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Archive for May, 2009

Informative Facts About the Swine Flu Vaccine

30 May



The Influenza A (H1N1) virus, dubbed the “swine flu” by the international media, has caused a major stir ever since it was identified on April 2009. Those who were identified as high risk groups most likely to contract the virus are the ones with pre-existing medical conditions, adults over 65 years old, pregnant women, and children below five years old. The main symptoms of the swine flu-coughing, headache, fever, chills, and runny nose-are similar to those of the common flu. However, when deaths were reported, these prompted the world to track its progress. Similar with any other influenza virus, anyone can contract the swine flu through coughing, sneezing, and coming in contact with a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.

That this new strain of virus can easily be passed on from one person to another has caused global panic, especially in the early days of its evolution. Earlier this year, the whole world watched as cases of swine flu infections rose by the thousands and seem to have reached all corners of the world. Two months after its discovery, it was officially declared a flu pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th of June, 2009, adding fuel to the global media frenzy that has evolved from this curious virus. A day after this declaration, known Swiss company, Novartis AG, announced that it has produced the first batch of swine flu vaccine at its Marburg, Germany plant. On September 15th of this year, the US food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine, essentially lending credence to this new product.

Since it came out, thousands have lined up to have their shot. Is this a good medical decision on the part of the government? Let’s take a look at some of the related facts:

Point 1. At present, the largely untested swine flu vaccines are being prepared for mass inoculations across the US and Europe. In fact, the European Medicines Agency has allowed pharmaceutical companies to skip the testing process altogether. However, some allege that production was “rushed” and it was never tested on humans.

Point 2. The swine flu vaccine contains dangerous adjuvants that could lead to inflammatory response, leading to autism and other neurological disorders. Growing evidence all point to the fact that, indeed, adjuvants are being added to stretch production.

Point 3. Public support for the swine flu vaccine has significantly decreased since news that it was unsafe cropped up in the media. Leading the campaign against the use of the vaccine are some nurses and other health practitioners from the US and the UK who have all voiced their strong opinion against it. In addition, a recent study conducted indicates that over fifty percent of mothers refuse to have their kids vaccinated.

Especially now that the swine flu scare seem to have died down, more and more people have begun to realize that this vaccine may not actually be safe in view of the fact that it has yet to undergo stringent tests, which is an important process for it to be fully fit for human use. As with any important medical decision, one has to be fully armed with the right set of information to make the decision an informed one. The same is true in this case.

 
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Psoriatic Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Diseases – An Imbalance in the Immune System?

30 May



I recently read an article in a local newspaper pertaining to the subject of Psoriatic Arthritis. It brought out that the same biological medications used for conditions such as, RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), are also used for psoriatic arthritis sufferers.

It highlighted that there are five different types of psoriatic arthritis currently known. They are:
Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis (joint pain usually on one side of the body) Symmetric Psoriatic Arthristis (joint pain on both sides of the body) Distal Interphalangeal or DIP joint pain predominant psoriatic arthritis (joint pain of the fingers and toes) Spondylitis Psoriatic Arthritis (affects the spine) Arthritis Mutilans (destructive arthritis)

The article also mentioned that the risk factors included:

Already having psoriasis A family history of psoriasis Being between 30 and 50 years of age

Sadly, it mentioned, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Conventional treatments involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

Of course, the common problems of these drugs and others like them, are the number of serious side effects that can occur. If you presently use any of these types of medications, you know what I mean.

Interestingly, these drugs are immunosuppressant medications that literally suppress the immune system, because both arthritis and psoriasis are autoimmune diseases. This essentially means that the body’s ability to differentiate between self and invader is hampered.
In other words, the body’s first line of defense, the immune system, is imbalanced.

On the one hand, a healthy immune system is both balanced and dynamic. According to one internet medical source (http://www.diagnose-me.com), it should be balanced between Th1, cellular immunity and Th2, humoral immunity.

Cellular immunity, that is, what takes place inside the cell, involves T-cell and macrophage activity. Humoral immunity, outside the cell, typically involves the activities of antibodies. In a healthy immune system Th1 and Th2 activity switches back and forth between the two responses as needed. However, an inability to respond adequately with a Th1 response can result in chronic infections and cancer; while an overactive Th2 response can contribute to allergies.

The failure of Th1 arm of the immune system and an overactive Th2 arm is implicated in a wide variety of chronic illnesses. These include:

AIDS CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) candidiasis Multiple Allergies MCS Viral Hepatitis Cancer, and other illnesses

If these two arms of the immune system could be balanced, by stimulating Th1 and decreasing Th2, then many of the symptoms associated with the chronic illnesses would diminish, or, disappear and we would have found the answer to immune restoration and balance. With more than eighty (80) types of autoimmune diseases currently known, such an approach would make a significant difference in the lives of suffers and their families.

One treatment for immune system imbalance (Th2 Dominance) is raising glutathione levels. Glutathione levels in antigen presenting cells determine whether Th1, or, Th2 response patterns predominate. Increasing glutathione levels helps reduce Th2 dominance.

Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thigh-own”) is a naturally produced protein manufactured within each of the trillion cells in the body. This small protein maintains three crucial protective functions. It is the body’s master antioxidant, immune system modulator and potent detoxifier.

To learn more of the importance of glutathione and an overview of the ONLY all-natural, clinically-proven supplement that safely raises and sustains optimal glutathione levels , go to www.BestSupplementsGuide.com

 
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Extra Pounds Can Increase Arthritis Pain

29 May



Obesity and even being modestly overweight can have an adverse effect on the joints that bear a persons weight. In particular, it can increase arthritis pain symptoms.

Studies have proven that the joints of the hips, knees and ankles carry 3 to 5 times a persons total body weight during walking. If a person is overweight, walking adds 3 to 5 pounds of extra weight to each knee. However, losing 10 pounds can take off 30 to 50 pounds from the weight supported by the joints.

Arthritis affecting the joints will result in additional pain and inflammation, particularly when the joints are burdened by excess weight.

Overweight people are more susceptible to Osteoarthritis, a disease also known as the “wear-and-tear” arthritis.

Research has shown that shedding excess weight can decrease the risk for Osteoarthritis of the knee. In sufferers, losing weight can decelerate the development of the disease.

Guidelines For Weight Loss

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has ceased using height and weight charts in the management of obesity and excess weight. Measurement of overweight patients include:

 
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Tropical Travel and Taking Yours Shots

27 May



Traveling to Africa is always an exciting adventure for me – once you have been to Africa the experience will take your heart and you will want to keep returning time and time again. However, before you depart some sensible health precautions are necessary in order that your dream vacation does not take you on safari to hospital.

Often it is thought that to have all the shots that are recommended is money making scam. I was of that school of thought until last year. Returning to Tanzania and Kenya after a few years absence, I decided, in a fit of bravado not to have all my shots. I have had malaria in the past and knew the symptoms so didn’t bother with the prophylaxis/antimalarials either.

I was careful; I reduced the risk as prevention is better than cure. I ensured I kept my skin covered up particularly between sunset and sunrise. I used deet – a powerful insect repellent on my clothes and any exposed skin. I slept under a net and even when available turned on the air conditioning as it does help keep the mosquitoes away due to the lower temperature.

On my penultimate day in East Africa I became sick. Recognizing the symptoms of Malaria I went to a clinic and was tested. The results were negative but the doctor on duty thought it a sensible preparation to take medication to kill off any parasites that may be in my blood. The incubation period for malaria is about ten days – therefore if I did have malaria it wasn’t showing – better to tackle the malaria [as I had all the symptoms] before it became full blown.

Once home all was well; for three months. Then gradually I became ill – I though it might be flu. It couldn’t be malaria as it was way past the incubation period and I had taken medication to get rid of any parasites that may be lurking around in the blood. However, the systems kept ebbing and flowing between health and flu – each time it returned with more vigor – and gradually I became quite sick.

I had been convinced for some days I had in fact some sort of malaria. Yet no one believed me. In the end I was so ill my brother in law took me to a 24 hour clinic where the doctor listened but was highly skeptical to my self diagnosis of malaria. He tested my urine which showed ‘two plusses of blood’ and then I became convinced I had malaria.

The clinic packed me off to hospital and contacted the School of Tropical Medicine – which fortunately was in the same city. A doctor from the School of Tropical Medicine met me at the hospital and proceeded to take tests. He also emphatically and repeatedly said it wasn’t malaria and chastised my mildly. I got the impression I was wasting his time on a otherwise quite Sunday afternoon.

After many hours it turned out I had in fact a rare form of reoccurring malaria – so rare they had not seen a case in living memory. I was relieved in a way that I had been vindicated and was not suffering from some form of self delusion. I spent two weeks in hospital. My immune system was in collapse – it was thought I had HIV/AIDS – I was frequently asked about any sexual activity I may have had in Africa. My tests returned negative – vindicated yet again. I spent two weeks in hospital and it has taken a year to fully recover my strength.

So, despite what you may hear – take the antimalarials as to get malaria can be fatal. You do not want to suffer from this disease away from home and certainly you don’t want to suffer once you return home as you may have to become quite sick before even the experts believe you are ill. I only have my self to blame – familiarly breads contempt. I return again this year to Africa but I shall make sure all my shots are up to date and I shall take my antimalarials!

 
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Allergy Treatment – How I Cured My Allergies For Good

25 May



I know about allergies and asthma. My first 18 years of my life were spent going to Doctors and avoiding the allergens that would cause asthma attacks. I couldn’t play baseball or have a dog growing up. I used asthma inhalers, took allergy shots for years, and allergy medications that turned me into a zombie. It wasn’t fun, but at least I could breathe thanks to medications.

It took me 15 years, and hundreds of approaches to come up with my 5 step approach. Here is step 1 and 2:

My 1st step; juicing

After years of shots I started to take herbs and vitamins. I also took glandulars (thyroid, adrenal). The one thing taht worked for me; juices. By drinking juices, especially carrots and greens, I noticed that my sinuses were more clear. I would suggest you start slow however, because carrot juice will”push” the liver to detoxify. The reason it works – the liver produces alot of the histamine iin the body, and if the liver is toxic it will overproduce histamine and make your body respond with too much histamine.

My 2nd step: an air purifier

I started buying them in 1969 when I was 11 years old. I would take my lawn-mowing money and buy HEPA purifiers, UV purifiers, ionizers, etc. Yes, I’ve owned them all. In fact I have owned well over 52 at last count (plus I have tested and/or reviewed over 115).

So How Did The Air Purifier Help Allergies and Asthma?

I know longer have allergies or asthma, and the removal of toxins inside (juice and herbs) and outside my body (air purifier, etc.) returned my body to the non-allergic state.

A Few More Critical Facts about Allergy Relief

Fact #1: Removing what you are allergic to may not be enough. Even if you get rid of the allergen which affects you things like dust mites, mold, mildew, viruses, gases, VOC’s, viruses, bacteria, germs, pet hair, and dander can all stress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to allergic reactions.

Fact #2: Air pollution can create or cause your allergies to get worse. Toxins coming in to the body from air and water pollution can cause the body to create additional histamines, which in turn make allergic reactions stronger

Fact #3: Most air purifiers use only 1-3 technologies to purify the air. By not using more of the 9 technologies available makes them ineffective at removing all 14 of the immune system stressors.

You can read more about allergy cures via my free e-books and websites…

 
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What to Do If You Become Ill During a Business Trip in a Foreign Country

24 May



When taking a business trip to a foreign country, we are often so preoccupied with the business at hand that we don’t think about what would happen if we become ill. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence when travelling abroad so it is best that contingency plans be drawn up just in case. The current Swine Flu pandemic is highly contagious and there are a lot of chances to catch it and other illnesses when travelling in confined areas such as an airplane. This article will provide you with some important information to keep you prepared in case you become ill while travelling in a foreign country.

First of all, if you believe you have become ill it is important that you do not rush to any conclusions. Just because you have a fever or feel ill does not automatically mean that you have the Swine Flu, or any other serious illness, such as malaria. When packing it is a good idea to bring along over the counter medications to treat common illnesses, so take them as directed and see if your symptoms improve. Common symptoms such as a cough, fever, upset stomach, and the like are often the result of the body’s reaction to a change in climate.

If you start to feel better after having monitored the situation, then go back to the business at hand. However, if the symptoms are not alleviated by taking over the counter medications, or they are more serious that you have experienced them in the past, it will be in your best interest to visit a clinic. This way if you are truly experiencing a severe illness the doctor will be able to catch it and can admit you to a hospital. If not, he or she will at least be able to prescribe some medication that should help you to recover more expediently.

When visiting clinics and hospitals abroad, remember that you should contact the local representative of your insurance company so the bills will be covered. Smaller clinics usually do not charge much, so it may be in your best interest to pay for it out of pocket and seek reimbursement for the charges at a later date. Hospitals on the other hand can cost a lot of money, so it is crucial that you check to make sure your policy covers treatments in the country you are visiting before purchasing any care.

If you are determined to have a severe illness when admitted to the hospital, be sure to contact your relatives to inform them. When suffering from a more minor illness this is not really an essential step as it would probably just cause them to worry unnecessarily. Becoming ill when conducting a business trip to a foreign country can be discouraging. You can feel like you are letting your team down. However, it is best that you seek medical attention when necessary.

 
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5 Easy Steps to Prevent Allergy Symptoms

23 May



Allergies can be easily prevented by taking a few simple precautions. Allergies symptoms can be incredibly difficult to tolerate, and range from everything including a rash to uncontrollable sneezing.

Step 1

Know what your allergy is. The easiest way to prevent allergy symptoms is to know what you are allergic to in the first place. While some causes of allergies may be obvious; a classic example is hay fever; there are some far more obscure allergies. For example did you know that you can be allergic to birch antigens contained in birch trees and some fruits? In order to find out, you can go to a doctor who will give you an allergy test. Allergy tests work by exposing you to different allergens and seeing if you react to them. It isn’t exactly a pleasant process, but it will at least give you some answers.

Step 2

Once you know the cause of your allergy, avoid it. While this may seem like a very obvious thing to do, you would be amazed at how many people suffer from dog allergies, yet still keep one as a pet. In a similar vein, people who have dairy allergies will often eat large amounts of chocolate, claiming that ‘just a little won’t hurt.’ This is not the case, and having that attitude can be very damaging to your body. If you had a nut allergy you certainly wouldn’t eat them! So why treat your allergy to dairy any differently? While your reaction may not be fatal, it will certainly be uncomfortable and bad for your body.

Step 3

Take care of your surroundings. If you live in a clean and healthy environment it is less likely that there will be a substance to exacerbate your allergy. Particularly if you have a dust allergy, keeping the house clean will stop an excess of irritant building up; it should also stop an excess of dust mites, which are a real irritant, and often build up when bedding has been used for a while.

Step 4

Taking care of yourself is also a good way to deal with the problem. While a healthy diet won’t cure you, it can help to make the body’s reaction to foreign substances or allergens milder. Making sure that your body is in the best possible condition will ensure that you get the best out of any help from outside sources such as antihistamines.

Step 5

Have antihistamines handy. If you find that you can’t completely avoid the cause of your allergy, it is always best to have a treatment on hand to deal with the allergy’s symptoms. For those people who have more serious allergies, see your doctor. They should be able to advise you on what to carry with you. For example, people who have a nut allergy will often carry EpiPens to deal with their condition as it can be life threatening, so getting fast and effective relief is vital.

 
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Sinus Polyps – What Are the Symptoms, Causes and Treatment?

20 May



Whereas sinus polyps (sometimes called sinus cysts) are fairly easy to diagnose, without identifying the root cause and then following up with targeted treatment, medication or surgical removal could be a futile exercise.

Why? Because nasal polyps have a tendency to grow back within a relatively short time unless they are nipped in the bud.

When you first present your complaint to your doctor, s/he will ask a number of questions and then follow up with a physical examination of your nose.

Polyps are often detected by simply shining a light up the nostril. If not, s/he will use an instrument called an ‘Endoscope’ to examine the nasal passages in order to pinpoint the frequency, size and location of any polyps present.

Once identified, the physician should either refer you to an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist or conduct the following tests in order to identify and treat the underlying causes:

Computerized tomography (CT) scan: This is a type of X-ray used to produce a clear image of the nasal cavities. This will identify the exact size and location of any polyps present, together with any other abnormalities such as a deviated septum (crooked nasal passage), nasal tumors or foreign objects causing obstruction. Allergy tests: A qualified Allergist should carry these out. He will conduct skin prick tests on your forearms or upper back, using drops of known allergens in order to identify possible causes of nasal inflammation. Blood tests: If the skin tests are inconclusive, a laboratory blood test may be recommended in order to screen for specific antibodies to various allergens. Tests for cystic fibrosis: If the patient is a child, this test is essential. This genetic abnormality causes the overproduction of mucous that often leads to nasal growths. This is a non-invasive sweat test that measures the levels of chloride and sodium in the child’s perspiration.

Whereas fungi tests are expensive and often produce false negatives, an experienced physician can often identify symptoms of fungal allergies.

Medication

One or more of the following drug treatments may be recommended:

Nasal corticosteroid spray: These medications are highly targeted and carry few, if any harmful side effects. They are designed to reduce inflammation, shrink polyps and sometimes eliminate them altogether. Oral corticosteroids: If nasal corticosteroids are ineffective, a brief course of oral corticosteroids may me recommended, either instead of or as a supplement to nasal steroids. Due to harmful side effects, this treatment should never be given for a period exceeding one week. Side effects include ailments such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and bone loss leading to osteoporosis. As an alternative, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection instead. In order to control inflammation caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe specialized antihistamines that don’t cause the mucous membrane to dry up. If symptoms of fungal allergies were detected, s/he would recommend fungicidal medication. Chronic bacterial sinusitis may call for extended treatment with antibiotics.

Please note: A daily dose of 2 to 4 ounces of Mangosteen juice (obtainable from health food stores) may be an effective alternative to all of the above.

Surgery

If medications are ineffective and fail to shrink or eliminate the polyps, your doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist. If surgery is called for, the options include:

Polypectomy. A small mechanical suction instrument called a ‘microdebrider’ is used to remove small isolated clusters of polyps. This procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis. Endoscopic sinus surgery. During surgery, the ENT would carry out a sinus drainage procedure by opening the osteomeatal complex (this is a series of tubes connecting the nasal passage to the sinus cavities). At the same time s/he would straighten a crooked septum if necessary, and finally, the surgeon would remove any obstructive polyps.

After surgery, you’ll likely use a corticosteroid nasal spray to help prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps. Your doctor may also recommend a regular saltwater rinse or sinus irrigation to promote healing after surgery.

 
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Under Sink Water Filters – Best For Less

19 May



It is often more practical to own an undersink water filter rather than have one cluttering your bench top. Choosing the right type of under sink water filters can be a bit of a dilemma due to the clever advertising that you are usually faced with. To help you sort through the confusion and how to get the best for less please read on.

Under water sink filters need to be easy to install. An easy to follow set of instructions is also handy. If you do not need a plumber and can install it yourself all the better. The filter should fit neatly inside your cupboard out of view so as not to spoil your decor and cause clutter.

A money back guarantee gives you assurance that if the product does not meet your expectations you can return it and get your money back. A warranty also gives you assurance.

Check the companies performance data sheet to find out what contaminants the system will filter and what percentage. You want a system that filters out the most contaminates and the greatest amount possible.

Find out how long the company has been in business. The longer the company has been in business, the better. This gives you the assurance that the company is doing things right, has built up credibility and provides a good product. If the company has won awards this tells you that it has a good name.

The ongoing cost per gallon of running under sink water filters is an important consideration. Around 10 cents per gallon is very economical.

How often do you need to change the filter cartridge and is it an easy procedure? Every six months is ideal with simple instructions to follow so that you can quickly change the cartridge.

Does the company provide the right undersink water filter to suit your situation? For example if you are on a city water supply you need a multi-media carbon block system. It has been stated by the U.S. EPA that carbon block is the best method available for filtering hazardous THMs and VOCS.

 
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Gout and Exercise – Some Surprising News

19 May



Gout is the most painful form of arthritis and is caused by an excessive amount of uric acid in the body. Gout symptoms come on quickly and intensely and often include extreme pain, swelling in the affected joint, redness and lessened mobility. Uric acid is a naturally occurring chemical in the body and if being over produced can be controlled with some medications specially made for the treatment of gout, though most excessive levels of uric acid come from a diet high in purines.

Purines are found in foods high in protein and can be found in common foods like salmon, yeast, bacon, turkey, and scallops, as well as unusual foods like heart, mutton, smelt, sardines and liver. When considering a treatment plan for gout, it’s important to work with not only your doctor but also a trained gout diet nutritionist.

Gout and exercise have also made some recent leaps up the gout treatment plan ladder. When thinking about gout and exercise it’s important to consider exercises that are easy on the joints and will not aggravate gout symptoms further. The best two forms of exercises for gout patients have been determined to be water aerobics and yoga. Water aerobics allows for the strengthening of muscles and joints in a low impact environment that offers no pressure on the joints during the workout routine.

Yoga offers stretching of the joints and muscles to help with flexibility which can also help prevent gout episodes and symptoms. Yoga is also a progressive form of exercise which allows for someone who is only a beginner or experience severe gout symptoms to start with smaller movements, then move to more challenging movements and positions as they are able to. Both of these forms of exercise are widely available at most fitness centers and community centers.

While, gout and exercise is a great way to help treat and prevent gout episodes, it’s important to work with a nutritionist on putting together a gout diet to get and keep the excessive of uric acid out of your body to better prevent future episodes. Pain management may also need to be worked into your treatment plan while you are working to prevent future episodes. With a little help and some dedication you can get your gout under control and keep it from affecting your active life.

 
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