Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics

HIV: PRACTICAL MATTERS-FINANCING MEDICAL CARE: PRIVATE, THIRD-PARTY PAYERS FOR FINANCING HEALTH CARE-CONTINUING GROUP PLANS IF YOU CAN’T WORK

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:28:38 +0000

A person who has been covered previously under a group plan, but who can no longer work, may have the option of continuing in the group plan for eighteen months under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). Under COBRA, the former employee would pay a premium that is 102 percent of the premium previously paid by the employer—the extra 2 percent is for administrative fees. Some states will pay these premiums for you, to delay Medicaid coverage. Requirements for coverage under COBRA are as follows: COBRA applies only to businesses with twenty or more employees; the former employee must pay the premiums; the former employee must be ineligible for Medicare; the employer must continue the group plan for continuing employees; and the former employee cannot join another plan. People who are eligible for Social Security disability benefits when employment ends may obtain eleven months of additional coverage (for a total of twenty-nine months) with the same insurer, although the premium may now be 150 percent for the additional eleven months. People who are not eligible for COBRA because they worked for a company with fewer than twenty employees may still be protected under the Continuation of Comprehensive Benefits laws in thirty-five states; the duration of coverage of the employer’s group policy varies with different states, and ranges from three to eighteen months. The alternative to COBRA, if COBRA is not available or if it runs out, is a conversion policy: the former employee converts the group policy to a type of individual policy. Conversion policies cover less than group plans and cost more. Thirty-five states require employers to offer conversion policies to former employees when COBRA benefits run out. Premium rates tend to be high, since most people who buy conversion policies are in poor health. Nevertheless, the person with a serious disease might have few other options, and conversion policies are available regardless of health status or preexisting conditions. The remaining option is an individual plan, which costs even more than a conversion policy.*204\191\2*

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AND HEALTHY BONES: MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:23:41 +0000

Estrogen effectively protects bones for 85 percent of users, especially when used for ten years or more, in particular right around menopause. Since it isn’t enough for some women, you should monitor your progress with the tests, so you will know if you need to add another treatment (see following chapter) or discontinue this one. Studies are under way to determine the effectiveness of combining HRT with the more aggressive treatments described in the next chapter. Given what we know now, I recommended adding one of them if HRT alone is helping you make progress, but not enough progress. (If HRT is doing nothing for you, you might as well discontinue it.) You should have a baseline bone density scan, and repeat it after two years on hormones to gauge your progress. Following your NTX levels will also be helpful. You should see a decrease in the NTX level, and can reasonably expect estrogen to keep your number under 30. Lower NTX levels are always better. If you follow healthy eating and exercise guidelines, that is a goal well within your reach.For women with breast cancer or uterine cancer, or with two close relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, the risks of HRT clearly outweigh the benefits. (Some women with breast cancer can actually be treated with estrogen, but that’s another subject altogether.) Women with abnormal vaginal bleeding shouldn’t use HRT until the cause is discovered, and those who have had problems with blood clots should also be wary, though there’s no proof of increased danger. Anyone with fibrocystic breast disease should be aware that mammograms may be less accurate with that condition, making it difficult to detect breast cancer as early as would be desirable. Uterine fibroids should also make you think twice about taking a drug that can make them grow, or you may wind up needing a hysterectomy you might otherwise avoid.With these few exceptions, HRT is the best traditional medicine has to offer when it comes to maintaining bone density, and all women should consider it seriously as they approach menopause. When talking the decision over with a health care professional, keep your bone health in the front of your mind, along with heart disease and cancer risks, and you’ll be able to achieve a healthy balance. The charts above will help you sort through the many types of hormones available to help with bone density and how they affect a range of other health concerns. The “alternative” hormones covered in the next chapter are included here, too, for the sake of comparison, but the highlighted options are the traditional options this chapter covers. If you learn nothing else from this book, I want you to remember that although we tend to use “HRT” to mean estradiol pills, or estradiol/progestin combinations, there are actually a host of choices, each with its own pluses and minuses, and only you can pick the best one for you. You should have very specific reasons for taking any hormone, and those hormones should be geared at creating balance within your body. There may be things that can create that balance other than hormones, so when you choose hormones, you want to be clear on the point that this is the best option for you. The current trend of making a blanket recommendation for HRT for every woman at menopause is a mistake. For you as an individual, estrogen may not be the best thing. Or maybe it is. The only way to know is to take into account all the details of your own particular situation.*140\228\2*

REDUCING YOUR RISK OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: DOSE REDUCING CHOLESTEROL REDUCE RISK? TO SUMMIRIZE..

admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:16:17 +0000

What about people who already have coronary problems detected by tests, or who have angina pectoris, or who have had a heart attack? Is the “jam” as far as cholesterol is concerned for these individuals? Evidence is mounting that lowering cholesterol in this group retards the further development of c nary blockages and most intriguingly may even promote some regression blockages that are already pres These changes have been observe as little as 2 years.Because of the possibility for regression of disease in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis, physicians are not satisfied with levels that they consider “adequate” for people who do not have heart disease. If you have heart disease, expect that your physician will want you lower your cholesterol below a level that is considered adequate for someone else.To summarize: People with relatively low LDL-cholesterol levels (and low VLDL cholesterol) or relatively high HDL-cholesterol levels experience fewer coronary artery problem and live longer, on the average. People included in this group are those who have lowered their LDL-cholesterol level or raised their HDL-cholesterol level by means of diet, exercise, or medications. Everyone can benefit from lowering their cholesterol level, but the people with the most to gain are those who start out with high cholesterol levels.*246\353\8*

RISK OF INFECTION: MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN BITES

admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:18:36 +0000

Human bites are generally more serious, owing to the bacteriology of the human oral flora and mechanisms of injury. The infection rate of human bites is estimated to be about 10%. Most human bites occur during fights, but approximately 15% to 20% are associated with sexual activity (“love nips”).
Human bites consist of occlusional bites and clenched-fist injuries. A bite wound sustained when human teeth sink into skin is defined as occlusional. Clenched-fist injuries are more serious and occur when one person punches another in the mouth with a clenched fist. This can result in simple cellulitis or lead to septic arthritis or osteomyelitis by direct inoculation of bacteria into the third metacarpophalangeal joint space or bone. The force of the blow can sever a nerve or tendon or cause a fracture. Patients often ignore clenched-fist injuries until these become infected.
The majority of human-bite wounds demonstrate approximately five different microorganisms per wound, with three being anaerobes. The most common infectious organisms isolated from human-bite wounds are S. aureus, Eikenella corrodens, Haemophilus species, and beta-lactamase producing oral anaerobes. E. corrodens, a gram-negative rod, is part of the normal human oral flora. It is the most common organism isolated from clenched-fist injuries. E. corrodens may be susceptible to penicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, doxycycline, or fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin.
Transmission of herpesvirus types 1 and 2, hepatitis В and C, and even syphilis has been documented with human bites. The likelihood of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is very low but remains a possibility.
*127/348/5*

STRESS BREAKDOWN AND PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:07:43 +0000

Illness as a result of the preparation component of the anxiety reaction
There are many patterns of symptoms, illness and physical discomfort, caused by the different ways the body prepares itself to deal with the possible threat that the anxiety reaction is warning us of.
We could divide these patterns into three groups, where the symptoms have been caused by:
Over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system. These would include muscle tension and pain, headaches, muscular stiffness and fibrositis, heart palpitations and tremors.
Over-activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, secondary to the sympathetic nervous system’s over-activity. This can cause digestive disturbances and the tendency to faint.
Complex patterns of preparedness, which we can call the as if patterns.

Symptoms from chronic preparedness for physical action
Chronic over-preparedness for physical action that never eventuates, producing chronically tense muscles, can lead to muscle stiffness and inflammation of certain points within the muscles which we call fibrositis. This is a painful condition that we don’t fully understand. We do know, however, that fibrositis occurs in chronically tense muscles, that it is painful and disabling, and that it doesn’t affect trained athletes. Regular muscular exercise seems to prevent fibrositis in a person who suffers from frequent anxiety due to regular overload of the nervous system.
The adrenaline and noradrenalin secreted by the sympathetic nervous system in anxiety stimulate the heart’s pumping action and exert variable effects on the blood vessels. It used to be thought that chronic anxiety might cause chronically raised blood pressure, because it can be demonstrated that acute anxiety will produce a transient increase in blood pressure.
However, the condition known as essential hypertension, the high blood pressure tendency that often runs in families and which causes heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, is now considered by medical investigators not to be associated with anxiety. It is theoretically possible that sudden changes in blood pressure due to acute anxiety might well precipitate a crisis in a patient with essential hypertension, but the primary hypertension (raised blood pressure) is not now regarded as anxiety-related.
While we aren’t sure about blood pressure, we do know that anxiety can certainly produce uncomfortable disturbances of rhythm of the heart beat. These ‘palpitations’ may not be harmful, but they are sometimes disconcerting; they are worse with fatigue and the use of excessive stimulants such as tea and coffee.

*64/129/5*

IBS AND M.E. (MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS)

admin — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:10:36 +0000

M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), Malingerer’s Disease or Royal Free Disease
People with M.E. are often diagnosed as having the Irritable Bowel Syndrome – which in effect they have and need to be treated for -but they also need help with other problems. M.E. is a chronic illness which produces bouts of extreme tiredness in the muscles and brain. It can start with an illness like glandular fever or flu; sometimes it is so severe people have to give up work for a time. Sufferers from this condition have been classed as malingerers or hypochondriacs for decades. M.E. was first recorded about fifty years ago, but it has only been in the past few years that there has been a sharing of information among sufferers and doctors. M.E. is often mistaken for nervous illness because the symptoms include anxiety, depression and lethargy. The immune system is also affected and multiple allergies and Candida can be present.
Research into M.E. is being carried out at St Mary’s Hospital, London and elsewhere, but as yet, there are few answers in conventional medicine. However the approach of some complementary therapies has helped many people to recover
completely. The important aspects of treatment are rest, a healthy diet, supplements, fresh air, daylight, and keeping the bowel as clean as possible by preventing constipation, restoring the normal balance to the gut bacteria. Any therapy which promotes relaxation and natural healing is also recommended. Tranquillizers rarely help this condition, they merely add more poisons to a body already struggling hard to excrete the poisons caused by the virus. Sometimes a night-time dose of a sedative anti-depressant is helpful where insomnia is severe and where normal sleep-wake cycles are trying to be established.
*79\326\8*

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: HEATHER – MRS BAJAJ’S CASE

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:18:24 +0000

Mrs Bajaj was a regular visitor in the dispensary. Her old chronic troubles had all been relieved. But whenever she visited the dispensary to get rid of some acute condition, she used to bore us with her long narration of her past ailments with their minutest details, the treatment taken and the relief obtained, although all that long narration was irrelevant and unnecessary in the present case.
Earlier when she complained of dry cold, a few doses of Aconite-30 were given to relieve the trouble. But this was an old trouble with her, whenever exposed to cold she would get a running nose.
‘HEATHER REMEDY” for being self-centred and obsessed with her own troubles and affairs and “WHITE
CHESTNUT for her repetitive nature of cold were prescribed T.D.S. for one month, when she was relieved of the cold. Thereafter HEATHER REMEDY alone was continued for another 2 months to change her temperament.
*114\308\8*

EPILEPSY AND ITS SPECIAL FORMS/SPECIAL PATTERNS AND CAUSES: HERPES VIRUS AND HIV INFECTIONS (AIDS)

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:10:38 +0000

Herpes Virus
Herpes simplex virus is a common human infection. It takes two forms. One is the cold sore which occurs around the mouth. This form (herpes type I) rarely affects the brain. Herpes type II affects the genital region. A baby born to a woman whose cervix is actively infected may, in turn, acquire the virus, which may devastate its brain, producing severe retardation, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. In addition, a brain infection caused by the herpes simplex type II virus may be acquired at any age and produce complex partial seizures and an overwhelming encephalitis. Early detection may enable treatment to be more effective. Babies who survive have variable degrees of brain damage and epilepsy.
HIV Infections (AIDS)
AIDS is a growing problem for infants born to human immunodeficiency (HlV)-infected mothers and children who acquire AIDS from transfusion, drug abuse, and sexual activity. The HIV virus affects the brain and may produce seizures. The multiple infections that are byproducts of the immunosuppression due to AIDS may also affect the brain and cause seizures. Secondary infections require specific treatment, but the seizures are treated with standard anticonvulsant medication.
*102\208\8*

DIABETES: WHAT MAKES BLOOD GLUCOSE GO UP AND DOWN?

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:44:12 +0000

When you eat food, your blood glucose levels will go up – at least until insulin helps this glucose get into the cells where it is used for fuel. Glucose levels will go down when you follow a healthy meal plan – one that is designed to help you achieve and maintain your ideal weight.
If you do physical exercise, your cells will burn more fuel and your blood glucose levels will go down (until you replenish them with more food).
Physical activity on a regular schedule, along with reduced kilojoules, will help you to lose weight, improve your physical fitness, and reduce your risks for future heart and circulatory diseases.
If you inject insulin or swallow an anti-diabetes pill, your blood glucose levels will go down. But the injection or pill only works when you follow a proper meal and exercise programme.
If you’re under a lot of stress, your blood glucose levels will go up – because that’s the way your body fuels up to handle the emergency called stress.
The same reaction takes place when you have an illness. Your body, without your conscious action, releases stored glucose to fight the illness. If you learn how to cope with stress and how to treat minor illness, you can reduce your blood glucose levels.
If you are carrying excess fat (when you’re overweight or obese you store those kilograms primarily as fat), the fat interferes with your body’s ability to use insulin. Therefore, when you’re overweight, your blood glucose levels will be higher. A weight loss of ten to twenty per cent in most persons with diabetes will lead to the normalization of insulin action – and a return to normal blood glucose levels.
*6/210/5*

THE EFFECTS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

admin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:26:18 +0000

Persistent high blood pressure damages the cardiovascular system – the heart and blood vessels. This system may be compared to a tree. The largest artery – the aorta – is the trunk. The aorta carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries to all parts of the body. The smallest arteries, called arterioles, are the twigs. The walls of the arterioles are normally elastic, but under sustained high blood pressure they harden and lose their flexibility. This may happen naturally with age, but high blood pressure hastens the process. To overcome this resistance, the heart pumps harder and in time is unable to keep up with the demands made upon it. The hardening of the arteries also increases the likelihood that a blood clot will interfere with the normal flow of blood to the heart, brain, kidney, or other organ. The result may be one of the disabling and often fatal complications of high blood pressure – a heart attack, a stroke, or kidney failure.

*1/151/5*