to the legend,

Quan yin was born into this world as the daughter of a king of the Chou Dynasty (1050–256 B.C.), who was sentenced to death by her father for refusing to marry.

When the executioner tried to behead her, his sword shattered before he could touch her

The legend helps to explain why Quan yin has been regarded in some parts of Asia as a protector of women who offers life as a Buddhist nun as an alternative to marriage. In

Japan

, the princess Chujo-Hime (753–781 A.D.), who was persecuted by her stepmother and became a Buddhist nun at the age of seventeen, was thought to be a living incarnation of Kannon.

A memorial service is held each year in Japan on May 14 for Chujo-Hime at the Tokushoji Temple.

In Japan, the Pure Land sect of Buddhism honored Kannon or Kanzeon as one of the principal attendants of Amida, the Buddha of the Western Paradise. Japanese religious art often portrays the so-called Amida Raigo triad, which depicts Amida himself; Kannon, who represents the Buddha’s mercy; and the Seishi Bosatsu, a bodhisattva who represents the Buddha’s strength and power. The three are often shown as descending on a cloud at the moment of a Buddhist’s death to lead him or her to the Western Paradise.

Popular modern Buddhist art portrays Quan yin as a barefoot woman dressed in a long flowing white robe, often pouring a stream of water from a small vase. The water represents peace and healing. She may also be shown holding a lotus, which represents purity; pearls, which symbolize illumination; or a bowl of rice seed, which represents fertility. Some statues also show her with several pairs of arms, each holding a different cosmic symbol, which symbolize the universal embrace of Buddha’s compassion. She is also depicted standing on a fish, which represents her role as the special protector of fishermen and travelers.

Benefits:

The benefits of devotion to Quan yin, like those of Western religious practice, include inner peace, a feeling of love leading to acts of compassion for others, and a stronger sense that one’s existence has meaning.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), religious and spiritual practices that emphasize positive beliefs and attitudes help the human immune system, lower the impact of emotional stress on the body, and lower the risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression.

According to a Buddhist nun who claims to have been taught the Quan Yin Method for attaining enlightenment by a Himalayan master, those who practice this method will “gain a happy and more relaxed life, liberate [themselves from the cycle of reincarnation], and save five generations of [their] family.”

Description:

Devotion to Quan yin or Kannon is fairly informal in most parts of eastern Asia. Devotees may meditate on the bodhisattva’s qualities of mercy and compassion, and strive to put these qualities into action through service or acts of kindness toward others. In China, women sometimes offer small pieces of jade carved with images on

Quan yin in her temples, or place them in domestic shrines. Other Buddhists may wear amulets with images of Quan yin or prayers of devotion. Peter Matthiessen tells of wearing an amulet made from a plum pit that was given to him by his Japanese spiritual teacher.

The plum pit was inscribed with a ten-phrase prayer to Kanzeon in tiny Japanese characters. Some phrases from the prayer include: “Kanzeon! Devotion to Buddha! We are one with Buddha … Our true Bodhisattva nature is eternal, joyful, selfless, pure. So let us chant each morning Kanzeon, with mindfulness! Every evening Kanzeon, with mindfulness!”

Some devotees go on pilgrimages to holy places associated with Quan yin. These include the mountainous island of Pu Tuo Shan off the coast of Shanghai, China, where Quan yin is said to have lived for nine years. At one time there were over a hundred shrines to Quan yin on the island, as well as a community of a thousand Buddhist monks. Japanese Buddhists may make the Bando Pilgrimage, which makes a circuit of 33 sites in eastern Japan sacred to Kannon. Visiting the shrines in the proper order is said to preserve the believer from hell and open the gate to the Western Paradise.

The Quan Yin Method for attaining nirvana requires

2-1/2 hours of meditation per day in addition to the following five precepts:

• Refraining from taking the life of any sentient beings.

This precept requires strict adherence to a vegan or lactovegetarian diet.

• Refraining from speaking what is not true.

• Refraining from taking what is not offered.

• Refraining from sexual misconduct.

• Refraining from the use of intoxicants, which include gambling, pornography, and violent films or literature as well as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs.

Preparations and precautions:

There are no specific preparations necessary for devotion to Quan yin. Western readers, however, should obtain information about this bodhisattva from reliable histories of Buddhism or Asian religion rather than from popular New Age sources.

Research & general acceptance:

No studies have been done as of 2004 comparing devotion to Quan yin to other forms of religious or spiritual practice. In the West, devotion to Quan yin is more common among women who have left mainstream Jewish or Christian groups than it is among men. Some of these women identify Quan yin with such mother goddesses as Isis or with such Christian saints as the Virgin Mary. Scholars of religion, however, regard these comparisons as misleading and historically inaccurate.

Training & certification:

Although there are Buddhist monasteries and study centers in the United States, they do not offer certification for teachers comparable to ordination for Christian or Jewish clergy. Readers who are interested in learning more about Quan yin or Buddhism in general may contact the monastery listed under Resources below.

ORGANIZATIONS:

Buddhist Association of the

United States

(BAUS). 1384 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10018. (212) 398- 8886. http://www.baus.org

Chuang Yen Monastery. 2020, Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512. (845) 225-1819 or (845) 228-4288.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892. http://nccam.nih.gov

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. P. O.

Box 730247, San Jose, CA 95173-0247. http://www.godsdirectcontact.org

Parsley, walnut & orange chicken Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (هشام يونس) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Parsley, walnut & orange chicken Recipes

Ingredients

125ml/4fl oz extra virgin olive oil

100g/4oz onion, finely chopped

75g/3oz walnuts, finely chopped grated zest and juice of 1 large orange

6 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon cranberry sauce

1 large egg, beaten

6 chicken breasts

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a small heavy pan and add the onion.

Cover and sweat for 10 minutes or until soft and starting to caramelize, then cool. In a bowl, combine the walnuts, orange zest, parsley, cranberry sauce and egg, and season well with salt and pepper.

Stir in the cooled onion mixture, and put to one side.

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6. Gently ease up the chicken skin and push in the stuffing. Reshape the chicken and put in a large roasting tin.

• Spread with the mustard and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over 2 tablespoons of the oil and roast for 25–30 minutes, basting occasionally. Leave to cool, reserving the roasting juices.

• When the chicken is cold, slice thickly and arrange in a serving dish.

Whisk together 2 tablespoons orange juice with the remaining oil and some salt and pepper. Add the strained chicken juices (skim off any fat from the surface first), pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

The most helpful alternative medicine for Radiation injuries

noreply@blogger.com (variety) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:11:00 +0000

The most helpful alternative medicine for Radiation injuries

Radiation injuries are caused by ionizing radiation emitted by such sources as the sun, x-ray and other diagnostic machines, tanning beds, and radioactive elements released in nuclear power plant accidents and detonation of nuclear weapons during war and as terrorist acts.

Description:

Ionizing radiation is made up of unstable atoms that contain an excess amount of energy. In an attempt to stabilize, the atoms emit the excess energy into the atmosphere, creating radiation. Radiation can either be electromagnetic or particulate.

The energy of electromagnetic radiation is a direct function of its frequency.

The high energy, high frequency waves that can penetrate solids to various depths cause damage by separating molecules into electrically charged pieces, a process known as ionization. X rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation.

Atomic particles come from radioactive isotopes as they decay to stable elements. Electrons are called beta particles when they radiate. Alpha particles are the nuclei of helium atoms— two protons and two neutrons—without the surrounding electrons. Alpha particles are too large to penetrate a piece of paper unless they are greatly accelerated in electric and magnetic fields. Both beta and alpha particles are types of particulate radiation.

When over-exposure to ionizing radiation occurs, there is chromosomal damage in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is very good at repairing itself; both strands of the double helix must be broken to produce genetic damage.

Because radiation is energy, it can be measured.

There are a number of units used to quantify radiation energy. Some refer to effects on air, others to effects on living tissue.

The roentgen, named after Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, who discovered x rays in 1895, measures ionizing energy in air.

A rad expresses the energy transferred to tissue. The rem measures tissue response. A roentgen generates about a rad of effect and produces about a rem of response. The gray and the sievert are international units equivalent to 100 rads and rems, respectively.

A curie, named after French physicists who experimented with radiation, is a measure of actual radioactivity given off by a radioactive element, not a measure of its effect. The average annual human exposure to natural background radiation is roughly 3 milliSieverts (mSv).

Any amount of ionizing radiation will produce some damage; however, there is radiation everywhere, from the sun (cosmic rays) and from traces of radioactive elements in the air (radon) and the ground (uranium, radium, carbon-14, potassium-40 and many others).

Earth’s atmosphere protects us from most of the sun’s radiation.

Living at 5,000 feet altitude in Denver, Colorado, doubles exposure to radiation, and flight in a commercial airliner increases it 150-fold by lifting us above 80% of that atmosphere. Because no amount of radiation is perfectly safe and because radiation is ever present, arbitrary limits have been established to provide some measure of safety for those exposed to unusual amounts.

Less than 1% of them reach the current annual permissible maximum of 20 mSv.

A 2001 ruling by the Federal Court of Australia indicated that two soldiers died from cancer caused by minimal exposure to radiation while occupying Hiroshima in

1945. The soldiers were exposed to less than 5 mSv of radiation.

The international recommendation for workers is safety level of up to 20 mSv. The ruling and its support by many international agencies suggests that even extremely low doses of radiation can be potentially harmful.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from the sun and tanning beds:

UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds and lamps can cause skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancers. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous of skin cancers and there is a definite link between type UVA exposure used in tanning beds and its occurrence. UVB type UV radiation is associated with sunburn, and while not as penetrating as UVA, it still damages the skin with over exposure. Skin damage accumulates over time, and effects do not often manifest until individuals reach middle age. Light-skinned people who most often burn rather than tan are at a greater risk of skin damage than darkerskinned individuals that almost never burn. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discourage the use of tanning beds and sun lamps and encourage the use of sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or greater. In addition, the rising incidence of melanoma in the United States has led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a sun safety education program for school-age children in order to begin changing public attitudes toward tanning.

Overexposure during medical procedures:

Ionizing radiation has many uses in medicine, both in diagnosis and in treatment. X rays, CT scanners, and fluoroscopes use it to form images of the body’s insides. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive isotopes to diagnose and to treat medical conditions. In the body, radioactive elements localize to specific tissues and give off tiny amounts of radiation. Detecting that radiation provides information on both anatomy and function. During the past 10 years, skin injuries caused by too much exposure during a medical procedure have been documented. In 1995, the FDA issued a recommendation to physicians and medical institutions to record and monitor the dosage of radiation used during medical procedures on patients in order to minimize the amount of skin injuries.

The FDA suggested doses of radiation not exceed 1 Grey (Gy). (A Grey is roughly equivalent to a sievert.) As of 2001, the FDA was preparing further guidelines for fluoroscopy, the procedure most often associated with medical-related radiation skin injuries such as rashes and more serious burns and tissue death. Injuries occurred most often during angioplasty procedures using fluoroscopy.

CT scans of children have also been problematic.

Oftentimes the dosage of radiation used for an adult isn’t decreased for a child, leading to radiation overexposure.

Children are more sensitive to radiation; a February 2001 study indicates 1,500 out of 1.6 million children under 15 years of age receiving CT scans annually will develop cancer. Studies show that decreasing the radiation by half for CT scans of children will effectively decrease the possibility of overexposure while still providing an effective diagnostic image. The benefits to receiving the medical treatment utilizing radiation is still greater than the risks involved; however, more stringent control over the amount of radiation used during the procedures will go far to minimize the risk of radiation injury to the patient.

Recent evidence suggests that some ethnic groups may be more vulnerable than others to radiation damage.

A study done at New York University found that Jews are more likely to develop ovarian cancer as a delayed side effect of diagnostic x-rays of the abdomen than non-Jews.

These findings require confirmation by further research, but they do indicate that ethnicity and other genetic factors are involved in susceptibility to radiation damage.

Side effects from radiation therapy to treat cancer:

As many as half of all cancer patients receive some form of radiation therapy as a component of treatment.

The therapy can be delivered from either an external or an internal source, although the former is more common.

The machines used for external radiation have become more specialized to deliver the appropriate dose to either a superficial or a deep location on the body. Depending on the type and site of cancer being treated, internal sources of radiation can be injected, swallowed, or placed within the body in sealed containers. These are implanted into or near the tumor, either temporarily or permanently.

Some types of tumors may be eliminated by radiation therapy, if the patient is able to withstand the necessary dose. In other cases, radiation is used in conjunction with other methods of treatment. It may be given before surgery, to shrink a tumor to an operable size, or after surgery, to try to destroy any cancerous cells that may remain.

Radiation can be used to make patients with incurable disease more comfortable by decreasing the bulk of tumors to reduce pain or pressure. Treatment that is given as a comfort measure only is known as palliation, or palliative therapy.

Occupational radiation exposure:

Specialists in industrial and occupational health are increasingly aware of the rising number of injuries related to on-the-job radiation exposure.

One study of Swedish workers exposed to high levels of low-frequency magnetic fields found an increased incidence of kidney, liver, and pituitary gland tumors among the men, and a higher rate of leukemia and brain tumors among the women.

Sadly, the delayed effects of occupational radiation exposure have also delayed the adoption of necessary protection for workers at risk. A study of the high rate of lung cancer among Navajo Indians who worked in uranium mines during World War II did not bring about even partial protection for the miners until 1962. It was not until 1990 that Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to provide care for the injured miners.

The effects of cosmic radiation on human beings are also being investigated because of concern for the safety of air crew. Although findings are still inconclusive as of

2002, recent reports of an increased incidence of cancer among airline pilots and cabin crew members have led epidemiologists to study the long-term effects of cosmic radiation at the altitudes of modern aircraft flight.

Radiation exposure from nuclear accidents, weaponry, and terrorist acts:

Between 1945 and 1987, there were 285 nuclear reactor accidents, injuring over 1,550 people and killing 64.

The most striking example was the meltdown of the graphite core nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in 1986, which spread a cloud of radioactive particles across the entire continent of Europe. Information about radiation effects is still being gathered from that disaster, however 31 people were killed in the immediate accident and 1,800 children have thus far been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In a study published in May 2001 by the British Royal Society, children born to individuals involved in the cleanup of Chernobyl and born after the accident are 600% more likely to have genetic mutations than children born before the accident.

These findings indicate that exposure to low doses of radiation can cause inheritable effects.

Since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the possibility of terrorist-caused nuclear accidents has been a growing concern. All 103 active nuclear power plants in the

United States

are on full alert, but they are still vulnerable to sabotage such as bombing or attack from the air.

A nofly zone of 12 miles below 18,000 feet has been established around nuclear power plants by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

There is also growing concern over the security of spent nuclear fuel—more than

40,000 tons of spent fuel is housed in buildings at closed plants around the country. Unlike the active nuclear reactors that are enclosed in concrete-reinforced buildings, the spent fuel is stored in non-reinforced buildings.

Housed in cooling pools, the spent fuel could emit dangerous levels of radioactive material if exploded or used in makeshift weaponry. Radioactive medical and industrial waste could also be used to make “dirty bombs.”

Since 1993, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has reported 376 cases of stolen radioactive materials.

One response on the part of health care workers has been stepped-up training in radiation disaster management.

Emergency department personnel are being trained as of 2002 to use radiologic monitoring and other specialized equipment for treating victims of a terrorist attack involving radiation.

Causes & symptoms:

Radiation can damage every tissue in the body. The particular manifestation will depend upon the amount of radiation, the time over which it is absorbed, and the susceptibility of the tissue. The fastest growing tissues are the most vulnerable, because radiation as much as triples its effects during the growth phase. Bone marrow cells that make blood are the fastest growing cells in the body.

A fetus in the womb is equally sensitive. The germinal cells in the testes and ovaries are only slightly less sensitive.

Both can be rendered useless with very small doses of radiation. More resistant are the lining cells of the body—skin and intestines.

Most resistant are the brain cells, because they grow the slowest.

The length of exposure makes a big difference in what happens. Over time the accumulating damage, if not enough to kill cells outright, distorts their growth and causes scarring and/or cancers. In addition to leukemias, cancers of the thyroid, brain, bone, breast, skin, stomach, and lung all arise after radiation. Damage depends, too, on the ability of the tissue to repair itself.

Some tissues and some types of damage produce much greater consequences than others.

There are three types of radiation injuries:

• External irradiation: as with x-ray exposure, all or part of the body is exposed to radiation that either is absorbed or passes through the body.

• Contamination: as with a nuclear accident, the environment and its inhabitants are exposed to radiation. People are affected internally, externally, or with both internal and external exposure.

• Incorporation: dependent on contamination, the bodies of individuals affected incorporate the radiation chemicals within cells, organs, and tissues and the radiation is dispersed throughout the body.

Immediately after sudden irradiation, the fate of those affected depends mostly on the total dose absorbed.

This information comes mostly from survivors of the atomic bomb blasts over Japan in 1945.

• Massive doses incinerate immediately and are not distinguishable from the heat of the source.

• A sudden whole-body dose over 50 Sv produces such profound neurological, heart, and circulatory damage that patients die within the first two days.

• Doses in the 10–20 Sv range affect the intestines, stripping their lining and leading to death within three months from vomiting, diarrhea, starvation, and infection.

• Victims receiving 6–10 Sv all at once usually escape an intestinal death, facing instead bone marrow failure and death within two months from loss of blood coagulation factors and the protection against infection provided by white blood cells.

• Between 2–6 Sv gives the person a fighting chance for survival if he or she is supported with blood transfusions and antibiotics.

• One or two Sv produces a brief nonlethal sickness with vomiting, loss of appetite, and generalized discomfort.

Side effects of radiation therapy:

Damage caused to normal cells can show up either in the time frame shortly following radiation treatment, or as long as years after radiation has been completed.

Symptoms that frequently occur soon after treatment include loss of appetite, fatigue, and skin changes.

Less commonly, patients have headache, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and weakness. In more severe cases, dehydration, seizures, and shock-type reactions can occur.

The severity and type of effects will depend on the region of the body receiving treatment, the type of radiation used during the course of treatment, and the dose. There is also individual variation in the response.

Skin rashes are common. They may take the form of redness, burn, dryness, itching, or soreness. Organs that were in the path of the beam may show changes, including scarring, functional changes (such as decrease in elasticity), and loss of cells. Tissues that have a rapid turnover of cells may be most severely affected, including the skin and lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

More severe injuries may include long-term bone marrow suppression, and occasionally even other cancers, particularly sarcomas.

People who receive radiation in the region of the head and neck are likely to experience a dry and sore mouth to some degree.

The skin may become dry, and the area under the chin may droop. Sense of taste can be altered or lost. Some may experience hair loss, earaches, or difficulty swallowing due to inflammation of the esophagus.

Radiation treatments given for or around the breast, chest, or lung can also cause esophagitis and accompanying trouble swallowing. Changes in the lung tissue may lead to pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis.

The patient may develop a cough. Breast treatments may cause pain and swelling. Blood counts can decrease.

Side effects from treatment of the stomach and abdominal area can induce nausea and diarrhea.

In the pelvic region, radiation may result in difficulties with urination, and infertility in both males and females.

Women may also have symptoms of dryness, itching, or burning of the vagina.

Diagnosis:

The various effects of radiation on the body are well recognized. Patients who are scheduled to undergo radioactive treatments should be informed of the potential side effects they will encounter based on the area being treated and the dose of radiation being used.

Advice for coping with minor injuries should be given, as well as descriptions of what symptoms should prompt a call or a visit to the treating physician.

Treatment:

It is clearly important to have some idea of the dose received as early as possible, so that attention can be directed to those victims in the 2-10 Sv range that might survive with treatment. Blood transfusions, protection from infection in damaged organs, and possibly the use of newer stimulants to blood formation can save many victims in this category.

Local radiation exposures usually damage the skin and require careful wound care, removal of dead tissue, and skin grafting if the area is large.

Again infection control is imperative.

One of the best-known, and perhaps even mainstream, treatments of radiation injury is the use of Aloe vera preparations on damaged areas of skin. It has demonstrated remarkable healing properties even for chronic ulcerations resulting from radiation treatment.

Another topical herb that may be effective against skin inflammation following radiation therapy is chamomile cream.

Studies support the benefits of chamomile for skin inflammation and wound healing. Additional topical herbs that may be helpful are calendula and St. John’s wort.

These therapies can prove very helpful since skin reaction is one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy.

Guided imagery is a method that may be used following radiation treatment, especially to help ease pain.

Several nutritional supplements help with healing wounds. These include essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6), vitamin A, vitamin B, and magnesium/zinc.

If the tumor being treated is determined to be sensitive to radiation, there are a few herbs that are said to reduce the adverse effects of radiation exposure. Ginseng is one that research suggests may have this benefit.

Other nutrients thought to have some protective effects are coenzyme Q10, kelp, pantothenic acid, and glutathione with L-cysteine and L-methionine. Garlic and vitamin C support immune function. Grape seed extract is a powerful antioxidant that protects against cell damage by free radicals.

Any nutritional measures to support optimum health before treatment are beneficial.

Allopathic treatment:

The type of treatment used depends on the area and severity of the injury. Something as serious as bone marrow suppression would require more intensive therapy, whereas more minor conditions are treated symptomatically.

Radiation-induced esophagitis may necessitate intravenous or gastrostomy feeding for a time until the injury is healed. If a perforation or a stricture develops, surgery may be necessary. Products are available to keep the eyes (drops with vitamin A) and oral mucosa moist, as the cells producing mucus and tears are often damaged.

Expected results:

Tissue damage resulting from radiation exposure tends to be chronic in nature, and may even be progressive.

For the lesser and more common types of problems, long-term treatment of symptoms should be anticipated.

Prevention:

Part of preventing radiation injury involves doing research on the condition being treated. It is a good idea to be certain that radiation is the best available treatment for a particular cancer type before embarking on a course of therapy.

Information on preventing or minimizing damage from radiation produced by terrorist devices or other nuclear emergencies is available in a series of fact sheets that can be downloaded from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site.

The fact sheets cover such topics as basic radiation facts, acute radiation sickness

(ARS), dirty bombs, effects of radiation on health, possible effects of radiation on unborn children, and protective measures in the case of a nuclear event.