Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Symptoms, Causes,and Diagnosis

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissues that comprise the lining of a lung (pleura). The majority of individuals who develop malignant pleural mesothelioma have experienced chronic exposure to asbestos during the course of their lives.

“The average age of onset is sixty and the latent period between exposure to asbestos and development of mesothelioma can be up to forty years,” says Dr. Warwick Carter in his book The Complete Family Medical Guide. “It has a very insidious onset, with symptoms little different to asbestosis itself.”

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis, according to the website Mesotheliomaweb.org. “Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion. . . The right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss.”

“X-ray changes may not be apparent until the disease is quite advanced,” says Dr. Carter, “and CT scans are more useful in making the diagnosis in suspicious cases. A biopsy of the cancerous area is the only way to make a definite diagnosis.”

Treatment with surgery, drugs and radiation has been tried, but with virtually no success as the cancer is extremely virulent and spreads rapidly. Three quarters of malignant pleural mesothelioma victims die within a year of the diagnosis, and 98% within two years.

Lung Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention

Lung cancer: A malignant growth, or tumor, affecting one or both lungs.

Introduction
Symptoms
Duration
Causes
Complications
When to consult a doctor
Prevention
Outlook

Introduction

The growth usually starts on the bronchial tubes which carry air to and from the trachea (windpipe). In such cases its medical name is bronchogenic carcinoma. Other terms sometimes used are pulmonary neoplasm (lung tumor) and respiratory cancer.

There are several different types of lung cancer, depending on the cells within the lungs that are affected.

The disease usually appears in middle to old age, and is 15 times more common among cigarette smokers than among those who do not smoke.

Symptoms

A dry irritant cough which at first resembles that of a heavy smoker. Later, yellow phlegm may be coughed up.
Spitting blood more than once in a week. Pure blood may be coughed up, but more commonly streaks of fresh (red) or altered (brown) blood are mixed with phlegm.
Shortness of breath, loss of mass, and a dull continuous pain in the chest or shoulders.
Sometimes the first sign of the disease is a sudden feverish illness which is often mistaken for pneumonia.
Duration

Lung cancer can become irreversibly established before it is detected, because it can take weeks or even months for the symptoms to reveal themselves. Even regular chest X-rays and sputum tests often fail to detect lung cancer at its earliest symptom-free treatable stage.
If the cancer is not treated, it progresses steadily.
Causes

Smoking. Stopping smoking at any time before the disease has started greatly reduces the otherwise high risks.
Air pollution. Lung cancer occurs more frequently in towns than in the country. Prolonged exposure to some industrial dusts (for example asbestos) increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers.
Complications

The cancer may spread to other parts of the body, most commonly to bone and the brain, and the veins draining the head and arms may become blocked (superior vena cava syndrome).
When to consult a doctor

If any of the symptoms appear.
If the patient’s general state of health causes him or her friends or relatives to think of lung cancer.
Anybody over 35 who has a cough which persists for more than a month should seek medical advice. This applies particularly to smokers or someone who has recently had pneumonia.
Diagnosis

The cancer is diagnosed by chest X-rays, CT scans, sputum examination, and a biopsy of the tumor using a bronchoscope if possible.
Prevention


Keep your lungs healthy!
Do not smoke, and quit smoking if you do. Even in heavy smokers, after five years of non-smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer will reduce to near normal.
Smokers and other high-risk groups should have regular chest X-rays.
Observe industrial safety regulations strictly in working areas where there are harmful dusts such as asbestos.
Outlook

If the disease is detected in its earlier stages it may sometimes be cured.
The outlook, despite treatment by surgery or chemotherapy, is not usually good. Fewer than 20% of all patients with lung cancer survive more than five years from diagnosis. Those with small cell (oat cell) carcinoma usually die within a year. That is why it is vital to stop smoking in order to reduce the risk of lung cancer.

ALSO ON THIS WEBSITE:

A Natural Treatment for Lung Cancer?You won’t find it on the shelf of your local garden center but the natural plant extract called deguelin, used as an insecticide in Africa and South America, appears to prevent the growth of precancerous and cancerous lung cells without harming normal cells. Read more…

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Symptoms, Causes, and DiagnosisMalignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissues that comprise the lining of a lung (pleura). The majority of individuals who develop malignant pleural mesothelioma have experienced chronic exposure to asbestos during the course of their lives. Read more…

Lactose Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes and Management

by: Rachel Newcombe



Being unable to tolerate lactose can play havoc with normal eating habits, but it is something that can be adapted to. But what exactly does lactose intolerance mean, why does it happen and how can you cope with it?

Lactose intolerance is a condition where people are unable to absorb significant amounts of lactose — one of the main sugars found in milk — into their digestive system.

Lactose consists of two sugars which are joined together. To be absorbed properly, it has to be split into the two smaller sugars. An enzyme called lactase, which is present in the small intestine lining, helps perform this split.

If there’s not enough lactase or none at all, the split doesn’t happen. As a result, the lactose ends up being fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine and this causes a range of unpleasant symptoms.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be very distressing. They include nausea, stomach cramps and pain, a rumbling stomach, bloating, wind and diarrhea. If food or drinks containing lactose are consumed, the symptoms often come on from between half an hour and two hours afterwards.

If you’re suffering from the symptoms it’s important to get it confirmed by a doctor, rather than trying to self-diagnose, as the symptoms could be due to another underlying condition. Your doctor can do a simple lactose intolerance test, which involves measuring your blood sugar levels before and after drinking a liquid containing lactose. There’s also a similar breath test available, or you might need to have a sample taken for testing from the lining of your small intestine.

There’s currently no definitive cure for lactose intolerance. However, there are ways of coping with it.

One way of coping is to avoid consuming any dairy products, drinks or other foods containing lactose. Although it can be tricky, it’s manageable by reading food labels carefully or checking the ingredients of foods if you’re eating out. It’s also possible to cope with it through taking enzyme tablets when you eat or drink. These help replace the lactase that your body isn’t producing and helps your digestive system.

Lactose is often hidden in lots of foods where we wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be, such as ham, gravy, pizza, bread and even sherbet. This can make it hard for lactose intolerance sufferers, as they have to be on the ball and ready to spot it.

Lactose intolerance can develop at any time, even if you’ve been in perfect health previously. Many people, for example, become lactose intolerant after they’ve suffered a bout of diarrhea. The lining of the small intestine can become damaged, which reduces the production of lactase. Others who’ve had major surgery, such as on the bowel or stomach, or suffer from Coeliac disease, can also be prone to being lactose intolerant.

Interstitial Cystitis: Symptoms and Signs

by: Tina Samuels



Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic and debilitating disease of the urinary tract and bladder that affects approximately one million people. There is an inflamed and irritated bladder wall that leads to many bladder symptoms. The bladder wall of an IC patient will have stiffening and scarring of the bladder, less bladder capacity as a result of the scarring, small pinpoint bleeding on the bladder (glomerulations) and ulcers in the bladder lining (Hunner’s ulcers).

So much isn’t known about the illness, even though it has been around for a while now. This article deals with the signs and the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. A general guideline for interstitial cystitis is from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and although it has come under fire and scrutiny as it doesn’t incorporate all of the prevailing symptoms and has some things included as an exclusion that some people with IC do indeed have, it is meant as a oversee of the illness and not a conclusive.

NIDDK Research Definition of Interstitial Cystitis

Inclusion Criteria
1. Cystoscopy — glomerulations and/or classic Hunner’s ulcer.
2. Symptoms — bladder pain and/or bladder urgency.

Exclusion Criteria
1. Bladder capacity greater than 350cc on awake cystometry.
2. Absence of an intense urge to void with the bladder filled to 100cc during cystometry using a fill rate of 30-100cc/min.
3. Demonstration of phasic involuntary bladder contractions on cystometry using the fill rate described in number 2.
4. Duration of symptoms less than 9 months.
5. Absence of nocturia.
6. Symptoms relieved by antimicrobials, urinary antiseptics, anticholinergics, or antispasmodics.
7. Frequency of urination while awake of less than eight times a day.
8. Diagnosis of bacterial cystitis or prostatitis within a 3-month period.
9. Bladder or ureteral calculi.
10. Active genital herpes.
11. Uterine, cervical, , or urethral cancer.
12. Urethral diverticulum.
13. Cyclophosphamide or any type of chemical cystitis.
14. Tuberculous cystitis.
15. Radiation cystitis.
16. Benign or malignant bladder tumors.
17. Vaginitis.
18. Age less than 18 years.

This is a research definition only (for inclusion of patients in clinical trials) and is not necessarily applicable to diagnoses made in clinical practice. The major difference in the less stringent Interstitial Cystitis Database (ICDB) inclusion criteria for the diagnosis of IC is that cystoscopy (and its related diagnostic criteria) is an optional criterion for entry into the ICDB study. The rigid urodynamic exclusion criteria in the NIDDK definition do not exclude patients from an ICDB IC diagnosis.

The symptoms and signs of interstitial cystitis are varied and not every IC patient will have all of them. It is a difficult illness to pinpoint and this is meant only as a guideline to some of the symptoms that the interstitial cystitis patient may have.

1. Pelvic and perineal pain and pressure.
2. Urinary frequency: over 8 times/day; average is 16 times/day; can be up to 60 times/day.
3. Nocturia (excess urination at night).
4. Urinary urgency: urge not relieved by voiding.
5. Over 9 months of symptoms.
6. Dyspareunia (painful ).
7. Hematuria (blood in urine).
8. Symptoms worsen during menstruation.
9. Diminished bladder capacity.
10. and scrotum pain and pressure.
11. Dysuria (pain on urination).
12. UTI (Urinary tract infection) symptoms that do not improve upon antibiotic treatment.

50% of IC patients will have pain while riding in a car or with any prolonged sitting function; 63% are unable to work full time. Perhaps the most staggering statistic of IC is that interstitial cystitis patients are 3-4 times more likely to commit suicide than those who do not have the illness and that they rank below kidney dialysis patients in quality of life. So please, if you have any of the above mentioned signs or symptoms, get to an urologist. This diagnosis takes approximately 7 years to receive, usually through trial and many errors. Get checked, get tested, and get back on tract with your life.

Hypoglycemia: Symptoms,Causes and Diagnosis

Hypoglycemia: Low Blood Sugar
by: Gabe Mirkin, M.D.



If your doctor tells you that you suffer from hypoglycemia, he must then tell you the cause because low blood sugar is the result of something going wrong in your body. It is not a cause.

Your brain gets more than 98 percent of its energy from sugar in your bloodstream. There is only enough sugar in your bloodstream to last about three minutes, so your liver constantly releases sugar from its cells into your bloodstream. But your liver can store only enough sugar to last 12 hours at rest, so it must manufacture new sugar from protein and other energy stores.

When blood sugar levels drop, you may feel anxious, shaky, sweaty, hungry, a tingling in your skin or your heart may beat rapidly. More severe symptoms include confusion, a sensation of warmth, weakness or fatigue, loss of memory and in its extreme, seizures and passing out. As you suffer repeat attacks of low blood sugar, they affect you less and your symptoms lessen.

There are two types of low blood sugar. First, when your blood sugar rises too high, causing your pancreas to release a large amount of insulin that drops your blood sugar too low, and second, a slow drop in blood sugar caused by your liver running out of stored sugar. Doctors used to think that insulin-induced hypoglycemia follows meals and that your liver running out of sugar doesn't follow meals, but they now know that both types can occur any time.

It is almost impossible to diagnose hypoglycemia by drawing blood after you suffer an attack of dizziness, weakness or fainting because your body produces adrenaline immediately and raises blood sugar levels to normal before your doctor can draw blood. It can be diagnosed by feeding you lots of sugar and measuring your blood sugar level every half-hour for several hours. If you indeed suffer from hypoglycemia, your doctor then has to find a cause, which might include liver damage, an inadequate amount or excess of many different hormones, tumors or glandular abnormalities.

About The Author
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

OTHER RESOURCES

Hypoglemia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment on Medicinenet.comHypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, as can the severity. Classically, hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a low blood sugar with symptoms that resolve when the sugar level returns to the normal range. Read more…

Hypoglycemia at MayoClinic.comHypoglycemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source. Hypoglycemia is commonly associated with diabetes. However, a wide variety of conditions, many of them rare, can cause low blood sugar in people without diabetes. Like fever, hypoglycemia isn't a disease itself, it's an indicator of a health problem. Read more…

Hypoglycemia DietHypoglycemia is the term for a blood glucose level that is lower than normal. When foods are digested in the body, they are broken down into many nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream to be used in performing various body functions. One of these nutrients is glucose, a sugar that provides fuel to the body. Read more…

Gout: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Gout: A Foe for your Toe
Article by: Jake Mayer

Gout is a misunderstood malady. Despite the intense pain that gout can bring, it is a condition that rarely makes the glossy pages of a magazine. If you are ever personally hit with the sudden onset of gout, classically (50% of the time) seen as a sudden and excruciating pain in the big toe, you will have a newly found interest in the following information.

Gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the fluids of your body. These uric acid crystals deposit in joints, tendons and kidneys, damaging the tissues and causing inflammation and pain. The pain is a result of countless needle-like crystals that form from the excess uric acid.

There are two main types of gout, primary and secondary. Most (90%) of gout sufferers fall into the ‘primary’ category. This is a pattern with a cause that is generally unknown (idiopathic), although there are some genetic patterns that can lead one to tend toward elevated uric acid. Secondary gout is identified when uric acid is elevated in response to some other disorder (such as kidney disease).

Some medicines (such as aspirin and diuretics) can lead to the onset of gout attacks because they decrease the excretion of uric acid from the body.

The first sign of gout is usually an intense pain during the night. The attack is commonly brought on following a day or evening of excess in alcohol, food, some drugs, or surgery. If the attack progresses, fever and chills will follow. Recurring attacks are common (90%), mostly occurring in the first year. While chronic gout is quite rare, gout sufferers do have a higher risk of kidney dysfunction and kidney stones.

Conventional treatment for the symptoms of gout is the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine. Isolated from the autumn crocus, colchicine has a strong effect to combat inflammation (though it has no effect on uric acid levels!). This provides most sufferers relief within the day, although the drug may be difficult for many to tolerate due to digestive side effects.

To prevent gout attacks, the following lifestyle should be considered:

*Avoid alcohol, a major influence in initiating attacks.
*Follow a low-purine diet. This includes organ meats, meat, shellfish, yeast, and sardines, mackerel, etc.
*Reduce excess food intake including processed carbohydrates, excess fat and excess protein.
*If you find yourself or your loved one suffering from a gout attack, it is unlikely you would hesitate to seek professional help. The pain of an acute gout attack has been compared to the pain of childbirth.

However, gout sufferers are overwhelmingly (95%) male.

Copyright: http://www.lapisteahouse.com

Eczema: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Eczema: Tips On How To Care For Your Skin
by Dr. Rita Louise



Eczema can best be described as a non-contagious skin condition, which is characterized by hot dry itchy skin, with symptoms that often fluctuate seasonally and even over the course of the day. Eczema typically begins in early childhood. Research indicates that eczema may be genetically determined and studies show that there is often a family history of allergies, asthma, eczema or hay fever. Children who experience eczema may also suffer from asthma or hay fever as well.

Like an allergy, eczema tends to flare up when exposed to certain triggers, especially mechanical irritants, allergens, emotional stress, heat and sweating. When exposed to an offending situation, inflammation producing cells come to surface of the skin and release chemicals, leaving the skin red, pealing and thickened. Sometimes tiny blisters form, rupture, weep and crust over.

Eczema most often appears in and round the creases of joints of the arms and legs and around trunk of the body. For some, it also emerges on their hands and on the soles of their feet. Sufferers also experience an intense itching which makes them want to scratch it, causing additional damage which can lead to bleeding and infection.

Solvents, chemicals, detergents, bleach, woolen clothing, skin care products that contain alcohol and certain soaps or fragrances are all considered mechanical irritant that can cause burning, itching or redness to the skin and bring about a flair-up. And while allergens, like food, pollens and pets, do not irritate the skin, they can also trigger a flair-up. The same holds true to emotional stress. Intense emotions such as anger and frustration can flair up symptoms. Many individuals with eczema also do not tolerate extremely hot or cold temperatures as well. High humidity can cause increased sweating, while low humidity can dry the skin.

Recommendations For Wellness

The key to controlling eczema is prevention. Avoid or reduce your exposure to things that can irritate your skin such as household cleaners, detergents, certain soaps and wool clothing.

Use a moisturizer on your skin every day to help keep it soft and flexible.

Don’t scratch even if it itches! Scratching can further irritate the skin and can even cause the skin to break and crack, opening the door to infection.

Take the time to identify your triggers. This can help you to avoid or limit your exposure to the offending item even better. If you think a food item is causing your problems, talk to your doctor about getting an allergy test or try an elimination diet to help you identify the offending product.

Be sure to dry your hands completely after you wash them.

Wear gloves when your hands will be exposed to anything that can irritate them.

Learn to manage your stress through regular exercise, breathing techniques, biofeedback, meditation and yoga.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been shown to help reduce the inflammation, dryness and scaling often associated with eczema. GLA can be found in evening primrose oil, borage oil and currant seed oil.

If your skin becomes infected, the herb Oregon grape has been used for hundreds of years to treat infections and a variety of skin problems.

Natures Sunshine’s Golden Salve is a blend of herbs, oils and beeswax that sooths and moisturizes rough, chafed, chapped skin.

A homeopathic remedy for eczema may help relieve the itching and irritation associated with eczema and dermatitis of the skin and scalp.

About The Author
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4 and The Power Within. It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.

RESOURCES:

The National Eczema Society.Free information for eczema and dermatitis sufferers.

EczemaNetDermatologist-reviewed information about the different types of eczema, diagnosis, and available treatment options.

Eczema Treatment and SupportFree information and support site for eczema sufferers and their families.

Depression Hurts: Symptoms and Effective Ways to Manage Depression

Part 1



Like happiness, times of sadness are inevitable. When we lose a loved one, experience disappointment, or become discouraged, it is normal to feel sad. Midlife also offers a season of “blue” feelings, as children leave home to begin lives of their own, and age begins to affect our body.

But when sadness lingers for long periods of time and colors the world drab, when fatigue zaps energy and emotional enthusiasm wanes, and when feelings of melancholy rob the quality of life . . . that is depression.

Depression hurts; not only the sufferer, but family and close friends as well. In fact, depression can drastically affect a person’s life and health in very negative ways.

“Clinical Depression” is defined as depression that lasts for weeks, months, or even years at a time. Symptoms vary from person to person, and can be mild, moderate, or severe. But the biggest difference between an “ordinary” episode of sadness and Clinical Depression is that in Clinical Depression, symptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of at least two weeks.

Depression can negatively affect suffers in a variety of ways. Sleep, appetite, intimacy, and energy can all be affected. Relationships with family and friends can suffer. The ability to think, concentrate, and function is crippled. Hope and enjoyment of every day life can escape the sufferer as interest in daily activities diminishes, and the will to survive seems unimportant.

Not everyone will experience the same group of symptoms, or any individual symptom to the same extent. However, the more symptoms the person experiences, the greater the odds are that they have Clinical Depression.

Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of Clinical Depression.

Ongoing feelings of sadness that lasts for weeks: The person may not even be able to talk about their feelings of sadness, or explain “why” they feel that way. But family and friends can easily tell something is wrong. The person looks and behaves downcast; something is bothering them, something is making them sad.

Persons who become sad or upset when they experience something significant such as the loss of a job, relationship or money difficulties, or another problem are behaving normally. Their outlook on life and attitude improves in time, or when the situation that first upset them improves. This is not Clinical Depression.

For sufferers of Clinical Depression, the sadness seems to have come from nowhere, and without warning. Things may be going well in their present day to day life, but they become increasingly “swallowed up” by feelings of melancholy and sadness. They may be confused about their sadness, but feel helpless to change how they feel.

Feelings of emptiness take root: When asked, the person may say they feel “nothing,” as opposed to feeling sad or “blue.” There is a deep emptiness or numbness inside. They may feel as though they are going through life in slow motion. They may respond exactly the same to good or bad news. They feel hollow inside; going through the motions of living without enthusiasm.

A loss of interest in things once enjoyable: Persons who suffer from Clinical Depression lose interest in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed. In fact, they seem to have lost their ability to experience any enjoyment. Intimacy suffers; some persons lose all desire for .

The ability to concentrate, remember, or make decisions becomes increasingly difficult: One of the first signs that the person is having difficulty thinking or retaining thoughts is a problem with listening, and reading. Work becomes difficult, or even impossible. Remembering important things becomes increasingly hard. Relationships suffer as the person begins to isolate himself from others.

Difficulty sleeping: Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep is a common problem for persons suffering from Clinical Depression. Many people say they lie awake in bed for hours at a time, eyes wide open, unable to sleep. Once they do manage to fall asleep, they toss and turn, and wake up after only a few hours. The resulting fatigue caused from sleeplessness further compounds the problem.

Other persons suffering from Clinical Depression experience the opposite problem. They sleep continually. Even after adequate sleep, they find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, or to stay awake during the day. Yet, they never feel rested, and want more and more sleep.

Loss of motivation: Clinical Depression is exhausting. It robs energy and motivation. Fatigue is intense and can be disabling. Many times, the person’s appearance suffers. In fact, though normally particular about how they dress, they may dress in wrinkled clothes that are dirty and mismatched. When asked why, they may say they are just too tired to care how they look.

Appetite and eating habits change: Many times a person with Clinical Depression will lose large amounts of weight, because they no longer care about food. They have no appetite, and the taste of food is no longer satisfying. Their clothes may hang limply on them. Although loss of appetite is the more common of the two, other persons go on eating binges and gain a lot of weight. They can’t seem to get control over their eating habits, and snack constantly.

Lack of self-esteem: As the depression continues, many sufferers begin to feel worthless. They may feel their life has no real value. Some persons experience deep guilt for things beyond their control. Even the fact that they are depressed can cause some persons to feel guilty, which in turn makes them feel even more depressed. When family and friends attempt to console them, the negative feelings persist.

Physical symptoms manifest: Surprisingly, some of the most prominent symptoms of Clinical Depression are complaints of physical discomforts such as aches, pains, and digestive disorders. The sufferer may begin to attribute their depression to a medical problem, but an examination will often turn up no reason for the pain and discomfort.

Depression can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off disease, and can heighten the risk of heart and other diseases. In fact, one Finnish study revealed that when all other risk factors were equal, depressed men had two to four times greater risk of plaque buildup in their arteries than men who were not depressed.

Thoughts of imminent mortality or suicide As the depression continues, thoughts of and take root. The person feels that their life will never get better, and that it might be better if they didn’t exist. Sometimes these feelings become so strong, the person makes plans to .

Abnormal thoughts: Persons with severe Clinical Depression may experience episodes that both confuse and scare them. They may hear imaginary voices. They may obsess with hypochondria, paranoia, or other such manifestations.

A change in physical activity: Daily tasks are an effort and take longer to complete. Feelings of restlessness or listlessness may persist. Some sufferers experience zombie-like “trances,” while others feel anxious or nervous and are unable to relax and sit still.

Part 2

Depression can be triggered by a traumatic experience, hormonal changes, a serious illness, side effects of certain medications, prolonged isolation, or it can appear to come “out of the blue.”

Many researchers also believe depression can be caused by an imbalance of two chemicals in the brain: serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals are thought to be associated with mood, as well as regulating and reducing feelings of pain in the body.

While chemical imbalances can cause depression, the rapid rise in persons with depression suggests the root cause in the majority of cases might be attributed to something other than chemical. As lifestyles and communities become more “self-involved,” and the emotional and physical needs of others neglected, depression can be the end result. That is because the need for acceptance and a sense of belonging are as basic a human need as food and water.

With proper help and support, depression can be cured. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms can be relieved in 80-percent of persons with serious depression, usually in only a matter of weeks.

There are ways to climb out of the pit of depression. One is through the support and expertise of knowledgeable professionals. A medical doctor or other healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, can make an appropriate diagnosis of depression.

Sometimes an antidepressant medication will be prescribed to help manage depression. Some of these medications help restore the naturally occurring chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. This can help relieve both the emotional and painful physical symptoms of the illness.

If an antidepressant drug is prescribed, ask the doctor about the FDA evaluations and alert on antidepressants.

“Talk Therapy” can be helpful. This might entail spending an hour or so each week talking with a mental health care professional. Discussing the situation with someone knowledgeable about depression can help you better manage depression, and alleviate symptoms.

Each person’s situation is different; talk therapy could be beneficial for several months, or even years. During therapy, it is important to be honest and straightforward about what you are experiencing, and how you are feeling.

Thoughts of and are common in depression, and should not be taken lightly. It is important to take such thoughts seriously, and to discuss them with a health care professional. If you experience thoughts of , call your doctor, therapist, or dial 911.

The National Hotline is another resource. Call toll free, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day: 1-800- (1-800-784-2433j), or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
International hotline numbers can be obtained on the Internet at .

Experts at the Mayo Clinic say mental health can be improved by strengthening relationships. A healthy support system provided by family members and friends can go a long way in helping to alleviate stress and increase self-esteem.

Explain your feelings and what you are going through with family members and close friends. Share facts about depression; that it is a real disease with many causes, and that with proper treatment, it can be cured. Open the lines of communication by encouraging questions. Understand that they have feelings and challenges of their own in life. Let them know that you care about them, too.

The key thing to remember is that to be most effective, treatment should address both the emotional and painful physical symptoms of depression.

Another way to help ease the symptoms of depression is through diet. According to author and nutritional researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., complex carbohydrates can help alleviate depression. When eaten by themselves, complex carbohydrates boost levels of the mood-stabilizing brain chemical, serotonin. She suggests eating one low-protein meal each day high in complex carbohydrates, such as rice, potatoes, or pasta.

A study at Texas A&M University also found that removing refined sugar and caffeine from the diet can significantly reduce depression, even when symptoms are severe.

Other dietary factors that help reduce symptoms include B-complex vitamins, drinking enough water, and an overall healthy diet, including adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. Exercise is also beneficial.

One important thing to remember if you or someone you know suffers from depression is that it is a curable illness. It is not a character flaw, or a sign of weakness. It is a medical disorder caused by a complex combination of factors.

Another important thing to remember is that recovery is not a single event. It is a gradual process that takes time, patience, and compassionate understanding. With the right attitude and a good support system, sufferers of depression can recover and look forward to a bright future . . . full of life, hope, and joy!

©2006 Remedium

Cystitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder, but the term is often used indiscriminately and covers a range of infections and irritations in the lower urinary system.

Symptoms of cystitis include:

* Burning sensations or pain during urination.
* Frequent urination.
* Cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
* Pain directly above the pubic bone.
* Blood in the urine, a common feature and need not cause undue alarm.
* Children under five years of age often have less concrete symptoms, such as weakness, irritability, reduced appetite and vomiting.
* Older women may also have no symptoms other than weakness, falls, confusion or fever.

Causes:

Infection from intestinal bacteria is by far the most frequent cause of cystitis, especially among women, who have a very short urethra (the tube through which the urine passes from the bladder to the outside). Normally, urine is sterile (there are no micro-organisms such as bacteria present). Between 20 to 40 per cent of women will get cystitis in their lifetime.

Treatment:

* The best first aid treatment is to drink, drink, drink.
* To some extent alkalizing the urine helps to eradicate the germs and also soothe the bladder. You can try using bicarbonate of soda, 5ml (1 tea spoon) in half a glass of water, two or three times a day, or one of the over the counter cystitis remedies.
* For similar reasons the folklore remedy is barley water or, these days, cranberry juice.
* If the symptoms are any more than transient, you should contact your doctor, when next able to, regarding the possibility of antibiotics.
* There have been herbal remedies for centuries in Europe. Read what Tina Samuels has to say:

THREE HERBS FOR CYSTITIS

Herbalists know that not everyone with cystitis needs antibiotics or other prescription medication. There have been herbal remedies for centuries in Europe, a culture far more accepting of nontraditional medicinal methods than the US. Below are three herbs designed for cystitis relief.

Corn Silk (Zae mays)

Corn silk is also known as corn, Indian corn, maize jagnog, Turkish corn, and yu mi xu. It has been used to treat urinary tract syndromes because of its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties for centuries. The supplement is produced from the female flower stamen (picked before full bloom) and fine soft silks about 4-8 inches long. It is a good aid to treating the pain of any inflamed/irritated mucous surfaces.

Combining corn silk with couchgrass, bearberry or even yarrow is good for treating cystitis. You may need to experiment to see what works for you. Corn silk is used as a remedy for cystitis, stones, bladder irritation, edema, and gonorrhea. Its herbal medicinal qualities are diuretic, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, tonic, anodyne, alterative, and lithotriptic. It is really a “soother”.

To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water on 2 teaspoonfuls of dried corn silk. Leave this mixture to steep for 10-15 minutes. The tea, when used as a medicinal, should be taken three times a day. As a tincture, take 3-6 ml of it three times a day.

Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis)

A hardy perennial that grows up to 4 feet tall, althea officinalis has white or pink flowers that bloom in late summer. It is generally found in damp salty places. Known simply as “mallow”, it is used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, mucilaginous, emollient and one of the most effective demulcents. Mallow flowers, leaves, syrup and roots are used in herbal pharmacology and most supplements use the dried root and leaves. The roots of the marshmallow have been used medicinally for the digestive tract for the relief of local irritation, bladder infections, and an immune system stimulant. The leaves are used for the urinary tract, lungs, cystitis relief, urethritis, respiratory infections, and coughs. The roots are very rich in mucilage and can get gummy when they are wet, making it good to protect and coat the gastrointestinal tract.

Mallow can be bought as a tea, powder, extract, capsules or tablets. The normal dosage is 1-4ml of tincture three times a day.

Pipsissewa (Chimaphila Umbellata)

An evergreen shrub native to woody areas, pipsissewa has been traditionally used by Native Americans to treat fevers and to induce sweating. Primarily it is the leaves, twigs and flowers that make up the herbal remedies. It makes a good disinfectant for the urinary tract and herbalists use this plant specifically for that. The plant contains hydroquinones which is why the plant makes a good disinfectant and antimicrobial, but not good for any long term treatment usage. This herb may interfere with birth control pills due to the phytoestrogenic properties, so talk to your doctor before taking this or any herb remedy. This can be found in tincture, extract, tablet, and tea form.


Prevention:

As a prevention, the website Netdoctor.co.uk recommends drinking cranberry juice every day or taking capsules. “There is no doubt that this simple and natural treatment brings relief to many women with cystitis. It is thought that the cranberry juice works by preventing common bacteria from ‘sticking’ to the walls of the bladder and so preventing infection taking hold.”

Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

by: Dr. Rita Louise



Crohn's disease is often confused with other inflammatory bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, thus making it difficult to diagnose. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease is characterized by an inflammatory reaction throughout the entire thickness of the colon and bowel wall. This inflammation can penetrate deeply into the affected organ, causing pain and diarrhea.

Symptoms associated with Crohn's disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding (which may lead to anemia), weight loss, malabsorption syndrome and nutritional deficiencies. The onset of Crohn's disease is typically between the ages of fourteen and thirty. Cases of this disorder tend to be 2-4 times more common in Caucasian whites than non-Caucasian, and 4 times more common in Jews than non-Jews.

Crohn's disease is typically experienced as flair-up, with attacks occurring every few months to every few years. Over time, if the disease is active, bowel function can gradually deteriorate, with the risk of cancer increasing by 20 fold.

Scientists believe that chronic imbalances in the intestinal flora set off a chain of events that, in the end, damages the intestinal mucosa. This theory is strongly supported by the parallel in the number of cases of Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel disorders and use of antibiotics over the last 50 years. In turn, it has also been found that the incidence of Crohn's disease is higher in cultures consuming a “western diet”, while it is virtually non-existent in cultures consuming a more primitive diet. Studies also reveal that patients with Crohn's disease were found to be individuals who habitually ate, prior to the onset of symptoms, more refined sugar, less raw fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber when compared to their healthy counterparts.

While the exact causes of Crohn's disease is still unclear, there is much that can be done to lessen symptoms and even put this disorder into remission. The goal for treatment of this disorder is to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies and relieve symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding.

Recommendations for Wellness

1) An elimination diet, such as Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet have been shown to reduce the symptoms experienced within 3 - 12 weeks.

2) Avoid sugar, both white sugars, and the sugars contained in white flower, white rice etc.

3) Keep a food/flair-up journal. Identify foods you are eating, or your emotional state just before and during a “flair-up”. In time, you may find a pattern forming.

4) To reduce intestinal inflammation and begin the healing process, try products such as UltraInflamx — by Metagenics, Robert's formula — by Phytophamric, or aloe vera juice.

5) Flax seed or fish oils (Omega 3 Oils) have been known to greatly reduce the inflammatory process. If you find you have a hard time digesting them, try freezing the gel caps before taking them.

6) Extra vitamins and minerals are important at this time, especially if you are not absorbing nutrients correctly. Incorporate a liquid meal replacement (one that is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein, and low on sugar!) into your diet as well as taking a high quality vitamin and minerals supplement. Try to find one that is in a gel casing or capsule.

7) Find a good mineral supplement such as Alfalfa, barley greens, liquid chlorophyll or colloidal minerals. Many of these come in a powdered form that you can mix with water or juice.

8) Because of blood loss due to rectal bleeding, and the anemia associated with it, incorporation of additional iron is important. Look to find an herbal iron alternative, especially one that comes in liquid form for better/easier assimilation. If you decide to look to a single herb, Yellow Dock would be my choice. (Consult with your health care provider before introducing additional iron into your diet.)

9) Starting a program of re-inoculating the intestinal tract with Friendly Bacteria, namely lactoacidopholis can enhance recovery and restore bowel function to normal.

About The Author
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2001. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4 and The Power Within. It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.

RESOURCES:

Crohn's DiseaseCrohn's disease causes inflammation in the small intestine. Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Read more…

Crohn's DiseaseCrohn's disease is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract. The intestinal tract has four major parts: the esophagus, or food tube; the stomach, where food is churned and digested; the long, small bowel, where nutrients, calories, and vitamins are absorbed; and the colon and rectum, where water is absorbed and stool is stored. The two primary sites for Crohn's disease are the ileum, which is the last portion of the small bowel (ileitis, regional enteritis), and the colon (Crohn's colitis). The condition begins as small, microscopic nests of inflammation which persist and smolder. The lining of the bowel can then become ulcerated and the bowel wall thickened. Eventually, the bowel may become narrowed or obstructed and surgery would be needed. Read more…

Cold Sores: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

A cold sore, or herpes simplex, is an acute virus infection. The sufferer mostly contracts it early in life. The virus remains in the body, and acute attacks are triggered off by exposure to the sun or by a cold. Tiny blisters develop, usually near the lips. These blisters progress to form a crusted, swollen, painful skin infection. The infection usually lasts for about 10 to 14 days, when the sores dry up. The virus however remains dormant and another outbreak of sores may emerge at a later stage, particularly during periods of fever.
Treatment:

Application of vaseline and alcohol may help to dry out and soothe the blisters.

If recurrences are frequent, consult your doctor.
Caution:

When suffering from a cold sore, wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your eyes. Should you touch the sores and then rub your eyes you can develop conjunctivitis or inflammation of the cornea.

Source: Self-Mediation Guide, MIMS.

Asthma: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Reduce Asthma and Breathe Free
Article by: Dr. Rita Louise




Asthma can be a serious and often frightening condition that is typified by a tightening of the chest, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma is made up of two underlying components: inflammation and constriction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscles that surround the airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But in people with asthma, the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten and air cannot move freely. In addition, individuals with asthma often have airways that are inflamed, irritated and swollen. This can make it hard for them to breathe. This irritation can also cause the mucus membrane that lines these tissues to produce excessive mucus, which can further reduce the flow of air into the lungs.

The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest trigger. These can include: emotional upsets and stress, upper respiratory tract infections, breathing cold air and even exercising too hard. Airborne allergens, such as bee pollen, animal dander, dust mold and smoke can also trigger an attack, as can certain foods or medications.

Asthma attacks can be both mild and severe. The severity of an attack, however, can escalate rapidly, so it is important to treat these symptoms immediately once you recognize them. In any case, it is important to work with your primary health care provider when you look to treat this health concern. Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to help reduce the severity or eliminate asthma from your life.

Recommendations for Wellness

To help control an attack:

Sit leaning forward or in a semi-prone position to help restore normal breathing.

Try placing a hot, moist towel over your chest to help relax your chest muscles and restore normal breathing.

To help reduce your chances of another attack:

Incorporate breathing exercises into your daily routine to help strengthen your respiratory muscles.

Keep a health diary. Use it to help you figure out what is triggering your attacks, then reduce your exposure to them or eliminate those things from your life.

Don’t smoke. Avoid perfumes.

Make a special effort to keep your environment allergen free. Get an air purifier. Dust and vacuum often. Change your home furnace or air conditioner filter regularly. Stop exercising if you start wheezing or feel an attack coming on.

Drink plenty of water to help thin any mucus build-up in the lungs.

Eliminate or reduce mucus-forming foods such as milk products, products made with white flower and refined foods.

Lobelia has a long history for relaxing respiratory muscles and reducing spasmodic coughing.

To help reduce asthma symptoms, include ginkgo biloba into your health care program.

Herbal combinations such as Nature’s Sunshine’s Chinese Lung Support can help to support and protect the lungs.

Herbs such as mullein, licorice root, marshmallow root or slippery elm can be taken to soothe irritated tissues.

Fenugreek and thyme can help to open the chest as it loosens and stimulates the gentle removal of mucus and phlegm.

Incorporate a homeopathic Asthma formula to help with shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, tightness of the chest and wheezing.

About The Author
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4 and The Power Within. It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information

Anemia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Anemia is not so much a complaint as a diagnosis reached by the doctor after examining the patient. In anemia the blood's power to carry oxygen round the body is reduced by a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin. The result is pallor, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath upon exertion. The fingernail beds appear white and an all-pervading fatigue is usually present.

The common causes are inadequate intake or absorption of iron and repeated loss of small quantities of blood, such as from hemorrhoids, a bleeding ulcer or prolonged extra-heavy menstrual flow.

If there is a lack of hemoglobin this will be confirmed by a test on a blood sample of the patient. Do not try to diagnose or self-treat this condition. Consult your doctor!

Behavioral Manifestations of Alzheimer’s Dementia

Article by: Michael G. Rayel, MD

Alzheimer’s Dementia has a combination of cognitive and behavioral manifestations. Cognitive impairment is the core problem which includes memory deficits and at least one of the following: aphasia or language problem, agnosia or problems with recognition, apraxia or motor activity problem, and impairment in executive functioning (e.g. planning, abstract reasoning, and organizing).

As the disease advances, the cognitive decline becomes associated with behavioral manifestations. What are these behavioral manifestations of dementia?

Behavioral syndromes in Alzheimer’s can be grouped into two categories: psychological and behavioral. Major psychological syndromes consist of depression, anxiety, delusions, and hallucinations.

Depression in dementia is very common. Up to about 87% of patients develop some form of depression. It is characterized by tearfulness or crying episodes, feelings of sadness, and neurovegetative signs and symptoms such as inability to sleep, lack of appetite, poor energy, and thoughts of death. Irritability is also common. Depression can occur even in the early or mild phase of the illness.

About 50% of demented patients show delusions or false fixed beliefs. Such delusions include beliefs that a relative is stealing, that a spouse is just an impostor or is having an affair with a neighbor, or that friends and relatives are conspiring to cause trouble.

Moreover, many patients with dementia may experience hallucinations. Most of these hallucinations are visual — seeing strangers in the house, an animal or insects in the living room, people in the bedroom or on top of the TV set. Occasionally, auditory hallucinations may be experienced — hearing footsteps or knocking on the door or even people singing church hymns.

Regarding major behavioral syndromes associated with dementia, these problems include agitation, verbal outbursts, repetitive behavior, wandering, and aggression or even violence. Agitation can be manifested by pacing back and forth, restlessness, and inability to sit still.

Verbal outbursts consist of day-long screaming or occasional yelling at someone. Repetitive behavior is manifested by closing and opening a closet or a purse or a drawer. Asking questions repetitively for instance about a relative’s visit is very common.

Wandering can happen especially at the late stages of the illness. If doors are left unlocked, some patients wander away from the house. Hence, safety level becomes an issue.

Aggression likewise may occur. Hitting the caregiver or throwing things are some complaints. Destroying things although rare can also ensue. A gentleman for example hit the wall with a cane and broke the window by smashing a chair.

Although difficult to deal with, most of these behavioral consequences of dementia can be treated especially if recognized and addressed early.

About The Author
Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002), psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. To receive free newsletter, visit www.drrayel.com. For more information about Oikos Game, visit www.oikosgame.com. His books are available at major online bookstores.

RESOURCES:

Alzheimer’s AssociationAlzheimer's disease, information for caregivers, research.

Alzheimer’s SocietyThe Alzheimer's Society is the leading UK care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and caregivers.

Alzheimers Disease: Medicine NetCauses and symptoms of Alzheimers disease, information on medication and other treatment options.