Anorexia nervosa is classified as an eating disorder where sufferers have an obsession with food and are overly concerned with being thin. They are often so terrified of gaining weight that they go to extreme measures to lose or maintain a body weight that is below normal for their age and height.

Anorexic individuals restrict the amount of calories they consume, sometimes to the point of self-starvation or purging by vomiting the small amount of food they do eat. They also use laxatives excessively or over-exercise so that their bodies burn more calories than they eat.

However, anorexia is more than simply the need to be thin or to restrict food intake. It is often psychologically tied to the lack of control the person may be experiencing in other aspects of their lives. On a subconscious level, anorexic individuals may feel a sense of accomplishment that they have control over something in their life. The constant mental pre-occupation with food and their weight means that mental anguish or other emotions are avoided and not dealt with.

People with anorexia nervosa are often overly sensitive to world issues, and often take the worries of the world onto their shoulders. The strict restriction of food may be used as a measure of how good they are at restraining themselves, taking willpower to an extreme degree. They can see it as a great feat, and inwardly applaud their determination.

Who Suffers from Anorexia and is it Serious?

Anorexia is much more prevalent in Western Societies than elsewhere in the world. This can be attributed to the commonly held Western notion that a slim figure is attractive – a notion that is perpetuated by the media and fashion.

Anorexia affects mainly young women; the most common age of onset being between 15 and 19. Approximately 90% of all cases are female. This can also be linked to a societal ideal that encourages women to be thin and men to have a strong muscular body type.

Anorexia is a very serious disorder with a high mortality rate, and often results in severe medical consequences if left untreated. Most people with anorexia do not believe that they have a disorder and usually view their weight loss as an accomplishment.

For this reason, they seldom seek help for themselves and are usually brought into treatment by a concerned parent or friend. There is hope, however, as there are successful treatments available, and many anorexics are able to overcome their disorder and regain a healthy body-weight and sense of self.

What are the Effects of Anorexia on the Body?

Inadequate amounts of food results in malnutrition, which adversely affects all the body’s organs. Many anorexic girls permanently damage their vital body systems and functioning, which often includes the reproductive organs, heart, and kidneys.

Anorexic girls commonly experience loss of menstruation (amenorrhea). Anorexia can have serious medical complications and severe symptoms, as the effects of self-starvation and purging take a serious toll on the body’s health.

Some of the many consequences of anorexia include:

* Loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
* Dry skin and brittle nails
* Brittle and thinning hair
* Sensitivity or intolerance to cold temperatures
* Cardiovascular problems such as chronically low blood pressure and heart rate, palpitations, and in extreme cases, heart failure
* Electrolyte imbalances: low potassium, sodium and magnesium
* Kidney stones or kidney failure
* Changes in brain chemistry, often resulting in depression
* Lowered immune system functioning
* Constipation and bloating
* Headaches due to malnutrition
* In severe cases, nerve damage such as numbness or mild paralysis in the feet or leg can occur

When Should I Worry About Anorexia?

Signs of anorexia nervosa include obsessive thoughts of food and being frantically concerned with body image or weight gain. People exhibiting signs of anorexia typically feel less anxious when they have control over their strict diet and disciplined weight loss. Other signs of anorexia include feeling hopelessly unsatisfied with your figure every time you look into the mirror, even though your family and friends comment on how thin you are.

Many anorexics fail to see that this is a problem, or their fear of weight-gain overshadows their fear of health complications and physical discomfort.

Anorexia is a serious condition and has been identified as the psychological disorder with the highest mortality rate, with 10% of all cases being fatal due to resulting medical complications. It also has a very high suicide rate, as it often co-exists with depression.

Parents who are concerned that a child has anorexia should seek professional advice and assessment. While many teenagers develop picky eating habits, anorexia is a serious condition requiring medical treatment. Anorexic girls and young women often must be treated in medical facilities where they are monitored 24 hours a day.

What are the Symptoms of Anorexia?

* Severely low body mass index in relation to age or height that is self-induced
* Refusal to maintain normal body weight
* Unhealthy obsession with food and the amount of calories taken in compared to the amount used
* An intense fear of gaining weight
* Distorted body image – will often think she or he is fat even though noticeably thin
* Often feels self-worth is dependant on body shape
* Misses at least three consecutive menstruation periods
* Increased downy hair on face and limbs (lanugo)

Disorders that May be Related to Anorexia

* Bulimia nervosa is closely related to anorexia, and in many cases anorexics become bulimic.
* Depression is high among individuals with anorexia
* Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is closely related
* Substance abuse is also common among anorexics

Tips for Coping with Anorexia

* Talk to your dietician or medical doctor about necessary supplements. It may take time before you change all your old eating habits, and until then, you need to ensure that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.
* Stick to your treatment and meal plans. It will be difficult at first, but focus on the fact that you are on the road to a healthy body and mind.
* Try not to push supportive people away. Understand that caring friends and family who push you to stick with your treatment have your best interests at heart, and they only want to see you get better.
* Buy a journal. Keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings can be very helpful. You can track your progress and note when and why negative eating thoughts arise. Try to uncover the emotional reasons behind your eating disorder.
* Resist the urge to constantly weigh yourself or check yourself in the mirror. These habits only serve to encourage an unhealthy lifestyle.
* Adopt a loving relationship with yourself. Treat your body with love and respect by implementing a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise, and enough rest. Set aside times where you pamper and treat yourself.
* Try to stop criticism as soon as it enters your mind. Judging yourself is an unhealthy habit at the heart of eating disorders. Accept yourself as well as those around you as beautiful inside and out – just as is. Do not buy into media’s view of the unrealistically skinny figure.
* Remember that while you may feel a sense of control when self-starving or controlling your weight, you are in fact out of control – it is the anorexia that is in control until you make the decision to change.
* Recognize the influences in your life that promote your disorder. Avoid too much TV and reading beauty magazines, as they give a distorted view of beauty. You may need to avoid certain friends if they encourage your old habits, or address the people that put pressure on you to be thin.

There is much more information in the ebook “Natural Help for Anorexia“. To save this ebook and read it later, please right click HERE and choose “save as”.

There are high blood pressure natural ways to reduce but, before know how to reduce, you should know what high blood pressure is. Blood pressure is a numerical value that gives the mg of mercury of pressure required to move your blood through your arterial system.

There are several different ways to lower high blood pressure natural ways to reduce. First you should look at the things that put you at higher risk to have high blood pressure such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol intake, and a poor diet. The most natural ways to reduce your blood pressure is to reduce your weight, increase the amount of exercise, stop smoking or using alcohol and improve your diet to include fruits and vegetables.

There are some other ways that will complement your efforts to lose weight and get exercise when you want to lower your high blood pressure natural ways to reduce. Try meditation or yoga because it helps to reduce stress and strengthens your body. Decrease your use of salt, which will decrease your retention of water. The more fluid your body has to pump around the higher your blood pressure goes.

Other methods to lower your high blood pressure natural ways to reduce is to forget the fat in your foods and think fiber. Fiber will improve your overall health, decrease your cholesterol and triglycerides which will help to lower your blood pressure. Magnesium is a great supplement that will help to decrease your blood pressure. But, taken as a supplement pill it is much less effect than if its eaten in green leafy vegetables, whole grains and legumes such as peanuts and beans.

Vitamin C has benefits for lowering your blood pressure and taken with adequate amounts of Vitamin E you will reap even more rewards. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are another factor your body needs to remain heart healthy. You will get the most from salmon or flax seed. Have trouble thinking about eating seeds? Try sprinkling milled flax seed (powdered form) over your salad or cereal. You wont notice the taste, little calories and all the punch of Omega 3s.

Get rid of birth control pills, coffee, tea, caffeine and sleep deprivation. All of these things will raise your blood pressure to new heights. On the other hand Zinc, ginger and carrot juice have been found to have significant positive heart healthy effects on your body. Kelp supplements and aromatherapy also have positive effects on lowering your blood pressure but for vastly different reasons. Kelp is a supplement that works internally while aromatherapy will work to decrease your level of stress and temporarily decrease your blood pressure.

There are many forms of heart disease including alcoholic cardiomyopathy, aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, arrhythmias, carcinogenic shock, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), endocarditis, heart attack also called a myocardial infarction, heart failure, heart tumor, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, idiopathic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, acute mitral regurgitation, chronic mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, peripartum cardiomyopathy, pulmonary stenosis, stable angina, unstable angina and also tricuspid regurgitation.

There are many things that can cause or lead to heart disease including narrowing of or a blockage of the coronary arteries that are responsible for supplying blood to the heart. Some cases of heart disease are present at birth such as congenital heart disease and others occur as we go through life and can include hypertension (high blood pressure), abnormal heart valve function, an abnormal heart rhythm, and a weakening of the heart’s ability to pump that can happen when there is infection or a toxin present in the bloodstream.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Coronary heart disease is the major type of heart disease and is the type that causes 71% of the heart connected deaths in the U.S. Almost half of the victims of heart attacks die before getting to the emergency room.

Individuals who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, are obese or are older than 60 are all at an increased risk for heart disease.

Heart disease can be caused by infection, by toxins, by smoking, by other disease or by birth defects and malformation of the heart during the fetal stage of life. Anyone can get heart disease but it is more prevalent as we age.

Some risk factors for heart disease are unavoidable and cannot be controlled such as age, or family history and congenital heart problems. The individual can control other risk factors such as obesity, and smoking.

Heart disease can involve just the arteries, it can involve a part of the heart that is not functioning, or it can involve a malformation of the heart at birth. It can involve a perfectly good heart that becomes damaged by disease, infection or a toxin.

Heart disease can be something that occurs at birth, it can be something that occurs over a lifetime of bad habits like overeating and smoking or it can occur because of an event such as the introduction of a toxin into the bloodstream or the occurrence of an infection.

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Hypertension in men is a serious and often fatal disease. High blood pressure can lead to heart failure; kidney failure; or stroke.

The combination of hypertension and being overweight increases the chances of developing one or more conditions. In fact, the older you are, the more likely you will develop hypertension unless you take steps to prevent it.

If you are overweight when you are young, you may develop hypertension at an older age. However, it has been suggested that hypertension is also inherited, which doesn’t help the situation either.

You may not even realize you have this condition, as the symptoms of hypertension do not reveal themselves. However, you should assume you are a candidate for hypertension if you are over 40; if there is a history of this condition in your family; and you are overweight.

The first thing you need to do if you are in any way susceptible to this condition is to remove sodium from your diet. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a month, and avoid stress. Let’s face it; however, we may work in an environment that breeds stress.

Whether it’s the job; money problems; smoking; overweight; alcohol; and other social and psychological factors which may contribute to the condition, it is important to understand it is not a curable disease, nor one which is tangible. Also keep in mind; hypertension is not exclusive to any one group. It affects people from all walks of life. To what degree it can cause damage to your heart, kidneys and brain depends on its severity.

If you find that you have taken every precaution and your blood pressure is still high, your doctor may prescribe medication only if he or she feels it is absolutely necessary. Some of the drugs have side effects, while others can be tolerated. While on any type of medication, do not fall under the assumption that because you may feel better you can stop taking the drugs. This is a dangerous scenario as mentioned earlier; hypertension is a symptom-less disease.

If you follow a proper diet that does not contain sodium; if you alter your lifestyle in order to ease the stress and other factors which contribute to hypertension, it can be controlled. Nothing in life is more important than your health; certainly nothing to cause physical or psychological elements which can raise your blood pressure. Hypertension in men is prevalent; yet over fifty percent of men do not realize they have the condition. Take care of your health and it will take care of you.

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Sometimes combining weight loss and a healthy heart diet will accomplish several goals at once. The patient will gain more energy, increase the ability to remain active, decrease the risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke and decrease the risk of stress related illnesses.

The American Heart Association believes that weight loss and a healthy heart diet is so important that they have guidelines for selecting a weight loss and weight maintenance programs.

They believe the food plan should be worked into the persons current eating habits and preferences and set realistic goals for weight loss. Using a plan that cuts calories to quickly will cause the patient to lose motivation and confidence as well as cut necessary vitamins and minerals from the diet. People who want to attempt weight loss and a healthy heart diet should receive some nutritional education and physical activity to increase the likelihood they will achieve and maintain a healthier weight.

There are some red flags if you chose to use a diet plan. Does the plan promise more than it can deliver? Does the program use physical activity? Are you encouraged to be screened for health risks and given a consultation to set realistic weight loss goals?

To be clear, the plan should set realistic goals, encourage physical activity, encourage you to be screened for health risks that may impede your progress and give you a consultation to assist setting realistic weight goals.

Popular diets are just what they seem. Popularized by books, reports of rapid weight loss or celebrity endorsements they often lack the research to back up their claims. In the end, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. You lose weight by decreasing calorie intake and increasing calorie burn. You can maintain the same amount of food intake and decrease calorie intake by eating more fruits and vegetables and cutting out processed foods and fats.

A healthy heart diet is one that incorporates all of the principles of a balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of protein through natural sources and low to no alcohol intake.

We literally are what we eat. If our intake is mostly hydrogenated oils and fats we cant pronounce that is the food that builds the cells that run our bodies. A living body will function best on living food. That means raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Amazingly research is bearing this concept out.

One pound of weight is equal to 3,500 calories. A diet plan may promise a 5 pound weight loss in one week but the only way to achieve that would be to cut your calories by an astounding 17,500 calories. If you normally ate 3,000 calories per day (a high amount) and cut to 1,500 calories you would only have a 10,500 calorie deficit in one week.

Instead a healthy weight loss that people have a better chance of maintaining is 1 2 pounds per week. To achieve this you should cut your calories by 500 per day. This can be done by a combination decreasing calorie intake and increasing calorie burn.

Weight loss and healthy heart diet plans often include increasing the amount of fiber intake. This accomplishes several things. Fiber will help to decrease your cholesterol, lower your triglycerides, and make you feel fuller longer using less calories. Foods that are high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains such as couscous.

Weight loss and healthy heart plans will help you to decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Using appropriate plans and maintaining your motivation it wont be long before your cholesterol is down and your energy level up!

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Cardio-Klenz is the only natural supplement that we are aware of which utilizes enteric coating technology to safely release the active ingredients in the stomach. This delivery method not only protects the enzymes such as Nattokinase but also greatly enhances the efficacy of other ingredients present such as Resveratrol and L-Glutathione. No other formula covers so many ‘angles’ to manage and protect your cardiovascular system, and yet Cardio-Klenz is still natural with no known side effects.

When people are first diagnosed they often look for the life expectancy for congestive heart failure disease. Even several years ago the life expectancy was about five years. But with recent advances in medical treatments this number has risen. Congestive heart failure can affect the right or left side of the heart or both.

As the heart pump loses efficiency blood will back up into other areas such as the liver, lower legs and lungs. The blood that has backed up is low in oxygen, which damages the tissue in these organs. This damage reduces their ability to function well.

The most common causes of congestive heart failure are high blood pressure or coronary artery disease and heart muscle damage. For instance, if you have had a heart attack and part of your heart muscle has been damaged the pump no longer works as efficiently.

Another factor in the life expectancy for congestive heart failure disease is the age at which the disease is first diagnosed. This condition is more common in people of advanced years or people who are morbidly obese, have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol or use cocaine.

There are symptoms of congestive heart failure which will clue you and your doctor that there is a condition which requires evaluation and treatment. You may notice weight gain (most often from increased fluid retention) or swollen feet and ankles. Even your abdomen (stomach) can swell from fluid build up. You may lose your appetite or become nauseated and vomit. More commonly people experience shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping without pillows to elevate their heads, fatigue, or an irregular pulse. A chronic cough and the need to urinate during the night are also symptoms.

As with other types of medical conditions there is a continuum of mild, moderate and severe symptoms. Those patients who have mild congestive heart failure may not show symptoms unless they have an infection or anemia, which also stresses the cardiovascular system.

Doctors are able give an estimation of life expectancy for congestive heart failure disease after a physical exam and testing to determine the extent of the condition. An exam may reveal an irregular heart beat, distended neck veins, an enlarged liver or swollen legs or ankles. Blood pressure will be measured and if the doctor suspects congestive heart failure then an ultrasound will be ordered to measure the size and estimate the function.

Your life expectancy for congestive heart failure disease will increase with appropriate treatment. This treatment can include weight loss, medicating high blood pressure, decreasing salt intake, taking medication to help strengthen the heart muscle, quit smoking, get enough rest and remaining active with your doctors approval.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to assist the heart muscle to pump stronger the doctor may prescribe different medications such as ACE inhibitors to open the blood vessels and decrease the workload on the heart. Diuretics will help your body get rid of extra fluid and salt. Digitalis will help increase the strength of the heart muscle and beta-blockers will be helpful for those persons who have a history of coronary artery disease.

During acute congestive heart failure patients may require hospitalization and oxygen therapy. Medications delivered through an intravenous route will be necessary to support the heart and help to drain the fluid from the body so the workload on the heart is decreased.

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Cardio-Klenz contains ingredients that affect different aspects of cardiovascular health, including arterial integrity, blood health, heart muscle strength and better blood flow. Additionally, the ingredients in Cardio-Klenz overlap their abilities, to enhance one another’s effects, increasing long-term heart health and protection against degenerative disease.

Cardio-Klenz is the only natural supplement that we are aware of which utilizes enteric coating technology to safely release the active ingredients in the stomach. This delivery method not only protects the enzymes such as Nattokinase but also greatly enhances the efficacy of other ingredients present such as Resveratrol and L-Glutathione. No other formula covers so many ‘angles’ to manage and protect your cardiovascular system, and yet Cardio-Klenz is still natural with no known side effects.

Magnesium happens only in 1% concentration in the blood and the body has to work very hard in order to keep levels constant. It is required to carry out a variety of biochemical functions including enzymatic activity. The recommended dietary allowance for men is 410 mg up to age 18, 400 mg to age 30 and 420 mg for 31 and above. The recommended daily allowance for females is 360 mg up to age 18, 310 mg up to age 30 and 320 mg for ages 31 and above.

Researchers have found that magnesium will protect the cells from a variety of toxins such as aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel. Evidence is now mounting a low levels will contribute to the heavy metal deposition in the brain that precedes Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.

In addition to the before mentioned conditions a deficiency in magnesium has also been clinically associated with anxiety disorders, arrhythmia, arthritis, asthma, autism, cavities, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, constipation, depression, diabetes types one and two, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, infantile seizures, heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, PMS, Raynaud’s and thyroid disorders.

Symptom solve magnesium deficiency can also include increased menstrual cramps, urinary spasms, difficulty swallowing provoked by eating sugar, photophobia, noise sensitivity, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, Agoraphobia and premenstrual irritability. Individuals can also suffer from cardiovascular symptoms including palpitations, heart arrhythmias, angina, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse.

According to several nationwide studies the diets of most adults are deficient in magnesium and the diets of non-hispanic black Americans are more deficient than Hispanics or non-hispanic whites. Apart from the deficiency in the diet it is also excreted through the urine or through the gastrointestinal system if there is a disorder. The excessive or chronic diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to a magnesium deficiency.

Other causes of a magnesium deficiency can be related to decrease in the absorption or intake, lost through disease and illness or due to genetic disorders.

Diagnosis of this deficiency is rather limited since laboratory testing is of limited value. This year a magnesium can be normal in spite of a significant deficiency. There is a magnesium loading past in which the patient collects 24-hour urine sample on the total magnesium is measured. After this the individual is given an injection of a specific amount of magnesium and another 24-hour urine specimens collected. If the body retains more than a certain amount that it is concluded that the body is deficient. However, the best diagnosis is done through a combination of signs and symptoms which improve as a therapeutic trial of either oral or injected magnesium.

Those who are deficient you can change the situation by drinking water from mineral rich springs, having bottled spring water delivered to the home or installing carbon filters at the sink and shower since trace minerals are small enough molecules to be able to make it through carbon filter. Others may find it more convenient to take a mineral supplement in liquid or pill form or to use natural rock salt for cooking.

It is not difficult to get enough magnesium in your diet on a daily basis in order to take care of the magnesium needs that we all have in order to function appropriately. But it does mean that we must be intentional in our nutritional goals.

Coronary artery disease is when there is an impaired functioning of the heart muscles. The result is that the heart becomes weak, resulting in heart failure. Balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery is the usual treatments for heart failure. Progressive heart failure usually results in “end stage heart failure” and death.

If a person has long-term untreated high blood pressure that can lead to heart failure when the heart becomes enlarged.

Cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and the heart is unable to pump blood properly. Cardiomyopathy can result from a viral infection. If the patient is unable to recover, heart failure results.

Valveular heart disease can be caused by Rheumatic heart disease. Degenerative heart valve disease is more common than Rheumatic heart disease. When the heart valves fail to function properly an enlarged heart and progressive heart failure will result. Surgical treatment is usually what cardiologist will recommend for valveular heart disease in order to surgically repair or replace the damaged heart valves.

Cardiologist will tell their patients that prevention of heart disease is easier than treatment for heart disease. Some heart disease risk factors are controllable in other words you can reverse the risk factors such as the risk factor of smoking.

You can quit smoking in order to reduce this risk. The risk factors of high blood pressure and high cholesterol can be controlled with medication, dietary changes and exercises.

Approximately 2.5 million individuals in the UK have heart disease and approximately 12.6 million Americans have heart disease. The most common risk factors for heart disease in those who died from heart failure were high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. There is one American woman dying of heart failure every minute as a result of heart disease.

There is something you can do about heart failure. Protect your heart. If you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or diabetes see your doctor regularly, monitor your disease closely and do your entire can to manage and control your disease so that you can prevent heart failure. If you smoke, quit…period.

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Osteomyelitis causes back pain, since the disease merges a bacterial infection that spreads to the soft tissues and bones. Infections, open trauma, staphylococcus aureus, and hemolytic streptococcus are linking causes of Osteomyelitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that occurs in clusters that resemble grapes. The bacteria typically inhabit the skin and the mucous membrane, which causes the disease Osteomyelitis. Hemolytic is the ruin or damage of blood cells, such as the red cells.

The condition causes the cells to release hemoglobin. Streptococcus is a round-shape bacterium that causes Osteomyelitis, since it sets up scarlet fever, pneumonia, etc. The disease or bacteria are linked as a chain or in pairs. Combine Streptococcus with hemolytic and you have the destruction that sets in pain.

According to the physical aspects of Osteomyelitis, organisms spread to the bones via open wounds, or the bloodstream. The infection sets in, causing destruction, which leads to Sequestra, or fragment bone necroses. Necroses are dying tissues and cells that merge from the disease and/or injury.

Like osteoporosis, Osteomyelitis has similar traits. The disease causes muscle spasms, rises in body temperature, tachycardia, and bone pain, increasing movement and pain, and so on.

Doctors often use blood cultures, hematology tests, would cultures, bone scans, and bone biopsy to discover Osteomyelitis.

Yet, to discover SLE doctors often use ANA tests, blood chemistry, urine tests, LE Preps, Rheumatoid factors, and hematology. If the tests show decreases in WBC, HCT, Hgb, and increases in ESR, thus additional tests are conducted. Doctors will search for rheumatoid symptoms, proteinuria and hematuria, as well as decreases in fixations and positive results of ANA.

Once positive results make itself available, management, intervention, and continued assessment takes place.

Symptoms:

SLE symptoms include ulcers at the mouth or nasopharyngeal. Additional symptoms include alopecia, anorexia, photosensitivity, lymphadenopathy, muscle pain, low-scale fevers, weight loss, abnormal pain, erythema of the palms, weakness, malaise, and so on. Diagnostic tests are conducted when the symptoms merge, which if the results show present symptoms the patient is setup with a management plan.

The plan often includes diet. The diet is high in protein, iron, vitamins, etc, which Vitamin C is the top supplement doctors recommend. The patient continues testing, which include lab tests, studies, etc. Vitamins and minerals are increased as well. Rest cycles are important if you are diagnosed with SLE.

SLE can lead to degeneration of the basal layers in the skin, necrosis (Tissue Death) of the lymph node and glomerular capillaries. Ocular blood vessels merge from the infection as well as inflamed cerebral, and so on. The disease causes muscle pain, seizures, congested heart failure, infections, depression of muscles, and peripheral neuropathy as well.

How to maintain your condition:

Doctors recommend that patients diagnosed with SLE stops smoking. In addition, intervals of bed rest are recommended. Of course, you should visit your doctor frequently and learn more about your condition. Your doctor will study your condition, as well as monitor its symptoms. You want to keep an eye out for infections. If you notice swelling, pain, or related symptoms you should notify your doctor immediately.

SLE is a bone condition that causes back pain. Since pain starts in one area of the body, it may travel to other locations. Try to take notes at each area where you experience pain and let your doctor know. Keeping informed is essential in treating your condition, as well when your doctor is informed he/she can also learn new steps to minimize your pain.

Released by the University Hospital Magdeburg of Germany, this recent study revealed that nicotine in the bloodstream is a direct cause of Atrial Fibrosis, a condition which causes arrhythmias and is directly linked to Congenital Heart Failure.

“So far, the effects of nicotine on the blood vessels have been extensively studied,” remarked Dr. Andreas Goette, lead author of the report, “but good data about direct cardiac effects of nicotine in patients was missing.”

In an attempt to provide that data, Goette’s study shows that nicotine itself, while often thought of only as the addictive ingredient in cigarettes and not the toxic ingredient, can significantly harm the functions and overall health of the heart. This new perspective is very interesting when we consider how people choose to quit smoking.

Addiction is a very serious epidemic facing our society today, and nicotine is one of the most common addictions out there. Of the more than 46 million Americans who smoke, an estimated 438,000 Americans die each year of smoking-related diseases, according to the American Lung Association.

Quitting any addiction, whether to alcohol, prescription medications or nicotine, involves an intense process that takes both psychological and physical willpower. And there are countless programs, medications and techniques marketed to help you overcome your addiction.

But this recent study on nicotine raises the question – is there a right or wrong way to quit? In the case of cigarettes, most of the products sold to help you quit smoking actually contain nicotine. These include an assortment of gum, patches and nicotine inhalers. Through a process of gradually reducing the amounts of nicotine you ingest, eventually the idea is that you can wean yourself off the nicotine completely over time.

But since the nicotine itself is still extremely hazardous to both your heart and other parts of your cardiovascular system, is this really such a good idea? Ingesting nicotine on a daily basis for months after you have quit can still be physically damaging. It is also important to consider that these products have not been proven any more effective than non-nicotine methods of helping you break the cigarette habit.

The healthiest way to quit smoking is by going cold-turkey. However, this is often also the hardest, as withdrawal symptoms become a factor, and dealing with nicotine cravings can be exceptionally hard.

There are however, natural products that can help you can quit smoking by going cold-turkey. Herbal remedies can help you deal with the most difficult part of quitting smoking, such as the irritability, anxiousness and of course the dreaded cravings for nicotine, which can pop-up at any time out of nowhere.

Native Remedies has a combination of three products that work together to help you break your nicotine addiction naturally. Crave-RX is specially formulated to help control cravings and make quitting smoking naturally much easier. When Crave-RX is combined with Rx-Hale and Triple Complex NicoTonic Tablets, they provide the maximum benefit during nicotine withdrawal.

* Rx-Hale Tablets – help prepare your body for nicotine withdrawal before you begin
* Crave-Rx Drops – help reduce cravings and control your appetite to prevent weight gain during nicotine withdrawal
* Triple Complex NicoTonic Tablets – help to reduce the side effects experienced during nicotine withdrawal

Herbal Remedies can also help you overcome other addictions, including addictions to prescription medications, which have become more prevalent as over-prescribing continues to run rampant throughout the medical and psychiatric professions.

Oftentimes, these addictions start out with a trip to the doctor to find a solution to chronic anxiety, pain or low energy. And, all-too-often doctors attempt to treat these conditions using prescriptions to anti-anxiety medications, opiate painkillers and amphetamines. Over time, patients may develop a physical dependence on these addictive drugs and become unable to function without it.

Herbal remedies can help by not only alleviating the withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of using these drugs, but they can also work to eventually take the place of them. Whether you’re treating an addiction to anxiety, pain or any other medication, there are all kinds of herbal supplements that can help ease the transition from chemical dependency into a natural treatment for your condition.

There is no better way to break the cycle of addiction than through a natural approach that makes it easier for your body to cope with withdrawal and rebound back to stable health!

“Crave-Rx really works! As a veteran smoker and aspirant quitter I was constantly on some program or other to help me to kick the habit. Needless to say that my family had come to believe that I would never succeed. By nature I do not like to give up and so I kept trying, encouraged by my doctor who put me on one program after the other due to the terrible effect the cigarettes were having on my health. All of them contained nicotine in some form – tablets, sprays, gum, gel, patches, you name it! They all helped a bit, but as soon as I started to cut back on the products, I began to smoke again. When I read about your program and the fact that it contained no nicotine products I was prepared to give it a try, which was a good decision on my part as even my doctor was skeptical! I have not looked back and after 14 weeks I am using Crave-Rx only a few times a week. At first it was my lifesaver and I went everywhere with the bottle! Now I am using the drops less and less and can even go a whole day without once thinking of cigarettes. For a guy who smoked more than 20 a day for 15 years, I would say that is very impressive! I will continue to use the Rx-Hale tablets every day for a few more months as recommended. Thank you Native Remedies!” —Mike G

In order to have a good understanding of congestive heart failure it helps to know how the heart works. The heart is broken up into four separate chambers, each of which has its own objective and function. When the heart beats the two lower chambers contract first in the two upper chambers contract second. The chambers on the top are called atriums in the heart have a left atrium and a right atrium. The ventricles, both left and right, make up the lower chambers of the heart.

It is the ventricles which are the most muscular chambers and pump the blood when the muscle contracts either out to the body or to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Congestive heart failure is also sometimes called heart failure and is a more descriptive term for the condition. The failing heart continues to work and pump but not efficiently and not effectively. For this reason people who suffer from congestive heart failure cannot exert themselves because they lack oxygen to the tissue and therefore become short of breath and tire easily.

As the blood flow out of the heart slows down, the blood that returns to the heart through the veins will back up and cause congestion in the tissues and lungs. Edema or swelling will result. Some people with congestive heart failure will suffer from swelling in the legs and ankles but it can also happen in other parts of the body. Some with congestive heart failure will suffer from pulmonary edema, or swelling in the lungs which causes shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and an inability to lie down flat.

Heart failure affects not only the lungs and the ability of an individual to walk for long distances but will also affect the kidney. The kidneys are highly vascular organs and require a significant amount of oxygen in order to continue functioning because of the high demands placed on them. Congestive heart failure will affect the ability of the kidney to filter out toxins and away from the body, including sodium and water. The water that is retained in the body contributes to the increase in edema or swelling.

Congestive heart failure can result from narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself, also called coronary artery disease. Any past heart attacks that will interfere with the heart muscles normal ability to work as well is high blood pressure or heart disease can also cause or results in congestive heart failure. If an individual suffers from primary disease of the heart muscle itself, called cardiomyopathy, or a heart defect which may be present at birth it can place an increased workload on the heart muscle and eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Individuals who suffer from infection of the heart cells or heart muscle, called endocarditis or myocarditis, will also find that their heart muscle has weakened with injury and will result in congestive heart failure.

Hypertension or high blood pressure will also contribute to the workload of the heart and results in an overworked and overstressed heart muscle. High blood pressure can contribute to heart attacks but more frequently will contribute to kidney damage and long term heart damage. If you suffer from high blood pressure it is important to investigate both the natural means of lowering your blood pressure, such as weight loss, exercise and improved diet plan, as well is speaking with your physician about medications which may be used to lower your blood pressure to decrease your risk of heart disease.

Individuals who have long-standing alcohol abuse will also have an increased risk of congestive heart failure. Alcohol abuse will damage the liver, another vascular organ in the body. With liver damage comes a backup of blood supply in its secondary hypertension. It should also be noted that individuals who have an underlying heart disease and are taking specific types of medications may lead to the development of congestive heart failure. This is true for medications that may cause the retention of sodium such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or ibuprofen for the use of pain medications as well as steroids and some diabetic medications.

Once congestive heart failure has occurred you cannot reverse the heart failure but it can be treated with medications and many people receive good results. These medications, however, will not work well without also making lifestyle changes. By reducing your risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or obesity and making lifestyle choices, such as exercising, reducing salt in the diet, managing stress or treating depression, you are able to improve your long-term outlook after a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

Related Natural Product

Addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies that may be adversely impacting the heart remains critical for all CHF patients. Aventrol accomplishes this with its safe, proprietary blend of nutrients that have been shown to support and improve heart and circulatory health. Despite its frightening name, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is now considered a manageable condition. Aventrol has been specifically designed to support your existing CHF treatments. When taken as part as your ongoing lifestyle adjustments, Aventrol may work to support circulation, a lowering of blood pressure, and minimize elevated cholesterol levels.

Some of the natural ways of bringing your blood pressure under control is to lose weight, get exercise, eat the correct foods, get rest and stop using tobacco and alcohol. All of these things increase your risk of high blood pressure and then other more serious health problems.

Does blood pressure change during the day? Do your readings change with exercise, stress, day or night?

One undesirable effect that physicians have documented is something called the white coat syndrome. In other words, if you are under significant amount of stress by having your blood pressure monitored at the doctors office, or just being at the doctors office, your blood pressure can rise and be misdiagnosed as hypertensive.

In other studies researchers have found that your blood pressure will be higher directly after exercise or while you are under significant stress than a pressure that is taken during the evening hours when you are relaxing, or at night.

Does blood pressure change during the day? Yes it does. Is it controllable? Yes it is.

Blood pressure changes that occur during the day are usually minor or passing. This isnt the increase in blood pressure that causes kidney failure and heart failure. Instead when your blood pressure remains elevated during times of rest, relaxation or night time, these are the numbers that concern your physician and lead to serious medical complications.

The human body is an amazing thing. Given the right circumstances and support your body will try to heal itself from any disease or condition. Your arterial system is able to withstand the daily changes in blood pressure that go along with a stressful job or stressful relationships. You can recover easily and no permanent damage is done when your blood pressure raises for short periods of time.

However, when your blood pressure remains raised for hours at a time each day and doesnt go down during the evening or night time hours your body cant recover and slow cellular changes lead to kidney failure, heart failure, heart disease and stroke.

When an individual has aplastic anemia the body is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood that it needs to all the organs of the body. Red blood cells also have the function of removing carbon dioxide from the cells. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that is taken from the blood and carried to the lungs where it is then exhaled out of the body. Individuals with aplastic anemia feel tired all the time, have a heart that has to work harder to pump the blood to all the body’s organs and tissues and this causes a stress over time and can then cause the heart to beat irregularly or too fast; which may result in an enlarged heart, or may cause heart failure. If the body has too few white blood cells, the body is unable to fight off infection properly and the individual will contract illnesses and infections. The platelets are needed to form blood clots that help stop bleeding within the blood vessels. Without properly formed blood clots the individual can bleed to death.

Thankfully aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder. Approximately only 500 to 1,000 individuals in the U.S. develop aplastic anemia each year. In the Asian countries this number doubles or triples.

There are two types of aplastic anemia: acquired and hereditary. Aplastic anemia can be acquired or triggered by toxic chemicals, chemotherapy medications, radiation, or viral infections. The direct cause of aplastic anemia is still not known.

An individual can develop aplastic anemia slowly or it can develop suddenly. It often gets worse over time. You can get mild, moderate or severe aplastic anemia. A doctor treating the individual for aplastic anemia will check the blood count frequently and adjust treatment accordingly. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, and medications to suppress the immune system, stimulate the production of stem cells, and to treat infections.

Chronic hypertension has often been called the silent killer because it has little to no signs and symptoms and will not be picked up unless an individual is screened with a blood-pressure measurement.

It can cause blood vessel changes in the back of the eye which lead to cataracts and blindness. In it can also cause an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle which leads to heart failure and congestive heart failure or it can lead to kidney failure and brain damage.

There is no substitute for measuring blood pressure in the physician’s office and without it you are only inviting hypertension into your life. At this time physicians have not been able to find a reason for 95% of the diagnose cases of hypertension. However they do know that with medication, weight reduction, salt restriction anaerobic exercise most people are able to reduce their blood pressure and control it.

Your blood pressure will actually change during the day and is affected by exercise and stress. Blood pressure is low list as you sleep in will rise as a get out. Physicians like to see your blood pressure lower than 120/80 but do not diagnose hypertension until the blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. The middle range between those two numbers is considered pre-hypertensive and physicians will make recommendations to change your lifestyle choices in order to impact your blood pressure.

Blood pressure will also have a significant impact on your heart muscle. High blood pressure means that it’s the arteries against which the heart muscle is pumping have become more stiff or tense. This increases the workload against the heart muscle because it is now pumping against a system with higher pressure.

This increased workload results in thicker muscle walls in the heart. While increasing muscle mass in your extremities may be a positive change, increasing the muscle mass of the heart is not. When the muscle wall increases it decreases the amount of space within the chamber’s which then decreases the amount of blood which is able to be pumped out around the body. This decreases the amount of oxygenation available at the cellular level and results in symptoms of congestive heart failure. It also reduces the amount of oxygen available to the heart muscle which causes further damage.

There are actually four different types of changes that can happen to the heart muscle during heart failure. Physicians have found that when these changes are precipitated by hypertension and the hypertension is subsequently controlled through medication, salt reduction, weight loss and exercise the symptoms of congestive heart failure will decrease and the efficiency of the heart muscle will increase.

One of the factors in developing a treatment protocols for congestive heart failure used to determine the underlying cause if possible. This is sometimes related to infections, hypertension or primary kidney failure. In these examples it is important to treat the underlying condition as well as alleviate the symptoms of congestive heart failure in order to achieve good long-term results.

If you have symptoms of congestive heart failure or a family history of heart disease and hypertension, it is important to have your blood pressure monitored every year and a checkup with your physician every two years.

Related Natural Product

Addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies that may be adversely impacting the heart remains critical for all CHF patients. Aventrol accomplishes this with its safe, proprietary blend of nutrients that have been shown to support and improve heart and circulatory health. Despite its frightening name, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is now considered a manageable condition. Aventrol has been specifically designed to support your existing CHF treatments. When taken as part as your ongoing lifestyle adjustments, Aventrol may work to support circulation, a lowering of blood pressure, and minimize elevated cholesterol levels.

People with panic attacks are crazy. Crazy is never a good term for people with psychological conditions and people with panic attacks are hardly crazy. They may seem deranged and a bit psychotic for some people when they experience attacks of panic and terror but this does not suggest that they are.

As if to add to the insult, people with panic attacks are sometimes perceived to have schizophrenia, the most advanced form of psychosis which is marked by severe auditory and visual hallucination as well as aggravated delusions and dysfunctional thoughts. Clearly, there is no relationship between people who feel like they are “going crazy” when undergoing attacks and people who have advanced (and even minor) psychological conditions.

People with panic attacks lose control. Wrong. Panic attacks do not rob a person his sense of control. While a person’s thoughts may seem distorted for a while during attacks due to physical symptoms that lend themselves towards this possibility such as shortness of breath and heart attack-like symptoms, this does not mean that the person is losing grip of the reality. Anxiety which normally accompanies panic attacks is a body’s way to tell you that something is going wrong. Since this is a defense mechanism, it is not dangerous to anyone, not even the person undergoing the panic attack.

It is good to remember that panic attack happens only in the mind, it may, in fact, be unnoticeable for people surrounding the person during the attack. What exacerbates the attack is the person’s conscious thought that it could cause embarrassment or harm to other people. It is the sense of losing control of one’s self that makes the condition worse, a thought that is manufactured in the brain, never the total lack of sense of control.

People with panic attacks have chronic heart disorders. While this may be partly true due to the link between mitral valve prolapse and panic attacks, this does not make the assertion entirely valid. People have good reasons to believe that they are having heart attacks or heart failures when they experience episodes of panic attacks since some of the symptoms of both conditions are similar. But such symptoms are perfectly rational when seen from the viewpoint of elevated fear.

For example, people subjected under conditions that stimulate fear experience tightening of the chest, faster heart beat, profuse perspiration, shortness of breath and increased respiration. All these signs are also symptoms of heart attacks which make it easy for most people to believe that instead of having a disorder of the mind, they are having dysfunctional hearts. But then again, similarity in symptoms does not make two completely different conditions alike.

Myths often offer a semblance of the reality that is not hard to believe in. But do not be fooled. Knowing what is the exact truth and not the half lies may serve you well when dealing with conditions that root from and are aggravated by thoughts.

by Dr. David G. Williams

Moving on to more “exotic” techniques to increase immune system efficiency, we come to castor oil. I can remember my dad telling me time after time about his mother’s devotion to castor oil when he was growing up. At the first sign of any illness in one child, she would immediately give all the children a quick oral dose of castor oil.

There’s no doubt it provided a quick solution for constipation, and from what I can tell, it must have a positive effect on memory too. My dad can vividly remember the taste and effects of castor oil to this very day.

In many ways, castor oil is a very unique substance. While most of us are familiar with its use as a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar chemical composition.

Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90 percent of its fatty acid content consists of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any other substance except castor oil. Such a high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is thought to be responsible for castor oil’s remarkable healing abilities.

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37.323-325. ) This would explain the high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm, keratoses (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growths), skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching).

Generally, for these conditions the area involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger- and toenails that have discolored and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts, prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.)

Castor oil’s antimicrobial activity, while very impressive, comprises only a small part of the story concerning this mysterious oil. While castor oil has been thoroughly investigated for its industrial uses, only a minimal amount of research effort has been directed toward its medicinal benefits.

In Russia the oil is known as “Kastorka.” The stem of the plant is used in the textile industry. The extracted oil has a very consistent viscosity and won’t freeze even in Russia’s severe climate. This makes it an ideal lubricating oil in industrial equipment.

Medicinally, the oil is added to products to restore hair (one part oil to 10 parts of grain alcohol), treat constipation, skin ulcers, some infectious gynecological conditions and eye irritations.

The castor bean plant is actually native to India, where it is called “Erand.” There we found it being used extensively for all types of gastrointestinal problems like constipation, dysentery and inflammatory bowel disease. It was also used to treat bladder and vaginal infections and asthma. We were told the seed kernels or hulls (without the actual seed) could be boiled in milk and water and taken internally to relieve arthritis and lower back pain accompanied by sciatica.

We also found early reports of nursing mothers in the Canary Islands using poultices made from the leaves of the castor bean. They applied the poultice to their breasts to increase milk secretion and relieve inflammation and milk stagnation in the mammary glands. Applying the poultice to the abdominal area promoted normal menstruation.

While I find all of these uses of castor oil very interesting, the most exciting use deals with ways to increase topical absorption through the use of castor oil packs or poultices. Much of the current use of castor oil packs, in the U.S. anyway, can be attributed to the late healing psychic, Edgar Cayce. Time after time he recommended their use. Based on his reports, I began to use them in my practice over 12 years ago. But even though I, and numerous other doctors, have continued to experience remarkable results, the technique is still practically unknown and shunned by most health care professionals today.

This is probably due to two reasons. First, it’s just too simple. It’s hard for most people to imagine that something as simple as castor oil packs could have a profound effect on any health problem. Secondly, in our present health care system, positive results alone do not constitute the critical factor in determining whether a treatment will be accepted by the medical establishment.

[Everybody (except probably the poor patient) now seems to be more concerned about how something is supposed to work, than whether it actually works at all.] Recent research data presented by longtime follower of Edgar Cayce, Dr. William McGarey of Phoenix, Arizona, might help shed some light on how castor oil works.

If you’re not particularly interested in how castor oil enhances the immune system, feel free to skip the next couple of paragraphs. Anyone suffering from AIDS or other serious viral or bacterial diseases may find this information helpful, however. Numerous AIDS patients have been able to increase their T-cell counts and clear up many of their problems by using the techniques I’ll be describing.

Others have found it useful in eliminating chronic problems with epilepsy, hyperactivity, liver and gallbladder diseases and chronic fluid retention. (Fortunately, to benefit from this and other natural therapies you really don’t have to understand how they work.)

McGarey has reported that, when used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland and other areas of the immune system. More specifically, he found in two separate studies that patients using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared to increases among those using placebo packs.

Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells of your immune system. They are produced and housed mainly in your lymphatic tissue. This includes the thymus gland, the spleen, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine (called Peyer’s patches, or more commonly, aggregated lymphatic follicles). Strangely, other than knowing it produces the body’s white blood cells, most doctors are not very knowledgeable about the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an amazingly complex structure. It works hand in hand with both the blood circulatory system and the digestive system.

In the circulatory system newly oxygenated blood from the lungs moves from the heart along smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches the smallest vessels called capillaries. It is in these microscopic tubules that the blood exchanges oxygen and nutrients for cellular waste products with surrounding body cells. The capillaries then gradually become larger and form veins through which the unoxygenated, waste-carrying blood returns back to the lungs and then to the heart to be recirculated time and time again.

Much of the fluid accompanying the blood and large protein molecules leak from these capillaries. Additional fluids and waste products are expelled from every cell in the body. These fluids accumulate in the small spaces between the cells. If all of this material weren’t somehow removed we would begin to swell like a toad and die within a matter of 24 hours. Fortunately, we have a completely separate circulation system, called the lymphatic system, that is able to absorb and remove these fluids, proteins and waste materials.

With the exception of the brain, where these proteins and fluids flow directly into the fluid that surrounds them, the extensive lymphatic network has hundreds of miles of tubules that cover the entire body. Through these tubules all of this material is returned to the blood so it can be utilized or eliminated from the body. (There is no pathway, other than the lymphatic system, that excess protein molecules can use to return to the circulatory system.)

Also, along these lymphatic tubules you’ll find bulb-shaped masses called lymph nodes, which act as filters and produce antibodies when foreign proteins are encountered. I’m sure you’ve experienced the tenderness and swelling of an inflamed lymph node at one time or another. It is usually a result of antibodies fighting an infection either in the node itself or somewhere in the draining area of that particular lymph chain.

In addition to returning leaking fluid from the circulation system and creating antibodies for the immune system, the lymphatic system also performs another very important function. Clumps of lymphatic tissue, called Peyer’s patches, are spread throughout the small intestine.

Unlike other nutrients, fat molecules are generally too large to be absorbed directly from the intestine. Instead, they are absorbed by these patches and transported along the lymphatic system and then released into the blood stream where they can be carried throughout the body. Between 80 to 90 percent of all the fat absorbed from the gut requires the help of the lymphatic system.

When it comes to treating the majority of health problems, the status of your lymphatic system is rarely given any consideration whatsoever. Medical students are taught that a failure of the lymphatic system is obvious to detect because it is accompanied by “pitting” edema (the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, i.e. swelling, usually in the feet, ankles or hands).

The test for “pitting” edema is rather simple. A finger is pressed into the skin at the area of the swelling and then quickly removed. The skin stays depressed, forming a small “pit”, which remains until the fluid outside the cells has time to return to the area (this can take anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds). Unfortunately, research studies have shown that “pitting” edema and other signs of fluid retention can’t be observed until fluid levels outside the cells reach 30 percent above normal. In other words, you can have a serious lymphatic drainage problem long before it can be detected.

Several problems occur when the lymph drainage slows and fluids begin to accumulate around the cells. First, the individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. The amount of oxygen and nourishment they receive is decreased. Under exertion or stress some cells may die. Additionally, cells are forced to survive in their own waste and toxic by-products. This situation can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure. Similar problems occur in the liver, the kidneys and other organs.

A good analogy would be if you confined yourself to one room of your house. Someone could bring you food and water, but not remove any of your waste products. Eventually you would have difficulty remaining healthy in such an environment. As your waste accumulated, not only would you become sick, those around you would begin to experience the same fate. Just like it is for each cell, in addition to nourishment and oxygen, the removal of waste products is essential for continued health of the entire body.

Fluid accumulation outside the cells also stretches the tissue in the area. The more it stretches and the longer it remains that way, the harder it becomes to correct the problem.

Regardless of the health problem, most doctors generally assume the lymphatic system is working adequately. This assumption is made at the peril of the patient. Research has shown that as we age certain organs begin to degenerate. The thymus gland is a key component of the immune system. It is initially responsible for the proper development of the lymphatic system and is practically absent in older individuals.

Peyer’s patches, those clumps of lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine, begin to get smaller with age and are often destroyed by certain diseases like typhoid fever. (Cayce felt that the overall health and well-being of an individual was directly related to the health of these Peyer’s patches. He stated on several occasions, that a certain compound formed in these patches was necessary for maintaining the integrity of the nervous system. He may very well be correct. To this day, we still don’t totally understand the functions and importance of either the thymus gland or Peyer’s patches.)

Efforts should be taken to improve the function of the lymphatic system in every health problem. This applies to AIDS, as well as heart disease, hemorrhoids and everything inbetween. No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be handled through the topical application of castor oil.

When castor oil is absorbed through the skin, several extraordinary events take place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases. This is a result of a positive influence on the thymus gland and/or lymphatic tissue. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body. This speeds up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reduces the size of swollen lymph nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and depression.

As toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, indicating improved health. The Peyer’s patches in the small intestine become more efficient in their absorption of fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary for growth and repair.

Common Methods of Using Castor Oil

The most common way to use castor oil (and most objectionable, I might add) has been to take it orally. Generally, oral doses are used to correct constipation. The recommended dose is usually 1 tablespoon for adults and 1 teaspoon for children. You can usually expect a “purging” of the system in about four to six hours.

Rubbed or Massaged Directly Into the Skin

For several conditions I’ll mention later, the oil can simply be rubbed into the skin. It can also be used as a massage oil which seems to be especially effective when applied along the spinal column. If the oil is massaged into the body, the direction of the massage should always follow the same path as the underlying Iymphatic drainage system.

Conditions Responding to Topical Application

Oftentimes there is no need for castor oil packs; amazing results can be obtained by simply applying it directly to the skin. The following is a short list of some of the more common ailments it can remedy:

* skin keratosis
* mastitis, sore breasts from breastfeeding (Castor oil helps with inflammation and pain)
* ringworm
* fungal and bacterial infections
* wounds
* abdominal stretch marks (prevention)
* bursitis
* sebaceous cysts
* warts
* senile lentigo (“liver” or “aging” spots)
* muscle strains
* ligament sprains
* itching

Castor Oil Packs

One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)

To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items:

* Cold pressed castor oil
* a standard heating pad
* a plastic garbage bag
* two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel
* one large bath towel.

1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.
2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.
3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin. For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.
4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.
5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)

Conditions Responding to Castor Oil Packs

Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints.

Lymphatic Congestion

Obviously, conditions known to be related to poor drainage of the lymphatic system will tend to benefit from this type of therapy.

These would include complaints such as:

1. chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain
2. arthritis
3. upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses, tonsils and inner ear
4. colon problems like Crohn’s disease or colitis
5. gallbladder disease
6. boils
7. liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, enlargement or congestion
8. menstrual-related congestion
9. appendicitis
10. hyperactivity
11. constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions
12. swollen lymph nodes
13. bladder and vaginal infections

Neurological Problems

Several neurological problems have also been responsive to castor oil.

These include:

1. nerve inflammations such as sciatica, shingles, etc.
2. Parkinson’s disease
3. multiple sclerosis
4. migraine headaches
5. cerebral palsy

AIDS

Conditions that stress or compromise the immune system will very often benefit from castor oil packs. Nowhere is this more obvious than with AIDS. I have talked with several AIDS patients who have added castor oil packs (usually for one hour a day) to their treatment regimen with very positive results. Within two weeks, it was not uncommon for them to see increases in their WBC counts (white blood cell counts), platelet counts, hematocrit readings and RBC counts (red blood cells).

I should mention also that in addition to the castor oil packs most of those I talked to are also drinking a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to further stimulate lymphatic flow and
liver activity.

It can be made by blending the following:

* 1 clean whole lemon, (pulp, rind, seeds and all)
* 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
* 1 1/2 cups of distilled water
* 4 rounded tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate

The blended material is then strained through a wire strainer to remove the pulp, which is discarded. The remaining liquid is divided in four equal portions of approximately 1/4 cup each and a portion is consumed with each of the three daily meals and before bedtime.

In addition to stimulating lymphatic flow, the drink increases the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, which, in turn, enhances one’s ability to digest essential fatty acids through the Peyer’s patches in the small intestine. It is not uncommon for AIDS patients to experience weight gain and a reversal of a long list of complaints often associated with fatty acid deficiencies.

Buying Castor Oil

Any oil that enters your body either orally or through the skin needs to be of the highest quality. Castor oil is no different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil. If you can’t find it there or they can’t order it for you, then it can be ordered through the mail from Heritage Store, P.O. Box 444, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23458. They can also be reached by calling 1(800)862-2923.

Conclusion

In his readings, Cayce attributed several actions to castor oil. Most were in one way or another related to the body’s lymphatic system. However, he also alluded to the idea that castor oil has a vibrational quality that helps harmonize and promote healing within body cells. Based on statements like these, many people labeled his psychic readings as quackery. As we gain new knowledge about the workings of the human body, however, these explanations don’t seem
so far fetched.

Dr. Johanna Budwig has related much of the healing properties of flax oil to its unique chemical bonds that vibrate at the same frequency as the wavelengths of sunlight. She feels the essential fatty acids in flax oil have the ability to absorb and store the energy from sunlight. It’s possible that the special bonding in castor oil’s unique ricinoleic acid works in a somewhat related method.

Regardless of exactly how it works, I think you’ll be more than satisfied when you experience the amazing feats that can be accomplished with the simple oil of the castor bean.

Centuries ago the castor bean plant was referred to as the “Palma Christe.” It was called this because the shape of the plant’s leaves were thought to resemble the palm of Christ. Knowing the healing power of this plant, the name may be one of the most accurate descriptions ever.

The diagnosis of congestive heart failure is usually confirmed by a physical examination and combined with a thorough medical history and a variety of noninvasive tests. Your physician and will start with a thorough medical history which will evaluate when you first notice symptoms, your past medical history, any history of infectious diseases which may have negatively affected the health of your heart and any past familial history of coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure.

During the patient history the physician will have their information about any alcohol and drug use, any history of high blood pressure including any treatment you may have already been through, prior chest pain or heart attack, any recent viral illnesses or recent pregnancies.

Your physician will also perform a thorough physical examination looking for any underlying causes of heart failure and to assess the current function of the heart. A stethoscope is used to detect abnormal heart sounds that can indicate a leaky valve. The stethoscope will also be used to detect any fluid that has accumulated in the lungs. During a physical examination the doctor will look for veins which are distended or enlarged on the neck as well as swelling in the legs around the ankles and feet.

Risk factors for developing congestive heart failure include previous heart attacks, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects and alcohol and drug abuse.

If your physician suspects congestive heart failure then a chest x-ray may be done to determine if the heart muscle is enlarged and if there is any fluid around the lungs. An EKG can be used to check for regular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias, and estimate the amount of stress placed on the heart. And echocardiogram can be used to see the function of the heart, including the valves, heart wall motion and overall heart size.

During an echocardiogram another measurement may be taken, the left ventricular ejection fraction. This is a measurement of how much blood comes out of the ventricles during contraction. A healthy heart has an ejection fraction between 55% and 70%. These numbers will be lower if the heart muscle has been damaged.

During an echocardiogram ultrasonic waves are used to “see” inside the chest. The reflection of these sound waves is translated into images on a computer screen which reflects the images of the heart, valves, chambers and walls. And echocardiogram is also used to measure the pressure change between the left ventricle and the aorta as well as to assess the thickening of the walls of the heart and evaluate the function of this pump.

Patients who have had a previous history of heart attack or angina may also undergo a cardiac catheterization to determine if coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease is causing heart failure. During cardiac catheterization a small amount of contrast dye is injected into the left ventricle through a catheter. A special camera is used to determine how much of the dye leaves the heart with each beat.

If a cardiac catheterization suggests that there may be coronary artery disease a referral to a cardiologist will be made in order to receive the best possible treatment protocols. By solving the problem of coronary artery disease the stress load on the heart will be reduced in the progression of congestive heart failure will be slowed.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure it is important that you seek the advice of your primary care physician as soon as possible. Only through early diagnosis and early treatment are physicians able to determine the underlying causative agent for congestive heart failure and recommend treatment protocols which will improve the success rate of treatment.

High-Rite is a natural, safe, effective and powerful herbal formula for hypertension and blood pressure control. High-Rite helps to balance and regulate blood pressure; address some of the contributory factors causing high blood pressure. While some of the ingredients in High-Rite specifically target blood vessels which have become constricted, others improve the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, while also treating and preventing plaque build up in the arteries. High-Rite also helps to reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to fight illness. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, High-Rite is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

Heart arrhythmias are also considered to be heart disease as they can make people feel out of breath, dizzy and experience chest pains. They are changes in heartbeat that feel like flutters. If you experience heart arrhythmias and feel like you can’t get enough air, you need to call 911 immediately and get prompt medical attention.

One in every three women in America may die of heart disease. Twice as many women die of cardiovascular diseases than men. Females of all ages need to be aware of the risks of heart disease and improve those risks that they can change.

Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease:

You can reduce your risk for heart disease by not smoking, by knowing what your blood pressure is and if you have high blood pressure finding ways to control it, and by knowing what your blood cholesterol level is and working with your doctor to maintain a normal blood cholesterol level.

Individuals who have a family history of diabetes should be tested for diabetes even if they have no symptoms of the disease because people with high blood sugar are at risk for heart disease. A doctor can help you to control your blood sugar in order to control your diabetes and to reduce your risk for heart disease.

It is also important to control your weight by finding your ideal weight for your height, sex and age and maintaining that proper weight. If you are overweight or obese you are at special risk for heart disease. If you are overweight or obese you can start to control your weight by eating more fruits and vegetables, avoid fats and sugars and exercise on a daily basis.

Avoid alcohol or at least limit your consumption to one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of hard liquor daily.

If you experience stress in your life try to find ways to minimize the stress by learning relaxation techniques, by doing yoga, or by spending more time with friends or doing things that you enjoy doing. Exercising can also reduce stress especially swimming and dancing.

Writing in a journal is also therapeutic for some, helping them to deal with stress. Stress can lead to heart disease so it is good to recognize the source of stress in your life and to find ways to eliminate those sources or to learn how to handle any stress that may come your way so that stress doesn’t lead to you having a heart attack.

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While the drug nicotine may be primarily responsible for the addiction to cigarettes there are over 2000 other chemicals that affect the body during smoking. The most hazardous substances included in cigarettes are tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. Smoking will decrease the levels of oxygen which reached the tissues because of the carbon monoxide which also increases susceptibility at the cellular level for damage to be done by the over 40 different known carcinogens inhaled with each cigarette.

People who smoke are much more likely to suffer from respiratory infections, colds, flu, and coughs. Other more severe diseases are simply the result of a depressed immune system coupled with exposure to toxins and chemicals. One particular group of conditions called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, will block air flow into the lungs and increase the difficulty in breathing. This causes health dysfunctions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is responsible for 80% of chronic obstructive lung disease cases in the lungs of a smoker declined at a faster rate than those who don’t smoke.

Another group of diseases which are caused by smoking are cancers. Smokers are more likely to get cancer of the lungs, throat, and mouth. Other cancers that are associated with smoking are cancer of the bladder, pancreas, kidneys, esophagus and cervical cancer in women. Cancers of the blood such as acute myeloid leukemia have also been associated and linked with smoking.

Cardiovascular diseases, which are diseases of the heart, blood vessels and arteries, are also linked with smoking. Nicotine increases cholesterol levels in the blood in fact deposits in the arteries which contribute to cardiovascular disease. Common types of cardiovascular disease are peripheral vascular disease, coronary thrombosis, coronary artery disease, cerebral thrombosis and cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke. In the surgeon general’s report released in 2004, cigarette smoking has also been linked with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Smoking has also been associated with fertility in both men and women and thought to be associated with impotence in men. Researchers know that pregnant women should not smoke because it decreases the oxygenation available to the fetus and therefore significantly impinges growth and development.

On average, the surgeon general believes that smokers die 13 to 14 years prior to non-smokers. And, although the statistics related to risk of disease is significantly long, the number of people who smoke has dropped from 42% in 1965 to approximately 21% in 2002.

This next list of conditions and diseases has been linked with cigarette smoking but is not inclusive.

Lung cancer

Cancer of the mouth

Cancer of the larynx

Cancer of the esophagus

Stomach cancer

Cancer the urinary tract

Cancer the pancreas

Liver cancer

Cervical cancer

Prostate cancer

Cancer of the penis

Leukemia

Emphysema

Chronic bronchitis

Pneumonia

Asthma

Coronary artery disease

Cardiovascular disease

Congestive heart failure

Cerebral vascular disease

Atherosclerosis

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Ischemic heart disease

Peripheral vascular disease

Diabetes

Stomach ulcers

Cataracts

Gum disease

High blood pressure

Crohn’s disease

Premature aging

Loss of smell and taste

Osteoporosis

Reduced fertility

Impotence

Hashimoto’s is the most common thyroid disease in the United States today. This disease will stop the thyroid gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to function properly.

The symptoms of Hashimoto’s vary from person to person. Some people will have no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms are fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold and weight gain. Some people will suffer from forgetfulness, muscle weakness, constipation and increased menstrual flow. A few people with Hashimoto’s will experience major swelling of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck. This is sometimes referred to as a goiter.

There is no concrete evidence that Hashimoto’s is a hereditary condition. However, if you have a family history of autoimmune disorders in general then you can be considered a higher risk for developing Hashimoto’s.

The test for Hashimoto’s is a simple blood test. Your doctor will order a TSH which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. If this level comes back out of normal range then your doctor may order a specific thyroid hormone test.

Complications of Hashimoto’s can become quite serious if this disease is left untreated. A goiter is one complication that if it becomes large enough it can interfere with breathing and swallowing.

Other complications of Hashimoto’s include heart problems such as heart failure, mental health issues and myxedema. The most serious of these three complications is myexdema. This condition is rare but it can progress from intense cold intolerance and drowsiness to profound lethargy and coma. If left untreated a myexedema coma will be fatal.

A woman that has a history of untreated Hashimoto’s will have a higher risk for having a child with birth defects. These defects can include a cleft palate and heart, brain and kidney problems.

It is important that you tell your doctor all of the symptoms you have been experiencing. Let him know if there is a family history of any chronic disease, especially autoimmune diseases.

The treatment for Hashimoto’s is a hormone replacement pill that must be taken daily. Your doctor will need to monitor the amount of hormone in your system by doing routine blood tests. Your doctor may need to make a couple of adjustments to your hormone replacement medication until the right level is achieved.

If you suspect you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis you should see your doctor right away. This is one disease that should not go untreated.

If you think you have acid reflux, one of the tell-tale sign is that you get relief after taking a medication such as Tums or Rolaids. You eat and then start feeling uncomfortable. This is almost always a sign of acid reflux. What are the other signs of acid reflux? Here is a look.

One of the biggest symptoms is that you will feel a burning sensation in your throat after a meal or a snack. Sometimes this burning sensation will radiate from the stomach to the chest and up into the neck.

There are certain activities that will make your symptoms worse. These most commonly include bending over after eating a meal, lifting something heavy, lying down on your back. If you feel the symptoms after a meal, then you are most likely suffering from acid reflux.

When it comes to acid reflux, it is also interesting to note that almost all patients with acid reflux have these symptoms at night. This can vary in severity. Some people will only have very mild symptoms, which will not last very long. However, with severe problems with acid reflux, the burning and discomfort at night can be excruciating. They cannot sleep and they cannot seem to find relief either. In addition, some people actually confuse these severe symptoms with heart attacks and heart failure and will go to the emergency room.

Of course, there are other symptoms, too. With acid reflux, it is not uncommon for people to have pain and discomfort in the abdomen. Some patients will say it feels like a tight belt. These people will also feel very full, even if they have not had a huge meal. Last of all, it is not uncommon for those with acid reflux to have nausea and sometimes they will even vomit. Wet burps are also very common and bothersome.

While acid reflux is very common and most of these symptoms are common, you might be surprised to learn that there are some less common side effects. Chest pain was already mentioned, but some people may feel that they have food trapped in their chest. People may also have trouble with swallowing or they feel that food is stuck in the throat. Chronic coughing from the stomach acid and a persistent cough can also be less common signs of acid reflux. Asthma and constant problems with inner ear infections and upper respiratory problems are also reported with some acid reflux patients.

When you have acid reflux, you can look at these symptoms and see if you fit. After you have determined that you do have acid reflux, then you can work to treat the symptoms.

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By Debra Redman, LMT, NCTMB

Margarette is the picture of health, so a mini health crisis came as a surprise. In the same week her divorce was to be final, she was scheduled as an outpatient for an ablation (a type of heart surgery) on Wednesday and replacement breast implant surgery on Friday.

The post-surgical recovery would have most people flat on their backs for more than just a few days. Imagine my surprise when she answered her door for a manual lymph drainage massage the day after the heart surgery.

The immune system does not react well to being over-stressed. Margarette was experiencing a very stressful time in her life. She had swelling in her right leg from the malfunctioning valve in her heart. The collapsed breast implant left her chest feeling heavy.

As a medical massage therapist, I suggested she relieve some of the discomfort with a medical massage modality called Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD). This specialized technique is designed to stimulate the immune system and help the lymphatic system achieve healing in the body.

Margarette received MLD both before and immediately after her surgeries. Pre-operative MLD cleans the area so that there is little bleeding, creating an environment that decreases pain levels and the chance for infection. This primed her lymph system to start moving toxins out of her body before the surgeries.

The effects of MLD last up to 72 hours, depending upon the duration of the massage. The result is that it slows the amount of bleeding during surgery and causes the body to begin detoxifying the chemicals from the anesthesia and other medications immediately.

The post-operative session kept the process going, diminishing pain levels to the point where Margarette didn’t need any medication. She recovered so quickly, she was back at work by the following Wednesday, missing only five workdays.

MLD uses very gentle, precise strokes to promote the release of fluid build-up in the body called edema. Any interruption in lymph circulation can impair the functioning of the body’s immune system, its ability to repair damaged tissue, and cause chemical imbalance in the body. If left untreated, the swelling could potentially lead to a more serious medical condition called lymphedema.

Edema is a condition defined as swelling that occurs when interstitial fluid builds up in the muscles of the body. Lymphedema is a build up of fluid in the lymph system.

Unlike edema, lymphedema can become a chronic condition that has consequences for the whole body. Swelling, pain, numbness, sensation of pressure, increased susceptibility to infection, loss of mobility, and impaired wound healing are all a result of chronic lymphedema. Chronic swelling has four levels of manifestation: micro edema, mild or pitting edema, non-pitting edema, and severe hardening. The first two can be reversed and usually completely alleviated with MLD. The last two cannot be reversed but MLD may help relieve the symptoms.

Some reasons why the lymph system will respond with edema include illness, lack of exercise, injury (i.e. sports, surgery, disease) and being on an airplane flight. MLD helps both acute and chronic conditions.
Types of conditions that MLD cannot help include kidney disease (nephritis), leaking blood vessels, varicose veins, third degree burns, congestive heart failure, untreated high blood pressure, obstructions in the circulation system (thrombosis or clots), and active cancers.

Most people learn about the effects of lymphedema when they experience cancer. Based on client feedback, very little information is disseminated to non-cancer patients about how to take care of the swelling they experience after a sports injury, accident, or surgical procedure. Not very many people are told about the benefits of MLD prior to surgical events or the impact on healing after surgery.

I have discussed MLD with heart surgeons, podiatrists, chiropractors, and orthopedic and plastic surgeons. It is my concern that few know how to fully utilize MLD or pay any attention to the role that edema plays in healing. Doctors don’t seem to be addressing the impact chronic swelling has when treating conditions that won’t heal appropriately.

I have used MLD to treat clients who have experienced injuries from sports (acute and chronic), accidents or surgeries; cancer patients in remission, Parkinson’s patients, pregnant women, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, allergies and sinus problems. I recommend MLD for breast cancer prevention and maintenance.

If you knew that this natural, non-invasive treatment was available and it works, why wouldn’t you do it?

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This includes a liver tonic; immune system strengthening; improved body functioning; detoxification; and enhanced convalescence. Immunity Plus can be used to tone and strengthen the immune system during and after illness and is a useful overall tonic for the body. Created by a clinical psychologist, Immunity Plus is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

About the author

Debra is a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist, whose practice is located at 1216 Franklin Rd, Marietta in Labyrinth Centre.

At specific times during an individual’s life that good bacteria can be killed off or the immune system can become compromised such as during pregnancy, taking long-term antibiotics, diabetes or HIV. During these periods of time yeast is able to grow unchecked and the individual often develops a vaginal yeast infection, sinus infection or even a systemic yeast infection.

Yeast are a family of very small single cell organisms. Under the correct conditions if they grow actively and forum thread like structures. When there is an overgrowth of yeast the organism changes slightly and develops long rhizomes which invade the walls of the intestines allowing leakage of the yeast into the systemic body.

This also allows leakage of other proteins into the blood system which normally wouldn’t occur. In this increased amount of protein exposure in the body is what is believed to account for in the food sensitivities and allergy type reactions which people with systemic yeast infections often exhibit.

Candidiasis knows no age and can happen in people in people of all ages and gender people. This means that men, women, children, infants and seniors can develop oral yeast infections, vaginal yeast infections, sinus yeast infections and a host of other infections including yeast infections in the long. There are millions of people suffering from yeast infections that affect their overall health.

Some of those symptoms include generalized fatigue, migraine headaches, respiratory problems, muscle pain, oral thrush, food sensitivities, constipation, rectal itching, inflammatory bowel disease, menstrual and pre-menstrual problems, chronic urinary tract infections, eczema, Acme, hives, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, hemolytic anemia and sarcoidosis.

Diagnosis of a systemic yeast infection is often done using a simple stool test to determine if there is a yeast overgrowth. If there are other food sensitivities, a special blood test may be done to find reactive foods. This may be important when the individual has a specific diet plan designed in order to treat the yeast infection. It’s important to pinpoint the cause of food sensitivity and the reaction to this can take anywhere between eight to 72 hours.

Candida yeast infections in the longs are often difficult to treat and treatment must be addressed from a systemic standpoint. Once a person has yeast growth in a specific area of the body there is a greater tendency for the used to directly affect other areas as well. This damage to the tissue can result in major overgrowth and life-threatening problems.

If yeast infection in the lungs can also cause heart failure. This occurs when the heart is is also attacked by the yeast.

If you suspect that you or anyone in your family has a yeast infection is important to seek the advice of the healthcare practitioner so that immediate treatment might be begun. Treatment should be individualized to the specific case after the practitioner has taken a thorough medical history and physical examination.

By determining the exact symptoms which the individual is suffering from the healthcare practitioner will be able to more appropriately design and individualized treatment protocol. This protocol often involves dietary changes as well as systemic anti-fungal medications to treat the yeast.

This condition is caused by an inflammation of the thyroid gland because of an autoimmune attack on the gland. This means that the body in a probe really a tax the thyroid gland, as if it were foreign tissue.

The underlying cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis continues to be an unknown but researchers do know that it tends to occur in families and is associated with the clustering of other types of conditions such as diabetes and celiac disease.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is five to 10 times more common in women than in men. Blood tests revealed an increased number of antibodies to an enzyme found within the thyroid gland. As a result the inflammation develops in the gland and the thyroid is destroyed.

The symptoms of thyroiditis are similar to those of hypothyroidism which are often subtle. This means that they are nonspecific and can mimic the symptoms of many other conditions, some of which are attributed to aging. Individuals who have mild disease may have no signs or symptoms.

Symptoms include fatigue, depression, modest weight gain, cold intolerance, excessive sleepiness, dried coarse hair, constipation, dry skin, muscle cramps, increased cholesterol levels, decreased concentration and vague aches and pains. As the hypothyroidism becomes more severe or, when more of the thyroid gland is destroyed, there may be puffiness around the eyes and a slowing of the heart rate as well as heart failure. In its most profound form, severe hypothyroidism can lead to a life-threatening coma which seems to be triggered by severe illness, surgery, stress or traumatic injury.

A less common form of thyroiditis is De Quervain’s Thyroiditis, also called subacute or granulomatous thyroiditis. This was first described in 1904 and is much less common. In this condition the gland is generally swelled rapidly and is very painful and tender. It discharges thyroid hormone into the blood and patients immediately become hyperthyroid. Over the next several weeks be hyperthyroidism resolves.

Patients frequently become ill with fever and prefer to stay in bed. Blood work will not reveal thyroid antibodies but the sedimentation rate, which measures inflammation, will be very high. Although it resembles an infection there will be no infectious agents identified and I antibiotics are of no use. Nearly all patients will fully recover and the thyroid gland will return to normal after several weeks or months. While recurrences are very uncommon a few patients will become hypothyroid ones the inflammation settles down and will need to stay on thyroid hormone replacement be indefinitely.

The third type of thyroiditis is called Silent Thyroidits. It is the least common type of thyroiditis and was not recognized until 1970, although it probably existed and was treated as Graves’ disease before that. Silent thyroiditis is a mixture of Hashimoto’s and De Quervain’s thyroiditis. Blood thyroid tests will be high and radioactive iodine uptake will be low that there will be no pain and a needle biopsy will resemble Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

The majority of those affected are young women following pregnancy. The disease usually needs no specific treatment and 80% of those affected will completely recover and return to normal thyroid status after three months. Symptoms will be similar to Graves’ disease, but much milder. The thyroid gland will only slightly in large. Treatment will usually be bed rest with beta-blockers to control the palpitations in the heart. Treatments such as radioactive iodine, surgery or anti-thyroid medication, often used for individuals who suffer from Graves’ disease, is never needed. Unfortunately, a few patients will become permanently hypothyroid and require thyroid replacement for the rest of their lives.

The fourth type of thyroiditis is called Reidel’s thyroiditis. This is a very rare form of the disease in which inflammation causes a merging with surrounding structures such as muscle and trachea. Some physicians believe that this is not a form of thyroiditis, but rather a rear form of tumor that happens to involve the thyroid and surrounding tissue.

The thyroid gland itself becomes quite hard and may be very difficult to tell if it’s a result of the inflammation or of cancer. Blood tests are usually normal and a biopsy will be needed to distinguish it from cancer. Since the gland is so difficult to penetrate a fine needle aspiration may not be possible. Instead, and open biopsy in the operating room may be necessary in order to distinguish this benign disease from a malignant form of cancer. In the most severe forms of the disease the gland becomes so solid it may obstruct the trachea. In this instance an operation will be necessary to remove the middle portion of the thyroid. A complete removal cannot be performed because the thyroid bends with normal muscle and other tissue making more extensive surgery very dangerous.

Thyroiditis can also occur in the postpartum period caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid after the delivery of the child. Symptoms will improve within 12 to 18 months but the mother may have permanent hypothyroidism requiring medication. Drug-induced thyroiditis will be caused by prescription drugs such as lithium and cytokines. Symptoms will continue as long as the drug is taken. Radiation-induced thyroiditis follows the treatment with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism and certain cancers. Most commonly individuals show symptoms of hypothyroidism which is usually permanent.

Treatment for thyroiditis will depend upon the type of thyroiditis, the extent of the disease, and your overall health. Treatment modalities and recommendations can only be done after your physician has determined the exact thyroiditis that affects you. Once that has been determined, your treatment protocols should be decided by both you and your physician.

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Stinging Nettle (Common Nettle) grows from one meter to two meters tall during the summertime and dies off when the winter comes. It’s rhizomes spread out wide. The roots and stolons are both bright yellow in color. The leaves are spade shaped and range from 3 to 15 centimenters in length. Both the leaves and stems are covered with dense hair.

Most of the hair does not sting but some of them might have hairs that inject several chemicals into whoever touches them. This burning sensation can last for anywhere from a minute or two to a week. Stinging nettle can be found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.

Nettle is believed to cause lactation and tests have confirmed that it’s juice helps people suffering with congestive heart failure by acting as a diuretic. Extracts from the nettle plant are commonly used to treat ailments such as kidney problems, pain, arthritis and hay fever.

Rubbing the needles across the skin is used to provide temporary relief from rheumatism. The goal here is to provoke inflammation and cause redness. This was started a long time ago and used as a folk remedy.

The German’s have used the leaf of the nettle plant, for a long time, to treat arthritis. The two active chemicals that help to provide relief from arthritis are TNF-alpha (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and certain cytokines.

You can find nettle in many natural dandruff control shampoos. Not only does it help with dandruff but it also helps to make hair more glossy.

Bodybuilders often use nettle as a supplement to help gain muscle mass. The nettle contains a chemical that increases free testosterone.

Newly picked nettle is often used to stop many types of bleeding. As long as it is fresh it will help to clot the blood, but when it dries out it will no longer work because the vitamin K dies off. Dried nettle is used as a blood thinner.

The nettle plant has a wonderful flavor when consumed as food. It tastes a lot like spinach. Stinging nettle is very good for you because it is high in vitamins A, C, D, calcium, potassium, manganese and iron. The baby shoots are made into a terrific soup in both Sweden and Denmark.

When the nettle plant is dried out or thoroughly cooked the toxicity is removed. It is better to eat the nettle plant while it is early in it’s growth phase because after it starts to flower it develops “cystoliths”, which are gritty and an irritant to the urinary tract.

In the past 40 years the number of individuals who suffer from congestive heart failure has grown significantly and today nearly 5 million Americans suffer from this condition. Because of advancements in technology and medical research new treatment methodologies have enabled patients to increase their life expectancy and decrease the number of side effects they suffer.

Among those treatment methodologies are alternatives to traditional medicine therapy which are gaining popularity, though with holistic medicine practitioners and some traditional Western medicine physicians.

Congestive heart failure is the end product of a number of cardiovascular diseases that decrease the ability of the heart to pump efficiently. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure means that nutritional preventative methods are too late but nutritional intervention can continue to assist the function of a damaged heart and support traditional medicine medications. Today, researchers believe that nutritional intervention may be able to augment, and possibly substitute, for pharmaceutical drugs therapy.

But nutritional therapy and interventions are not the only alternative methodologies available to patients who suffer from congestive heart failure. Another is exercise. Researchers have found that just 30 minutes of exercise twice a week, under the care of your cardiologist, can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. This study was presented at an annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in March 2009. Researchers found that those who participated in more exercise received greater benefits. Remember, before undertaking any exercise program to speak with your primary care physician or cardiologist about your limitations.

Individuals who suffer from congestive heart failure must be careful about their dietary intake as it relates to sodium and potassium. Many people are taking diuretics, or “water pills“, which reduces the amount of sodium and potassium in the body. Potassium is a necessary mineral for the function of any muscle, including the heart muscle. Before adding or subtracting any mineral supplementation to your diet be sure to speak with your physician about the medications which you are currently taking and the guidelines which you must follow.

According to American Family Physician, more than $12 billion are spent each year on natural supplementation. In 1993 a study showed that one third of Americans use some form of alternative medicine, and that number has continued to grow over the coming decade. One of the more popular adjuncts to treatment for congestive heart failure has been Q10. This is an enzymes that is found in all tissues of the body and is necessary for metabolic reactions. It is used in heart disease because of its antioxidant effects and its ability to stabilize sodium and potassium activated enzymes. There have been several well researched studies that have shown an improvement in several measurements for individuals who suffer from congestive heart failure.

Hawthorn is a plant which contains active flavanoids which inhibit vasoconstriction and activate the dilation of blood vessels. It has also been a very popular supplement for use in individuals who suffer from congestive heart failure, and other heart ailments. However, it can increase the action of drugs such as digitoxin and therefore is recommended that patients stop the use of Hawthorn if they are taking any other medication unless they are monitored by their physician.

Another more obvious alternative treatment method is weight loss. By maintaining an optimal weight the individual is able to reduce any unnecessary strain on the heart which decreases the progression of the damage. By restricting alcohol intake and salt intake people are also able to reduce damage.

Other supplements which have been shown to have some effect are fish oils, arginine, carnitine, folic acid, psyllium, ribose and astagalus. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that reduces free radical damage and thiamine, vitamin B1, may actually be the cause of some heart failure when there is a deficiency. Do not next herbal diuretics with other medications because there will be drug interactions. And, guard against any magnesium deficiency, which causes the muscles under function, malfunction or not function at all.

Before making the addition of any of these alternatives treatment methodologies to your particular case it is important that you speak with your cardiologist and ensure that nothing you are going to try will have a significant drug interaction with anything else you are already taking.

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Addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies that may be adversely impacting the heart remains critical for all CHF patients. Aventrol accomplishes this with its safe, proprietary blend of nutrients that have been shown to support and improve heart and circulatory health. Despite its frightening name, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is now considered a manageable condition. Aventrol has been specifically designed to support your existing CHF treatments. When taken as part as your ongoing lifestyle adjustments, Aventrol may work to support circulation, a lowering of blood pressure, and minimize elevated cholesterol levels.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that affects the sebum rich areas of the body such as the face and scalp. It is commonly aggravated by humidity, stress, trauma or changes in season. Seborrheic dermatitis is slightly more common in men than women and peak occurrence is during puberty. It does occur in babies and is commonly called cradle cap.

It is important to note early that AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a medical condition that is a result of a damaging assault to the immune system that leaves the immune system without the ability to fight infections. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), if the virus that provides the assault that ultimately damages the immune system. So AIDS seborrheic dermatitis is often a result of an HIV but can also be caused from one of the other illnesses that can trigger AIDS such as cancer.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease in the general public, affecting between 2 and 4% but affects the majority of patients who are affected by AIDS some 85%. The exact cause of the dermatitis isnt known but researchers theorize that it is the result of Pityrosporum ovale. And because HIV or AIDS changes the way the skin responds to the yeast patients with HIV or AIDS are at greater risk of developing the condition.

AIDS seborrheic dermatitis causes a redness of the skin, which then produces a yellow, waxy scale or flake. In people who dont suffer from AIDS the rash is mostly around the scalp, eyebrows, ears and mustache area. In individuals who are affected by AIDS the rash also appears on the chest, armpits, groin and back.

Seborrheic dermatitis is often treated with antifungal shampoo and topical corticosteroids in people both with AIDS and those without. Scientists have found that those patients who are being treated with antiviral therapy will have fewer outbreaks of AIDS seborrheic dermatitis. Often people with AIDS will find that the severity of the rash mimics the degree of deterioration to their health that they are experiencing from the infection.

Persons with AIDS seborrheic dermatitis should consult with their doctor if their condition doesnt respond to the typical treatments theyve been using. Early diagnosis and treatment of the condition can help to decrease the amount of discomfort they feel when the condition doesnt resolve quickly.

Although generalized seborrheic erythroderma is quite rare in those who dont have problems with their immune system it is more common in those with AIDS, congestive heart failure, Parkinson disease or immunosuppression in premature infants.

People who have high blood pressure, and even those who dont, should be asking the question can Claritin cause high blood pressure? Most people who have problems with their blood pressure have been advised by the physicians to be careful about the over the counter medications or other medications that may be prescribed for them by other doctors. This is because medications arent always safe when taken together.

Drug interactions are chemical reactions that happen in your body when you take two different types of drugs that interact with each other inside your body. This chemical reaction can cause mild side effects or serious and life threatening side effects depending upon the type of medications taken.

But the question can Claritin cause high blood pressure remains. Actually Claritin D is the culprit in the high blood pressure problem. The D in Claritin D stands for decongestant. Claritin is an antihistamine that works to decrease the histamine response in your body which causes the watery and itchy eyes, runny nose and head congestion. The decongestant was added to another formulation to help get rid of the congestion that was present with seasonal allergic reactions.

The decongestant medication is pseudoephedrine which produces a narrowing or constricting of the blood vessels. This constriction will help your nasal congestion to clear since the extra cells arent able to leave the vessels. However this constriction will also cause an increase in blood pressure.

If you already have high blood pressure then Claritin D may cause an increase that will be dangerous to your health. If you dont have high blood pressure then Claritin D could cause a slight increase in blood pressure that may or may not be dangerous. The real problem is that high blood pressure is called the silent killer because it is silent. There are no signs and symptoms, the patient never feels the increase in blood pressure.

And so, unless you know what your recent blood pressure has been in the past 6 months you could be causing a dangerous medical situation. Thankfully most pharmacies have blood pressure machines in their stores that you can use for a small fee. It is wise to check your pressure if you havent had a physicians exam in more than a year and you have risk factors of high blood pressure such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, poor nutrition, smoking, or a moderate alcohol intake.

Another issue with can Claritin cause high blood pressure is that the decongestant pseudoephedrine can also interfere with several blood pressure medications making them unavailable to your body and thus increasing your blood pressure.

In true asthma the lungs are the original source of the problem. Asthma triggers create inflammation in the bronchioles, pathways through which air passes through out the lungs. This inflammation causes a construction of the pathways as well and as a release of mast cells to the area. These cells increase the amount of mucus produced in the bronchioles which also decreases the amount of air allowed to pass through to the lungs.

In the case of true asthma treatment is directed at the lungs and bronchioles to reduce the inflammation and improve airflow. An individual who suffers from true asthma will also work to reduce their exposure to triggers that increase their risk of an asthma attack. These things can include smoke, chemicals, allergens, pet dander, exercise or upper respiratory infections.

An individual who suffers from cardiac asthma will experience a buildup of fluid in the lungs and airways as a result of heart failure. The signs and symptoms, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing – will mimic the signs of asthma. However, while true asthma is a chronic condition caused by inflammation in the airways, cardiac asthma is a symptom indicative of a failing heart.

Physicians will look at the pattern of shortness of breath and the age of the individual as well as the overall health to help determine which type of asthma and individual actually suffers from. People with bronchial asthma, true asthma, tend to experience shortness of breath early in the morning and coughing through the night. Individuals who have cardiac asthma will often wake up breathless a few hours after going to bed and have to sit out bright to catch their breath. This is because that as individuals who suffer from heart failure lie down for a prolonged period of time the fluid will accumulate in the lungs and lead to a shortness of breath.

In both cases an individual will find they are shorter breath during exertion or exercise but in bronchial asthma the symptoms are usually brought on by vigorous exercise and tend to be worse after the exercise then during it. On the other hand and individual with cardiac asthma will have shortness of breath during less vigorous exertion and may find themselves short of breath while climbing stairs or even getting dressed.

The distinction is very important to make because the treatment is significantly different. Overlooking the possibility of heart failure will likely lead to death while attempting to treat inflammation in the bronchioles. Treatments for heart failure will include medications that will help reduce the symptoms of both the heart failure and the cardiac asthma by increasing the pumping ability of the heart. In fact, overusing rescue inhalers for two through asthma may actually worsen the symptoms of cardiac asthma.

While both bronchial asthma and cardiac asthma can lead to life-threatening situations it is much more likely that an individual who is suffering from shortness of breath is secondary to cardiac asthma will experienced a life-threatening situation much more quickly. For this reason it is very important that an individual consult with their physician to determine if they have cardiac asthma or bronchial asthma and if cardiac asthma is diagnosed it is very important that the individuals maintain appropriate medication and supervision by their primary care physicians.

Altace has been found to have Altace blood pressure effects when its used alone or in combination with other medications, such as diuretics. Diuretics are a specialized medication that are called water pills. They work to decrease the amount of excess fluid that you may be carrying in your blood that will also increase your blood pressure.

One factor that controls your Altace blood pressure effects is a hormone called angiotensin I. Altace is from a group of medications that works on this hormone and is a member of the group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. This will decrease the salt and water retention in your body and will enhance the blood flow in your circulatory system.

Physician prescribe Altace to lower blood pressure as well as to decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart related death in people who have high risk factors. Altace is also used in patients who have already suffered a heart attack and have possibly developed heart failure. Altace is used to prevent the condition from getting worse.

One very important fact about your Altace blood pressure effects is the fact that you must take the medication regularly for it to be effective. Because blood pressure isnt something that you can feel for the most part, it may be tempting to believe that because youve taken a medication for three months you are cured. Unfortunately it doesnt work that way. Blood pressure is a condition that requires continued monitoring and treatment to control it.

And, because your blood pressure will decline gradually when you are using Altace, blood pressure effects may take several weeks before you receive the full benefit.

Altace blood pressure effects may also have side effects. Some of these side effects can include chest pain, cough in people with high blood pressure, dizziness, and low blood pressure in people with congestive heart failure. Of youve had a heart attack you can experience light-headedness while standing or develop more severe heart failure.

Altace blood pressure effects shouldnt be prescribed if you have a sensitivity or allergy to Altace or if you have a history of swelling in your face, tongue or throat (signs of allergic reaction) when taking similar ACE inhibtor drugs. If you develop any of these symptoms or have difficulty breathing or swallowing your should call your doctor and go to the emergency room for immediate treatment. If you develop stomach pain, nausea or vomiting contact your doctor and go the emergency room ACE inhibitors have been known to cause intestinal swelling that would block the passage of food and waste.

Other Altace blood pressure effects that could be dangerous include difficulty with kidney function, liver function, connective tissue disease, extreme low blood pressure, increased potassium levels, dehydration, sweating, diarrhea and can lower your white cell count that impacts your ability to fight infection.