Friday, July 27, 2012

Homeopathic Remedies For Trigeminal Neuralgia - Why More Patients Prefer Them

Patients with trigeminal neuralgia are more inclined to choose homeopathic remedies over others. You only need to look at how many patients who are seeking a cure for their trigeminal neuralgia go out of the country and venture in far-flung places just to have homeopathic treatments. They no longer seem to mind that they have to spend a lot of money, time and energy; all they care about is finding the cure. We actually see people with trigeminal neuralgia leaving their western countries, and heading to the oriental countries which are known to be centers of excellence when it comes to homeopathic treatments. Importing of the homeopathic medicines have also become the norm among those who do not have the physical capability to make the trip. Unfortunately, the expenses are far greater. The question that needs an answer here is the one as to why homeopathic treatments for trigeminal neuralgia are so attractive to patients.

The first attraction of homeopathic remedies for trigeminal neuralgia that draws patients to it is the evidences that point to their effectiveness in actually solving the problem. There have been so many anecdotes and stories shared by many people who have tried - and failed - practically every conventional medical treatment there is for trigeminal neuralgia. And then, when they tried out homeopathic treatments, they saw a significant improvement and became even cured of their condition. Their firsthand knowledge of the pains that one with trigeminal neuralgia convinced them then to share their stories of how they prevailed over their illness. As a result, others who are also suffering from the same illness are convinced that they, too, could find the solution that they are seeking in the same manner that the others have tried.

For the most part, homeopathic remedies that are currently used to treat trigeminal neuralgia are safe, which is why patients are wanting more and more to try them out. There are a lot of oral medicines in the homeopathic system of medicine that can be effectively used by patients who are suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Surgery has its risks, but it is the main course of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia if you are to take the conventional medicine route. The benefits obtained from such (rather risky) surgical procedures are quite comparable with those which are obtained from the non-invasive homeopathic therapies. Common sense would dictate that the patients would prefer a procedure that is both non-invasive and safe.

The third attraction that homeopathic treatments hold for patients with trigeminal neuralgia is the cost. They are more cost-effective than conventional medical methods. If you are going to make use of conventional medicine methods, there are two approaches that are applicable. Medications and drugs are the first option. However, more often than not, they serve only to improve the condition. If you're looking for a complete cure, you won't find it with them. Surgery would be the other option. This approach is preferred because it is deemed to be a more permanent fix than medications. Both approaches are, however, not known to be cheap. Homeopathic remedies are, on the other hand, considered to be quite cost-effective (especially when one opts to take a long-term view of the whole thing). If you consult with practitioners of homeopathic medicine, you will find that they are very hard to find. When you do, they do not come cheap, either. However, if you get the simple prescriptions these practitioners provide, they are not at all complicated.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

What Keeps Your Heart Healthy?

Your most important organ, the heart, is also the key to a longer life. As much as it may want to, your heart cannot defend itself from the risk factors that endanger it, leaving it all up to you to keep it healthy and beating, supplying your organs with blood and keeping you alive. Factors that you have no control of such as age, genes, gender, living conditions, and other precipitating factors will have to stay as they are, which means you have to make use of the ability to control the predisposing factors, ones which you have full control of.

To keep your heart healthy, you have to take good care of it and avoid the things that may harm it. Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your heart healthy.

1. Maintain a healthy diet. A diet rich in fiber and omega-3 acids can help you maintain a healthier heart. On the other hand, a diet that's high in cholesterol and fats can make your heart weak, and can pose tons of major illnesses that your heart can't handle. A healthy diet can also strengthen most other organs in your body, making it a win-win situation for you.

2. Get enough sleep. Sleep helps improve your function and prevents clogging in the heart's arteries, making it work less and stay healthy. Studies have also linked good circulation to getting a few more hours of sleep every night.

3. Don't smoke. Or quit, if you're already one of the millions of people (and growing) who suffer an addiction to nicotine. The harmful chemicals found in cigarettes can seriously put your heart at risk in developing irreversible damage and tons of different serious illnesses.

4. Physical activity. Without this, your heart can suffer from different cardiovascular diseases. Exercise can make your heart stronger and more resistant to other risk factors. Just a few hours a day can mean a lot to your heart, so do yourself a favor and start moving to keep your heart healthy and strong.

5. Avoid excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol can help increase the good cholesterol in the heart, but too much of it can lead to heart failure and hypertension, making your heart tired and weak. That's no way of keeping your heart healthy.

6. Consult your doctor regularly. There's nothing like keeping track of your heart's activities, knowing about necessary precautions and knowing what to do, and what not to do. Who else can give you the best pieces of advice but a doctor?

Living a long life is one thing, living a healthy and long life is another. Being able to enjoy everything that life has to offer is possible as long as you have a healthy heart.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Variations of Urinary Incontinence

Simply stated, urinary incontinence involves the loss of capability to hold urine. This condition has long been perceived as a standard element of the aging process. Well this could not be further from the truth. Urinary incontinence is a medical disorder that affects men and women and can happen at different periods over the course of one's life for numerous reasons. It is of grave significance to see a physician as soon as this matter is identified. Obtaining an accurate analysis is essential to an effective treatment regimen. There are several forms of the disorder including bedwetting, developmental abnormalities, functional incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, stress incontinence, temporary incontinence and urge incontinence.

Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis is a genetic, anomalous sleep disorder. It strikes numerous school age children at an estimated rate of fifteen to twenty percent, as well as, materializing in adults. Bedwetting veers more towards boys than girls. It keeps one from responding to bladder pressure and can transpire countless times per week.

Developmental abnormalities can trigger urinary incontinence as a loss of bladder function from the nervous system due to injuries and disease. An irregular gap between the bladder and fistula can also be the culprit.

Functional incontinence is a mode of urinary incontinence that is inclined to ensue in the elderly or with persons who have a mental or physical disability that averts them from retaining control of the bladder muscles before reaching the restroom. Circumstances that can produce functional incontinence include Alzheimer's' disease, arthritis, Parkinson's disease and severe depression.

Mixed incontinence is noticed more frequently in women. It is a mixture of stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Origins of this ailment are related to a protruding bladder or vagina stemming from deteriorated muscles from childbirth or pregnancy.

Overflow incontinence is often attributed to deteriorated bladder muscles related to nerve damage from diabetes, kidney disorders and tumors, enlarged prostate glands in men or birth defects. The bladder is never completely empty. This results in either a continuously full bladder or a leaking bladder. This complaint is more commonplace in men and is rarely seen in women.

Stress incontinence is the most familiar form of urinary incontinence and is more widespread in men than in women. It is defined as an involuntary loss of urine due to waned pelvic floor muscles, weakening in the inside layer between the bladder and the vagina, and from an alteration in the location of the bladder. This type of urinary incontinence can arise due to sudden pressure on the bladder from physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting.

Temporary incontinence can be brief or very lengthy depending on changes in the body. It can often leave people with feelings of mortification. There are many causes including taking medications such as muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, diuretics, narcotics and antidepressants. Alcohol consumption, severe constipation, caffeine, over hydration, vaginal infections and urinary tract infections can also lead to this condition.

Urge incontinence consists of a frequent and sudden impulse to urinate with insufficient bladder control. This happens more with older people and bedwetting is often one of the effects. This disorder is also known as overactive or spastic bladder. It can also be a consequence of diseases such as uterine cancer, nervous system diseases like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's, stokes, inflammation of the prostate and urinary tract infections.

So many forms of urinary incontinence are instigated by additional underlying health illnesses. A medical doctor can give the best diagnosis and treatment options. Ignoring this dilemma is simply not an option.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Mold Exposure, Additional Health Risk for Officers Who Work Indoors

Police officers have arguably one of the most perilous occupations in the country. However, when we consider the dangers associated with this profession, our first thoughts typically turn to violence that has been known to happen during patrol, answering calls for assistance or taking down drug dealers. Still, the serious risks for officers are not limited to the threats of the field. Officers working indoors, particularly in drug vaults and evidence rooms, are exposed to totally different, but equally hazardous conditions.

While almost no one discusses these risks, the reality is that officers working behind the scenes are faced with health risks that those in the field do not encounter. Toxins such as chemicals fumes and particulates in the air are the cause of many illnesses that continue to plague individuals long after their initial encounter. However, the fumes and particles in the air are not the only issue; mold is one of the biggest problems.

How does mold get into these areas?

Intercepted drugs, stored in plastic evidence bags or containers, collect moisture and subsequently begin to grow mold. This group of molds that are known to cause significant health problems is known as Aspergillus. Able to grow on most any biological host, Aspergillus requires only minimal amounts of moisture to thrive. Thus seized marijuana, which even in a dried state may contain as much as 10-15% water, can promote an ideal environment for this toxic mold.

What are the long-term implications?

Through the handling evidence, spores are released into the air where they flow into the noses,, mouths and ears of law enforcement officers. This exposure can lead to cold and flu symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and stuffiness, skin problems, eye irritation and burning, and in some cases permanent damage to the lungs and respiratory system.

What can be done?

There are numerous ways to decrease the risk of exposure to the hazardous mold related to the seizure, documentation and disposal of drugs. Of course, one of the simplest solutions is to reduce the source of the mold. This can be achieved by more frequently disposing of drugs to reduce the amount of mold that grows in the first place. Another way to reduce the mold growth is by adding a drying chamber to drug vaults and drying plant-based drugs, such as marijuana, before they are put into storage containers. Additionally, seized prescription medications need to be properly sealed and stored in durable plastic garbage bags, to prevent them from ripping or tearing.

While the preferred method of storage is in plastic containers, some drugs are stored in glass containers. Though this might seem like a more secure way to store them, if the glass container breaks, the risk of exposure rises drastically. To combat this problem, glass containers should be wrapped in insulation, such as bubble wrap.

Mold needs a moist environment. Therefore, minimizing humidity will also minimize mold growth. Additionally, attention to the facility's ventilation system can considerably decrease the hazard of exposure to toxic mold. A consultation with a ventilation engineer may be the most effective way to ensure that the ventilation system is doing the best job possible.

Finally, when they are transporting drugs to and from the police department, officers should use a lockable enclosure to store them. This will minimize accidental exposure to many potential hazards.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Post Nasal Drip - The How And Why

You know how it is, you're about to embark on something good and, bingo the old problem of post nasal drip comes up.

Sniff it away if you must, but the pesky drip is gong to come back again and again.

The malady is common; It's extremely annoying but yes, it can be treated.

If taken lightly as to seasonal fluctuations or not treated, post nasal drip becomes chronic and with it come associated problems:

Bad breath - halitosis - is often blamed because of post nasal drip. Another problem is that of hoarseness. To sufferers these are embarrassing and they do not want any truck with these nasties.

All sorts of things are - and sometimes wrongly - attributed to PND.

Hay fever, a cold, dust, pollen etc. On top of that there's infection which can cause inflammation of the sinuses and even being p[regnant can cause pregnancy rhinus, a condition where the nasal passages are inflamed by the hormones going each and every which way.

Heard Of GERD?

Another reason for PNDis a nice, long medical term called, gastro esophageal reflux disease, Short title GERD. Victims know when they've got it because problems such as heartburn, regurgitation and trouble swallowing are prevalent.

Folks who have deviated septum -An abnormal condition in which the top of the cartilaginous ridge leans left or right, causing obstruction of the affected nasal passage - are also victims of post nasal drip.

When do you suspect you have It?

Well, according to some experts. Some people complain of having mucous adhering to the back of the throat bringing on a dry, persistent cough which manifests itself in the morning or when you're flat on your back at night. PND is also blamed for causing sleep troubles, and yes, even snoring. Victims often complain to their GP about lack of sleep and nausea caused by the mucous build-up. The dripping nose is there too.

You Can Fight It.

A lot of people ask what can they do combat this problem.

    Improve hydration and help combat the post nasal drip by having a humidifier operating at night, this aids in thinning out the thick mucous that causes post nasal drip. A good idea is to try this out before going for the over-the-counter medicines or aids.

    Drink more water - water virtually the panacea for a lot of ills and a good way to help beat post nasal drip.

    When on the water treatment ask your chemist/druggist about Guaifenesin-based medicines (such as Mucinex) - medicines that can be sold over-the-counter as either syrup or tablets. However! Please check with your doctor before doing so.

    Beat it through the nose. Yes, the good old nasal saline spray can work wonders.

Not all the remedies will work. Give the natural remedies and the drugstore supplied medication first. Give it a week and if symptoms persist, take a visit to your GP to sort out the problem. There are many causes of post nasal drip, but for your own peace of mind and well being, get your doctor to rule out nasal polyps, septum and other anatomical problems.