Holy Station

Archive for September, 2010

Arthritis can be a crippling health problem. The problem is often chronic pain and alternative health offers a unique treatment option.

It is sometimes possible to get a bit of insight into the attitude of Western vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine by examining the meaning of the words used to describe a condition. The suffix “itis” means inflammation, and the word artho is Greek for joint. So, arthritis simply means “inflammation of a joint.” The point here is that this is a condition or a symptom that is being discussed. The use of a special word gives it the status of a disease in Western Medicine.

Arthritis is one of the most common of all physical ailments. It is the most common complaint of people over 65 years of age. It causes much pain and loss of function, and most treatments for it consist of treating the pain and hoping for the best. Acupressure for arthritis is a type of treatment that has been used for centuries to treat the pain and restore function. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes arthritis as the symptom that it really is and looks deeper to discover the cause.

Although Western practitioners do not understand this search for causation and would not agree with the conclusions of the alternative health practicioner as to how relief would be achieved, they do agree that the treatment can be effective. Many doctors are suggesting alternative health treatments for patients with long term chronic arthritis. Of course, they mostly suggest it as part of a comprehensive treatment that combines the different disciplines.

A recent study done by the National Institute of Health found that acupuncture could result in as much as a 44% reduction in pain and a 40% improvement in joint mobility in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The study involved 570 patients over the age of 50 that were in an advanced stage of the affliction. The patients were divided into three groups. One received the suggested treatments designed to treat the specific patient. The second group received a sham treatment. The final group continued on the self help and medication program that they had been previously using.

The surprising results of this study led the National Institute of Health to issue a cautious endorsement of alternative health treatments for arthritis. This endorsement did have some important results in the acceptance of an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis by insurance companies.

Are you undergoing a urine drug test and is anxious about it? Fret not as there are means to pass it naturally. Continue reading to find out some trouble-free methods to do so.

Refrain from getting involved with drugs before undergoing the examination. For how long, it depends on which types of drugs you take. For instance, it’s said that traces of marijuana in your body can last for as long as a couple of months. Additionally, it depends on how much you have consumed or how fast your body can metabolize the substance.

Fat-soluble drugs reside in your fat cells. One way of dealing with such is by getting rid of fats through regular exercising. Effective fat-burning routines involve aerobic exercises. Some examples include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, biking, dancing, etc. Of course you should give sufficient time for the results to take place.

Some people swear by using a sauna. In a way, this may produce some desirable results as it makes you sweat a lot. And sweating is one of your body’s ways of removing accumulated toxins within you. So if you got access to a sauna in your health club or gym, it won’t hurt trying it out before an examination.

Of course urine drug tests require a person to submit his or her urine. That’s why it’s important that you hydrate your body from within. Drink fluids, most especially water. Juices such as that from cranberry can also be beneficial. But refrain from drinking too much on the day itself, as it will cause the sample you submit to be excessively diluted.

Try not to submit the very first urine of the day you can produce. That’s because it tends to be “dirty” as it may contain drug metabolites produced while you sleep. Additionally, your first urination in the morning will help flush out any microorganism present on the urethra. Urinate a few times before getting the sample for your urine drug test.

People who have long been struggling with their weight are all probably asking the same questions:
What is the best weight loss program?

Do diet pills really work?

Should I take up surgery?

Is colon cleansing an effective weight loss strategy?

Are those natural weight loss supplements really effective?

Let’s take it one item at a time.

What is the best weight loss program?

Sorry for being a spoilsport, but there’s not one program that can be considered the “best” weight loss program. The effectiveness of a program depends on each individual’s case – their lifestyle, health background, fitness level and a number of other factors. However, to help you choose the program that is “best” for you, ask yourself the following questions:

1. How much weight do I want to lose? – Before anything else, assess your current situation and decide how much weight you really want to lose.

2. Will the program require me to change my current lifestyle? – Some programs have their participants undergo counseling to teach them about making lifestyle changes to help them lose weight more effectively. Are you prepared to undergo these sessions?

3. Does the program require a certain food product for me to purchase? – Some of the more popular weight loss programs encourage patients to try a particular brand of food, usually manufactured by the program creators themselves.

4. How much will it cost me? – Many weight loss programs come with hefty price tags so you must assess first your financial situation before signing-up for any program.

Do diet pills work?

The short answer is yes. Some of these pills do work, but the better question to ask is “Do diet pills work for long?” Another good question to ask is “Are diet pills safe?” Unfortunately, most diet pills only offer short-term results, especially if the person who takes them relies only on them for weight loss. Doctors and fitness experts agree that for a diet pill to be truly effective, it must be combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Regarding safety, a few pills are indeed safe but they require a doctor’s prescription while those sold over the counter usually are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Should I consider surgery?

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is recommended for people who are already in their obese stages (a Body Mass Index greater than 30). You must also be between age 18 to 60 to qualify for surgery.

Is colon cleansing an effective weight loss strategy?

Proponents of colon cleansing consider it a natural weight loss strategy that can effectively rid one’s body of excess weight. Cleansing may be induced by supplements, pills or other methods. They believe that exercising a sick body may only further weaken the person, who simply doesn’t have the energy to spare for it. The popularity of fast foods further weakens one’s body by the buildup of toxins and cholesterol. In this program, a clean and efficient digestive system is the key to weight loss.

A few clinics specialize in colon cleansing, while some weight loss pills and natural supplements cleanse the body by getting rid of oils and toxins. However, diet supplements are not always effective, and some can even be harmful.

Are those natural weight loss supplements really effective?

Here’s the hard truth: a lot of products advertised as natural weight loss supplements that supposedly help in cleansing your body are actually not approved for sale by the FDA. The FDA especially warns the public against products that claim to be natural and body cleansing weight loss supplements because many tests prove them ineffective. Plus, the public is also warned against purchasing products that contain the words “exotic”, “ancient”, “oriental” and other similar terms, because they are mostly found in fraudulent products.

The bottom line is that proper diet and regular exercise are still the best ways to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets may work, but not for long. Healthy living is much more effective than any “natural” remedy, colon cleansing procedure or weight loss supplement. Ask your doctor or fitness trainer to help you in starting a safe and effective diet plan.

Many executives and business adults are so busy that they do not have the time to have a balanced dieting program. Therefore, turning to consuming multi-vitamins is usually a quick fix to many busy executives.

However, there is indeed a skill involving to choose good quality vitamin supplements.

When you want to choose a quality vitamin supplement, you should be totally informed about the product you are taking. Vitamin supplements have many beneficial effects on your health.

However, some may be unnecessary for your particular condition or may even have some weird side effects. Before consuming, it is best to check with the labels and the sellers about the various side effects.

Not all vitamin supplements are the same. There are no standards requiring that the ingredients you find in the bottle are the same with what’s written on the label.

You should also know that the effects of vitamin supplements are not FDA approved. However, if you do your homework, you can choose a good quality vitamin supplement that will actually have some good effects on your body.

What are the types of health stuff many should be taking?

For the pregnant or nursing woman or having a specific medical condition, it is very important to go to a nutritionist before taking any kind of vitamin supplements.

A doctor will consider your medical history and current condition and may even run some health tests on you before prescribing a good vitamins.

With so many professionals out there, there is no point in taking the risk of doing this on your own. However, if you are just looking for a quality supplement to ensure your body has all the nutritional substances it needs, you can start with some simple vitamin supplements like these:

* Multi-Vitamin and Mineral
* B Complex
* Calcium and Magnesium
* Omega 3 Oil
* Vitamin C

Do follow closely the instructions on the bottle labels if you are not seeing an nutritionist.

Choosing a brand require certain skill

What to take into account when looking for a quality good supplement:

* Have to check with this vitamin has an organic source. This is in fact the best ingredients that a vitamin has to offer.

* Testing it for product contamination and toxic substances.

* No artificial ingredients should be allowed during the manufacturing process.

* If you have a sensitivity problem, get a hypoallergenic product and avoid corn, yeast and wheat.

* Fresh supplement makes the day smile. You can do that by reading the expiration date on the label. If there is no expiration date, look for something else. Do not attempt to take any risk with near expiry date vitamins. You will regret buying it.

* The dosage written on the label may be different that what the pills contain. You could contact the lab that manufactures them to ask how they test the products. You could also ask at the store whether that is a quality vitamin supplement.

If you cannot find the necessary information on one or more of the points above or about the brand, do not hesitate to call them for more details. Reliable brands should have all the information you need. You should also remember that some high quality vitamin supplements are not available in drug stores.

Is it sounds too good to be true?

If it sounds too good to be true, then it is.

Having the cautious mind is good and please use your common sense to detect exaggerated claims. You probably receive plenty of spam every day in your e-mail box with ads for miraculous vitamin supplements.

You should also remember that low-priced products may have a poor quality. In order to improve your chances of getting a high quality vitamin supplement, buy it from nutrition stores, health care providers or whole food markets.

After knowing how to choose a good quality vitamins may be vital to your overall health well-being. However, with this little information may be enough for you to choose your supplements more carefully and to consume moderately.

Therefore, before you are going to consume any type of vitamin health food, you need to first consult your medical doctor.

There are many people sometimes tend to forget the quality of popping these pills, without realizing the harmful effects of over-consumption of these supplements, level while various kinds of supplements can treat chronic diseases.

Without a proper understanding of using natural health supplements to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much disease free lifestyle to craving for.

Applying this effective tips as being highlighted here, together with an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.

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If you are struggling with chronic pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Add to that the stricter controls on prescription medication, the rise in pain killer addiction, and a health care industry that isn’t so quick to dole out the meds, and you will have yourself a real problem. When it comes to pain management, patients are not often given the immediate care they need, as tests and doctor’s visits will first be needed to rule out any underlying conditions. The problem is that pain doesn’t wait for test results to come back, so if you are suffering from serious pain, you want relief fast. Use this article to see if you can find treatment options for your chronic pain that will give you relief much sooner than your doctor may be able to.

For many patients suffering from chronic pain, narcotic pain medication is sometimes the first method of attack when it comes to treatment. The reason for this is that if underlying issues or a diagnosis may be a long time coming, relief is given to manage the symptom of pain while waiting for more information. The problem with this is that these medications have a very high rate of addiction, and so while you are waiting for one problem to be solved, you are essentially creating another. So what can you do for your chronic pain?

You can take comfort in the fact that narcotic pain medication is not your only option when it comes to relief. Additional treatment for pain is available through non-opioid analgesic medication, to alternative therapies such as yoga or meditation. When you use more than one pain relief method together, you will find the comfort and relaxation you need from your pain.

Common alternative therapies for pain include a wide variety of options. Massage therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, electric analgesia, ultrasound, and paraffin wax are all methods being used more and more frequently today as options over prescription relief. You may find even that your insurance company or HMO will cover options such as chiropractic care or acupuncture, and this will relieve not only your pain, but your wallet as well.

Herbal supplements and remedies are also becoming a very popular alternative to prescription pain relief. These you will find are not often covered by insurance, but with the cost of these options comes the relief of coming out of that prison of pain. The best way to get the most effective alternative remedies for pain is to visit a naturopath or alternative healer that specializes in these options. If you are able to find a naturopath that is also an M.D., you will have the added benefit of being under the care of a medical doctor while undergoing alternative therapy.

When you have tried every alternative method possible, and are still waiting for pain relief, very likely you will have to move toward prescription medication to bring you comfort. You can talk to your doctor about medication such as Tramadol, a medication that is much more tolerated over narcotic pain medication, and has a much weaker addictive factor than its narcotic counterparts. Side effects of medication such as Tramadol are not as severe as those that come with narcotic pain meds, and this factor alone will also help you overcome your pain without dealing with yet another hurdle.

The researchers who count things and people report the issue of more prescriptions for painkillers and muscle relaxants, and more people complaining of back pain. It’s possible, of course, we’ve become a nation of hypochondriacs, prepared to reach for medication at the first sign of trouble. But, with the cost of prescription drugs being so high and health plans getting more restrictive, it’s probable people really are injuring and damaging their backs more often these days. So what exactly is going wrong? Let’s start with traffic accidents, slips and falls. With your back held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments, it’s quite easy to strain or tear something vital. It may be the impact or twisting awkwardly has stretched or tweaked the vertebrae in an unfamiliar direction. If so, the first step is rest. A little ice will help reduce any swelling and, if you have pain, one of the over-the-counter anti-inflammatories will help. But if the pain is still with you after four days, it’s time to admit the injury may be more serious. The most usual cause is that, because you fear pain, you change the way you stand or move. This puts an extra strain on the other muscles to compensate and can end up giving you more pain. The longer you favor your back in this way, the worse the problem is going to get because you will have unlearn all these unnatural movements. If in doubt, going to see the doctor early is the best decision you can make. Anything else risks longer term pain.

What are the other causes of pain? Damage to the one or more discs supposed to act as a shock absorber between the vertebrae can put pressure on the column of nerves passing through the spine. As in sciatica, this can cause shooting pains in the buttocks and legs. It’s possible the disc will just “pop” back into place with a little manipulation but, if it has herniated, i.e. the outer skin of the disc has broken, then surgery may be required. The same is likely if you have developed spinal stenosis, small spurs of bone that form as we get older. Surgery is the best response. With osteoarthritis, another condition related to age, the cartilage between the discs and the joints starts to break down. This causes swelling, stiffness and pain as inflammation grows more intense. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density which makes them more likely to fracture. Calcium and vitamins help slow the loss of density. With fibromyalgia causing pain in the soft tissues, muscle relaxants like Carisoprodol in combination with physical therapy and, sometimes, antidepressants are the best responses.

So Carisoprodol is useful in all cases of physical injury from accidents and overexercise, and in cases of fibromyalgia. The plan is, first, to rest for a very short period of time and then resume movement. If you give into injury, your back will stiffen and cause more pain. With muscle relaxants to help and, more importantly, to reduce the risk of muscle spasms, guided exercise programs are the fastest route to a long-term cure.