Heliotherapy is a method that uses the sun’s ultraviolet waves to enhance the production of vitamins and nutrients in our skin and body in a process we really need.
With the increased production of vitamin D, the results are an elevated rate of metabolism that will further assist our body in increasing its reaction rate of creating multiple enzymes used for the restoration of our tissues.
This process allows our cells to rejuvenate working together which allows an increasing in the pace rhythm of our blood flow, and an improving of the oxygen supply process.
The consistent use of Heliotherapy can drastically reduce the chances of osteoporosis, prostate, breast cancer, psoriasis, and many other skin diseases.
The recommended dose of sunlight should not allow the risk of sunburns. Practicing this method in small doses is recommended.
Heliotherapy can be used as a natural antibiotic, as stress reliever or as a way to enhance your immune system. If Heliotherapy is practiced early in the morning, more specifically before 9:00 am, for at least 20 minutes, it can assist in wound healing as well as the elimination of microbes from the skin.
Heliotherapy has also been shown to reduce the pain that occurs with neuralgia and arthritis.
If Heliotherapy is used as a stress reliever, the ultra violet rays of sun help relax tense muscles, and promote mood stability.
Heliotherapy is recommended for people who have symptoms of hypertension or stress. Practicing this method mid-day should be avoided in order to prevent excessive skin tanning.
The practice of Heliotherapy can stimulate the production of metabolizing enzymes in our liver. This will strengthen our internal defense system which will protect us from various toxins, bacteria and viral infections. This method also increases the pace of detoxification by stimulating our sweat glands.
Heliotherapy has also been known to prevent the deficiency of gamma globulin in our body. Gamma globulin boosts our immune system and can provide the antibodies that are needed to fight severe infections like Hepatitis C and Measles.
All we need is fifteen minutes a day of natural sunlight to drastically boost the Vitamin D we need in our body. We need Vitamin D because it absorbs the calcium in foods we eat. This is necessary to promote bone strength.
Heliotherapy also helps to elevate the content of oxygen in our blood which leads to the strengthening of muscles.
As long as you are safe, and allow for the recommended amount of sunlight, you can begin to improve your health in a very relaxing and stress free way.
Se afișează postările cu eticheta healt. Afișați toate postările
Se afișează postările cu eticheta healt. Afișați toate postările
sâmbătă, 23 ianuarie 2010
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips called "tender points." People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms. Available data suggest that the number of persons aged 18 and older in the United States with fibromyalgia is approximately 3.7 million. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men may also be affected.
Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about what triggers the disease. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may result from an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other diseases. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing the disease. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain for at least 3 months in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and others in the medical support system, as well as the patient, may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. People with fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical therapy, and relaxation.
Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about what triggers the disease. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may result from an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other diseases. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing the disease. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain for at least 3 months in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and others in the medical support system, as well as the patient, may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. People with fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical therapy, and relaxation.
joi, 15 octombrie 2009
9 Things You Should Know About Alternative Medicine
1. What is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine is a variety of techniques that are outside the field of conventional medicine.
These techniques mostly focus on physical, energy and herbal remedies [Home herbal remedies].
These remedies attempt to be as natural and cost-effective as possible in order to compete with conventional medicines that often have a variety of side effects and enormous costs.
Alternative medicine usually follows one of two principles:
1. The body must be allowed to heal itself naturally.
2. The body needs to have a life force balance periodically restored.
2. Patients come first
As opposed to conventional medicine, in which the doctor decides the treatments, natural medicine is patient-first.
The idea is that patients should have a choice over the treatments that they receive and the doctors should recommend treatments. Luckily, many conventional health care centers are switching over to patient-centered treatments as well.
3. Heal, don’t harm
Many conventional treatments have an array of devastating side effects. Also, conventional treatments can have complications that can lead to problems that are even worse than the disease including death.
Alternative healers do everything they can to ensure that their treatments are almost 100% safe.
4. Patience is required
Unlike conventional treatments, which are expected to provide patients with quick relief, alternative methods focus on the body’s ability to heal itself, which generally takes longer. Also, alternative healing relies on coaching the patient through healthy life choices.
5. Use natural over synthetic
Treatments should mostly utilize ingredients that are found in nature rather than ingredients that are synthesized in a lab.
6. Improve general health instead of curing one disease
Alternative health is interested in overall health and well being. The idea is that the human body has the natural ability to heal most diseases and that treatments should facilitate this natural ability.
7. Alternative medicine is not a replacement for your doctor
There are some diseases that are genetic. Other diseases have progressed to a point where the human body cannot possibly heal the disease. Patients need to consult with their doctors before relying solely on an alternative health care treatment.
8. Alternative medicine must be researched
Alternative medicine should be researched for several reasons. Firstly, there are a large number of alternative health treatments and patients should be aware of which treatments they are best off putting their money towards. Secondly, some alternative medicine treatments can conflict with other treatments.
Using multiple herbs can lead to an excess of one nutrient or another, causing potential health problems. Thirdly, there are many alternative health practitioners who are bad at their practice.
You should research different alternative health practitioners to see which ones has the best reputation.
9. Not all insurance companies cover alternative health care
Check with your insurance company. Fortunately, most alternative healthcare methods are much cheaper than conventional methods.
Regular And Alternative Medicine Need To Be More Integrated
In the last ten years alternative treatments have become more universally accepted as an important part of the world of medicine.
More people are becoming open minded to these complementary therapies.Based at the University of Colorado Hospital, Dr. Lisa Corbin is the head of Integrative Medicine. She believes that there is a place for the blending of all available medicine to provide people with the best possible care available.
With a more positive attitude towards less conventional options like acupuncture, there will be a higher level of awareness by the general public.
Corbin has evidence to prove what she is saying, patients that have benefited from a combination of both mainstream and more alternative medicine.
Michelle Smith has been battling breast cancer for over five years, she is one of many now having acupuncture sessions as part of her chemotherapy course. It is the only solution to nausea besides taking yet another drug.
Smith states that without these various other treatments, she would not have been able to tolerate her long course of chemotherapy. Obviously the effect of any treatment including traditional ones is different for everyone.
However, at least therapy like massage and herbal remedies can be tried without the possibility of harmful side effects. Michelle Smith swears by her integrated treatment for her cancer and recommends that others try it for themselves.
Dr Corbin suggests that individuals should talk to their own doctor about the different treatments available to them. Once deemed too experimental or voodoo like, medicines of a more unusual nature are increasingly shown to be an essential part of today’s more evolved approach to health.
More people are becoming open minded to these complementary therapies.Based at the University of Colorado Hospital, Dr. Lisa Corbin is the head of Integrative Medicine. She believes that there is a place for the blending of all available medicine to provide people with the best possible care available.
With a more positive attitude towards less conventional options like acupuncture, there will be a higher level of awareness by the general public.
Corbin has evidence to prove what she is saying, patients that have benefited from a combination of both mainstream and more alternative medicine.
Michelle Smith has been battling breast cancer for over five years, she is one of many now having acupuncture sessions as part of her chemotherapy course. It is the only solution to nausea besides taking yet another drug.
Smith states that without these various other treatments, she would not have been able to tolerate her long course of chemotherapy. Obviously the effect of any treatment including traditional ones is different for everyone.
However, at least therapy like massage and herbal remedies can be tried without the possibility of harmful side effects. Michelle Smith swears by her integrated treatment for her cancer and recommends that others try it for themselves.
Dr Corbin suggests that individuals should talk to their own doctor about the different treatments available to them. Once deemed too experimental or voodoo like, medicines of a more unusual nature are increasingly shown to be an essential part of today’s more evolved approach to health.
marți, 13 octombrie 2009
Vitamin C May Boost Babies' Brain Health
New research shows that running low on vitamin C may hamper mental development in newborn babies.
In experiments on newborn guinea pigs, scientists discovered that animals with a moderate vitamin C deficiency had significantly worse spatial memory than guinea pigs fed a normal diet. What's more, the C-deficient animals had 30 percent fewer neurons (nerve cells) in the hippocampus (a region of the brain involved in forming, sorting, and storing memories).
About five to 10 percent of newborns in Western countries may suffer from vitamin C deficiency, the study's authors estimate. Since vitamin C deficiency may play a role in the development of learning disabilities, the authors add, it may be advisable for high-risk pregnant women to take a vitamin C supplement.
An antioxidant abundant in citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, and leafy greens, vitamin C has also been found to protect against gum disease and the common cold in previous studies.
Treating Dandruff Without Harsh Chemicals
You’ve just combed your hair and you notice small white flakes on your shoulders.
You have dandruff, a scalp condition characterized by flakes and itching.
There are a number of shampoos which contain chemicals that are designed to treat dandruff, but there are natural alternatives you may wish to try first.
One of the most versatile tools in your alternative medicine arsenal can also help you treat dandruff. That tool is the oil of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, or tee tree oil. The plant, which is a native of Australia, produces oil which is antiseptic and anti-fungal.
You can purchase shampoos that contain tea tree oil commercially, or you can try adding tea tree oil to your own mild shampoo. Add about 10 drops for every 8 ounces of shampoo. When shampooing the hair, massage the shampoo gently into the scalp, and then allow it to sit for several minutes.
You can also add some tea tree oil to your conditioner if you use one. Before using any product containing tea tree oil, test it on your skin to make sure your skin will not have a negative reaction. Avoid getting products containing tea tree oil into your eyes.
Other essential oils that can be helpful include rosemary and lemon. After shampooing and drying your hair (let it dry naturally when possible), rub a few drops of these essential oils into your scalp.
Remember to wash your combs and brushes with the same products you are using for your hair. Because dandruff is usually caused by a fungus, you need to make sure you kill any fungus that is lurking in your combs or brushes.
You can also treat your dandruff through diet. Make sure you are getting plenty of zinc and the B vitamins in your diet.
Focus on adding healthy fats, such as flaxseed oil, to your diet, and eliminating junk food and saturated fats, especially trans fats. Fenugreek supplements may also help; they are a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for dandruff.
There are several homeopathic remedies which may help cure dandruff. If your scalp is moist, oily, and sensitive near the hair roots, try taking 6C of Sepia three times a day for up to two weeks.
For thick dandruff, when washing the hair makes the scalp drier, a burning scalp, and itching that seems worse at night, try Sulphur. If you feel like you are being bitten by insects along your hairline, and heat makes your itching worse, try using Oleander.
You have dandruff, a scalp condition characterized by flakes and itching.
There are a number of shampoos which contain chemicals that are designed to treat dandruff, but there are natural alternatives you may wish to try first.
One of the most versatile tools in your alternative medicine arsenal can also help you treat dandruff. That tool is the oil of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, or tee tree oil. The plant, which is a native of Australia, produces oil which is antiseptic and anti-fungal.
You can purchase shampoos that contain tea tree oil commercially, or you can try adding tea tree oil to your own mild shampoo. Add about 10 drops for every 8 ounces of shampoo. When shampooing the hair, massage the shampoo gently into the scalp, and then allow it to sit for several minutes.
You can also add some tea tree oil to your conditioner if you use one. Before using any product containing tea tree oil, test it on your skin to make sure your skin will not have a negative reaction. Avoid getting products containing tea tree oil into your eyes.
Other essential oils that can be helpful include rosemary and lemon. After shampooing and drying your hair (let it dry naturally when possible), rub a few drops of these essential oils into your scalp.
Remember to wash your combs and brushes with the same products you are using for your hair. Because dandruff is usually caused by a fungus, you need to make sure you kill any fungus that is lurking in your combs or brushes.
You can also treat your dandruff through diet. Make sure you are getting plenty of zinc and the B vitamins in your diet.
Focus on adding healthy fats, such as flaxseed oil, to your diet, and eliminating junk food and saturated fats, especially trans fats. Fenugreek supplements may also help; they are a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for dandruff.
There are several homeopathic remedies which may help cure dandruff. If your scalp is moist, oily, and sensitive near the hair roots, try taking 6C of Sepia three times a day for up to two weeks.
For thick dandruff, when washing the hair makes the scalp drier, a burning scalp, and itching that seems worse at night, try Sulphur. If you feel like you are being bitten by insects along your hairline, and heat makes your itching worse, try using Oleander.
Using Silver And Tea Tree Oil To Fight Infections
Tea tree oil and silver (silver nitrate) are both known to be effective against common micro-organisms.
Low concentrations of the two ingredients together have increased antimicrobial activity.
The combination was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, the yeast which causes thrush.
Staph aureus is a common cause of infections and abscesses of the skin. In lab tests, the combination tea tree oil and silver nitrate mixture killed both pathogens.
Once the combination was shown to kill the pathogens, liposomes are used to deliver the mixture into infected wounds. Controlled release is available with the use of liposomes, which are made from naturally occurring fats or phospholipids.
Controlled release is important for several reasons. First, less concentrated amounts can be used and released slowly, which means decreased toxicity and decreased risk of side effects.
Tea tree oil can be irritating to the skin, especially when used in high concentrations. Silver can cause skin to become discolored, turning a bluish-gray color.
This new combination may be an effective treatment for MRSA, or methicillin resistant staph aureus, an increasing concern.
As we age, conditions like bedsores, or chronic leg ulcers, become more common. Traditional silver-based creams use high concentrations of the metal.
Products with a lower yet still effective amount of silver could be safer and more effective, while not damaging healthy skin in the surrounding area.
Low concentrations of the two ingredients together have increased antimicrobial activity.
The combination was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, the yeast which causes thrush.
Staph aureus is a common cause of infections and abscesses of the skin. In lab tests, the combination tea tree oil and silver nitrate mixture killed both pathogens.
Once the combination was shown to kill the pathogens, liposomes are used to deliver the mixture into infected wounds. Controlled release is available with the use of liposomes, which are made from naturally occurring fats or phospholipids.
Controlled release is important for several reasons. First, less concentrated amounts can be used and released slowly, which means decreased toxicity and decreased risk of side effects.
Tea tree oil can be irritating to the skin, especially when used in high concentrations. Silver can cause skin to become discolored, turning a bluish-gray color.
This new combination may be an effective treatment for MRSA, or methicillin resistant staph aureus, an increasing concern.
As we age, conditions like bedsores, or chronic leg ulcers, become more common. Traditional silver-based creams use high concentrations of the metal.
Products with a lower yet still effective amount of silver could be safer and more effective, while not damaging healthy skin in the surrounding area.
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