ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 70 FLU

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

FLU


SYMPTOMS

• Fever usually between 101deg F and 102deg F, but occasionally as high as 106deg F sometimes alternating with chills.

• Sore throat.

• Dry, hacking cough.

• Aching muscles.

• General fatigue and weakness.

• Nasal congestion, sneezing.

• Headache.

WHAT IS FLU

Influenza commonly shortened to “flu” is an extremely contagious viral disease that appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The infection spreads through your upper respiratory tract and sometimes goes into your lungs. The virus typically sweeps to through large groups of people who share indoor space, such as school, office, and nursing home. The global influenza epidemic of 1918 which started in military training camp in Kansas eventually killed some 500,000 people throughout the United States. Although both colds and influenza stem from viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract, the symptoms of influenza are more pronounced and its complications more severe. Influenza occurs most severe effects are felt by infants, the elderly, and people in the U.S. annually. Specific strains of the disease can be prevented by injections of antibodies in a flu vaccine, but after influenza or any other viral infection, for that matter has started, there is no cure except to let it run its course.

CAUSES

The flu virus is transmitted by inhaling droplets in the air that contain the virus, or by handling items contaminated by an infected person. The symptoms start to develop from one to four days after infection with the virus. Researchers divide influenza viruses into three general categories: types A, B, and C. while all three types can mutate, or change into new strains, type A influenza mutates constantly, yielding new strains of the virus every few years. This means that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza. Even if you develop antibodies against a flu virus one year, those antibodies against a flu virus one year, those antibodies are unlikely to protect you against a new strain of the virus the next year. Type A mutations are responsible for major epidemics every several years. Types B and C are common and result in local outbreaks and milder cases. Type B has also been linked to the development of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal complication of influenza and other viral infections such as chickenpox that usually affect children. Most influenza viruses that infect humans seem to originate in parts of Asia where close contact between livestock and people creates a hospitable environment for the mutation and transmission of viruses. Swine, or pigs, can catch both avian and human forms of a virus, and act as hosts for these different viral strains to meet and mutate into new forms.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES

All three types of influenza mimic the basic symptoms of the common cold, such as cough and headache. Your doctor may take a throat culture or blood test to rule out possibility of other ailments such as strep throat or, if public health officials are gathering statistics on an influenza outbreak, to identify the specific viral strain.

TREATMENT

Influenza will run its course regardless of how you treat it. Because it is a viral disease, it does health, influenza will probably pass with no complications after a week or so of bed rest and self-care at home. If you are over 65, are a diabetic, or have another chronic disease, talk to your physician about being immunized before winter sets in. if you then come down with flu anyway, make sure your doctor monitors your progress so that any complications can be caught and treated appropriately.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Doctors have no single treatment that applies to all cases of influenza. You will probably be told to rest in bed, eat nourishing food, and drink lots of liquids. Fluids are especially important to help avoid dehydration from fever and for loosening up respiratory tract secretions. You can try over the counter medicines to ease the discomfort of your cough, nasal congestion, and sore throat. A steam vaporizer in your room puts moisture into the air and may make breathing easier. If you are feverish and have muscle aches, analgesics like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may help you feel better. Because it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, you should not give aspirin to children. If these remedies don’t help a severe bout of flu, your physician may give you amantadine or rimantadine, oral antiviral drugs that are active against type A influenza. You need to give yourself time to fully recuperate from influenza and prevent the development of secondary infections that can cause bronchitis, sinusitis, or pneumonia.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Alternative therapies may help strengthen your body’s ability to fight the virus and recover from the illness as well as ease temporary flu symptoms.

ACCUPRESSURE

Pressure on a number of points can be recommended for various flu symptoms; refer to the Appendix for the location of acupressure points. Bladder 36 is recommended for stimulating natural resistance to cools and flu. Bladder 20, and Governing Vessels 16 and 24 may be helpful for relieving nasal congestion, headaches, and eye strain. Large intestine 11 may help fight fever and strengthen your immune system. Large intestine 4 may offer general relief from flu symptoms, but do not press it if you are pregnant. Conception Vessels 22 and kidney 27 may help relieve chest congestion and coughing.

AROMATHERAPY

In flu season, when those around you are coming down with the virus, protect yourself by gargling daily with one drop each of the essential oils of tea tree. And lemon in a glass of warm water; stir well before each mouthful. If you come down with the flu despite your best preventive measures, 2 drops of tea tree oil in a hot bath may help your immune system fight the viral infection and ease your symptoms. If you have a congested nose or chest, add a few drops of essential oils of eucalyptus or peppermint to a steam vaporizer. If you are asthmatic, do not use steam; instead, sprinkle a few drops of these essential oils on a handkerchief and inhale.

HERBAL THERAPIES

For an herbal approach to stimulating your immune system, try taking ½ tsp each of Tincture of Goldenseal and Echinacea twice a day. If flu symptoms appear, chew a clove of raw garlic for its antiviral properties, but do not eat raw garlic on an empty stomach. An infusion of boneset may relieve aches and fever and clear congestion: simmer 1 cup boiling water with 2 tsp of the herb for 10 to 15 minutes; drink a cupful every hour, as hot as you can stand it.

HOMEOPATHY

For homeopathic self-care, try one of the following remedies in 12c dosages every 6 to 8 hours for a day or two. If you don’t notice an improvement in your condition after 24 hours , try another homeopathic remedy.

• If you feel tried, weak, “heavy”, and chilled, with headache and stuffy nose, try Gelsemium.

• If you feel general achiness in your muscles, with headache and irritability that are worse when you move around, and if you are thirsty for cold fluids and have a dry hacking cough, try Bryonies.

• If you are restless, chilled, and thirsty with a dry mouth, hoarse voices, and aching joints, try Rhus toxicodendrom.

• If you have a dry cough with achiness, or if your body feels bruised and chilled, and you are thirsty for cold drinks although they upset your stomach, try Eupatorium perfoliatum.

NUTRITION AND DIET

Eat vitamin C rich fresh fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries; or take 1000 mg of vitamin C every two to three hours when awake.

REFLEXOLOGY

To support your respiratory system, press your thumb into the solar plexus/ diaphragm point for a few seconds, or massage the point with your thumb.

AT HOME REMEDIES

• Take two tablets of Aspirin, Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen every four hours to reduce fever, headache, and body aches: these symptoms are usually worst in the afternoon and evening. Do not give aspirin to anyone under 21, because some people in this age group may be at risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.

• If you have a sore or scratchy throat, try a salt water gargle. Dissolve 1 tsp salt in 1 pt warm water. Gargle whenever your throat is uncomfortable, but don’t swallow the mixture.

• Use a heating pad on body aches.

• When you feel like eating, try bland, starchy food like dry toast, bananas, applesauce, cottage cheese, boiled rice, rice pudding, cooked cereal, and baked potatoes. These foods provide a gentle transition for your digestive system when you have not been eating regularly.

• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages; they leave you dehydrated and can lower your body’s ability to fight illness and secondary infection. Avoid over the counter flu remedies that contain alcohol.

• If you take over the counter pain relievers, make sure your symptoms are actually diminishing, not just temporarily suppressed, before you get out bed. If you don’t give yourself enough time to recover fully, you may end up prolonging your illness or developing complications.

PREVENTION

The most effective preventive measures against influenza is to be inoculated every fall against strains that have developed since the previous outbreak. If you are vaccinated against one or more type A and B strains you may still come down with flu, but your symptoms are likely to be milder than they would have been had you not had a vaccination. Influenza vaccine is available through physicians and public health facilities. Because influenza is a serious threat, the U.S> centres for disease control and prevention recommend vaccination for everyone over 65; nursing home residents and employees; anyone whose immune system is compromised by AIDS, cancer, or other chronic ailments; and people who work in medical facilities. The vaccine is usually given as a single injection, although children may receive two. If you are pregnant, wait until your second trimester and make sure your doctor approves of the vaccination. Amantadine and rimantadine are oral antiviral medications that may lessen your risk of contracting type A flu, but they are most effective if you begin to take them a few weeks before flu season begins or within two days after symptoms appear. Usually these drugs are prescribed for people at high risk for developing complications from flu, such as people with chronic lung disease or the elderly. If the virus has already begun to circulate in your community, a doctor may also prescribe amantadine while you are waiting for vaccination. Other preventive measures you can take during flu season are to:

• Give up smoking which damage your respiratory tract and alcohol, since both substance lower your resistance to infection in general.

• Avoid sleeping in a room with someone who has flu; the virus is easily spread in the air.

• Wash your hands often to kill viruses you may have picked up by touching contaminated objects like doorknobs or phone receiver.

• Try to avoid crowds, and give people who are coughing or sneezing a wide berth. Airplanes are especially effective at exposing people to flu viruses because cabin air is recirculated.

• Stay warm and dry so that your body can fight off infection by flu and other viruses.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 69 EPILEPSY

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

EPILEPSY


SYMPTOMS

Seizures episodes of abnormal mental or muscular activity are the basic indicator of epilepsy. They vary widely:

 Staring straight ahead and lapsing into complete immobility for a few seconds characterize a petit mal seizure.

 Loss of consciousness, rhythmic jerking motions, and incontinence are among the signs of a grand mal seizer, which may last up to 30 minutes.

 Repetitive lip smacking, aimless fiddling movements and a sense of detachment from surrounding may indicate a temporal lobe seizer.

 Rhythmic twitching of a hand, a foot, or the face, often followed by a period of weakness or paralysis, indicates a Jacksonian seizure.

 Convulsions in an already ill child three months to three years old, resulting from a sudden climb in fever, indicate a febrile seizure.

WHAT IS EPILEPSY

Epilepsy is an elusive neurological disorder with a broad range of symptoms, widely differing degrees of severity, and much mystery about why it strikes. In all cases, however, it results from electrical storms in the brain erratic discharging by neurons. The electrical misfiring of brain cells procedures epilepsy’s characteristic seizures, which may occur infrequently or in rapid succession. While every case of epilepsy is distinct, a standardized classification scheme has been developed into two main types: generalized and partial. Within these categories, seizures are further identified according to the pattern of the attack. The two most common forms of seizure are both of the general type: a petit mal seizure, which may include such symptoms as swallowing motions or staring, and can recur many times in a day; and a grand mal seizure, which may begin with a cry, a loss of consciousness, and a fall, followed by rigidity, then jerking motions, a period of confusion, and sometimes deep sleep. Among the partial types are temporal lobe seizure, which may be preceded by a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort, sensory hallucination, and distorted perceptions such as déjà vu; and jacksonian seizures, with spread to the whole body. The first signs of epilepsy are usually seen in childhood or adolescence. Very young children with high fevers may have convulsions, but this is not true epilepsy, and such seizures generally disappear after the age of three.

CAUSES

Most cases of epilepsy are of unknown origin. Sometimes, however, a genetic basis is indicated, and other cases may be traceable to birth trauma, lead poisoning, congenital brain infection, head injury, alcohol or drug addiction, or the effects of organ disease. Triggers for the attacks also vary widely among the factors that can bring on attacks are certain chemical or foods, sleep deprivation, stress, flashing lights, menstruation, some prescriptions and over the counter medications, and possibly oral contraceptives.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES

An electroencephalogram performed on a sleep deprived individual can reveal abnormal brain waves characteristics of epilepsy, and imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan identify physical trauma that may be causing seizures.

TREATMENT

Epilepsy can often be well controlled by medication. A recommended precaution for epileptics is to wear a Medic Alert bracelet so that other people can quickly recognize what is happening during a seizure and lend effective assistance.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

In the great majority of cases, seizures can be reduced in frequency and severity or eliminated altogether with regular medication; side effects vary, but most are mild. Anticonvulsants commonly prescribed include Phonation, Phenobarbital, Vlproic acid, Crbamazepine, and Gabapentin.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Self medication should never be practiced in place of a doctor’s care, and your doctor should be aware of all separate treatments to avoid any drug incompatibility. There is no substitute for the benefits of prescribed drug therapy.

HOMEOPATHY

You may want to consider consulting a homeopath If conventional prescription drugs are not completely controlling seizures. Homeopathic remedies can serve as an effective adjunct to conventional drugs, but don’t expect results overnight; the homeopathic will advise you on how long it will be before treatment begin to work.

MIND / BODY MEDICINE

Electroencephalogram biofeedback may be effective in helping epileptics alter their brain waves to prevent seizures. With guidance, they learn to control their own brain waves by watching them on a computer screen.

OSTEOPATHY

When epilepsy appears to have resulted from a physical injury, cranial osteopathy or cranio sacral therapy may help; consult an osteopath.

AT HOME REMEDIES

• Regularly practice biofeedback techniques, learned from a trainer, to ward off epileptic attacks.

• Make sure you get ample sleep; too little can increase the likelihood of seizures.

PREVENTION

Identify and watch for particular foods, environments, or physical and emotional signs that precede attacks. It’s not uncommon, for example, to feel annoyed or elated several hours prior to a grand mal seizure, and immediately before the attack, to become aware of a warning “aura” perhaps a taste or smell; this warning may allow you to lie down in time to avoid falling. In cases where the aura is smell, some people are able to fight off seizers by sniffing a strong odour, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication may help prevent an attack. In the case of a jacksonian seizures, firmly squeezing the muscles around those that are twitching can sometimes halt the attack.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 68 ENVIRONMENTAL POISONING

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

ENVIRONMENTAL POISONING


SYMPTOMS

For acute environmental poisoning, see Emergencies First Aid: poisoning.

The symptoms of chronic environmental poisoning are wide ranging and often vague. Among the most common:

 Cough headache, nose and eye irritation, diarrhea, dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, lightheadedness, memory loss, drowsiness, tingling in extremities, aching in muscle and joints, difficulty concentrating, fatigue.

 In severe cases, depression, an over whelming feeling of weakness, and difficulty breathing.

 Disappearance of symptoms when you are not around the possible toxic agent.



WHAT IS ENVIORONMENTAL POISONING

The human body remarkable for its ability to handle the onslaughts of what can at time is a hostile environment. It is capable of neutralizing or expelling many potentially harmful agents, whether they are organic microbes or industrial chemicals or mineral over a period of months or even years, you may develop chronic environmental poisoning. Symptoms of chronic environmental poisoning are often vague and can vary in severity; the condition is thus sometimes mistake for another ailment or remain undetected altogether. Some people cannot tolerate even minimal exposure to certain chemicals because a genetic malfunction interferes with the production of enzymes that would normally metabolize the toxins and neutralize their damaging effects. Other people are just more sensitive to toxins in the environment: this increase sensitivity can be due to age and health factors. Many condition fall into category of environmental poisoning. In some people, for example, environmental poisoning may take the form of an allergy, a physical reaction to a substance that most people are able to tolerate. People who work in poorly ventilated buildings with unhealthy levels of airborne toxins may develop what is known popularly as sick building syndrome, while agricultural workers who use pesticides day after day are at risk for pesticide poisoning. Although not universally accepted in the medical community as a physical illness, multiple chemical sensitivity in which the body reacts adversely to a wide range of substances, from plastics to perfumes, that do not normally trouble most people is yet another condition attributed to chronic exposure to potential environmental toxins. Studies suggest that, once lodged in the body, toxic substances are a factor in the development of many other diseases and condition that may not at first glance seem directly related to environmental poisoning. Among these are birth defects, endometriosis, infertility, other reproductive and developmental problems, coronary heart disease, respiratory illness, and many types of cancer, especially of the lung, skin, and breast. Because we encounter low levels of so many environmental toxins in daily life, identifying the toxin or toxins that may be responsible for environmental toxins poisoning can be difficult. Some of the most common and hazardous toxins are lead, asbestos, gasoline and other petroleum distillates, radon, carbon monoxide, organophosphates, formaldehyde, and drinking water contaminants. Benzene is one hazardous substance that is found in many forms. It is used in the production of deodorant, oven cleaner, soap, and perfume, and it is a component of paints, pesticides, asphalt, and gasoline and jet fuel. It can contaminate ground water and surface water supplies and pollute the air via auto exhaust, manufacturing processes, and cigarette smoke. Yet despite its widespread presence in the environment and its classification as a cancer causing agent in the United States, benzene is generally considered a hazard only for the two million or so industrial workers who are exposed to elevated benzene levels at their jobs. Another common industrial chemical is formaldehyde, which is found in a wide variety of products, including plastics, paper, cosmetics, and carpets. Construction materials, such as particle board, building insulation, and plywood, can emit formaldehyde gas for several years after their manufacturer and installation. Several studies since the 1980s have indicated that long term exposure to formaldehyde is a health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the chemical as a probable carcinogen, although only industrial workers are consider at risk. Two substance that have received public notice as known carcinogens are asbestos and radon. Asbestos is a fine, fibber like mineral that until recently was used in construction. Radon and its breakdown products, which are present in the Earth’s crust, are released naturally into the air via radioactive decay. Both radon and asbestos are indoor air pollutants that have been significantly linked to the development of lung cancer. Not all building contain asbestos, however; and only certain areas of the United States emit radon at levels considered health threatening. Carbon monoxide is a common, yet poisonous, gas that is released into the air whenever fuel, wood, or tobacco products are burned. Heavy rush hour traffic can generate high levels of carbon monoxide, and dangerous, sometimes lethal levels can build up in poorly ventilated garages or houses where faulty heating devices emit exhaust fumes that stay trapped indoors. When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, it disrupts the body’s usual mechanism for transporting and absorbing oxygen. Mild cases of carbon monoxide poisoning may cause headaches, nausea, or dizziness; severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and death. The mineral lead is another contaminant of the air, water, soil, and food. Poisonous at even low levels, lead is known to have a damage effect on the reproductive system, the kidneys, the nervous system, and the production of blood cells. Since the use of lead free gasoline has become widespread, lead levels in the air have been significantly reduced. The EPA sets permissible limits for lead in drinking water. However, young children are still at risk of developing lead poisoning from ingesting particles of lead based paint, which was used in most homes and buildings until it was banned in 1978. Organophosphates are a potential toxic hazard for farm workers, gardeners, veterinarians, and other people who work with pesticides or in pesticides. These chemical, which are usually absorbed by the skin, retain their potency for several days after have been applied to field crops. Their toxic effect can range from extreme fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea to depression, breathing problems, seizures, or coma. Taking preventive actions from checking your home for radon emissions to wearing protective gear when exposed on the job to hazardous chemicals, is the key to combating any level of environmental poisoning. The more you know about the particular risks involved, the better you can avoid toxic substances before they become a problem.

CAUSES

Toxic chemicals can get into the body through inhalation, penetration of the skin, or ingestion. Some substance can affect the human fetes by crossing the placenta; some also contaminate breast milk and thus may be ingested by a nursing infant. Once inside the body, toxins can act in a number of ways. Despite hoe or where a toxin enters the body, it may have its greatest effect on certain target organs. The liver and kidneys, which filter impurities from the body, are often the most susceptible to toxins, especially inhaled industrial solvents. Some chemicals and minerals are stored in the body’s fat or bones and may be released later. Lead, for example, is stored in the bones and may be released when a woman becomes pregnant and her body draws on its stores of bone calcium. Some hazardous agents may be effectively broken down by metabolic may become even more harmful as a result.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES


A doctor will probably give you a complete physical examination and take a detailed medical history. You may be asked to keep a diary of your diet and other behaviour. Your blood, urine, hair, and fatty tissue may also have a liver function test to see how it responds to certain chemicals. Some doctors are currently studying the usefulness of “environmental control units”, special chemically sterile chambers in which patients suspected of having multiple chemical sensitivity are exposed to various substances until those specifically linked to their illness are identified.

TREATMENT

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

The treatment you receive will depend on which toxics substances are identified as causing your illness. For instance, lead poisoning is often treated with chelating therapy, which involves injections of chemicals that bind with lead in the blood; the lead is later eliminated in urine. However, most treatments for environmental poisoning focus on monitoring symptoms and identifying and eliminating offending substances from the patient’s immediate environment.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can help strengthen your immune system, enabling your body to be more resilient to environmental toxins.

HERBAL THERAPIES

Milk thistle, burdock, and dandelion may help detoxify the liver. For general immune support try Siberian ginseng, astragals. For advice on how best to treat your specific condition, consult an herbal practitioner.

PREVENTION

Be aware of your environment. Ask questions. Pay close attention to what you are eating and breathing. A recent study the largest ever on the health effects of airborne particles from smokestacks and traffic found that people in the most polluted U.S. cities are about 15 percent more likely to die prematurely than those living in cities with the cleanest air. Here are some specific preventive steps that you can take:

• Talk to your state environmental office to see if your house is located in an area known for radon contamination; if so, have it tested.

• If you are removing paint from your house, have it tested for lead content. Painting over the old paint may be preferable to removing it, because sanding can release lead particles into the air. Some communities have regulations for removing lead paint; check with your local environmental or health department before beginning the job.

• When using hazardous products, always follow the instructions, and wear protective clothing and eye gear.

• Keep your children and pets off lawns that have recently been treated with pesticides. Stay indoors with the windows closed if trees in your neighbourhood are being sprayed with chemicals.

• Use nontoxic cleaning products and insecticides around your house. Many of these products are now available in stores or through catalos.

• In buildings, be alert to obvious or overpowering chemical odours that may be emitted by paints, pesticides, new carpets, office machines, or other offenders. Make sure the ventilation in your office meets or exceeds standard.

• Some studies indicate that certain house plants can help remove impurities from the air. Consult your local horticulture society or garden centre.

• To help avoid pesticides, thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, peel produce, and consider buying organic

• Avoid walking or running near stress with heavy automobile traffic; your increase respiration will increase the amount of carbon monoxide and other toxins that you inhale. Without a detector, you may remain unaware of a build-up of the gas, which is colourless, tasteless, and odourless and may not irritation.

• A balance diet will help your body maintain its ability to fight toxins. Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to increasing the toxic effects of several substances. Your susceptibility to lead poisoning, for example, increase if your body is deficient in calcium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, or vitamin E. however because of some vitamin and minerals can be toxic in large doses, never exceed the amounts recommended on the label for your daily requirements, without first consulting a nutritionist.

• Weight loss diets, which make your body metabolize existing fat for energy, will also result in the release of any chemicals that have been stored in those fat cells. If you want to lose weight, do so slowly so that your system does not become flooded with a sudden release of these substances.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 67 ENDOMETRIOSIS

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

ENDOMETRIOSIS


SYMPTOMS

• Sharp abdominal pains before, during, or just after menstrual periods.

• Sharp abdominal pain during intercourse.

• Menstrual periods that are abnormally heavy, especially if they produce large clots and last more than seven days.

• Infertility.

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS

Normally the tissue that lines a woman’s uterus, known as the endometriosis, microscopic bits of this tissue migrate outside the uterus, become implanted on other organs and tissues, and grow there. These lesions, or areas of abdominal tissue, usually develop within the abdominal cavity often involving other portions of the reproductive system, such as the ovaries or the muscular wall of the uterus but in rare cases they can affect other organs, such as the lungs. Like the endometrial itself, the transplanted tissue responds to the hormones estrogens and progesterone by thickening and then bleeding every month. But because the transplanted tissue is embedded in other tissue, the blood it produces cannot escape and ends up irritating the surrounding tissue, causing cysts, scars, and adhesions to form. These can eventually bind the reproductive organs together so that they move as one mass when manipulated by a physician. Cases of endometriosis are classified as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the size of the lesions and how deeply they reach into host organs. Symptoms vary, and about 10 percent of patients have no noticeable symptoms at all. Others experience abnormally heavy and painful periods and sharp, deep abdominal pain during intercourse. Endometriosis accounts for 30 to 40 percent of female infertility. In women who are able to conceive, symptoms may diminish or disappear during pregnancy, but they may return a year or two later. Endometriosis is most likely to strike women in their thirties and forties; it usually stops at menopause with the marked decline in the production of estrogens.

CAUSES

Researchers do not know definitively how endometrial tissue other parts of the body. One likely possibility involves a condition known as retrograde, or backward, menstruation. Normally during menstruation, portion of the sloughed off uterine lining exit the uterus through the cervix and the vagina. But in retrograde menstruation, fragments of the endometrial flow back into the fallopian tubes and may then be carried into the abdominal cavity, giving rise to endometriosis. Indeed, doctors have found with physical condition that increase retrograde menstruation, such as obstructions in the vagina and cervix. There is some controversy as to whether tampon use can cause retrograde flow. Evidence seems to suggest that it does not, but some women who have endometriosis avoid tampons, just to be on the safe side. In the rare cases of endometriosis affecting the lungs or other tissue far from the uterus, researchers speculate that the stray endometrial fragments travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, although no one knows just how this happens. Another theory suggest that endometrial tissue migrates outside the uterus on a fairly routine basis but develops into endometriosis only in women who have an immune system problem that prevents the body from destroying the displaced fragments. Despite uncertainty about the specific mechanism behind endometriosis, researchers can point to correlations. The fact that the condition tend to run in families suggest that genetic influences may play a role. Studies have also shown that endometriosis occurs more often women who have shorter than normal menstrual cycle or a longer than normal flow: women who have fewer than 25 days between periods or who menstruate for more than 7 days are twice as likely to develop endometriosis. Recent evidence also points to exposure to dioxin, an industrial chemical, as a possible cause. There seems to be no direct relationship between the size of lesions and severity of pelvic pain. Some women with small lesion report debilitating pain, while others with extensive lesions have no symptoms. Pain probably comes from the scarring and irritation caused by bleeding, or from endometrial tissue invading or growing on a nerve. How the disease causes infertility is also unclear, but it doesn’t appear to be related to the severity of the case; many women with tiny lesions are infertile. Some investigators think the endometrial implants upset the process of ovulation. The implants may also hinder passage of the egg through the fallopian tubes by inferring with the cilia responsible for moving the egg.

TREATMENT

Endometriosis may respond both conventional and alternative treatments, ranging from hormonal drugs and surgery to herbal remedies. However, the condition is managed, not cured; symptoms often return when treatment is stopped. Menopause usually ends the symptoms, but in women who take estrogens during and after menopause, symptoms may continue. Since endometriosis often recurs and often causes infertility, you may wish to join an endometriosis support group to get help in coping with the uncertainties of the condition. Many hospitals can refer you to a support group.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Your doctor will usually perform a pelvic examination in order to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. However, diagnosis can be made only by laparoscopy visual examination with a slim, lighted instrument that the doctor inserts into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. This procedure is usually done under general anaesthesia; many doctors also do a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. For women who can conceive and want a child, pregnancy is thought by many doctors to be a good treatment. Pregnancy alleviates symptoms, probably because it temporarily stops menstrual cycles. In some women endometriosis does not return after they have given birth. Alternatively, your doctor may have take birth control pills continuously for nine months or more, producing a pseudo pregnancy that halts the menstrual cycle and stop the bleeding of the endometrial lesions. If continuous course of birth control pill fails to bring relief, your doctor may advise treatment with androgens male hormones. Drugs with hormonal effects such as diazole and nafarelin work by stopping the menstrual cycle, thus keeping uterine tissue from bleeding. Diazole, however, has masculinising side effects that may not be revisable, such as increase body hair growth and rarely deepening of the voice, and it cannot be taken for long periods of time. Analgesics such as ibuprofen and naproxen may relieve the discomfort of cramps but will not affects the implants cyclic changes, so again they address the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. If tissue growth is rampant and drug treatment is ineffective, your doctor may advise surgery. If all the implanted tissue is removed, your symptoms should disappear.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Most alternative remedies aim at relieving symptoms; but since they tend not to effect lesions directly, they are often less effective lesions than comparable conventional treatment.

ACCUPRESSURE

You may be able to alleviate cramping by applying pressure to spleen 6, located on the inside of the leg two inches above the ankle. Do not use this point if you are pregnant.

HERBAL THERAPIES

Some herbal formulas may relieve pain. Skullcap, black choosy, and wild yam may address underlying hormonal problems. Valerian may help you relax, but do not take it for longer than a month unless directed by your healthcare practitioner. Life root and black choosy enhance the health of pelvic organs. Consult a medical herbalist for specific formulas.

NUTRITION AND DIET

The body contains hormone like substance called prostaglandins that, among other things, play a role in muscle contractions and thus contribute to menstrual cramping. Eating foods rich in natural ant prostaglandins including mackerel, sardines, Salmon, and tuna may therefore help reduce symptoms. A daily multivitamin-multimineral supplement containing vitamin B complex, vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium may help balance estrogens and prostaglandin levels and reduce menstrual cramps.

AT HOME REMEDIES

In addition to taking an analgesic for pain relief, apply a heating pad or moist heat, and drink warm beverage to help relax cramping muscle. Exercise moderately to increase endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers.

To reduce tension, drink soothing herbal teas made with herbs such as hops and valerian.

PREVENTION

• Avoid exposure to dioxin, which recent evidence has shown may play a role in causing some instance of endometriosis.

• If you use tampons, change them frequently, especially when your flow is heavy, and consider alternating tampons with sanitary napkins; these measures may help prevent menstrual flow the cause of endometriosis.

!!  RISK FACTORS  !!

Several factors correlate with increased risk of endometriosis. Be aware of the greater likelihood that you will get this disease if:

• You have a close relative with endometriosis, especially a mother or a sister.

• Your menstrual cycle is consistently short fewer than 25 days.

• Your menstrual flow during each period is long more than a week.

• You experience heavy during flow periods.

• You use tampons and change them less often than every eight hours.

• You use an IUD.

• You have a medical condition that blocks or constrict your cervix or vagina.

• You have a congenital that anomaly of the uterus, such as a double uterus or double cervix.

• You have been expose to dioxin. `

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 66 EMPHYSEMA

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

EMPHYSEMA


SYMPTOMS

Emphysema progress slowly over time and is often mistake for other ailments, ranging from asthma to heart disease. Typical symptoms of emphysema include:

• Shortness of breath, worsening over the years.

• A chronic, mild cough, sometimes accompanied by a small amount of phlegm.

• A distended, “barrel shaped “chest.

WHAT IS EMPHYSEMA

Emphysema, a potentially fatal lung disease characterized by increasing loss of elasticity in the lungs, typically causes chronic, mild coughing and shortness of breath. Although a numbers of factors including heredity, pollution, and pre-existing chronic lung disease such as asthma can play a role in its development, emphysema is most often caused by long term, heavy smoking. In many cases, emphysema also suffers from chronic bronchitis, which accounts for some of the overlapping symptoms. More people in United States die from emphysema than from any other respiratory disease. To date, no cure has been found and no treatment can reserve its effects. However, by seeking professional medical help in the beginning stages of the disease, you can substantially slow its advance. Emphysema results when the alveoli tiny, thin walled air sacs clustered at the ends of the airways deep within the lungs become damaged or enlarged. Healthy lungs contain about 300 million of these spongy sacs, which are responsible for delivering oxygen into the bloodstream and drawing out carbon dioxide waste. But when the lungs airways constricted or damaged, usually from smoking, breathing becomes more forced and difficult. Long periods of laboured breathing put pressure on the lungs that eventually stretches the alveoli beyond their normal limits. Overtime they lose their natural elastic its and sometimes they burst. Such damage not only prevents the alveoli from working efficiently; it also significantly reduces the surface area and overall elasticity of the lungs. As emphysema develops, suffers are often unable to carry out even the simplest forms of exercise, such as walking up a flight of stairs, without becoming breathless. Emphysema is most common in men between the age of 50 and 70 who have smoked heavily for years, but the disease is becoming more common in women as they join the ranks of heavy smokers. People with emphysema are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung infections, as well as to cardiovascular problems such as heart failure. Although emphysema patients need to be monitored by a medical professional, they can make changes in their lifestyle, learn breathing techniques, and supplement their doctor’s care with a number of other therapies to smoke their lives more comfortable.

CAUSES

By far the most common cause by emphysema is heavy, long term smoking. Cigarette smoke is tough to break down the elastic fibbers’ in the walls of alveoli, making the air sacs more susceptible to rupture. Smoking also has the effect of weakening the walls of the lungs branching air ways, causing them to collapse on exhalation, trapping stale air. Besides its role in the development of emphysema, smoking also makes people with the disease more vulnerable to lung infection and other serious disorders, such as chronic bronchitis. Even one puff on cigarette is enough to cause temporary paralysis in the tiny, hair like cells known as cilia that are responsible for brushing debris and excess mucus from the lungs. Cilia damaged by continued smoking function only poorly and eventually may stop working altogether. Clogged with mucus, the lungs are then vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections, which over time distort and permanently damage the lungs airways. Any lung disease that causes the narrowing of the respiratory airways such as chronic bronchitis or asthma may exhaust and ultimately damage the alveoli. In rare cases, emphysema can also be caused by the lack of a cellular enzyme that helps to maintain the elasticity of fibbers in the walls of the alveoli. People who have inherited this enzyme deficiency have an increased chance of coming down with emphysema sometimes in their thirties or forties, even if they don’t smoke.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES

A doctor can diagnose emphysema by simply tapping on your chest and listening with a stethoscope. If the tapping produces a hallow sound, more than likely the lungs air sacs are enlarged or ruptured the telltale signs of emphysema. After diagnosis, the doctor will probably take an x-ray of your chest to help gauge the extent of the lung damage.

TREATMENT

No treatment will restore your lung healthy state, but there are things you can do to keep your emphysema from getting worse. The first important step is to see a doctor if you develop any of the symptoms listed on page 346. Never dismiss a “smoker’s cough” as harmless or merely bothersome; if you smoke, and if you have coughed steadily for more than a month or have suffered chronic breathlessness, chances are your lung are already damaged. You must stop smoking immediately. If you don’t, your condition will almost certainly deteriorate. Breathing techniques, aromatherapy, and oxygen therapy may help you cope with the disease.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

It is important to see physician regularly if you have emphysema. Your doctor can teach you how to do breathing exercise correctly and how to practice controlled coughing as a way to remove excess mucus from your lungs. Mild physical exercise is also recommended for people with emphysema. A doctor may also prescribe bronchodilators to help ease breathing. In severe cases of emphysema, at home oxygen therapy may be necessary; oxygen delivering device are widely available at home use in both stationary and mobile tanks. In some cases, surgery may an opinion. One procedure in which damage portions of the lungs are removed has been shown to alleviate some of the symptoms of emphysema.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

If you have emphysema, you should think of alternative choices only as supplements to supervised medical care. The following remedies may provide some relief from the discomfort associated with the disease.

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oil such as eucalyptus, hyssop, lavender, and rosemary may help ease breathing and relieve nasal congestion. Inhale through your nose directly from the bottle, or from a tissue dabbed with a few drops of one or more essential oils. You might also try massaging your chest with 2 tsp of light vegetable oil mixed with 2 drops of essential oil.

CHINESE HERBS

The Chinese herb ephedrine, also the Chinese ma hang, is a potent bronchodilator. Note, however, that large quantities of ephedrine have the same effect as large quantities of epinephrine; do not use this herb if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. Prepare an infusion by combining 5 grams ephedrine, 4 grams cinnamon sticks, 1.5 grams liquorice and 5 grams apricot seeds. Let the mixture steep in cold water, and then bring it to boil. Drink it hot.

HERBAL THERAPIES

A number of act as soothing expectorants and may be appropriate in the treatment of emphysema. Elecampane, for example, is believed to help clear excess mucus from the lungs. To prepare an infusion, shred the root to yield 1 tsp and add a full cup of cold water. Let the infusion stand for 10 hours, then strain and drink it hot three times daily. Mullein tea is recommended for soothing the mucous membranes, especially during episodes of night time breathlessness. Other herbs that may help relieve shortness of breath include grindelia, lobelia, wild black cherry bark, liquorice, motherwort, and aniseed.

HOMEOPATHY

To treat emphysema, a homeopath might recommend the following substances, taken twice a day for a week or as needed. For wheezing and congestion, Antimonies terrarium (6c). For symptoms that worsen on damp days, in stuffy rooms, or early in the morning, Ammonium carbonic (6c). For symptoms that grow worse at night or in cold air and drafts, He par Sulphuric (6c).

NUTRITION AND DIET

Some nutritionists recommend avoiding foods that cause excess mucus production, such as dairy products, process foods, and white flour products.

REFLEXOLOGY

Toes outstretches, massage the upper surface of both feet, just below the second and fourth toes; this area corresponds to the lung and chest.

YOGA

The following yoga exercises can help you learn breath more efficiently.

With your fingertips on your shoulders, breathe in and join your elbows together in front of you. Lift your elbows as high as you can, then lower them, creating a circle with your arms as you exhale. Repeat.

While sitting on a stool or standing, make a breaststroke motion with your arms; slowly stretch them behind you. Clasp your hands, lowering your arms below your buttocks, and pull your shoulder back. Then still clasping your hands behind you, breathe in and left your arms up as far as you can. Breathe out, lower your arms, and unclasp your hands. Repeat.

AT HOME REMEDIES

Inhaling steam can help loosen phlegm in your lungs. First, fill a sink with boiling water. Keeping your eyes closed, drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam for two to five minutes. To further ease breathing and help relieve nasal congestion; try adding a few drops of one or more essential oils to the hot water. The warm steam distributed by vaporizers can also help clear the lungs. However, in an average sized room, most vaporizers aren’t powerful enough to generate the density of steam necessary to be truly helpful. If you want to use vaporizers, place it in a smaller space, such as a bathroom. Don’t use cold humidifiers: they must be scrubbed daily with bleach; otherwise, they can spread germs and encourage mould or mildew growth, increasing your chance of developing lung infections.

PREVENTION

If you smoke, the best way to prevent emphysema is to stop right away. Organizations such as smokers and the American Lung Association offer programs that will help you kick the habit. There are also a number of alternative smoking cessation techniques available .

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 65 ECZEMA

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

ECZEMA


SYMPTOMS

• Patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on wrists, face, and inner creases of the knees and elbows.

• Skin lesions, patches of redness, scaling, and in dark skinned people changes in skin color; sometimes small bumps or blisters that may ooze fluid.

WHAT IS ECZEMA

Strictly speaking, eczema is a form of dermatitis characterized by chronically itchy, inflamed skin. The affected area typically becomes dry, the skin flakes off, and occasionally blisters develop. When eczema appears on fair skinned people, the affected areas typically turn a brownish gray colour; on people with dark skin, it generally alerts their natural pigmentation, making the affected area either lighter or darker. Eczema appears most frequently on the face, wrists, elbows, and knees but is not limited to those areas. Eczema also known as atopic dermatitis afflicts between 3 and 7 percent of the population to some degree, and in more than 70 percent of patients, it runs in the family. It is most common among infants, many of whom grow out of it before their second birthday. If it persists, the child is likely to be a chronic suffer and may develop distinctive thickened, brownish gray skin in the areas that break out most frequently. Eczema is often associated with asthma, so children with that disorder may be at greater risk of skin problems. Since eczema may be in part an internal response to some sort of external stress, initial treatment focuses on identifying and reducing the possible cause.

CAUSES

Many cases of eczema are allergy related. In susceptible people, outbreaks can be caused by ingesting certain foods, such as cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, and nuts as well as by inhaling airborne irritants like dust mites and pollen. Eczema is also caused by contact with irritants in common substance, such as woollen and synthetic fabrics, latex rubber, certain detergents, chlorine based products, the mineral nickel used in plated earrings and other jewellery, and chemicals like formaldehyde, found in permanent press fabrics, polishes, rugs, foam insulation, and particle board. In people predisposed to eczema, doctors think outbreaks may be caused by a change in the way a person’s immune system reacts to certain kinds of physically, chemically, or emotionally induced stress. besides contact with potential allergens, any emotionally charged event from a move to a new job may trigger a flare-up of the disorder.



DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES

To determine whether an allergy is the underlying cause of the inflammation, ask your doctor about taking a radio allegro sorbent test.

TREATMENT

Because eczema is generally a benign disorder, and because the underlying causes differ from person to person, primary treatment is directed at alleviating symptoms. At home remedies and over the counter medications are usually sufficient. For chronic eczema, a doctor will focus on identifying allergens, building up the immune system, or relaxing the patient. For information on light therapy for eczema, see Dermatitis.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

To relieve itchiness, most doctors will start patient on such basic therapies as a warm bath to remove crusted skin followed by immediate application of petroleum jelly or vegetable shortening, which helps conserve the skin natural moisture. Topical coal tar preparation also work, but they cam messy and smelly; they should not be used by pregnant women, and their prolonged use may increase the risk of skin cancer. If symptoms persist, the doctor may recommend application of an over the counter steroid based hydrocortisone cream. Doxepin cream may also be effective at relieving itchiness associated with eczema. Apply the ointment as a thin film four times a day for up to eight days. Most patients report no side effects, but the cream may cause a burning sensation in some cases. If the eczema is allergy related, taking oral antihistamines may help. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroid medication; steroids should always be taken with caution and never without medical supervision. For extreme cases of eczema, particularly in children, a wet body wrap can be effective in getting moisture back into the skin. The patient sleeps in wet pyjamas covered with dry clothes or a nylon sweat suit; some doctors suggest covering the face with wet gauze wrapped with an elastic bandage, and covering the hands and feet with a pair of wet, then a pair of dry, tube socks. The patient’s room must be kept warm.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Alternative therapies are available to address both the symptoms of eczema and some of the underlying causes. Patients should be aware; however, that some herbal therapies can cause allergic reactions and those certain Chinese herbs can be toxic to the liver and immune system. Long term treatment with herbs should be undertaken only with through knowledge of the potential effects and under the guidance of trained therapists. Use extreme caution when giving herbs to children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

ACCUPRESSURE

Acupressure is not intended to cure eczema, but applying deep pressure several times a week to Liver 3, on top of the foot, and Stomach 36, below the knee, may relieve the tension that can bring on episodes of inflammation.

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oils of lavender, thyme, jasmine, and chamomile may be effective in soothing allergy related eczema. Add drops of one of these oils to a bowl of hot water to scent a room.

BODY WORK

Among the many forms of alternative therapy that relieve tension, shiatsu and reflexology are the most widely used body work techniques. Consult licensed practitioners about appropriate treatment for your condition.

CHINESE HERBS

Studies suggest that a particular traditional Chinese herbal tea mixture can be beneficial to certain eczema patients. The herbs include slier root, Chinese foxglove, and liquorice, which are said to be anti- inflammatory, and peony, which is said to affect the immune system. The researchers caution against long term use of such mixtures, however, because of potential liver toxicity and because the skin condition may return after patients stop drinking the tea. Because of the wide range of Chinese herbal products, a licensed professional should monitor your use of any long term treatment.

HERBAL THERAPIES

Evidence suggests that evening primrose oil may effectively treat itching associated with eczema. Some practitioners consider it as corticosteroids without their potential side effects. However, people with liver disease or high cholesterol should use this treatment only under medical supervision, and pregnant women should not use it at all because of its effect on estrogens and progesterone levels. Burdock root and dandelion root may also be effective in treating some forms of eczema. Take up to 1 & ½ tsp of the fluidextract a day. You can also brew teas from either of these roots: simmer 1 tbsp of the dried root in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, strain, and drink up to three cups a day. Chamomile ointment soothes dry, flaky skin and helps to combat inflammation and itching. Do not take any of these herbs for longer than one month without supervision by a medical herbalist or other trained practitioner.

HOMEOPATHY

A homeopathy remedy to soothe inflamed skin that patients can apply safely at home is topical Calendula ointment. Do not attempt to treat eczema with other homeopathic remedies, however, without consulting a licensed homeopath. Because eczema is a chronic, systematic problem, a homeopath will make a complete examination of all your symptoms including sleep patterns, food cravings, body temperature, moods, and family history before deciding on a plan of action. During homeopathic treatment, eczema may actually get worse before it gets better, so professional supervision is important.



NUTRITION AND DIET

Since many eczema patients have allergy problems, they should pay particular attention to their lames, in addition to avoiding the traditional suspects cow’s milk, eggs, wheat flour, and nuts patients should be wary of eating too much red meat, because animal fats contain fatty acids that promote the body’s inflammatory response. The oils of mackerel, herring, and salmon are high in eicosapentaenoic acid, shown to reduce skin inflammation and itchiness. Since you would have to eat up to two pounds of fresh fish a day to get the necessary amount of EPA, it’s more convenient to take 1 tsp cod liver oil or four 1000 mg fish oil capsules a day. Patients may benefit from a daily 50 mg zinc supplement; many eczema suffers have a zinc deficiency, and zinc helps the body metabolize fatty acids. Your doctor may recommend taking vitamin A, also found in cod liver oil, which is essential for the repair and renewal of skin. You can take doses of up to 25000 IU a day.

MIND/ BODY MEDICINE

With all the possible causes of eczema, many patients overlook the key element of emotional or physical stress. a Swedish study of adult eczema patients found that those who used relaxation techniques along with their regular regimen of topical preparations improved much faster than those who received topical medication alone.

AT HOME REMEDIES

• To soothe itchiness and help the skin retain moisture in mild forms of eczema, try a warm bath followed by an application of topical ointment. Use simple, non medicated salves like petroleum jelly or vegetable shortening, or ointments made with zinc oxide, chamomile, or calendula and no additives, preservatives, oil, or perfumes.

• Relax. To relieve stress and improve circulation, take a brisk walk or exercise on a regular basis. Come home to a warm bath sprinkled with a few drops of essential oil of lavender.

• Soothe and rehydrate your skin by sleeping overnight in wet pyjamas, covered with a nylon sweat suit or rain gear. Be sure to keep the room warm.

• Eat little or no red meat. Be wary of highly allergenic foods such as cow’s milk, Wheat, and eggs. Take daily supplements of fish oil, vitamin A, and zinc.

• If your baby has eczema, keep her from scratching by putting mittens on her hands when she goes to bed. To avoid the possibility of loose threads wrapping around the baby’s wrists or fingers and cutting off circulation, always put the mittens on inside out.

PREVENTION

Since eczema often runs in families, parents may have a good idea whether their own children may be at risk. But even if your baby inherits the predisposition, you may be able to lower her chance of being a chronic suffers. One study suggests that children weaned from breast milk before the age of four month were nearly three times as likely to develop recurrent eczema as children who were weaned later. If possible, babies should live on their mother milk exclusively for the first three months, doctor advise continuing breast milk for at least up to six months as you introduce your baby to solid food. To avoid triggering food allergies that might bring on eczema, do not offer any eggs or fish until the child is eat at least a year old. Babies should also be protected from such potential allergens as tobacco smoke and pet hairs, and from airborne irritants such as mites and molds.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES : 64 DRUG ABUSE

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

DRUG ABUSE


SYMPTOMS

• Changes in appearance and behavior that affect relationships and work performance.

• In children, abrupt changes in mood or flare-ups, or increased secrecy.

Specific symptoms depend on the drug:

• Extreme energy, weight loss, dilated pupils, insomnia, and trembling may indicate abuse of stimulants, or “uppers.”

• Lethargy, slurred or confused speech, lack of balance, constricted pupils, or excessive sleep may point to abuse of sedatives, or “downers.”

• Mood swings, red eyes, dilated pupils, slowed time sense and reflexes, dizziness, and lethargy may indicate marijuana use.

• Ulcerated nostrils are typical of cocaine sniffing; a runny nose or sniffles are typical smoking crack cocaine; needle marks on the arms may indicate intravenous cocaine abuse.

• Weight loss, lethargy, mood swings, excessive sweating, slurred speech, constricted pupils, and poor appetite suggest opiate abuse.

• Hallucinations, dilated pupils, trembling, and sweating indicate abuse of psychedelic drugs.

WHAT IS DRUGS ABUSE

Drug abuse is the use of a psychoactive drug legal or illegal enough to cause the abuser physical, mental, emotional, or social harm. Addiction or dependence is the compulsive, continued use of a drug. While the term “drug abuse” conjures up violent images of the illegal drug trade, abuse of legal drugs is an even larger health problem. Between two and three million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs, and hospitals report as many emergencies from abuse of legal drugs as from illegal drugs. Like alcohol abusers, drug abusers commonly deny their problem by playing down the extent of drug use or blaming external factors, such as job or family stress. Families may join in denial in a misguided effort to defend the abuser, creating a powerful barrier to treatment and recovery. Commonly abused drugs fall into several broad categories:

Central nervous system depressants. Sleeping pills and ant anxiety drugs are among the most prescribed medication in the United States; about seven million people take some form of CNS depressant at least once a week. Barbiturates bring on effects like those of alcohol: small doses are relaxing, but large amounts can damage both mind and body. Taken with alcohol, barbiturates’ can fatal. The risk of addiction and overdose are so well known that doctors prescribe barbiturates with extreme caution. Benzodiazepines are safer than barbiturates but can cause dependence as patient develop tolerance to them after a few weeks of use. This class includes the popular ant anxiety agent’s diazepam, alprazolam, and triazolam. Their abuse brings on drowsiness, slurred speech, and lack of coordination, which may progress to memory impairment, tremors, and paranoia. A drug abuser being treated with benzodiazepines for anxiety during withdrawal is quite likely to start abusing a benzodiazepine. Stimulants. Addictive stimulants cause rapid speech, agitation, and a debilitating pattern of high followed by crashes. People addicted to amphetamines, or uppers, often try to calm themselves down with CNS depressants, or downers, and become caught in an up and down cycle. A more powerful and more habit forming stimulant is cocaine; the smoked version called crack is highly addictive. There are an estimated two million cocaine addicts in the U.S. opiates. About half a million people in the U.S. are addicted to opium, morphine, or heroin. The addiction typically cause depression, anxiety, low self esteem, and reduced coping ability. Intravenous injection of these drugs carries the additional risk of hepatitis, AIDS, and other transmissible disease. Cannabis. Smoking marijuana can depress short term memory, motivation, and energy levels. Chronic use brings increased heart rate, vision problems, poor lung function, and changes in sex hormones, and increased risk of lung cancer. Other commonly abuse substance range from tobacco and alcohol to psychedelic drugs like LSD. Athletes who use anabolic steroids to add muscle face the possibility of violent behaviour, heart disease, and sever liver and hormone damage. Babies of pregnant women who abuse either legal or illegal drugs face specifically dangers, ranging from premature birth and malnutrition to life threatening birth effects. Many adolescents are tempted to experiment with drugs and are highly vulnerable to peer pressure especially those in poverty or with non-supportive families.

CAUSES

There is little agreement on the underlying cause of substance abuse, but experts are more likely to regard it as a disease than a lack of will power. Chronic alcohol and drug abusers may have a genetic predisposition to addiction, but environmental and social factor such as poverty, family dysfunction, and peer pressure are also significant. Certainly the social context can be crucial: one cannot become addicted to drugs without starting you uses them in the first place. Many people consider that drug dependence come from a natural desire to alter a person’s consciousness or an effort to achieve wholeness. One reason addictive drugs are so dangerous is that most people who use them believe they are immune to addiction. Once drug dependence is established, the pattern is hard to break whether or not the abuser is aware of the problem. Tolerance to opiates and stimulates increases to get the same effect. For the most addictive drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, continued use is often reinforced by the desire to avoid the pain of withdrawal.

TREATMENT

Treatment is a two step process. Withdrawal from drug use may require only days or weeks, but can be unpleasant and even dangerous without professional supervision. Recovery is the extended stage of remaining drug free.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

The first step in treating drug abuse is awareness. Some addicts may not know they are drug dependent; others deny it. At this stage, family, friends, or a trusted professional must make the case for abstinence and treatment. No single treatment fits all abusers; appropriate treatment depends on the type and severity of the addiction. Approaches range from outpatient maintenance programs, psychotherapy, and self help groups like Narcotics Anonymous to residential programs lasting weeks or months. An addicted person may need not just drug treatment but also medical care, welfare support, and psychiatric or social counselling. Successful recovery programs strive to establish social support, raise self esteem and help the addict avoid situations that can trigger relapse. Withdrawal from CNS depressants, or downers, can be painful and even life threatening. Stopping the chronic use of barbiturates and some benzodiazepines can produce delirium tremens, rapid pulse, weakness, convulsions, and hallucinations. Because of the danger of seizures, withdrawal should be done under a doctor care if the drugs have been used for more than four to six weeks. Breaking away from stimulants or uppers, can produce lethargy, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Because most stimulants do not produce physical addiction as strong as that of barbiturates or heroin, withdrawal symptoms may not be as sever the exception is cocaine, which is very difficult to relinquish. Post withdrawal treatment of chronic cocaine abuse often requires extensive counselling, along with group and family support. Therapy and group support are equally essential for abusers of amphetamines; patients may become depressed and even suicidal after withdrawal. Withdrawal from an addiction to opiates with shakes, sweats, tremors, and acute craving for the drug has been widely dramatized. As disagreeable as the symptoms are, they are not as dangerous to the addict as those of alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal. While opiate addiction was once thought almost impossible to break, the experience of many Vietnam War veterans who voluntarily quit their drug habits on returning home has shown that self initiated cure is possible. After withdrawal from heroin or morphine, some users are “maintained” on prescribed doses of methadone, a less addictive narcotic, under a doctor’s care. While controversial, methadone maintenance is still customary because stress or depression can easily trigger a return to more harmful drugs even after years of non-use. Recovery is the stage after withdrawal when the individual must strive to remain drug free. This stage is often very difficult because it requires the addicted person to change habits and lifestyle, and to control the use of potentially addicting substance throughout life. The backing of family, friends, employers, and drug-support groups can be a powerful often vital part of an addict’s recovery.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Many alternative therapies can help reduce the stress that accompanies or under drug abuse, strengthen the body, and reduce cravings.

ACCUPUNCTURE

Acupuncturists report success in treating addicts of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs. In particular, acupuncture on several points of the ear is reported to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, prevent relapse, and raise recovery rates.

HERBAL THERAPIES

Cleansing the body of toxins is an important step in healing. Silymarin, found in milk thistle, is taken to strengthen the liver. Wild oat extract, burdock root, Echinacea, and liquorice are said to cleanse the blood, while skullcap, valerian, and verbatim reduce anxiety. See a professional herbalist for dosages.

HYDROTHERAPY

Some therapist believes that cleansing the body of drugs takes months. A daily 10 to 20 minute bath containing half a cup of breaking soda or sea salt can be a powerful aid to detoxification.

MIND/ BODY MEDICINE

Biofeedback, medication, relaxation response, and guided imagery techniques can help reduce stress and bring about behavioural changes as aids to recovery. For specific techniques, see stress.

NUTRITION AND DIET

Drug abusers tend to eat poorly and may overuse sugar. For lasting recovery, eat at least three regular meals a day with a good balance of protein, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. If you have an irresistible craving for sweets, use barley malt or rice syrup instead of sugar, and take a 250 mcg capsule of chromium picolinate daily to help stabilize erratic blood sugar levels.

PRVENTION

While efforts to eradicate illegal drugs have shown little success, both treatment and public education make a difference. Once study found that a dollar spent on treatment of cocaine users was seven times as effective in cutting cocaine consumption as a dollar spent on law enforcement. Parent groups, community efforts public education and prevention programs, drug free workplaces, and strong national leadership have all played a role in discouraging illegal drugs use. Parents may not be able to stop their children from experimenting with drugs, but they can give them accurate information about drug abuse especially the genetic risk to their own unborn children. Lectures and scare tactics are rarely successful, but adolescents should understand the internal and external pressures that make people start using drugs, hear rebuttals to pro drug arguments, and learn techniques for resisting peer pressure. But if you don’t want your children to abuse drugs including alcohol and tobacco the best first step is to set the right example.