All of this Post is taken out of the AAMA website at www.medicalacupuncture.org
ACUPUNCTURE: WHAT IS IT?
Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.
The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.
WHAT IS MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE? IS IT DIFFERENT FROM ORDINARY ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a very old medical art, and there are many approaches to learning and practicing it. Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both as the need arises, to treat an illness.
WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE?
Medical acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:
promotion of health and well-being,
prevention of illness,
treatment of various medical conditions.
While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medial treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders.The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:
Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea.
Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections.
Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendinitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis.
Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems.
Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and emotional conditions.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, and for health
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENT?
Usually not. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to takeplace. Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. It is quite common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These pass within a short time, and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.
WHAT ARE THE NEEDLES LIKE? DO THEY HURT?
People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with cuttingedges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.
Because your doctor carefully sterilizes the needles using the same techniques as for surgical instruments, or uses disposable needles, there is no risk of infection from the treatments.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?
Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and physicians. Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time other techniques are being used, such as conventional Western medicine,osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic ornaturopathic prescriptions. It is important that your physician-acupuncturist know everything that you are doing, so he or she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.
DO I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN ACUPUNCTURE FOR IT TO WORK?
No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and other animals. These animal patients do not understand or believein the process that helps them get better. A positive attitude toward wellness may reinforce the effects of the treatment received, just as a negative attitude may hinder the effects of acupuncture or any other treatment. A neutral attitude ("I don't know if I really believe in this.") will not block the treatment results.
ARE THERE ANY "DO'S AND DONT'S" FOR ME ON THE DAY OF A TREATMENT?
Yes. To enhance the value of a treatment, the following guidelines are important:
Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.
Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or consume alcoholic beverages within 6 hours before or after the treatment.
Plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest, or at least not have to be working at top performance. This is especially important for the first few visits.
Continue to take any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor. Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) especially in the week prior to treatment, will seriously interfere with the effectiveness of acupuncture reatments.
Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your doctor to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to best help you and your problem
IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?
Some insurance companies currently cover acupuncture costs, other companies do not yet recognize the value of acupuncture. Each health policy must be reviewed to determine acupuncture benefits. More and more insurance companies are recognizing the value of providing coverage for medical acupuncture services. You can help by insisting that your insurance company offer you reimbursement for medically indicated acupuncture treatments before you accept their policy.
Integrative Medicine: A powerful and balanced combination of Western, Eastern and Alternative Medicine at your reach.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
10 Super Energizing Foods
Let’s review some of them
1. Green vegetables
These little wonders of nature hide under their vivid green skin, the entire complex of B vitamins as well as magnesium and iron. These vitamins and minerals can be found in all green vegetables, the leaders being broccoli, asparagus and spinach.
The constant intake of green vegetable in a raw or lightly steamed form guarantees a high amount of healthy energy.
2. Whole Cereals
The most advertised means of a energizing breakfast, the whole cereals are responsible for an energetic start of the day. The carbohydrates and sugar in them is released gradually during digestion and that is how these smart drops from the nature’s energy boost can help a person stay sharp and still be responsible with their diet. Most cereals, such as Cheerios, however only provide simple sugar which makes us gain weight. Try brands such as Kashi and Nature’s own.
3. Green parsley
These magical green leaves that seem so benign, when considering the nutrition factor, are a vitamin C bomb. The green parsley leaves have more vitamin C than the citrus fruit. Helps with cell regeneration and energy.
4. Fruits
It is common knowledge that fruits are a food group that guarantees an energy intake due to the fructose level and the vitamins they all carry. The most energizing fruit are grapes, peaches and citrus fruit dew to their high fructose content. The most fruits have a large content of vitamins, predominant C and through it a large energetic potential. Avoid juices as they do not provide with the same benefits as the fruits themselves.
5. Seeds
Most of the seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin are very rich in proteins and minerals and their presence in a person’s nutrition is an important source of energy. These little seeds are also a source of magnesium and iron.
The polyunsaturated fats they contain are benefit for the cardiovascular system and help the blood flow to the heart and brain.
6. Nuts
All nuts from peanuts to pistachio are an excellent source of minerals with a high nutrition factor. They contain vitamins A, B and E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. They fight against anemia and bring the body durable energy.
7. Green tea
The ancient source of energy that comes from the Asian countries has conquered the occidental shores creating a rave of fashion. This green elixir is a source of antioxidants and an important resource of energy for the entire body.
8. Honey
The “sweetness of the world”- honey maybe the most popular food ever since the concept of “healthy” became an issue in the nutritionist’s conversation. The best energetic content in a food item is the one provided by honey. Most honey in the USA is not made by bees, however, so please find a reputable source for your honey.
9. Coffee
It is only natural that the brain’s “alarm clock” should be on top of the nutrition energy providers. Coffee is known to boost up the attention, increase the brain activity, and improve the disposition. It’s pretty much our own adrenalin shot available in a hot steaming cup.
10. Figs and Dates
Used since the time of the Greeks and Romans to provide high quality energy during their exercise processes. They were the “energy bars” of the old times. They also provide fiber which will help you with bowel movements, and other vitamins.
Let’s review some of them
1. Green vegetables
These little wonders of nature hide under their vivid green skin, the entire complex of B vitamins as well as magnesium and iron. These vitamins and minerals can be found in all green vegetables, the leaders being broccoli, asparagus and spinach.
The constant intake of green vegetable in a raw or lightly steamed form guarantees a high amount of healthy energy.
2. Whole Cereals
The most advertised means of a energizing breakfast, the whole cereals are responsible for an energetic start of the day. The carbohydrates and sugar in them is released gradually during digestion and that is how these smart drops from the nature’s energy boost can help a person stay sharp and still be responsible with their diet. Most cereals, such as Cheerios, however only provide simple sugar which makes us gain weight. Try brands such as Kashi and Nature’s own.
3. Green parsley
These magical green leaves that seem so benign, when considering the nutrition factor, are a vitamin C bomb. The green parsley leaves have more vitamin C than the citrus fruit. Helps with cell regeneration and energy.
4. Fruits
It is common knowledge that fruits are a food group that guarantees an energy intake due to the fructose level and the vitamins they all carry. The most energizing fruit are grapes, peaches and citrus fruit dew to their high fructose content. The most fruits have a large content of vitamins, predominant C and through it a large energetic potential. Avoid juices as they do not provide with the same benefits as the fruits themselves.
5. Seeds
Most of the seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin are very rich in proteins and minerals and their presence in a person’s nutrition is an important source of energy. These little seeds are also a source of magnesium and iron.
The polyunsaturated fats they contain are benefit for the cardiovascular system and help the blood flow to the heart and brain.
6. Nuts
All nuts from peanuts to pistachio are an excellent source of minerals with a high nutrition factor. They contain vitamins A, B and E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. They fight against anemia and bring the body durable energy.
7. Green tea
The ancient source of energy that comes from the Asian countries has conquered the occidental shores creating a rave of fashion. This green elixir is a source of antioxidants and an important resource of energy for the entire body.
8. Honey
The “sweetness of the world”- honey maybe the most popular food ever since the concept of “healthy” became an issue in the nutritionist’s conversation. The best energetic content in a food item is the one provided by honey. Most honey in the USA is not made by bees, however, so please find a reputable source for your honey.
9. Coffee
It is only natural that the brain’s “alarm clock” should be on top of the nutrition energy providers. Coffee is known to boost up the attention, increase the brain activity, and improve the disposition. It’s pretty much our own adrenalin shot available in a hot steaming cup.
10. Figs and Dates
Used since the time of the Greeks and Romans to provide high quality energy during their exercise processes. They were the “energy bars” of the old times. They also provide fiber which will help you with bowel movements, and other vitamins.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Live to be 100 years!
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Would you like to live to be 100? You would be surprised at how many people would answer “no” to that question. Many people are in such poor health that it is a physical and emotional struggle to get through each day, let alone an entire century. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Actually, if we are living properly, enjoying the rich quality of life that we are entitled to, we should all be thrilled to live to 100! In fact, the hard part should be figuring out how to squeeze all of our goals and accomplishments into such a relatively short period of time.
It’s true that we are living longer than our ancestors, but while the medical profession is quick to point out that our lifespan is increasing, what remains hidden in the fine print is the atrocious quality of life that our senior population must endure. Twinkies® have a long shelf life, but it would be a stretch to call them healthy.
A balanced meridian system is the foundation of health and longevity, and it is like a bright light glowing deep within. Dim the light and your quality of life dims along with it. Extinguish the light and you die.
The key to living a long, healthy life is to maximize the function of the meridian system as long as possible. Acupuncture does exactly that.
Understand that longevity is built right now. Today. This very day is part of your 100 years. Your state of health at this moment is a result of your actions yesterday and the days prior. Your state of health tomorrow depends on what you do today.Health is not black and white. It is a continuum, with death at one end and complete wellness at the other end. We are never stagnant, we are constantly moving back and forth along the scale.
Every action you take either moves you toward health or away from it, and the key to longevity is to habitually engage in those activities that drive you in the right direction. Things like acupuncture treatments, daily exercise, proper nutrition, gratitude, a positive mental outlook, spiritual fulfillment, love, and so on.It’s been said that success is a journey, not a destination. The same can be said of longevity. If a long, healthy life is a goal of yours, then don’t just let your life play out and hope for the best. Longevity is not about dragging out an existence just to make it to a certain age. Longevity is a byproduct of living the right way every single day until, before you know it, a hundred years have passed.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
HEALTH AT ITS BEST REQUIRES MAINTENANCE!
| ARE YOU STUCK IN FIRST GEAR? |
But then you look around and notice that everyone else is whizzing right by you.
Determined to keep up with those around you, you take your car into the shop and have the mechanic give it a good once-over.
The mechanic finds that while you have been getting to where you need to be, you have been doing so while driving in only one gear.
In actuality, he discovers that your car has an entire set of gears that have never even been utilized!
Many people live out their lives the same way; stuck in first gear and never living up to their full potential; not quite hurting, but definitely not at their best. The problem is that while most people realize that they simply are not living up to par, they don’t know how to access their hidden gearbox to take their health to the next level.
These are the people that need to be under medical acupuncture care!
The old misconception that acupuncture care is just for those in pain or battling symptoms is quickly being exposed for the fallacy that it is.
Those who get the most out of their acupuncture treatments are the ones who take their care beyond the relief phase and work with their acupuncturist to maintain lifelong health and wellness.
The true essence of acupuncture actually has nothing to do with the treatment of pain and symptoms. Acupuncture treatments remove meridian system blockages by detecting and correcting imbalances in the meridian system. Symptoms are relieved as a byproduct of building a healthier body.
A blockage within the meridian system, ones that are continually out of balance, will never allow the body to run at maximum speed and efficiency. The blockage and imbalance in effect acts as a governor on your body’s engine, limiting it to a certain speed that it can’t rise above.
You are not designed to sputter through life in first gear. You are created to live all out at full throttle. Settle for any less and you not only short-change yourself, but also those who depend upon you.
Your meridian system is housing a whole new set of gears that most of us never even tap into. By unleashing the full scope of your body’s innate potential, acupuncture can help you take your health and your life to unparalleled heights. Come visit us and experience the difference!
Many people live out their lives the same way; stuck in first gear and never living up to their full potential; not quite hurting, but definitely not at their best. The problem is that while most people realize that they simply are not living up to par, they don’t know how to access their hidden gearbox to take their health to the next level.
These are the people that need to be under medical acupuncture care!
The old misconception that acupuncture care is just for those in pain or battling symptoms is quickly being exposed for the fallacy that it is.
Those who get the most out of their acupuncture treatments are the ones who take their care beyond the relief phase and work with their acupuncturist to maintain lifelong health and wellness.
The true essence of acupuncture actually has nothing to do with the treatment of pain and symptoms. Acupuncture treatments remove meridian system blockages by detecting and correcting imbalances in the meridian system. Symptoms are relieved as a byproduct of building a healthier body.
A blockage within the meridian system, ones that are continually out of balance, will never allow the body to run at maximum speed and efficiency. The blockage and imbalance in effect acts as a governor on your body’s engine, limiting it to a certain speed that it can’t rise above.
You are not designed to sputter through life in first gear. You are created to live all out at full throttle. Settle for any less and you not only short-change yourself, but also those who depend upon you.
Your meridian system is housing a whole new set of gears that most of us never even tap into. By unleashing the full scope of your body’s innate potential, acupuncture can help you take your health and your life to unparalleled heights. Come visit us and experience the difference!
10 FOODS YOU SHOULDN'T EAT
10 FOODS YOU SHOULD NOT EAT
Today we will go over a few big no-no’s with respect to nutrition. Hopefully this will help you choose your food better and eat healthier.
1.Chips
One ounce of potato chips has 152 calories and 10 grams of fat (three grams saturated). Absolutely no nutrition to it.
If you eat just three ounces a week, in one year you'll have consumed 23,400 calories and added about seven pounds to your waistline. And that’s from just a couple handfuls – which barely constitutes a full and satisfying snack for most of us.
2. Crackers and Cookies
Crackers and cookies are made with white flour, sugar and some fat. They carry no nutrition. They can have all the way from 10 ( Cracker ) to over 150 ( large snicker doodle cookie ) calories per piece, but beware! All of it will convert into sugar in your bloodstream, and will make you gain weight. This is not even considering the toppings you might add to them such as butter, cheese, jam, etc.
3.Doughnuts
White flour, vegetable shortening, white sugar… and deep-fried!
One glazed Krispy Kreme packs 200 calories and 12 grams of fat, including heart-stopping saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
An old-fashioned cake doughnut has 300 calories, 28 grams of carbohydrates and a whopping 19 grams of fat, including 5 grams of saturated fat and 4 grams of trans fat.
Only 30% of our calories should come from fat, says the American Heart Association. That’s about 65 grams in a 2,000-calorie daily diet. What they fail to mention is, that your fat should not be saturated or trans fat.
4. Fettuccine Alfredo
Strips of pasta drenched with butter, cream and parmesan cheese – what’s not to love? How about its fat and calories! A 3-ounce serving (about the size of your fist) has 543 calories and 33 grams of fat (19 of which are saturated). A regular serving is likely to have double or triple that amount. With just this meal, Soda and likely some bread you have eaten in one meal the amount of calories you should have eatn in one day.
5. Sausages
Whether you fry them for breakfast or boil 'em in beer, sausages are a health hazard.
A single pork link packs 217 calories and 19.5 grams of fat. And who eats only one?
6. Fried Chicken
A fried chicken breast has nearly 400 calories and 22 grams of fat. And we are not considering the mashed potatoes you normally eat with eat, or even worse, the fries and sodas. Try Grilled Chicken for a much lesser amount of fat.
7. Soda
Just one bottle ( 20 onz ) of regular coke has 65g of sugar packing 240 calories all from sugar. If you only drink 2 a week ( a very little amount for the average American ) you will drink over 23,000 Calories a year just in Soda.
8. French Fries
One large order (6 ounces) of fast-food fries from a typical commercial restaurant contains roughly 570 calories, half of which are from fat. (That's probably why we love them, and usually polish off the serving!)
If your restaurant order includes a large hamburger (such as Burger King’s Whopper), tack on 670 calories and 39 grams of fat.
9. Soft White Bread ( or Tortillas )
You may as well have a candy bar. A slice of white bread offers little more than 65 calories of white flour, a simple and rapidly digested carbohydrate that causes your blood sugar to rise and crash, like any simple sugar.And, because it has so few nutrients, white bread leaves you feeling hungry for the fiber and vitamins your body needs. Again, we are not considering you will only eat one or the content of your bread ( butter, cheese, etc ). Try eating whole wheat bread. It is considerably more expensive, but well worth the investment as it packs protein, fiber and it is much more filling than the white counterpart.
10. Fried Wontons
These delicate triangles, often filled with meat, shrimp or cream cheese, are deep-fried to a crispy crunch. Often served as appetizers, these bite-size morsels seem harmless, but pop a few too many in your mouth and they’ve added up to a whole meal.
Unfortunately, just four crab and cream cheese-filled wontons have 311 calories and 19 grams of fat - too greasy a treat for anyone trying to stay fit.
10 BEST SUPPLEMENTS
1. Fish Oil
Fish oil is known for delivering omega-3’s, essential fats that our bodies can’t make on our own so must get them from our diet. Even if you eat fish one to two times per week, you won’t be taking in enough omega-3’s to meet your body’s needs. By taking a high quality fish oil, you can reduce triglycerides, lower your risk of heart disease, improve recovery from exercise, protect your brain health, and potentially lower your risk of diabetes. Omega-3’s may even help with losing body fat. When choosing a supplement, pay seek brands that deliver a minimum of 2 g EPA and DHA (two of the three acids in omega-3s) daily.
2. Vitamin D
Plenty of data has suggested that the majority of Americans have less than optimal levels of Vitamin D. That’s not surprising – the nutrient is tough to get from food (though canned salmon, milk, and sardines are all good sources), and the only other method is sunlight. If you live north of Atlanta, the sun isn’t strong enough from November to March for you to make sufficient amounts. And even when you are outside, most people are covered with clothing and/or suntan lotion. Vitamin D is essential to ensure calcium absorption from the GI tract into the bloodstream, synthesis of cholesterol and sexual hormones. Most experts agree that supplementing with at least 1000 IU’s daily is a good start. For a better treatment, go to your PCP’s office and get a vitamin D level taken.
3. Whey Protein
Whey protein is not an essential supplement, but it is a good one to have on hand. Because whey is high in branched-chain amino acids, it can aid recovery from exercise. More importantly, whey protein is a quick, convenient source of quality calories. Add some to fruit or a scoop of nut butter and you’ve got a perfect on-the-go meal that takes 60 seconds to make.
4. Greens Products
While not a replacement for fruits and vegetables, Greens products (fruit and vegetable concentrates) are a good “insurance” policy if your produce consumption is lower than idea. Less than 6% of men and 9% of women aged 5 to 34 consume the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Greens can help fill this void. They’re especially handy when real produce is hard to come by, like during times of heavy travel. Very useful to ensure daily detox too.
5. Probiotics
The bacteria in your gut can influence your overall health, digestion and immune system. Probiotics can help replenish and nourish your internal supply of good bacteria, sometimes leading to less gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Aim for a product from a trusted brand that lists at least 5-10 billion organisms per serving. Keep it refrigerated after opening to protect those organisms.
6. Turmeric (Curcumin)
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian dishes, and a key component in the spice is curcumin. Hundreds have studies have suggested that curcumin possesses a wide range of beneficial health properties, including a 2010 study that suggested curcumin has anti cancer, anti viral, anti arthritic and anti inflammatory properties. The nutrient’s very strong anti inflammatory actions are seen as one of the primary drivers of these benefits. You could just add turmeric to your foods if you enjoy that flavor, or seek a curcumin supplement that delivers around 500 mg daily.
7. Cinnamon
Another powerful spice, cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any of the spices. Several studies have shown that cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity, which improves utilization of carbohydrates and leads to better blood sugar control. Sprinkle it in shakes, on oats, yogurt, cottage cheese or wherever you’d enjoy the added flavor. Or if you want the assurance of getting a specific dose, you can choose a supplement. Studies have shown that 1g daily (about 1/2 teaspoon) is sufficient. Note: Cinnamon comes in two varieties -- Ceylon and cassia cinnamon – and most benefits have been linked to the cassia variety. Another note: If you have blood sugar issues, exercise caution if combining cinnamon with other diabetes drugs or supplements for blood sugar control.
8. Magnesium
Useful in a large number of clinical situations. Well known to medicine are: Constipation, muscle pain and cramps, Asthma and Preeclampsia. Others include: arrhythmias, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, migraine, osteoporosis and others. Clinical and population-based studies have established links between inadequate magnesium intake and elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases. Less known are situations like: Aging, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, TMJ, kidney diseases, etc.
9. Coenzyme Q10/Ubiquinol
The ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10 has been shown to absorb into the blood stream 7x more effectively than ubiquinone ( Coenzyme Q10 ). Preventively, it may help with fatigue and muscle aches and pains. Clinically used to treat side effects from statins ( Cholesterol medication ) such as fatigue, muscle aches and pains and help reduce the possibility of liver dysfunction and rhabdomyalgia. It is the treatment of choice for heart failure in Israel and Japan, also treatment for hypertension and some forms of Parkinson’s disease.
10. Activated Folic acid ( Methyltetrahydrofolate )
Encourages overall good health by promoting cardiovascular health, mental function, detoxification, maintenance of DNA, prenatal health, and breast health. Depression helper, blood thinner, helps in neuropathic ( nerve pain ) pain. Most people cannot process regular folic acid.
10 FOODS WITH MORE ANTIOXIDANTS
Algae
Not necessarily the tastiest of foods, Algae like Chlorella and Spirulina are extremely rich in antioxidants and work well helping to detoxify your body from heavy metals. You can find them as capsules or pwder at your nearest Health food store or at our clinic.
Berries
Berries, including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and red currants, are especially rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Eat a handful of berries every day. You can include them in cereals and salads, eat berries instead of calorie-heavy desserts and use them to make smoothies for breakfast or a snack. Another way of taking these are by using a super food supplement.
Other Fruits
Plums and prunes, red grapes and raisins, oranges, cherries, apricots and apples are also good choices because of their high antioxidant levels. Including berries, eat four servings of raw fruit a day.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, rutabaga, turnip and other cruciferous vegetables not only contain antioxidant vitamins and minerals, they contain valuable fiber and help prevent cancer.
Other Vegetables
Colorful red, orange and purple vegetables contain a variety of antioxidants, especially tomatoes, red bell peppers, beets, sweet potato, eggplant and carrots. Leafy greens, especially spinach, round out the list of antioxidant vegetables. Eat five servings of vegetables every day, in a variety of colors.
Seasonings
Even the seasoning you choose can provide antioxidants. Garlic and onions, ground cloves, cinnamon and oregano top the list in antioxidants and can be included in every meal. Although you eat them in smaller amounts than other antioxidant foods, they still provide plenty of protection.
Tea, Red Wine, Chocolate
Green and black tea infusions provide similar antioxidant benefits because they are prepared from the same plant. Starting the day with a cup of tea gives you an antioxidant boost. Try ordering iced or hot tea instead of a soda with your meals. Red wine, like red grapes, has many antioxidants, and drunk in moderation, gives you protection against heart disease because of free radical damage. Unsweetened or bittersweet chocolate, like tea and red wine, contains antioxidants and makes a healthful drink if not overly sweetened.
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as quinoa, oats and brown rice provide antioxidants, minerals, fiber and protein. Choose whole grain breads, pasta, crackers and rice. Eat whole grains at every meal.
Nuts
Almonds and walnuts are especially nutritious. Eat about 1 oz. of nuts a day, a small handful, preferably raw or dry-roasted.
Oils
Olive oil (and olives), walnut oil, wheat germ oil and other vegetable oils not only contain antioxidants themselves, but they also help you absorb oil-soluble antioxidant vitamins in other foods. Fish Oil and Krill oil are also recommended.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Menopause
Menopause
Definition
Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period.
Menopause is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. Even so, the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause can disrupt your sleep, sap your energy and — at least indirectly — trigger feelings of sadness and loss. Menopause can definitively impact a woman's life.
Hormonal changes cause the physical symptoms of menopause, but mistaken beliefs about the menopausal transition are partly to blame for the emotional ones. First, menopause doesn't mean the end is near — you've still got as much as half your life to go. Second, menopause will not snuff out your femininity and sexuality, but can disrupt a female, specially if she is not prepared to manage it. In fact, you may be one of the many women who find it liberating to stop worrying about pregnancy and periods.
Most important, even though menopause is not an illness, you shouldn't hesitate to get treatment if you're having severe symptoms. Many treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy.
Symptoms
Technically, you don't actually "hit" menopause until it's been one year since your final menstrual period. In the United States, that happens about age 51, on average.
The signs and symptoms of menopause, however, often appear long before the one-year anniversary of your final period. This period is called PERIMENOPAUSE. They include:
■Irregular periods
■Decreased fertility
■Vaginal dryness
■Hot flashes
■Sleep disturbances
■Mood swings
■Increased abdominal fat
■Thinning hair
■Loss of breast fullness
When to see a doctor
It's important to see your doctor during the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) and the years after menopause (postmenopause) for preventive health care as well as care of medical conditions that may occur with aging.
If you've skipped a period but aren't sure you've started menopause, you may want to see your doctor to determine whether you're pregnant. He or she may take a medical history, do a pelvic examination and, if appropriate, order a pregnancy test.
Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause, as this may be a sign of a serious medical problem. You should not have any bleeding after menopause.
Causes
■Natural decline of reproductive hormones. As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation. During this time, fewer potential eggs are ripening in your ovaries each month, and ovulation is less predictable. Also, the post-ovulation surge in progesterone — the hormone that prepares your body for pregnancy — becomes less dramatic. Your fertility declines, partially due to these hormonal effects.
These changes become more pronounced in your 40s. Your menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually, your ovaries stop producing eggs, and you have no more periods. It's possible, but very unusual, to menstruate every month right up to your last period. More likely, you'll experience some irregularity in your periods, some will be long some will be short. Sometimes you will even miss period or periods.
■Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that removes your uterus, but not your ovaries, usually doesn't cause menopause. Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone. But an operation that removes both your uterus and your ovaries (total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) does cause menopause, without any transitional phase. Your periods stop immediately, and you're likely to have hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms.
■Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during the course of treatment or within three to six months.
■Primary ovarian insufficiency. Approximately 1 percent of women experience menopause before age 40. Menopause may result from primary ovarian insufficiency — when your ovaries fail to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones — stemming from genetic factors or autoimmune disease, but often no cause for primary ovarian insufficiency can be found.
Stages of menopause
Because the menopausal transition occurs over months and years, menopause is commonly divided into these stages:
■Perimenopause. This is the time you begin experiencing menopausal signs and symptoms, even though you still menstruate. Your hormone levels rise and fall unevenly, and you may have hot flashes and other symptoms. Perimenopause may last four to five years or longer. During this time, it's still possible to get pregnant, but it's quite unlikely.
■Postmenopause. Once 12 months have passed since your last period, you've reached menopause. Your ovaries produce much less estrogen and no progesterone, and they don't release eggs. The years that follow are called postmenopause.
Complications
Several chronic medical conditions can develop after menopause:
■Cardiovascular disease. When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women as well as in men. Yet you can do a great deal to reduce your risk of heart disease. These risk-reduction steps include stopping smoking, reducing high blood pressure, getting regular aerobic exercise, and eating a diet low in saturated fats and plentiful in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
■Osteoporosis. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. Postmenopausal women are especially susceptible to fractures of the hip, wrist and spine. That's why it's important during this time to get adequate calcium and vitamin D — about 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D daily. It's also important to exercise regularly. Strength training and weight-bearing activities, such as walking and jogging, are especially beneficial in keeping your bones strong.
■Urinary incontinence. As the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose their elasticity, you may experience a frequent, sudden, strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence).
■Weight gain. Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition. You may need to eat less — perhaps as many as 200 to 400 fewer calories a day — and exercise more, just to maintain your current weight.
Tests and diagnosis
The signs and symptoms of menopause are enough to tell most women they have begun going through the menopausal transition. If you have concerns about irregular periods or hot flashes, talk with your doctor. In some cases further evaluation may be recommended.
Under certain circumstances, your doctor may check your level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol) with a blood test. As menopause occurs, FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test to determine your level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, because hypothyroidism can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause.
Treatments and drugs
Menopause itself requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and on preventing or lessening chronic conditions that may occur with aging. Treatments include:
■Hormone therapy. Estrogen therapy remains, by far, the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes. Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose needed to provide symptom relief for you. These come with their own side effects and risks such as blood clots, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, etc.
■Low-dose antidepressants. Venlafaxine (Effexor), an antidepressant related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been shown to decrease menopausal hot flashes. Other SSRIs can be helpful, including fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, others), citalopram (Celexa) and sertraline (Zoloft).
■Gabapentin (Neurontin). This drug is approved to treat seizures, but it also has been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes.
■Clonidine (Catapres, others). Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, may significantly reduce the frequency of hot flashes, but unpleasant side effects are common.
■Bisphosphonates. Doctors may recommend these nonhormonal medications, which include alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva), to prevent or treat osteoporosis. These medications effectively reduce both bone loss and your risk of fractures and have replaced estrogen as the main treatment for osteoporosis in women.
■Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). SERMs are a group of drugs that includes raloxifene (Evista). Raloxifene mimics estrogen's beneficial effects on bone density in postmenopausal women, without some of the risks associated with estrogen.
■Vaginal estrogen. To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered locally using a vaginal tablet, ring or cream. This treatment releases just a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissue. It can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and some urinary symptoms.
Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Fortunately, many of the signs and symptoms associated with menopause are temporary. Take these steps to help reduce or prevent their effects:
■Cool hot flashes. Get regular exercise, dress in layers and try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather and even a warm room.
■Decrease vaginal discomfort. Use over-the-counter water-based vaginal lubricants (Astroglide, K-Y) or moisturizers (Replens, Vagisil). Staying sexually active also helps.
■Optimize your sleep. Avoid caffeine and plan to exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation, can be very helpful. You can find a number of books and tapes on different relaxation exercises. If hot flashes disturb your sleep, you may need to find a way to manage them before you can get adequate rest.
■Strengthen your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, called Kegel exercises, can improve some forms of urinary incontinence.
■Eat well. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and that limits saturated fats, oils and sugars. Aim for 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D a day. Ask your doctor about supplements to help you meet these requirements, if necessary.
■Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause. It's never too late to benefit from stopping smoking.
■Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days to protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions associated with aging. More vigorous exercise for longer periods may provide further benefit and is particularly important if you're trying to lose weight. Exercise can also help reduce stress.
■Try yoga. Preliminary studies show that yoga — an exercise regimen that involves controlled breathing, posing and meditation — may be effective in decreasing the number of hot flashes in perimenopausal women. Yoga classes are often offered at health clubs or through community education programs. Sign up for a class to learn how to perform yoga postures and breathing correctly.
■Schedule regular checkups. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have mammograms, Pap tests, lipid level (cholesterol and triglyceride) testing and other screening tests.
Alternative medicine
Many approaches have been promoted as aids in managing the symptoms of menopause, but not all of them have scientific evidence to back up the claims. Below are some complementary and alternative treatments that have been or are being studied:
■Phytoestrogens. These estrogens occur naturally in certain foods. There are two main types of phytoestrogens — isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found in soybeans, chickpeas and other legumes. Lignans occur in flaxseed, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables. Whether the estrogens in these foods can relieve hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms remains to be seen. Most studies have found them ineffective. Isoflavones have some weak estrogen-like effects, so there's some concern about cancer risk. If you've had breast cancer, talk to your doctor before supplementing your diet with isoflavone pills.
■Vitamin E. This vitamin occasionally provides relief from mild hot flashes for some women. However, scientific studies haven't proved its overall benefit in relieving hot flashes, and taking more than 400 international units of vitamin E supplements daily may not be safe.
■Black cohosh. Black cohosh has been used widely in Europe for treating hot flashes and has been popular among women with menopausal symptoms in the United States. While its safety record has been good, there's no longer much reason to believe that it is effective for menopausal symptom relief.
You may have heard of — or even tried — other dietary supplements, such as dong quai, licorice, chasteberry, evening primrose oil and wild yam (natural progesterone cream). Although some might swear by these remedies, scientific evidence of their safety and effectiveness is lacking.
Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments or dietary supplements for signs and symptoms of menopause. Herbal products can interfere or interact with other medications you may be taking.
You can buy a very good ebook that addresses menopause at this address:
http://www.medicaldocs.net/index.php?option=com_hikashop&view=product&layout=show&Itemid=8
Definition
Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period.
Menopause is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. Even so, the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause can disrupt your sleep, sap your energy and — at least indirectly — trigger feelings of sadness and loss. Menopause can definitively impact a woman's life.
Hormonal changes cause the physical symptoms of menopause, but mistaken beliefs about the menopausal transition are partly to blame for the emotional ones. First, menopause doesn't mean the end is near — you've still got as much as half your life to go. Second, menopause will not snuff out your femininity and sexuality, but can disrupt a female, specially if she is not prepared to manage it. In fact, you may be one of the many women who find it liberating to stop worrying about pregnancy and periods.
Most important, even though menopause is not an illness, you shouldn't hesitate to get treatment if you're having severe symptoms. Many treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy.
Symptoms
Technically, you don't actually "hit" menopause until it's been one year since your final menstrual period. In the United States, that happens about age 51, on average.
The signs and symptoms of menopause, however, often appear long before the one-year anniversary of your final period. This period is called PERIMENOPAUSE. They include:
■Irregular periods
■Decreased fertility
■Vaginal dryness
■Hot flashes
■Sleep disturbances
■Mood swings
■Increased abdominal fat
■Thinning hair
■Loss of breast fullness
When to see a doctor
It's important to see your doctor during the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) and the years after menopause (postmenopause) for preventive health care as well as care of medical conditions that may occur with aging.
If you've skipped a period but aren't sure you've started menopause, you may want to see your doctor to determine whether you're pregnant. He or she may take a medical history, do a pelvic examination and, if appropriate, order a pregnancy test.
Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause, as this may be a sign of a serious medical problem. You should not have any bleeding after menopause.
Causes
■Natural decline of reproductive hormones. As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation. During this time, fewer potential eggs are ripening in your ovaries each month, and ovulation is less predictable. Also, the post-ovulation surge in progesterone — the hormone that prepares your body for pregnancy — becomes less dramatic. Your fertility declines, partially due to these hormonal effects.
These changes become more pronounced in your 40s. Your menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually, your ovaries stop producing eggs, and you have no more periods. It's possible, but very unusual, to menstruate every month right up to your last period. More likely, you'll experience some irregularity in your periods, some will be long some will be short. Sometimes you will even miss period or periods.
■Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that removes your uterus, but not your ovaries, usually doesn't cause menopause. Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone. But an operation that removes both your uterus and your ovaries (total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) does cause menopause, without any transitional phase. Your periods stop immediately, and you're likely to have hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms.
■Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during the course of treatment or within three to six months.
■Primary ovarian insufficiency. Approximately 1 percent of women experience menopause before age 40. Menopause may result from primary ovarian insufficiency — when your ovaries fail to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones — stemming from genetic factors or autoimmune disease, but often no cause for primary ovarian insufficiency can be found.
Stages of menopause
Because the menopausal transition occurs over months and years, menopause is commonly divided into these stages:
■Perimenopause. This is the time you begin experiencing menopausal signs and symptoms, even though you still menstruate. Your hormone levels rise and fall unevenly, and you may have hot flashes and other symptoms. Perimenopause may last four to five years or longer. During this time, it's still possible to get pregnant, but it's quite unlikely.
■Postmenopause. Once 12 months have passed since your last period, you've reached menopause. Your ovaries produce much less estrogen and no progesterone, and they don't release eggs. The years that follow are called postmenopause.
Complications
Several chronic medical conditions can develop after menopause:
■Cardiovascular disease. When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women as well as in men. Yet you can do a great deal to reduce your risk of heart disease. These risk-reduction steps include stopping smoking, reducing high blood pressure, getting regular aerobic exercise, and eating a diet low in saturated fats and plentiful in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
■Osteoporosis. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. Postmenopausal women are especially susceptible to fractures of the hip, wrist and spine. That's why it's important during this time to get adequate calcium and vitamin D — about 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D daily. It's also important to exercise regularly. Strength training and weight-bearing activities, such as walking and jogging, are especially beneficial in keeping your bones strong.
■Urinary incontinence. As the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose their elasticity, you may experience a frequent, sudden, strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence).
■Weight gain. Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition. You may need to eat less — perhaps as many as 200 to 400 fewer calories a day — and exercise more, just to maintain your current weight.
Tests and diagnosis
The signs and symptoms of menopause are enough to tell most women they have begun going through the menopausal transition. If you have concerns about irregular periods or hot flashes, talk with your doctor. In some cases further evaluation may be recommended.
Under certain circumstances, your doctor may check your level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol) with a blood test. As menopause occurs, FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test to determine your level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, because hypothyroidism can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause.
Treatments and drugs
Menopause itself requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and on preventing or lessening chronic conditions that may occur with aging. Treatments include:
■Hormone therapy. Estrogen therapy remains, by far, the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes. Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose needed to provide symptom relief for you. These come with their own side effects and risks such as blood clots, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, etc.
■Low-dose antidepressants. Venlafaxine (Effexor), an antidepressant related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been shown to decrease menopausal hot flashes. Other SSRIs can be helpful, including fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, others), citalopram (Celexa) and sertraline (Zoloft).
■Gabapentin (Neurontin). This drug is approved to treat seizures, but it also has been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes.
■Clonidine (Catapres, others). Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, may significantly reduce the frequency of hot flashes, but unpleasant side effects are common.
■Bisphosphonates. Doctors may recommend these nonhormonal medications, which include alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva), to prevent or treat osteoporosis. These medications effectively reduce both bone loss and your risk of fractures and have replaced estrogen as the main treatment for osteoporosis in women.
■Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). SERMs are a group of drugs that includes raloxifene (Evista). Raloxifene mimics estrogen's beneficial effects on bone density in postmenopausal women, without some of the risks associated with estrogen.
■Vaginal estrogen. To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered locally using a vaginal tablet, ring or cream. This treatment releases just a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissue. It can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and some urinary symptoms.
Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Fortunately, many of the signs and symptoms associated with menopause are temporary. Take these steps to help reduce or prevent their effects:
■Cool hot flashes. Get regular exercise, dress in layers and try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather and even a warm room.
■Decrease vaginal discomfort. Use over-the-counter water-based vaginal lubricants (Astroglide, K-Y) or moisturizers (Replens, Vagisil). Staying sexually active also helps.
■Optimize your sleep. Avoid caffeine and plan to exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation, can be very helpful. You can find a number of books and tapes on different relaxation exercises. If hot flashes disturb your sleep, you may need to find a way to manage them before you can get adequate rest.
■Strengthen your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, called Kegel exercises, can improve some forms of urinary incontinence.
■Eat well. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and that limits saturated fats, oils and sugars. Aim for 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D a day. Ask your doctor about supplements to help you meet these requirements, if necessary.
■Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause. It's never too late to benefit from stopping smoking.
■Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days to protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions associated with aging. More vigorous exercise for longer periods may provide further benefit and is particularly important if you're trying to lose weight. Exercise can also help reduce stress.
■Try yoga. Preliminary studies show that yoga — an exercise regimen that involves controlled breathing, posing and meditation — may be effective in decreasing the number of hot flashes in perimenopausal women. Yoga classes are often offered at health clubs or through community education programs. Sign up for a class to learn how to perform yoga postures and breathing correctly.
■Schedule regular checkups. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have mammograms, Pap tests, lipid level (cholesterol and triglyceride) testing and other screening tests.
Alternative medicine
Many approaches have been promoted as aids in managing the symptoms of menopause, but not all of them have scientific evidence to back up the claims. Below are some complementary and alternative treatments that have been or are being studied:
■Phytoestrogens. These estrogens occur naturally in certain foods. There are two main types of phytoestrogens — isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found in soybeans, chickpeas and other legumes. Lignans occur in flaxseed, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables. Whether the estrogens in these foods can relieve hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms remains to be seen. Most studies have found them ineffective. Isoflavones have some weak estrogen-like effects, so there's some concern about cancer risk. If you've had breast cancer, talk to your doctor before supplementing your diet with isoflavone pills.
■Vitamin E. This vitamin occasionally provides relief from mild hot flashes for some women. However, scientific studies haven't proved its overall benefit in relieving hot flashes, and taking more than 400 international units of vitamin E supplements daily may not be safe.
■Black cohosh. Black cohosh has been used widely in Europe for treating hot flashes and has been popular among women with menopausal symptoms in the United States. While its safety record has been good, there's no longer much reason to believe that it is effective for menopausal symptom relief.
You may have heard of — or even tried — other dietary supplements, such as dong quai, licorice, chasteberry, evening primrose oil and wild yam (natural progesterone cream). Although some might swear by these remedies, scientific evidence of their safety and effectiveness is lacking.
Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments or dietary supplements for signs and symptoms of menopause. Herbal products can interfere or interact with other medications you may be taking.
You can buy a very good ebook that addresses menopause at this address:
http://www.medicaldocs.net/index.php?option=com_hikashop&view=product&layout=show&Itemid=8
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Fibromyalgia Pain: Do We Know the Source?: Trauma as Precipitating Event for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
This is a piece of news that doesn’t surprise me a little. Very well known and very common. The other big source for fibro are surgeries.
Fibromyalgia Pain: Do We Know the Source?: Trauma as Precipitating Event for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Many patients with FMS report pain precipitating events, particularly physical or emotional traumas, infections, or surgeries.[47] These stressors seem to result in high degrees of pain, disability, life interference, and affective distress, as well as low levels of physical activity.[48] Some of the strongest evidence supporting the association of trauma and FMS symptoms was obtained during prospective studies of adults with neck injuries.[27] Compared with adults with lower-extremity fractures or ankle injury, neck trauma carried a more than ten-fold increased risk of developing FMS within 1 year of their injury.[49,50] Additional evidence supporting such an association include post-injury reported sleep abnormalities,[51] local injury sites as a source of chronic distant regional pain,[52] and recent evidence of extensive CNS neuroplasticity in FMS.[53] Chronic pain after neck injury raises several important questions including the role that the location of injury plays for long-term outcome. Obviously, there is something different between neck and leg trauma. One important fact may be related to the difference in local pain sensitivity with neck and upper chest area showing decreased mechanical pain thresholds compared with the lower extremities. Further prospective studies, however, are needed to confirm this association and to identify whether trauma plays a causal role for FMS pain.[54]
Published in MEDSCAPE
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Great American Malady
Hello again.
Trying my best to publish on the blog as my time allows.
This Great American Malady, otherwise known as GAM, is an entity that we all know about. It likely is a part of our burden about living in a western society. Everything needs to be done faster, we need to be stronger and outsmart everyone else.
Ever experienced neck and shoulder pain? How about a headache? Palpitations? How about a queasy stomach before presenting an important lecture? How about IBS or heartburn? And finally who is not fatigued, tired or plainly exhausted on a daily basis? Some of these conditions even coexist in the same patient.
These apparently disconnected array of symptoms do make sense if you look at them through Chinese Medicine. The theory to use is called 5 elements and has got to do with the Chinese Meridians too.
On this theory, Liver rises... which makes the heart rise. Liver also invades spleen and makes stomach Qi rebel. An excess Heart decreases Lung Qi and the final result is that Kidney Qi is depleated. Symptomatically an excess liver means neck and shoulder muscle contractions and headaches. Heart excess symptomatically means palpitations, Spleen invasion by liver means IBS, Stomach rebelious Qi means heartburn, nausea and vomiting, depletion of Qi in lungs means skin problems or lung issues and finally Kidney depletion will mean fatigue.
Of course, the treatment is with Acupuncture or Chinese Herbs. This treatment applies almost to everyone that lives on a modern city that has work and house pressure and demands and that lives looking at the hour every fifteen minutes.
I invite you to go to your Medical Acupuncturist nearby to get a treatment, and if you live in Oregon, to stop by the clinic. We can definitively help you with this very common problem.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Battlefield Acupuncture: A quick solution to pain
On attending the 2010 American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Symposium, I happened to attend Dr. Niemtzow's presentation of Battlefield Acupuncture. He published a paper dealing with the basic principles of Battlefield Acupuncture in 2001.
This auriculotherapy technique produces a significant attenuation of pain when tiny gold ASP needles are inserted into specific points in the ear following a prescribed sequence: Cingulate Gyrus, Thalamus, Omega 2, Shenmen, and Point Zero.
When Dr. Helms, my Acupuncture Teacher began his course, back in 2004, he told us that after the course, we would never see medicine the way we used to to. And he was right, or course. Physician Acupuncturists such as myself have a broader perspective of medicine than traditionally trained docs. However, what I saw that afternoon in Orlando, Fl was very impressive. In front of hundreds of Physician Acupuncturists he did treatments on about 6 of us, pain went from moderate to severe ( variety of conditions, such as headaches and backpain ) to gone in seconds after Battlefield Acupuncture was tried on them.
At first, I was very incredulous ( I should know better by now! ). I brought the system to my acupuncture practice in Bandon and it worked like a charm. It is impressively effective in eliminating pain.
Dr. Niemtzow's explanation upon how this works is by neural pathways that actually connect the ear to the central nervous system. There needs to be further clinical trials, but the way it looks now, it does offer a great potential to help treat pain.
For more information about Battlefield Acupuncture visit us in our clinic if you live in Oregon. If not, visit your Medical Acupuncturist closer to you trained in it.
Carlos A. Suarez MD, DABMA
Visit Dr. Niemtzow's WEB: www.n5ev.com
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