Tag: Asia

Learn about arthritis and how it can affect you

Learn about arthritis and how it can affect you
Dr Leong Y.H

‘Rheumatism’ is a traditional and non-specific term used in the East and West to refer to a variety of conditions affecting the bones, joints, skin, heart, kidneys, lungs. This term is rapidly falling out of favour in the West today because modern medical science has discovered that most of these conditions have different aetiologies (causes) requiring very different treatments.
You can say that it’s a word mainly used in Chinese (& traditional) societies; it’s also used by a minority of Westerners into homeopathic and alternative medicine. The only common characteristics among these conditions are: 1) they cause long-term chronic pain, and 2) they are very difficult to treat.
‘Arthritis’ is a broad term refers to inflammation of the joints, but doesn’t say anything about the cause. Includes conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infective arthritis, gouty arthritis, etc.
Generally, I’d divide arthritis into 2 big groups:
1) Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is primarily a ‘wear and tear’ condition affecting older people. Arises from overuse (e.g. marathon runners), previous injuries (football players), overweight, heredity.
A lot of older Asian women get OA of the knees while the Americans and Europeans get it in the hips. The pain is more mechanical than inflammatory. So you get pain in the later part of the day after a lot of walking and climbing stairs.
Because it’s mainly a mechanical problem, treatment with painkillers is only a temporary solution. Long-term lifestyle changes are more important – reduce weight, mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises, reduce all kinds of weight-bearing activities (walking, jumping, running, carrying heavy objects). In severe cases, surgery may be warranted.

2) Inflammatory (‘Rheumatic’) Arthritis
This group comprises the various types of arthritis which are mainly inflammatory , not mechanical, in nature. They usually result from an auto-immune condition, which causes the body’s immune system to go haywire and attack the joints and other parts of the body. E.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE (skin, kidneys, joints, brain), psoriasis (skin, joints), ankylosing spondylitis (back, heart), gout (joints, skin, kidneys), rheumatic heart disease/fever (joints, heart, skin). All these conditions require different forms of treatment.
I’ll talk a bit about RA, the commonest condition in this group. Unlike OA, RA can occur at any age and is usually hereditary (we now have a test for the RA factor in the blood). Pain is usually in the early morning, worse when it’s cold, and gets better with activity and use. That means an RA sufferer suffers from morning stiffness and pain, but gets better in the afternoon when it’s warmer and when he has moved around a bit.
Treatment, unlike OA, is mainly through drugs – painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids, cytotoxic drugs like sulfasalazine and MTX.
In Asia, treatment is mainly through accupuncture, medicated plasters and ointments. With the vast arsenals of drugs and non-drugs alternative treatments available today, RA can be controlled very well and the sufferer can actually lead a very active life. Many OA sufferers on the other hand may eventually require surgery since we don’t have very effective drugs for OA. About the Author
Dr Leong is a Western trained doctor with a keen interest in Chinese medical treatment. He contributes articles to http://www.quick-pain-relief.com. This article may be republished provided acknowledgement is made of the author and the original website.

Fish Oil, a Sign of Hope for Cardio Vascular Disease

Fish Oil, a Sign of Hope for Cardio Vascular Disease

Cardio vascular disease and Fish oil are currently two of today’s popular words that bear relation to pain and alternative treatment.

But to the uninitiated, they would aptly ask the question, “What are the healing benefits of Fish oil and what can it do to help someone with cardio vascular disease?”

This question can be answered by the thousands of cardio vascular sufferers who have benefited from the healing wonders of Fish oil, as well as with those who are currently undergoing treatment using this natural food supplement.

Apparently the most common benefits of Fish oil with cardio vascular is that it alleviates the major symptoms of the disorder, specifically since Fish oil is a highly effective method for treating the symptomatic conditions commonly found among cardio vascular sufferers.

The use of Fish oil supplements promote healing among its patients, and the process is usually done by ingesting the extract in capsule, pill or even powdered form.

For cardio vascular patients, the process involves daily intake of controlled and administered doses of the fish oil supplement.

The healing wonders of fish oil is believed to have originated from Asia, after noting that fishermen staying for long periods of time at sea and have mostly a regular diet of fish turn out to be more healthy and are less susceptible to . It was practiced by Buddhist monks for over a thousand years and was passed on through generations.

Fish oil practitioners reckon that it is a powerful healing process using natural universal energy that keeps us alive, and is the energy responsible for the body’s ability to heal itself. It is this energy that flows through the hands of what is called the ‘Fish oil channel’ in a concentrated and powerful energy form on to the body to correct the energy imbalance of the patient.

Although Fish oil is derived from deep sea fish and is not meant as a cure for diseases, it complements and can also work as a support mechanism to conventional disease treatment in cases where medication is generally required.

Specifically, Fish oil is not a cure for any disease, even cardio vascular disease, however, it’s healing benefits enhances over-all health and general well-being, as well as a cursory factor to living a healthy lifestyle, thus, relieving patients of stress and other pain-related symptoms.

Realistically, Fish oil is not for everybody, but the main focus of this therapy is that the cardio vascular patient should discipline themselves and take full responsibility for their own health, and that by giving one’s self up to take active and committed participation to allow self-healing, then can only Fish oil be fully embraced and allow the healing power to take its effect.

Cardio vascular disease affects millions of people in the United States, regardless of age or social status, and no studies have been established pinpointing to the very cause of the disease, except that it is closely associated to lifestyle, diet, genetic history, depression and stress.

Ideally, thousands of cardio vascular sufferers have benefited from Fish oil supplements and although it is not a proven cure-all for cardio vascular disease, it provides cardio vascular patients with the hope that there are alternative and holistic solutions to treating this disease. Be it Fish oil or conventional treatment, the final decision rests with the patient, whichever they find suitable and comfortable for them.

After all, fish oil is turning out to be a ray of hope for those with cardio vascular disease.

Advantages of a Detox Patch Foot Patch

Today, there are many different toxins and pollutants that can enter your body via various avenues. Providing an outlet to these materials can be a wonderful way of cleansing your body. Detoxifying your body using a detox foot patch is one of the great methods of achieving a cleaner body both in and out.

Take note, waste products which originated in your body are caused by various environmental factors. It includes toxins that are present in the air and foods being ingested. Well, the way to remove these unwanted materials is by using a detox foot patch.

A detox foot patch is an adhesive patch, square in shape attached by individuals underneath their foot keeping it in place overnight. The purpose behind using a detox foot patch as a means of body detoxification is to provide a waste product outlet that may hang around on the individuals body.

A detox foot patch contains natural ingredients which works in such a way that it detoxifies the body from pulling out different toxins that are causing stress, fatigue and other related health problems. In fact, this kind of foot patch is frequently used in various regions all over Asia. It even influences other continents because of the fantastic results shown. The success of using body detox foot patch for body detoxification is seen on its increased number of usage rate in Asia.

There are several advantages offered by a detox foot patch.

-It provides an effective way producing a body detoxification method on treating different symptoms of several ailments. Individuals who are using patches like this one attained a more relaxed, restful feeling and even help in curing minor health problems due to the elimination of large quantity of toxins that are present in their bodies.

-Most individuals who have used a detox foot patch find it comfortable. It also gives them relief. However, their prime reason is that it cleanses their entire body. Remember, overall cleansing of the body help individuals to achieve less stress, great overall health, and restfulness.

-A detox foot patch is convenient to use. Individuals can obtain the detoxification that they need while sleeping or working. Well, there is nothing to worry about even though you are doing other activities.

-A detox foot patch provides a non-messy method of achieving a totally cleansed body, free from toxins. It has no ointments or liquids to apply. You just simply stick it underneath your foot while working or sleeping. It is considered as an inventive and new treatment regimen and it also does not involve invasive procedure to clean the body. So, generally it attracts consumers in various countries although it has already been popular in Asia for so many years now.

-Using a detox foot patch to detoxify your body is very affordable. Reasonable prices can be obtained by purchasing the item. Most often, you can procure the treatment method at around 30 dollars to 40 dollars per box.

In summation, using a detox foot patch method for body detoxification can be a wonderful body cleansing experience. The advantages that it provides the users are great. The results can bring out the best in them. However, the decision lies in you. If you find the method appealing and effective, then it can really be worth trying.

Natural Toothache Remedies

Not many people are aware of the fact that several herbs can be used in the relief of toothache pain. Natural herbs such as cloves, calendula, tarragon, and yarrow can be used to help relieve th pain until you can get to the dentist. For many years, different cultures have counted on herbs to help get the pain of a toothache control and get temporary relief.

Native Americans for example, used the inner bark found in the butternut tree to their gums to get relief from toothaches. The butternut tree is found in North America, and is also the cousin of the black walnut tree. Butternut trees are found along rivers in well drained soil, rich woods, and even in back yards. Once the tree matures, it can reach heights of up to 60 feet, with the bark being light grey in color, and the leaves and the fruit resembling the black walnut tree. The bark of the tree can be applied to the gums, helping to alleviate toothache pain.

Yarrow on the other hand, can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It normally grows wild in meadows, fields, and in open wood lands. The root of yarrow, is what contains the anaesthetic effect. If you apply the fresh root of yarrow to your tooth or gums, it will help to stop the pain – until you can get an appointment with the dentist and get it taken care of.

The herb known as clove is an evergreen tree, native to tropical areas. These days however, it can be found throughout the world. As many already know, the dried flower bud of clove is what contains the medicine. The oil from clove, when used on a toothache, will help to stop the pain almost immediately. If you compare cloves to other natural toothache remedies, youll find clove to be the best.

For many years, natural herbs have been used to stop toothache pain. Hundreds of years ago, herbs were the only way to stop the pain. Dentists were just starting to come around, although they didnt have near the equipment and sophistication that they have these days. Even though teeth were pulled during these times, it normally happened with alcohol to numb the pain then pliers to remove the tooth.

Throughout the course of time, herbs have proven to be very effective with stopping toothache pain. If you are interested in herbs or have any questions about them, you shouldnt hesitate to ask your dentist his opinion. Dentists know herbs, and should be able to recommend natural remedies to you if you request them. The next time you experience the pain of a toothache – you should always remember that herbs are a great way to relieve the pain.