April 2010 - Natures Therapy

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Many American's suffer from edema without knowing what it is and what causes it. Edema is the accumulation of abnormal levels of fluid in the interstitial tissue. This condition often causes tissue underneath the skin to swell and is common when lymphatic blockage occurs. Swelling occurs when an increase in the volume of blood causes the vessels to dilate. Blood vessel walls weaken as they dilate causing lymph fluid to diffuse into surrounding tissue space. This excess fluid gets trapped in the body's tissue in a greater capacity than the lymphatic system can eliminate.

Edema is commonly caused by:

* Physical inactivity
* Genetic predisposition
* Standing or sitting for long periods of time
* Surgery
* Burns
* Heat
* High Altitudes
* Pregnancy
* MS & PMS
* Certain medications
* Excessive salt intake
* Contraceptive Pill
* Menopause
* Poor diet
* Kidney disease/damage
* Heart failure
* Chronic lung disease
* Liver disease
* Diabetes
* Arthritis
* Thyroid disease
* Brain tumor
* Head injury

Symptoms of edema may include localized or generalized swelling of the skin, skin may feel tight and stretched, puffiness of the ankles, face or eyes, weight gain, increased localized heat radiating from skin's surface, hypertension, stiff joints and aching body parts.

A severe case of edema known as "pitting edema" exists if skin retains a dimple after being pressed for 10 to 20 seconds. If you think you have systemic edema (caused by a malfunction of one or more of the systems in your body) or pitting edema, you should seek the advice of a medical practitioner immediately.

In order to treat edema a doctor has to diagnose what is causing it.

Treatments Include:

* Diuretics
* Oxygen Therapy
* Antiangiogenesis therapy (controlling blood vessel growth)

At home treatments often times recommended by doctors include:

* Walk regularly when traveling by car, train, boat or plane
* Wear support stockings
* Do regular exercise
* Decreasing salt intake
* If overweight, loss weight
* Raise legs when sleeping & several times daily
* Do not stand or sit for long periods at a time
* Massage by a qualified therapist (pressure must be light to moderate and movement must flow in the direction of the heart.

Massage is a contraindication for systemic and pitting edema, but is highly recommended for less severe edema.

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Posted By: Tonya Lachey - Category: No Category

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Are You Flying High On Fumes?

April 21st 2010 07:14

High but not happy?

A couple of weeks ago I took a trip to California and hours after I boarded the plane I began to develop flu like symptoms; the usual runny nose, body ache, head congestion, and shore throat. When asked if I were sick I looked at the flight attendant with dismay and answered, “Not when I left Atlanta I wasn’t.”

If you have ever experienced flu like symptoms after flying commercial airlines you are not the only one. In the past medical professionals described airplanes as being an incubator for festering diseases’ due to the recycling of air.

According to achooallergy.com, in the 1980s airlines started to mix 100% fresh air with recirculated air to save money and improve energy efficiency. A Boeing 737, for example, recirculates about 40% of its air, while a 757 recirculates about 50%.

However, there could be more serious causes for unpleasant symptoms felt during or immediately after flying commercial such as Ozone pollution. Ozone is found in higher concentrations in the sky and is a very powerful lung irritant. Symptoms of ozone pollution are: chest pains, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. In addition to Ozone pollution, low humidity may cause burning of the eye’s and skin due to the lack of moisture in high altitude air.

Recently, chemical fumes inhaled during air travel have been an area of serious concern. Although pesticides are routinely sprayed in aircraft flying internationally; other toxic substances like engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and de-icing solutions are contaminating planes air as well.

Dangerous levels of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) have surfaced on several swab sample test done on commercial airplanes. TCP acts as an anti-wear substance in jet engine oil and can induce symptoms such as drowsiness, headaches, respiratory issues, and neurological disturbances.

In regards to the air recirculation system studies are now showing that less is more. Although less beneficial due to the risk of harnessing airborne viruses, higher percentages of recirculating air on planes are now found to be more beneficial to passengers because of the decrease in levels of TCP and Ozone exposure. In the bleed-air system, fresh outside air is sucked in through the plane’s engine and circulated throughout the plane. But along with the “fresh air” are toxic fumes from the plane’s engine.

According to a petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, a plane filled with a strange mist made an emergency landing. Shortly after Victoria and Valerie Vaughn became seriously ill. The twin sisters complained of symptoms such as severe headache, tremors, cognitive problems and memory problems; all in which they still experience to this very day. Passengers and airline staff all over the world have complained of similar symptoms.

Karen Burns, former flight attendant, says she experiences tremors and memory loss. And former commercial pilot, Tristan Loraine, made a documentary about being poisoned by fumes throughout his career.
Frequent flyer's and the plane staff are at higher risk of experiencing symptoms due to constant exposure. Other high-risk groups are children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

There is just no way around it, for now airline passengers must make a choice between disease and virus filled air due to poor circulation or toxic engine fumes pumped throughout the plan in an effort to keep fresh air circulating. The House of Representatives just passed a bill requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to study sensors and filters on planes capable of detecting and removing toxic fumes inside an aircraft. But for now we must protect ourselves.

On my flight back to Atlanta from LA two passengers, one of whom I had the honors of sharing a row with, became ill. Both passengers, an adult male and a little girl, started to clear their throats compulsively. Soon after they started to cough and were offered water before the rest of the passengers were served. Then several hours later both the adult male and the little girl started to vomit uncontrollably. During this big “fiasco” I goggled to find out how to protect myself from airplane contamination in the future. My results were:

HOW TO MINIMIZE RECYCLED AIR CONTAMINATION

• Wear a face mask to filter out airborne colds and viruses.

• Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer for surface germs.

• Use nasal sprays such as Zicam to help support the immune system.

• Avoid touching your face.

HOW TO MINIMIZE OZONE POLLUTION CONTAMINATION

• Wear a face mask to filter out toxic ozone fumes.

• The use nasal sprays, saline solution, and skin lotion is recommended for dry air due to high altitude flying.

HOW TO MINIMIZE CHEMICAL AND ENGINE FUME CONTAMINATION

• Wear a face mask to filter out toxic chemical and engine fumes.

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Posted By: Tonya Lachey - Category: No Category

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RICE...The NEW SUPERFOOD

April 21st 2010 06:11

The New Superfood!

Just this one word R-I-C-E can improve your overall health. According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, “Rice eaters have higher levels of folic acid, potassium, and iron than those who don’t consume rice regularly.” Brown rice is extremely beneficial for the production of sex hormones and normal functioning of the nervous system.

In addition to its nutritious value, rice provides fast and instant energy, good bowel movement, stabilizes blood sugar levels and it provides an essential source of B1 to the human body. Other benefits include resistance to high blood pressure, heart diseases, skin rejuvenation and dysentery, a disease of the lower intestine caused by infection with bacteria, protozoan’s or parasites and marked by severe diarrhea, inflammation, and the passage of blood and mucus.

Rice can also prevent chronic constipation because it is an insoluble fiber that can be pushed through the intestinal tract easily. White rice is processed and stripped of its outer layer known as the bran or outer covering which contains a high content of fiber alone. Therefore, brown rice and whole grains are richer in insoluble fiber and are lower on the glycemic index than white rice.

However, be it brown or white rice both should be consumed with lots of water to prevent constipation that can sometimes occur when consuming fibrous foods, especially insoluble fiber. Just a cup full of brown rice a day provides you with almost 100% of the recommended magnesium value, which aides in producing energy from carbohydrates and protein.

OTHER BENEFITS OF RICE ARE:

• Great Energy Source: As rice is rich in carbohydrates, it acts as fuel for the body and aids in normal functioning of the brain.

• Cholesterol Free: Eating rice is extremely beneficial for health, just for the fact that it does not contain harmful fats, cholesterol or sodium. It forms an integral part of balanced diet.

• Rich in Vitamins: Rice is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, iron, thiamine and riboflavin.

• Resistant Starch: Rice abounds in resistant starch, which reaches the bowel in undigested form. It aids the growth of useful bacteria for normal bowel movements.

• High Blood Pressure: As rice is low in sodium, it is considered best food for those suffering from high blood pressure and hypertension.

• Cancer Prevention: Whole grain rice like brown rice is rich in insoluble fiber that can possibly protect against many types of cancers. Many scientists believe that such insoluble fibers are vital for protecting the body against cancerous cells.

• Skin Care: Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied to cure some forms of skin ailments. In Indian subcontinent, rice water is duly prescribed by ayurvedic practitioners as an effective ointment to cool off inflamed skin surfaces.

• Dysentery: The husk part of rice is considered as an effective medicine to treat dysentery. A three month old rice plant’s husks is said to contain diuretic properties. Chinese people believe that rice considerably increases appetite, cures stomach ailments and indigestion problems.

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Brown rice is said to contain high levels of neurotransmitter nutrients that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease to a considerable extent.

• Heart Disease: Rice bran oil is said to have antioxidant properties that promotes cardiovascular strength by reducing cholesterol levels in the body.

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Posted By: Tonya Lachey - Category: No Category

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