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Remedy For Knee Pain – Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain

irwanlib2063 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:45:45 +0000

Remedy For Knee Pain, Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain – We bend them, kneel on them, run and jump on them daily, yet few of us give them a second thought. Knees are the most complex bodily part — and most injury-prone — joints in your body. Why? Unlike the more stable hip joint, which is a ball in a deeply-cushioned pocket, the knee joint is more exposed and more vulnerable.

Remedy For Knee Pain, Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain - As the knee straightens and bends, the kneecap slides up and down in the groove. The kneecap acts like pulley, increasing the power of the muscles attached to it. A tendon attaches the kneecap to the thigh muscles above, and a ligament connects it to the shinbone below.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Imagine, the knee cap as a puppet controlled by “strings”: muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As long as all of the strings pull in just the right way, the kneecap moves back and forth smoothly in its track. But if any string pulls not hard enough or too strongly, the kneecap is pulled out of its track and can no longer glide easily against the thighbone, which can cause pain and may even damage the kneecap.

The health and proper function of your knees depends on a number of factors including muscle strength, muscle flexibility, joint mobility, and gait pattern. If any one of these factors are compromised, you’ll be vulnerable to pain and injury.

If the supporting musculature of the knee joint is weak, more of the stress incurred by the knee will be transferred to its ligaments. Also if the major muscles that act on the knee are inflexible, it will increase the strain on the knee joint, the tendons attached to the muscles, and the muscles themselves. A lack of mobility in the hips and ankles will also increase the strain on the knee and exacerbate all of the problems listed above.

While knee problems can result from injuries such as falls, automobile accidents, and athletic injuries or diseases like osteoarthritis or arthritis. The vast majority of knee problems are caused from overstressing the knee, especially during strenuous physical activity such as running, climbing, or other repetitive, high-impact exercise. Poorly conditioned leg muscles also stress the knees.

Obesity is also one of the cause of knee pain. Carrying around a lot of excess weight puts additional pressure on the knees. Even a drop of ten to twenty pounds will make a big difference in the amount of strain that is put on the muscles of the knee. As an added incentive, the changes in diet and exercise required to effect a weight decrease will also provide a number of other health benefits for the body, including an increased ability to fight off inflammation in the joints.

Remedy For Knee Pain, Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain – Pain in the knees is particularly a serious problem faced by the obese as well as older people. Sometimes it becomes so severe that it incapacitates people in bed. Age related wear and tear of the knee — known as Osteoarthritis(OA) is mainly responsible for this. Although common, many people are not aware of the solutions that are currently available. Proper medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle modification and sometimes surgery can help stop or lessen the pain.

In Bangladesh, approximately 10 million people are suffering from Osteoarthritis. Women suffer more — 2 out of 3 women over the age of 65 have osteoarthritis. More than half of all men over the age of 65 have osteoarthritis. With the increasing longevity of life, the problem will multiply itself within a very short time. Osteoarthritis occurs when the knee undergoes age-related wear and tear around its joint. Almost every one is affected by it to some extent, as they grow older.

Osteoarthritis can also occur in weight bearing joints mainly hips and ankles. This form of arthritis slowly and gradually breaks down the overlying bony ends which forms the joint. With osteoarthritis, the smooth surface of bones becomes rough and pitted. In advanced stage it may wear away completely. Without the normal gliding surface the bones, eroded bones grind against one another causing pain, swelling, restricted knee motion, crispy sound inside the joint and sometimes bowing of the knees.

In addition to age related wear and tear, athletes, laborer and highly physically active persons often stress their knee joints that lead to prolong wear and tear, which places them at increase risk of developing arthritis.

Arthritis has been linked with joint injuries and damaging events like fractures and infections that can harm the internal tissues of the joints. Individuals who experience repeated knee injuries are much more likely to develop osteoarthritis as they get older.

Lack of exercise can weaken the thigh muscles that support the knee joints, eventually making the under-used joint stiff, painful and dysfunctional. Lastly, heavy individuals are at increased risk of developing osteoarthritis, because their knees become strained by excessive weight. Research indicates that people who are overweight as young adults are likely to develop osteoarthritisof the knees as they age.

“When and how would I understand that I have osteoarthritis?” is a common question I face in my clinical practice. People start limping and the knee may become swollen with fluid. There may be a reduction in the range of motion of the affected knee — the knee bends less than normal and may lose the ability to completely straighten out. Finally, as the condition becomes worse, the pain persists all the time and may even keep you awake at night.

Repeated knee pain is the main symptom. It tends to be worse after activity. Knee stiffness occurs after rest, the joint feels stiff and it hurts to get going after sitting for any length of time. In time, the joint gets stiffer and you are unable to fully straighten or bend the joint. Knee swelling is also common especially after excessive activity. Knee bowing is seen if osteoarthritis is severe, your joint may become deformed what we call bowlegged.

Most people suffering from osteoarthritis can be treated by non-surgical means which include pain killer, physiotherapy, life style modification and injection in to the knees. Unfortunately if the medical measures are not successful in relieving pain, surgery may be considered. Among the surgical options, arthroscopic washout of the knees is relatively new method in Bangladesh used to relieve pain for sometimes.

When medical measures and arthroscopic washout fail; knees become progressively worsened both in pain and deformity, total knee joint replacement are the better option which is now being done in state-of-the-art hospitals under skilled care of experienced Knee Consultants.

While exercise may seem like a painful way to deal with knee pain, the fact is that stretching and working the muscles of the knee can have a beneficial effect in many cases. Strengthening the hamstrings with simple stretching exercises will help prevent the knee from freezing up. Since the knee depends a great deal on strong ligaments and muscles to operate properly, simple limbering exercises that are not done in excess can have a beneficial effect on knee pain. Before beginning any type of knee pain regimen, however, be sure to consult your physician and make sure the steps you have in mind are right for your condition.

Remedy For Knee Pain, Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain - Regular and correct exercising will help to strengthen the knee and also make it more flexible. Here are some easy exercises that you can do at home:

Knee extensions exercise

Sit on a chair and keep a stool in front of you.
Place one leg on the stool. Hold the sides of the chair and gently press your knee toward the floor.
Hold the position for a few seconds and repeat again and then change legs and repeat the same way.
Do this ten times on each leg.
Now remove the stool and sit on the chair Raise one leg at a time and bring it down.
When the leg is lifted hold it for a few counts before bringing it down.
Repeat this exercise ten times on each leg and do it at least three times a day as it will help strengthen the knees.
Again while sitting on the chair; take a long towel and place it below the sole of one foot.
Gently pull the cloth from both ends so that your leg lifts up.
Hold this pose for a few counts and repeat on the other leg.
The leg must be raised not more than four inches off the ground. Again using the towel place it on the sole of the foot.
Hold the towel from the ends and try to straighten the knee by lifting the leg. Once the leg is outstretched push the sole of your foot on the towel for much as you can.
Repeat five to six times on each leg.

Remedy For Knee Pain, Helpful Remedies For Knee Pain - If these exercises are done regularly and correctly you will find tremendous improvement in your knee joints and the pain and swelling will be reduced considerably. As your knee joints get more flexible you can increase the amount of exercise you are doing.

Source: The Daily Star, by Dr. M. Ali

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Causes For Lower Back Pain – Beware Your Gait Causes For Lower Back Pain

irwanlib2063 — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:29:33 +0000

Causes For Lower Back Pain - On a daily basis, you walk more than any other physical activity. How you walk defines most everything about you, including predisposition to pain, athletic prowess, and health with respect to aging. Most people have something in their style of walking; i.e. an extreme foot turn-out, locked knees, a weak abdomen, that elicits imbalance in their body. The way you walk is in fact the actual culprit in why you have pain.

Causes For Lower Back Pain - Your walk involves several body parts, all interacting together to produce your style of head carriage, shoulder girdle, arm swing, hip movement, knee action, and the way you plant your foot. It’s as natural as breathing, and if any of your six (two ankles, two knees, two hips) weight bearing joints is just the tiniest bit askew, or crooked, you’re at risk for structural pain. Realize that one minor walking error repeated millions of times can do an incredible amount of damage to your muscles, nerves, and joints, eventually causing incredible pain. For your information, the average adult takes approximately 2500 steps per day per foot! That’s a lot of chances to either strengthen a joint and the muscles around it or wear them down!

A poor walking pattern can give rise to a host of problems affecting the spine and hips. Walking is an activity that comes so naturally that few ever give much thought to it. But a poor walking gait – due to injury, disease or poor habits – can throw the whole body out of balance. This could give rise to numerous problems affecting the back and hips.

Women who wear high heels, for instance, are at risk of such problems. Wearing high heels places more stress on the forefoot and shortens the calf muscle.

The woman will also tend to arch her lower back, thereby increasing the natural ‘S’ shape of the spine. This makes it less effective at absorbing shock from the ground when walking, said Mr Paul Richards, a physiotherapist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). This is why some women suffer lower back pain after prolonged wearing of high heels.

The gait, or the pattern of movement of the limbs, is a repetitive motion cycle in which one leg gives the body support while the other swings forward and makes contact with the ground. The ideal gait is one which enables the body to move smoothly using the least amount of energy, said Ms Malia Ho, a podiatrist at Novena Medical Centre. This requires the cooperation of the whole body. Mr Richards said: ‘If one part of the body is not functioning properly, particularly in the lower limb area, the whole body can be thrown out of alignment.’

If left untreated, a misaligned gait can lead to aches and pains in the musculoskeletal system. A poor gait can result in an increased risk of injury, falls and a degenerative joint disease called osteoarthritis.

Chronic gait problems can also accelerate the degeneration of the spinal disc and cause arthritis in the spine, said Dr Tan Jee Lim, an orthopaedic surgeon at Gleneagles Medical Centre.

Ms Melissa Phua, a senior podiatrist at TTSH, said: ‘The worst thing that can happen is when a poor gait causes injury and severe pain.’ Over time, ‘a poor gait increases energy expenditure and increases oxygen demand, which might reduce the person’s tolerance to activity’, said Mr Anirban Banerjee, a physiotherapist at National University Hospital.

Anyone who has ever had a stiff knee would understand how exhausting an abnormal gait can be. One has to swing the stiff knee outwards to clear the ground whereas a normal person would simply bend the knee, said Dr Tan.

Such swinging of the leg outwards requires an abnormal movement of the hip and spine which, on a prolonged basis, would give rise to hip and spine problems, he said. People with bow legs, knock knees and musculoskeletal trauma like broken bones are more likely to have a poor gait. Stroke patients who lose their ability to move their limbs also tend to have poor walking patterns.

Physiotherapists or podiatrists can help to improve their motion through physical therapy.

Flat feet can also be a risk factor for an abnormal walking gait. This is because the problem can affect the alignment of the feet and the way the knees move when a person walks, said Dr Jason Chia, head of the sports medicine and surgery clinic at TTSH.

Depending on the root cause of the poor gait, treatment may vary from strengthening exercises to assistive devices, such as those worn by people with flat feet to correct their arches and therefore their gait.

Common signs of a poor gait are pain or aches in certain joints during or after walking. ‘You may also feel that your foot, knee or hip is not moving in the way that it should,’ said Mr Robert Ashton, a podiatrist at a podiatry center in Forum The Shopping Mall.

The soles of one’s footwear could give clues about one’s gait. If the sole of one shoe is wearing out more than the other, it may point to an imbalance in the pressure exerted by the two feet, Mr Ashton said.

Causes For Lower Back Pain – It is important to keep one’s body in a well-conditioned state. This includes no slouching when walking, said Ms Phua. Mr Richards said regular stretches and exercises, like squats, can help to correct poor posture and muscle imbalances. ‘For older people, it may be helpful to do some simple simple balance training,’ he added.

Source: The Straits Times – by Jonathan Liautrakul

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Advantages Of Exercising – Exercise And Health Benefits

irwanlib2063 — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:13:14 +0000

Advantages of exercising to your health benefits are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability.

Advantages of exercising – Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out how exercise can improve your life.

Physical activity contributes to health by reducing the heart rate, decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, and reducing the amount of bone loss that is associated with age and osteoporosis. Physical activity also helps the body use calories more efficiently, thereby helping in weight loss and maintenance. It can also increase basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, and helps in the reduction of body fat.

Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can’t do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

Exercise on Cancer

A number of studies have indicated that regular, even moderate, exercise may reduce the risk of colon cancer and, in fact, any cancer related to obesity. A number of studies have also suggested that regular exercise, particularly if it is vigorous, reduces risks against breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Indeed, a 2004 study showed that prostate cancer cells have a 27% reduction in growth when exposed to exercise serum (blood serum taken from patients who exercise) compared to control serum, suggesting that exercise changes blood chemicals to be less hospitable to cancer cells.

Several studies are underway to measure the effect of exercise on patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Even though preliminary, they already suggest that exercise has a positive physical, mental, and emotional effect. Exercise can improve physical strength, functional capacity, and the ability to battle the negative side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and fatigue. More studies are warranted.

Exercise improves cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular health – Lack of physical activity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercising makes your heart, like any other muscle, stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort.

Cholesterol lowering effect – Exercise itself does not burn off cholesterol like it does with fat, however, exercise favorably influences blood cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.

Blood pressure lowering – The way in which exercise can cause a reduction in blood pressure is unclear, but all forms of exercise seem to be effective in reducing blood pressure. Aerobic exercise appears to have a slightly greater effect on blood pressure in hypertensive individuals than in individuals without hypertension.

Reduced risk of stroke – Research data indicates that moderate and high levels of physical activity may reduce the risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic strokes.

Exercise help control and prevent diabetes

Scientists and doctors have already proven that there is strong evidence that moderate physical activity combined with weight loss and a balanced healthy diet result in improved insulin resistance and a lower risk of diabetes by 50-60%. Now a new study, conducted by UCLA scientists, suggests that their may be a correlation between increasing muscle mass and lowering insulin resistance.

Exercise improves balance and prevent falls in elderly

Exercise improves Muscle strength

Health studies repeatedly show that strength training increases muscle strength and mass and decreases fat tissue.
Exercise improves Bone strength

An active lifestyle benefits bone density. Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation, delays bone loss and may protect against osteoporosis – form of bone loss associated with aging.

Exercise improves the Gastrointestinal Tract

Endurance athletes often report gastrointestinal distress, such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas, even at rest. Experts suggest, however, that moderate regular exercise, might reduce the risk for some intestinal disorders, including ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, and diverticulosis. For example, in one 2000 study, exercise was associated with a lower risk for ulcers in men (although not in women.) Older people who exercise moderately may have a lower risk for severe gastrointestinal bleeding.

Exercise lower Neurologic Diseases and Mental Decline

A 2001 study reported that older people who regularly exercised had lower rates of mental deterioration, Alzheimer’s, and dementia of any type. Aerobic exercise is linked with improved mental vigor, in all people, including reaction time, acuity, and math skills. Exercising may even enhance creativity and imagination. According to one study, older people who are physically fit respond to mental challenges just as quickly as unfit young adults. Another study found that walking regularly protects women from mental decline, and in fact, the more they walked per week, the more protection they enjoyed. (Stretching and weight training appear to have no such effects.) A 2004 study showed that exercise can reverse a high-fat diets harmful effects on neurologic function.

Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

Exercise boosts energy

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

Exercise promotes better sleep

Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life

Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may maintains or improves sex life. But there’s more to it than that. Physical improvements in muscle strength and tone, endurance, body composition and cardiovascular function can all enhance sexual functioning in both men and women. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. Researchers revealed that men who exercise regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction and impotence than are men who don’t exercise.

Exercise benefits on Pregnancy

Good regular exercise during pregnancy can reduce the time of your labor, improve the outcome of your pregnancy and decrease the risk of complications including low-birth weight babies. This not only helps you but your child as well as exercising increases the fetal heart rate, which in turn protects the baby.

The benefits of prenatal exercise are many. For instance, you’ll get a better posture and reduce discomforts and pains such as backaches or tiredness. But keep in mind, you should not exercise at the same rate you did before your pregnancy. At the most you should do only low-impact exercise such as yoga, pilates or easy aerobics.

Healthy women with normal pregnancies should exercise at least three times a week, being careful to warm up, cool down, and drink plenty of liquids. Many prenatal calisthenics programs are available.

Specific exercises may be particularly beneficial:

Aerobics. Either brief periods of intense training or prolonged aerobic workouts can raise chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, that produce the so-called runners high. And, of course, weight loss and increased muscle tone can boost self-esteem.

Yoga. Yoga practice, which involves rhythmic stretching movements and breathing have been found to positively affect mood and may have clinical potential as a technique for improving and stabilizing mood. One study, in fact, suggested that men actually may have better results with yoga than with aerobic exercise. In the study men experienced significantly lower levels of tension, fatigue, and anger after yoga than after swimming. (Yoga and swimming tended to produce equal benefits in women.)

Advantages of exercising and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.

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Fingernails And Health

irwanlib2063 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:01:29 +0000

Fingernails and health – Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health?

Fingernails and health - The condition of our nails corresponds to our internal organs, and body functions. The color and condition of your nails is a reflection of the quality of the blood that nourishes them. They are reflections of your total health. A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body, food intolerance or nutritional imbalances. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

Fingernails and health – When you care for your nails and hands, you must first note carefully that the appearance and color have changed since changes may signal the existence of a condition more or less serious. Despite its apparent solidity, nail is actually quite vulnerable to external environment, and so does the internal functioning of the body. Repeated aggression, lack of care or not, too many treatments, affect the nail, marking it clearly. Fatigue, poor diet, no daily intake of protein, vitamins and minerals, also influences the structure of the nail and, consequently, its resistance. Of course, they add real potential diseases that result in fingernails color change or producing micro-lesions that reflect a poor health of the body.

The nails on our body are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin that’s also found in our skin and hair, and are made up of six parts. This grows from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticles. This is another area where fungus can form and you can begin to have ridges on your fingernails.

Nails grow at a rate of around 1 mm per week – that’s twice the rate of toenails – and take around six months to grow from bottom to top. As a result they act as a map revealing your physical health and general well-being.

Healthy nail beds are pink due to the rich blood supply underneath them. Depending on their shape, texture and color, your nails can provide important clues to underlying disorders, food intolerance, nutritional imbalances or more obviously, an accident.

White Spots

Tiny white splotches dotting otherwise healthy-looking pink nails are not normally a sign of anything serious. Most often, those spots are the manifestation of some type of trauma to the nail. If you injure the nail matrix—the area at the base of the nail where new nail cells are created—you’ll see the results of that trauma show up as white spots as the nails grow out.

But if you’re certain you didn’t injure your nails and you are noticing recurring white spots, it could be symptoms of a serious disorder – but in most cases are caused by iron or zinc deficiency. There are several other causes—including the skin conditions psoriasis and eczema, or a diet that’s deficient in the mineral zinc (found in whole grains, poultry and seafood).

Show high content of sugar from alcohol, fruit and chocolate. Also indicates lack of zinc which is needed for mineral breakdown in the process of digestion. Eat zinc-rich foods such as whole grains and chicken and also, consider taking zinc supplements.

White nails

If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this might indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. Indication lack of iron and poor circulation where the blood is not reaching the end of your fingers. ‘Build blood by increasing your magnesium intake,’ recommends naturopath Cornelis Van Dalen.

Dark red nails

Can result from high content of fatty acids and cholesterol due to excess of dairy, sugar and salt. This can lead to an under-active liver and blocked arteries. Replacing refined foods with whole grain rice and bread. Also flush out the system with plenty of fresh vegetables and at least five glasses of water per day.

Red-purple nails

Indicate an upset digestive system caused by over consumption of sugar, pharmaceutical drugs, fruits and juices. Avoid tropical fruit – which hold a high content of sugar – and eat plenty of seasonal vegetables, whole grains and pulses.

Yellow nail syndrome

Yellow discoloration in your fingernails may result from a respiratory condition, such as chronic bronchitis, or from swelling of your hands (lymphedema). In yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken and new growth slows, resulting in discoloration. Nails affected with this condition may lack a cuticle and may detach from the nail bed in places.

Although this condition is often a sign of respiratory disease or diabetes, it’s possible to have yellow nails and not have a respiratory condition. Yellow nails may also result from any condition that causes the growth of your nails to slow down.

Nail pitting

When the normally smooth surface of the fingernail has several small dents or pits in it, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that starts in the nails 10% of the time. The inflammatory skin condition—it shows up as red, scaly patches on the skin—can also affect the skin cells in the nails. Instead of growing out smoothly, the surface of the nail takes on a dented appearance. Once the psoriasis is treated and under control, nails will slowly return to normal. (Since nails only grow about a millimeter per week, it will take a few months for the old, pitted nail to fully grow out and be replaced with a healthy one.)

Gnawed nails

Biting your nails may be nothing more than an old habit, but in some cases it is a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. Nail biting or picking has also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you cannot stop, it is worth discussing with your doctor.

Nail clubbing

Clubbing occurs when the tips of your fingers enlarge and your nails curve around your fingertips. This condition results from low oxygen levels in your blood and could be a sign of lung disease. Clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.

Spoon nails

A healthy nail has a specific shape—slightly raised in the middle, then curving down a bit at the tip.Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. As with many health problems, it can take months of iron deficiency before the problem shows up in the nails. And when the anemia is corrected, it will take awhile for normal-shaped nails to re-grow.

Terry’s nails

With the condition known as Terry’s nails, your nails look opaque, but the tip has a dark band. Sometimes this can be attributed to aging. In other cases, it can be a sign of serious illness, such as Congestive heart failure, Diabetes, Liver disease, Malnutrition.

Beau’s lines

Beau’s lines are indentations that run across your nails. They can appear when growth at the area under your cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness. Diseases or illnesses associated with Beau’s lines include:

Uncontrolled diabetes
Circulatory diseases, such as peripheral artery disease
Illness associated with a high fever, caused by pneumonia, scarlet fever, mumps or measles
Malnutrition

Nail separates from nail bed

With a condition known as onycholysis, your fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed. If your nails show signs of detaching, this may be associated with:

Injury or infection
Thyroid disease
Drug reactions
Reactions to nail hardeners or acrylic nails
Psoriasis

Peeling

The nail plate is made up of several layers of keratin (a protein). Ideally, those layers are sealed together to form a unified, strong nail. But when nails aren’t protected—your hands are in water a lot, or exposed to cold, dry air—those layers tend to delaminate. The result is nails that are likely to peel. The main reason why most people face the problem of peeling nails is lack of protein. The ones who are facing the problem of nail peeling have to make sure that they add a good amount of fruits, vegetables and some supplements that could strengthen the nails on the overall basis.

Reactions to Climate Changes: There are many people who are quite sensitive to climatic changes and this leads to chipped and peeling nails. All those who feel that the cold weather leaves them with peeled nails have to make sure that their hands are properly moisturized and covered when they step out of their house.
Reaction of Medicines: – Any one who is taking some medicines also need to take care of nails as there are many that leave the nails chipped. It is better to speak to the doctor regarding side effects of the prescribed medicines as this would help one to take the medication that does not leaves the nails peeled.
Excess exposure to chemicals: – It is better to wear gloves and take necessary precautions if ones work involves exposure to any hard chemicals. It is better to keep the hands well moisturized as most of the times dry hands also lead to flaky nails.
In water for too long: – If the job involves wetting of nails on regular basis, it is always better to dry the nails properly using a soft towel. All those who immerse their hands in water on a regular basis have to make sure that they do not leave their hands dry overnight. It is better to apply olive oil on the hands while going to bed.

Brittle nails

By some estimates, about 20 percent of women suffer from a condition called “brittle nail syndrome.” While it may sound like just a fancy name for nails that break easily, the causes go deeper than that. Brittle nails are ones that can’t hold on to moisture, so the layers of the nail plate dry out and crack. Medically speaking, it’s possible for an under-active thyroid to cause both dry skin and brittle nails. Nutritionally, a diet low in iron can cause nails to become thin, brittle and easily broken (eating more green, leafy vegetables, red meat and eggs will help boost your iron intake). Biotin supplements (a B-complex vitamin) have also been shown to improve the condition of brittle nails. And your habits play a role as well. The main culprit: excessive exposure to water. Constantly wetting and drying your hands (and nails) can make brittleness worse. Indicate liver congestion from lack of vegetables, pulses and fish.

Cracked or split nails

Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.

Horizontal ridges

Horizontal lines/indentations can be caused by moving from a warm climate to a cold climate. They can also be caused by a change in the way you are eating. These line/ridges take time to appear, so this can be an indication of past dietary problems, which will take time to clear up as long as you are feeding your body a balanced and healthy raw/vegan diet. I’ve seen people change to a raw/vegan diet and yet they are still not balanced because they eat mostly what I call raw junk. So please make sure that you are eating properly. Indicate high levels of stress.

Vertical ridges

Vertical lines/ridges are a result of nutrient imbalances, over intake of carbohydrates and salt, under intake of protein and fats. Point to congested liver, kidneys, digestion tract and liver stagnation.

Anyway, irrespective of whatever story your nails convey it really feels good to have well groomed finger nails. A healthy diet is the key yet sometimes we need a little boost and supplements rich in Vitamin B, potassium, iron and calcium such as soy products, celery, eggs, sea food or fish oil, which can help your fingernail health tremendously. The right vitamins and minerals is not only good for your nails, you will help your fingernails and health together.

Fingernails and health – To maintain healthy fingernails, avoid infections, and improve nail appearance, try the following tips:

Keep your nails clean and dry.
Avoid nail-biting or picking.
Apply moisturizer to your nails and cuticles every day. Creams with urea, phospholipids, or lactic acid can help prevent cracking.
Manicure at least once in a month is a good idea for maintaining the nails well and pampering them.
File your nails in one direction and round the tip slightly, rather than filing to a point.
Don’t remove the cuticles or clean too deeply under your nails, which can lead to infection.
Don’t dig out ingrown toenails. See a dermatologist if they become bothersome.
Avoid nail polish removers that contain acetone or formaldehyde.
If you have artificial nails, check regularly for green discoloration (a sign of bacterial infection).
Eat a balanced diet and take vitamins containing biotin.
Giving your nails a regular massage is also a great way to help give you healthy fingernails.

Fingernails and health – In Conclusion, the condition of our nails corresponds to our internal organs, and body functions. Therefore when a certain nail shows some problem or condition, (like white line/spots, ridges etc), it is a sign that the corresponding organ or energy is unbalanced. To maintain your healthy fingernails over time, ask your doctor to take a look at them during your next checkup. Your thumb/nail corresponds to your lungs, the index finger – the large intestine, the middle finger – your heart, the ring finger – triple heater, the baby finger – your heart and small intestine.

Remember our external appearance always reflects our internal condition.

by Irwanlee

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Fall In The Elderly – When The Aged Fall

irwanlib2063 — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:29:04 +0000

Fall in the elderly is becoming a major health issues and is the leading cause of injury-related of 65 years old according to the National Safety Council. Every year, more than 500,000 Fall in the elderly end up in accident and emergency departments after a fall. Falling is not an inevitable result of aging, but the risk of falling increases as people get older. The fact of the matter is that everyone is susceptible to a fall regardless of his/her age. Although persons of all ages do fall at one time or another in their lives, the elderly are more likely to become victims. Why are the elderly particularly at risk for falls? What can be done to prevent such falls?

Fall in the elderly can be markers of poor health and declining function. When you are still young and fit, picking yourself up after a fall is effortless and may result in nothing but a few bruises. However, this is not the case for the aged person, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among elderly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control, and a significant factor in nursing home admissions. Two-thirds of all falls occur in the home. Some cause disability which may fracture the bones and change their entire life and even a loss of independence.

Falls in the elderly patients occurs due to various reasons such as age-related vision diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. The limitations will hinder the ability to safely moving around in their surroundings, regardless it be in their own home or in a shopping mall. At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home; the most common hazard for falls is tripping over objects on the floor. Other factors include poor lighting, unsturdy furniture, lack of grab bars or poorly mounted grab bars, and loose rugs.

As people get older, they are more likely to suffer from a variety of chronic medical conditions that often require taking several medications. People with chronic illnesses that affect their circulation, sensation, mobility, or mental alertness as well as those taking some types of medications are more likely to fall as a result of drug-related side effects such as dizziness, confusion, disorientation, or slowed reflexes.

Due to hormonal changes, calcium and vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis or lost in bone density is the culprits cause of fractured in elderly, especially among women. Lack of exercise regularly might results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength, and loss of bone mass and flexibility which all contribute to falls and the severity of injury due to falls.

Drinking alcoholic beverages also increases the risk of falling. Alcohol slows reflexes and response time; causes dizziness, sleepiness, or lightheadedness; alters balance; and encourages risky behaviors that can lead to falls.

What can be done to prevent such falls?

One of the best defenses against such possible hazards that accompany aging is exercise. Importantly, the level of exercise must be set appropriately to the health of the senior. Not only does exercise maintain strength and coordination, but this combination is one of the best defenses against accidental injuries. Benefits to the overall body are numerous and include: increased strength of heart muscle, increased blood flow to some organs, increased endurance, improved overall breathing and blood flow, decreased blood pressure, increased joint flexibility and strength, decreased vulnerability to bone fractures, improved digestion and excretion, increased bladder control, improved or maintained elasticity of the lungs, chest, ribs and diaphragm, improved circulation of air in the lungs, strengthened breathing muscles, maintained number and function of sweat glands, and the slowing down of the drying of the skin.

Eat Healthy Meals, good nutrition will help keep up strength, resistance and sense of balance. Eliminating unnecessary medications and getting regular eye exams and physicals are top recommendations for preventing falls among elderly.

Falling are often due to hazards that are easy to fix. Here are some useful tips to minimize the risk of falling and breaking a bone at home:

Keep all rooms free from clutter, especially the floors.
Don’t put electrical and telephone cords across pathways.
Improve the lighting, use bright light bulbs in your home.
Use night lights in your bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways.
Keep a flashlight, making sure with fresh batteries beside your bed at all times.
Keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery.
Avoid shiny tiles, especially kitchen and bathroom floors which might become slippery from moisture.
Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes with nonskid soles, even at home. Avoid walking around in socks, stockings, or floppy, backless slippers.
Avoid wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up.
Check that all carpets or rugs have skid-proof backing and are tacked to the floor.
Install grab bars put in your bathtub, shower and toilet area.
Use a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub.
Have handrails put on both sides of stairways with adequate lit.
Fix loose or uneven steps.
Keep stairways free of obstacles.
Never rush up or down your stairs. Rushing is a major cause of falls.
Have sidewalks and walkways repaired so that surfaces are smooth and even.
Have your eyes checked every year. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.
Have your hearing checked every two years.
Limit your alcohol intake to two drinks or less a day.
Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. Getting up suddenly can make you dizzy.
Remove your reading glasses when you go up or down stairs.
Get regular exercise to strengthen the muscles you use for walking and lifting.
Practice Balance Exercise Every Day.
Eat good nutrition food that will help keep up your strength, resistance and sense of balance.
Do not skip meals. It can make you weak and dizzy.

But what about the outdoor environment? Slips, trips and falls in outdoor environments caused by rain, sleet, ice and snow and particulate soil that cause surfaces to become slippery or produce poor traction is sometimes unavoidable and are uncontrollable environmental conditions. What can be done to minimize the incidence of falls outside of the home?

Fall in the elderly outdoor can be prevented by:

Wear appropriate vision correction.
Use hand rails as you go up and down steps and on escalators.
Use a walker, a walking stick or cane as needed for added stability.
Wear properly fitted footwear or boots with rubber soles for added traction.
Improve balance. Keep your muscles strong, but maintain flexibility.
Keep your porch, deck, walkways and driveway free of snow, leaves, rocks, clutter or trash.
Stop at curbs and check their height before stepping up or down.
Avoid traveling in the dark.
Use a shoulder bag or a backpack to leave your hands free. Do not overload your pack which might contributes to poor balance and fatigue.
Avoid walking on ice and if sidewalks look slippery, walk in the grass for more solid footing.
Rest when you are tired.
Stay well hydrated.

By: Irwanlee

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Poor blood flow – Blood Circulation Problem and its treatment

irwanlib2063 — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:27:26 +0000

Poor Blood Flow or Blood Circulation Problem – Do you experience tingling, burning or numbness of either the hands or feet? Do you suffer from Cramps in the Calves or Leg? Does your skin Have a Blue or Reddish Color or pale complexion? Do you find skin sores heal slowly or don’t heal at all? If you answered YES to two or more of these symptoms then it is almost certain that you may just be one of millions of population who suffer from blood circulation problem. Now you may think these symptoms are no big deal. But make no mistake about it? This is SERIOUS, in-fact Potentially Life Threatening! This common condition can lead to various diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, angina, and arteriosclerosis (hardening of arterial walls).

Blood Circulation Problem – Poor Blood Flow Symptoms

Poor Blood Flow or Blood Circulation Problem previously known only to affect those of middle-age and the elderly, it is now more widespread among younger people. Blood Circulation Problem refers to limited blood flow throughout the body, particularly in the peripheral areas such as the hands, legs, and feet. The smoothness of blood flow is crucial to a healthy existence as blood carries oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body. Many people underestimate the occurrence of these impaired circulation symptoms. The symptoms of Blood Circulation Problem do not develop overnight. They begin in a very mild form, and steadily worsen as time goes on.When your major organs do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrition, and if left untreated, it can result in a myriad of chronic conditions ranging anywhere from varicose veins to kidney damage to a heart disease, stroke and cancer which might Claim Your Life!

Poor Blood Flow or Blood Circulation Problem in many cases might also cause chest pain, shortness of breath, altered heart rate, pain in the legs while walking or do any physical activity and the pain goes away while sitting down. The brain is filled with many blood vessels, and needs a great deal of blood flow in order to function to the best of its ability. When that blood flow is reduced – means poor-oxygen to the cell, you might experience low in energy, feeling tired easily and all the time, loss of memory, lack of mental clarity, lack of stamina, feeling lethargic, unexplained headaches and sudden dizziness. Lack of blood circulation in the body can also further damage the liver and the kidneys.

Proper healing of wounds requires blood flow to the injured area. If blood flow is impeded, as is the case whenever circulation problems are present, the body is not getting the blood flow it needs in order to heal correctly. This results in a much slower healing of any wounds that may be present, and, in advanced cases, the wound may not heal at all.

Libido as well as erectile dysfunction is a touchy subject for many people, even though it is still an important component of good health; this may be one of the most difficult symptoms of poor circulation to confirm. Poor blood flow to penis causes sexual or erectile dysfunction. The symptoms are lack of sex drive, fatigue, also including lack of vitality. Poor blood flow can affect our reproductive organs as well. Serious poor blood flow problems could significantly impede such function make one impotent as well.

Causes of Poor Blood Flow or Blood Circulation Problem

Poor Blood Flow or Blood Circulation Problem is more rampant in urbanites due to overweight or obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), and sedentary lifestyles. Spending long hours in poor occupational postures and the lack of exercise have since been credited as major culprits.

Poor dietary habits (imbalanced diets) also increase the risk of developing poor blood flow which then leads to circulatory system diseases and disorders. Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine, use of certain drugs or smoking could also be responsible for poor blood flow.

Obesity affects million adults and teenagers around the world, and is fast becoming a worldwide epidemic and there are many problems arising from being obese-these can range from heart disease through to diabetes through to lower leg circulation problems where blood is not able to get from the lower part of the body. In Men, Obesity decreases blood flow to penis thereby causes sexual or erectile dysfunction.

Treatment for Blood Circulation Problem or Poor Blood Flow

Fortunately, treatment is simple and generally relatively inexpensive, and can in some cases even reverse the condition, especially when you start treatment when poor blood flow symptoms first appear. When it comes to your continued health, the effort it takes to improve leg circulation is more than worth it.

You may prevent or improve circulation symptoms by making your lifestyle changes, particularly by maintaining a balanced diet, giving up smoking, sit with correct posture, lose weight if you are overweight, as well as regular exercise. Yoga is another useful exercise for improving blood circulation. Headstand, a part of the Yoga regimen, is another exercise which can prove useful for improving your blood circulation and keep your body fit. Headstands also provide nourishment to the pituitary glands and the pineal glands of the brain.

Drink plenty of water for proper hydration. Avoid saturated and trans fats, condensed milk, refined sugars in your diet and products that contain it, as well caffeine, red meat and products with white refined flour. Fruits and vegetables are good for your health, particularly oranges, which provide high levels of bioflavonoids to promote blood flow while also strengthening capillaries. Watermelon is a natural source of lycopene, which has been known to help prevent plaque buildup, a common hindrance to blood flow, to help promote healthy circulation. Garlic is very beneficial for poor circulation, so you should eat plenty of it. Consider the usage of herbal supplements such as Ginko biloba, rosemary and vitamin E are recommended.

Massage is another great way to improve poor circulation. Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart thus easing the strain on this vital organ. This increase in circulation brings energy producing nutrients and oxygen to your cells as well as carries away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless and drained. In addition, it increases your body’s oxygen carrying red blood cell count helping to bring even more oxygen to your body’s cells.

Steam, Sauna or Jacuzzi is also very beneficial, the heat stimulates your blood vessels near your skin’s surface to expand, and more oxygen will enter to your body parts and muscles, which in turn helps increasing the blood flow to different body parts. The steam stimulates the lymphatic system to increase blood circulation.

Hot and cold showers or Hydrotherapy is another method of improving blood circulation. Hot showers followed by cold ones, but of course without extreme changes in the water temperature. The hot water will cause the blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate so that more blood can flow, cool down and maintain the right temperature, whereas the cold water will cause the vessels to restrict, and keep the blood away from the surface to maintain correct temperature. When these two mechanisms are alternated several times, it gets the blood circulating, bringing oxygen to skin, muscles and tissue.

By: Irwanlee

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How to Stay Erect: Yoga or Viagra?

irwanlib2063 — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:05:43 +0000

How to Stay Erect – Erectile Dysfunction goes by many descriptions: a lift off, getting a flag ceremony, awakening the one-eyed monster, and so on. To be sure, an erection by any other name.

How to Stay Erect - Long the pre-occupation of men especially as they grow older, that centerfold of masculinity took centerstage in March 1998 when Viagra made its debut in the world. Aimed primarily at men over 50 who have erectile dysfunction (ED), Viagra became the wonder drug of the hour as sales went through the roof. Within three months of its introduction, more than two million prescriptions were being written out for the $10 blue pill in the United States. It was an indication that many men, not prone to openly discussing mature sexuality issues (or any emotional issue for that matter), had a problem and wanted an immediate solution.

Viagra also focused on the nature of the problem.

How to Stay Erect – Erectile Dysfunction is the partial or total inability to produce an erection or to sustain one hard or long enough to complete intercourse. Men tend to stop at “I can’t get it up.”

Men need to know that the penis does two things: it releases urine and it releases sperm and seminal fluid. The latter case involves a three-step process:

(1) man is sexually aroused;

(2) the penis responds by becoming erect; and

(3) sustained penile stimulation leads to ejaculation. It is sufficient blood flow to the arteries in the penis that allows the organ to get stiff. ED, at whatever age, is an indication that blood isn’t flowing into the right arteries (i.e. step 2 becomes problematic, thus making step 3 impossible). In many cases, something is wrong with the pipes (arteries), and in far fewer cases, with the pump (heart). Viagra facilitates the opening of constricted arteries to allow the penis to become erect.

This said, men also need to know that plumbing issues aside, ED can also be caused by a number of other factors . In general, ED is a tell-tale sign that a man’s overall health is not the best. ED is only one symptom of a likely larger health issue, and a re-examination of one’s lifestyle is in order. This means proper nutrition and exercise. It’s not as quick a fix as vitamin V, but its effects are far more encompassing.

Enter stage left, yoga. It’s been around for millennia, and it’s been ascribed as having cured a whole slew of ailments and diseases from cancer to varicose veins. Is it a wonder, then, that it has something for ED as well?

The thing about yoga is that men are generally scared of it. One, it attracts far too many women so the perception is it’s definitely not manly enough and can’t be good for men. Two, men don’t like to look stupid (doing all those pretzel poses), so yoga for most of them is out of the question. Three, men like things easy, and since yoga is anything but, men’s excuses range from “I’m too old,” “I’m not flexible enough” or “I’m too busy” to justify their reluctance to even consider the idea of doing yoga.

Sigh. Guys, it’s not that bad really.

The first thing you have to remember about yoga is that it teaches you to relax. Remember how it was when you were working long hours, had bills to pay on your mind and crawled home through traffic to your wife leaning against the doorway in a skimpy outfit asking “What’s up?” And all you could say was, “Nothing much.” Ouch! Stress kills sex and your ability to have it.

Learning to breathe properly in yoga allows you to create space. By pushing back all the things that are fighting for attention in your mind, yoga actually helps clear your mind. Then it moves on to relaxing your body and your aching muscles. All of a sudden, feelings of calmness and serenity surround your body. Now you can show your wife what’s up!

Second, yoga helps you become more aware. The discipline of yoga, with its system of breathing and postures, helps you tune in to your body. You become alert to how both your mind and your breath react to changes in movement. This also applies to heightened awareness for subtle signs that your partner gives during sex. Sex is very much a mental ability. Any guesses on its outcome if you combine enhanced sensitivity for your partner and for yourself and ability to focus? A happy partner for one!

Postures for ED

In terms of muscular functionality, yoga allows you to comprehensively strengthen whole muscle groups, improve your cardiovascular conditioning and increase blood circulation at the same time. For those with ED, particularly helpful are postures that strengthen the core abs, the lower back and leg muscles while bringing circulation to the groin areas.

One such pose is the warrior pose. The wide stance helps to open up your hip and pelvic muscles while strengthening your leg muscles. Your core is engaged to keep your spine centered and your arms energetic. Upon release, circulation in the groin area increases as you come into a relaxed standing position.

In the eagle pose, the position of the legs makes it difficult for blood to circulate in the lower extremities. But by wrapping your limbs around each other, you are encouraging the major joints of the body to produce synovial fluid in the joints to maintain range of motion. Leg muscles are used for balance while your core and lower back keep your torso lifted and the posture stable. For guys, releasing this posture is a reward in itself.

The goal of the wind removing pose is to create pressure between the thigh and the abdominal area. While aimed at the systems of digestion and elimination, it also opens up the pelvic area and engages your core. Increased post-posture circulation in the groin is again a benefit.

Other postures that are helpful are the sun salutation, chair pose and cobra pose which all work on your core and back muscles. Also consider Kegel exercises—contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor (or that help guys urinate)—which allow you greater control of those muscles to prevent premature ejaculation.

Do these postures regularly and it can change your ED-ridden life. Assuming you do, you not only address any ED problems you may have, but you also take on a truckload of other benefits without the possible side effects of vitamin V. From a greatly reduced chance of having a heart disease and better ability to keep away stress to a trimmer, more responsive body and more vibrant over-all health, yoga trumps the competition. In short, guys, it’s time to dump the quick fix and take on yoga. You’ll find your partner and yourself smiling at whatever time of the day!

By Tristan Choa
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Last Longer During Sex! And Last Up To 20 Minutes or
More Before Ejaculating!

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Reasons To Stop Smoking – Pregnant Women Should Quit Smoking

irwanlib2063 — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:25:16 +0000

Reasons To Stop Smoking - To nonsmokers, it’s obvious that pregnant women should not smoke. But for smokers, the prospect of quitting can be so dreadful that many try to ignore the evidence of danger. The dangers are quite real, however, and all parents deserve information and support to protect their children from what is an avoidable health risk.

The evidence against smoking in pregnancy

Many complications of pregnancy are more likely to occur in smokers. While any smoking is bad, going through less than a half pack a day is definitely better than a heavier habit. placental abruption, premature rupture of the membranes, premature birth, and low birth weight have all been shown to be more prevalent in the pregnancies of heavy smokers.

Reasons To Stop Smoking – If you quit smoking by 16 weeks gestation, you can avert many of these complications; and some can still be prevented even if you wait until close to the end of your pregnancy to stop smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke the home poses a real risk as well. And on top of all that, if a parent smokes, her child is more likely to become a smoker. The emotional repercussions of this can be great: Smokers who have these smoking-related complications have to deal with the bad outcomes plus guilt over having contributed to the suffering of their families. Placental problems Smoking causes vascular disease, which affects the blood flow through the placenta. The placentas of smokers look older than they should, because the blood vessels are calcified and partially obstructed. The complication of placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus while the baby still needs the nutrients and oxygen) is more common in smokers. Abruption can lead to vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy, premature birth, fetal distress, and even fetal death.

Effects of nicotine

Nicotine causes spasm of the arteries, including those that send blood to the placenta. This diminishes the baby’s oxygen and nutrient supplies, which can result in smaller (or underweight) babies.

Effects of carbon monoxide

Reasons To Stop Smoking - Because carbon monoxide substitutes for oxygen in the blood during smoking, some fetuses may try to compensate for this deprivation by making extra red blood cells to carry more oxygen. In rare instances, their blood gets too thick from the proliferation of these cells and cuts off the blood supply to vital organs, with fatal results. (I saw the baby of a two-pack-a-day smoker die after birth from this effect.)

Long-term effects on the baby

Unfortunately, smoking limits the nutrition that a baby can receive. This can be particularly detrimental during late pregnancy, when the baby’s brain is developing rapidly. There is also a growing body of evidence that nicotine has a direct damaging effect on developing nerve cells.

In animals, even small doses of nicotine injected into the mother during pregnancy resulted in brain malformations, poor functioning, and learning problems. (No one knows what effects the hundreds of other chemicals in cigarette smoke have on a fetus, but they can’t be good.) Research shows that humans exposed to nicotine during pregnancy are also more likely to show learning and behavioral problems years later. Babies who are born prematurely or too small for their gestational age can end up struggling with learning problems their whole lives. You may never know if your child’s complication was caused specifically by your smoking or by something else unrelated to it. But why chance feelings of guilt if a complication does develop and your cigarette habit may have played a role?

Breaking the habit

If it were easy to give up cigarettes, few adults would smoke. Many people who quit smoking successfully tried and failed numerous times before they became nonsmokers. If you have tried to quit in the past, take heart: It may take a few falls off the wagon before you are successful. You are not a failure as long as you try.

Many women who could not quit at other times in their lives are able to quit in pregnancy because they feel responsible for the good of their baby, even if they couldn’t accomplish it for their own health.

In pregnancy you can quit cold turkey, or you can slowly decrease the number of cigarettes you have each day over a few weeks; you also can take bupropion (Zyban), a medication that helps to take the edge off cravings. Using nicotine replacement therapy (like the patch or gum) in pregnancy is controversial. It’s hard to prescribe a medication for a pregnant woman that clearly is not safe for her fetus. In reality, however, it is safer than smoking, and the goal would be to get off the replacement within a few weeks too. All in all, if nicotine replacement is the only way that a mother-to-be can quit, it is probably better than her continuing to smoke. For specific ideas on how to quit, talk to your practitioner.

by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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Causes of Acidosis and Its Natural Treatment

irwanlib2063 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:17:13 +0000

Causes of Acidosis can be caused of our daily diets which are too rich in acids-forming foods. An imbalance of acids and bicarbonate in the body may lead to acidosis: metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis. Overproduction of acid or the inability of the kidneys to remove sufficient acid from the body results in metabolic acidosis while an overabundance of carbon dioxide in the body causes respiratory acidosis. Metabolic acidosis may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue and faster breathing. Respiratory acidosis may result in headaches, confusion and shallow or slow breathing. Doctors treat the condition by dealing with the underlying causes of acidosis.

Causes of Acidosis – Over acidity, which can become a dangerous condition that weakens all body systems, is very common today. It gives rise to an internal environment conducive to disease, as opposed to a pH-balanced environment which allows normal body function necessary for the body to resist disease. A healthy body maintains adequate alkaline reserves to meet emergency demands. When excess acids (acidosis) must be neutralized, our alkaline reserves are depleted, leaving the body in a weakened condition.

Causes of Acidosis – Every day we wage our own private war against molds, yeasts, bacteria, viruses and fungi. By using antibiotics as the first line of defense we have encouraged the development of more powerfully bugs and bacteria. Our immune systems are becoming weaker and over-taxed in this war. Louis Pasteur declared the germ theory of disease that states germs are the cause of disease. But note Dr. Pasteur’s dying words: “The germ is nothing, the inner terrain is everything”.

The concept of acid alkaline imbalance as the cause of disease is not new. In 1933 a New York doctor named William Howard Hay published a ground-breaking book, A New Health Era in which he maintains that all disease is caused by autotoxication (or “self-poisoning”) due to acidosis in the body.

Now we depart from health in just the proportion to which we have allowed our alkalis to be dissipated by introduction of acid-forming food in too great amount… It may seem strange to say that all disease is the same thing, no matter what its myriad modes of expression, but it is verily so.
William Howard Hay, M.D.

More recently, in his remarkable book Alkalize or Die , Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, N.D., D.C., Ph.D. says essentially the same thing: “The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause…too much tissue acid waste in the body!”

Modern science has revealed that the cause of aging may be far more simple than previously thought.
Almost 99% of the components of food that we consume every day are composed of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen with only 1% been minerals.

The wastes produced from food are highly acidic and acidosis is one of the main contributors that lead to the aging process and various illnesses. Acid waste is excreted from the human body in the form of or sweat. But the wastes not excreted will be circulating around in the , in the body. This acidic waste will gradually accumulate somewhere in our capillaries vessels, and eventually clog them up. Also as a consequence of this, the cells of the human body will be deprived of their supply of oxygen and essential nutrients, rendering these cells inactive in reproduction. That’s the main reason why people age. Moreover, with the capillary vessels clogged up, the function of every organ in the human body accumulating acidic waste will begin to deteriorate, causing serious illnesses in the long run.

So when does the accumulation of age-contributing acidic waste begin?

Scientists say that aging begins when a child starts to wean. An unborn child lives on nutrients from his mother while in the womb and the body of the baby becomes alkaline, owing to the consumption of alkaline minerals.

Naturally, this is due to the release of alkaline minerals from the mother. This release of alkaline minerals during pregnancy does temporarily weaken the mother’s body, causing a lack of appetite etc.

The baby will remain alkaline while breast feeding, but will begin to reduce in alkalinity once put on infant cereals.

If the cause of aging lies in acidosis, then the answer to longer life must lie in eliminating such acidic wastes. Hence, to neutralize acidic meals, alkaline water could be the answer. Many doctors recommend a vegetarian or low meat diet as alkaline minerals and vegetables help neutralize acidic waste. But vegetables only contain a very small amount of alkaline minerals and that is why a very large quantity of vegetables needs to be consumed in order to neutralize these wastes in the body.

We live and die at the cellular level. All the billions of cells that make up our human body are slightly alkaline, and must maintain alkalinity in order to function and remain healthy and alive. However their cellular activity creates acid and this acid is what gives the cell energy and function. As each alkaline cell performs its task of respiration, it secretes metabolic wastes, and these end products of cellular metabolism are acid in nature.

Although these wastes are used for energy and function, they must not be allowed to build up. One example of this is the often painful lactic acid which is created through exercise. The body will go to great lengths to neutralize and detoxify these acids before they act as poisons in and around the cell, ultimately changing the environment of the cell. Most people and clinical practitioners believe the immune system is the body’s first line of defense, but in actuality it is not. It is very important, but more like a very sophisticated clean-up service. We must instead look at the importance of pH balance as the first and major line of defense against sickness and disease and for health and vitality.

Drinking alkaline water is an easy and efficient way to help neutralize an acidic human body.

One American cancer center showed significant improvements in their cancer therapy by getting 1,000 patients to drink 7 glasses of alkaline water a day. Their research concluded that the alkaline minerals in natural, alkaline water with a pH 7.5 helped to neutralize acidosis and thus helped to prevent cancer.

Water, the origin of Life, contains 2 parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Alkaline water is water that contains a larger amount of oxygen as compared to hydrogen. By drinking alkaline water, we increase our intake of oxygen compared to drinking plain water. The advantage of drinking alkaline water is that while being absorbed by the body, it helps neutralize acidic wastes, making them more soluble in the vessels. Thus, acidic wastes will be easily drained out of the body in the form of or sweat.

If we were to ask what is us, the answer might be ACIDOSIS. It has been strated that an acidic, anaerobic (lacking oxygen) body environment encourages the breeding of fungus, mold, bacteria, and viruses. Let us look at an example. If we were to seal the door to our freezer and then unplug it, come back and open the door in two weeks, what would we find? Mold, bacteria and microscopic bugs that are growing and multiplying. Where did they all come from? They did not sneak in – remember the door was sealed. The answer is . . . they were always there.

It is simply that the environment changed to a more inviting and healthy one for these ‘critters’ to live in. This can be likened to a shift in our biological terrain from a healthy oxygenated, alkaline environment to an unhealthy anaerobic acidic environment. You see what is healthy for us is unhealthy for the body attackers and what is healthy for them is what is unhealthy for our body.

Understanding pH

pH (potential of hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 – the lower the pH the more acidic the solution, the higher the pH the more alkaline (or base) the solution. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has a pH of 7 which is neutral.

Water is the most abundant compound in the human body, comprising 70% of the body. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming.) The body continually strives to balance pH. When this balance is compromised many problems can occur.

It is important to understand that we are not talking about stomach acid or the pH of the stomach. We are talking about the pH of the body’s fluids and tissues which is an entirely different matter.

Test Your Body’s Acidity or Alkalinity with pH Strips

It is recommended that you test your pH levels to determine if your body’s pH needs immediate attention. By using pH test strips, you can determine your pH factor quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home. There is much to discover so that pH test result can be meaningful. Rather than give simplistic guidelines here it is recommended you look online or purchase a book on this subject from our online store.

Urine pH

The results of testing indicate how well your body is assimilating minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. These are called the “acid buffers” because they are used by the body to control the acid level. If acid levels are too high, the body will not be able to excrete acid. It must either store the acid in body tissues (autotoxication) or buffer it – that is, borrow minerals from organs, bones, etc. in order to neutralize acidity.

Saliva pH

You may also want to test the pH of your saliva. The results of saliva testing indicate the activity of digestive enzymes in your body, especially the activity of the liver and stomach. This reveals the flow of enzymes running through your body and shows their effect on all the body systems. Some people will have acidic pH readings from both and saliva. This is referred to as “double acid.”

Keeping the Balance Right for Excellent Health

Your body is able to assimilate minerals and nutrients properly only when its pH is balanced. It is therefore possible for you to be taking healthy nutrients and yet be unable to absorb or use them. If you are not getting the results you expected from your nutritional or herbal program, look for an acid alkaline imbalance. Even the right herbal program may not work if your body is struggling with acidosis.

A state of acidosis is simply the lack of oxygen and available calcium which the body uses to maintain its alkaline balance. Calcium makes up 1.6% of our body weight. It is literally the human glue that holds the body together. Calcium is so biochemically active that it has been likened to an octopus. A calcium ion can hold onto seven other molecules while it grabs onto one molecule of water. No other ion can do this. And it is the right size to easily get in and out of the human cell. As it does this, it takes a chain of nutrients into the cell and then leaves to get more nutrients.

What Causes Me to be Acidic?

The reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid-producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid-producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid-producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many , which are acid-forming; and we use artificial chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet, Equal, or aspartame, which are extremely acid-forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly-acid body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle.

Most people who suffer from unbalanced pH are acidic. This condition forces the body to borrow minerals including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium, from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body. Because of this strain, the body can suffer severe and prolonged damage due to high acidity. A condition that may go undetected for years.

One of the first warning signs of an acidic biological terrain is calcium deposits. In testing where calcium deposits come not it has always been shown that they come from the structural calcium of our bones and teeth and never from the calcium in our water or diet.

This is important because it means that if calcium deposits are forming, we know our inner biological terrain is too acidic. Our dietary intake of calcium is not keeping up with the calcium buffering needed and we are actively pulling calcium from our bones and teeth. It all works like a little train, from the bones to the fluids and cells, to the . As our biological terrain becomes acidic, our pH level drops. When this happens we start losing calcium out of the , the bones, and the tissues. This is a safety mechanism. Now your biological terrain’s oxygen level drops leaving you tired and fatigued, allowing fungus, mold, parasites, bad bacteria, and viral infections to flourish and gain a hold throughout the body. It is interesting to note that you often won’t have just some of these invaders. If you have Candida you will likely have bad bacteria, fungus, and parasites because they all flourish in the same terrain.

Mild acidosis can cause such problems as:

Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of vessels and the reduction of oxygen.
Weight gain, obesity and diabetes.
Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones.
Immune deficiency.
Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
Premature aging.
Osteoporosis; weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
Low energy and chronic fatigue.

A recent seven year study conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, on 9,000 women showed that those who have chronic acidosis are at greater risk for bone loss than those who have normal pH levels. The scientists who carried out this experiment believe that many of the hip fractures prevalent among middle aged women are connected to high acidity caused by a diet rich in animal foods and low in vegetables. This is because the body borrows calcium from the bones in order to balance pH.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

The biggest problem scientists have found is that over time the human body becomes depleted of calcium. A compound called mono-ortho-calcium phosphate is the chemical buffer for the . This buffer maintains the alkaline level (or the lack of acidity) in your . Without it you would die. If the acidity level of your changes even slightly you die immediately. But in order to supply enough calcium for buffering we must have enough calcium being absorbed from our diet or our body will simply rob the needed calcium from our bones and teeth.

The more acidic we become, the harder it is for oxygen to be present, so our biological terrain also becomes more anaerobic. Without adequate oxygenation, unfriendly bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungus can live and prosper. Then our cells cannot carry on their life-giving functions in a very efficient manner because our biological chemical reactions need oxygen.

Some Common Diseases and their Relationship to Acidity

Cancer

While the normal cells of the human body degenerate, and acidic wastes accumulate, cancer will make a genetic transformation and keep propagating itself in order to survive in such acidic surroundings.

There have been two theories on the basic causes of cancer. One is the oxygen deficiency theory by a German biochemist, Dr. Warback. The other is the theory of acidic cells, by a Japanese doctor, Dr. Airashi.

Dr. Warback discovered that if oxygen is removed from a health cell, the cell will start to turn cancerous. Dr. Warback won the Nobel prize by proving this theory through his many experiments.

Dr. Airashi showed that cells that survive in acidic environments will eventually develop cancerous characteristics.

Even though cancer cells are eliminated entirely through an operation, they reoccur because the acidic surroundings still remain after the operation. So, to help prevent this, we should stop the development of acidosis by drinking alkaline water every day, eating the right foods, avoiding stress, living in a healthy environment and exercising.

Obesity

The human body is very intelligent. As we become more and more acidic the body starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acid from entering our vital organs. It is known that acid gets stored in fat cells. After all, if the acid does come into contact with an organ the acid has a chance to eat holes in the tissue. This may cause the cells to mutate. The oxygen level drops in this acidic environment and calcium begins to be depleted.

So as a defense mechanism, your body may actually make fat to protect you from your overly-acidic self. Those fat cells and cellulite deposits may actually be packing up the acid and trying to keep it a safe distance from your organs. The fat may be saving your vital organs from damage. Many people have found that a return to a healthy inner biological terrain helps them to lose excess fat.

Diabetes

When acidic wastes accumulate in the pancreas, diabetes can develop due to lack of insulin in the body. Doctors say that symptoms of diabetes appear mainly in people above 40, with no symptoms of diabetes in their 20s. How do they differ from each other?

In general, the quantity of accumulated acidic wastes after the age of 40 is far more than those in their 20s, especially in the pancreas. Nevertheless, we can help avoid the onset of diabetes if we flush out the acidic waste in our bodies by drinking alkaline water.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a common illness that occurs due to three reasons.
1) Hypertension caused by clogged capillary vessels due to physical reasons.
2) Narrowed vessels caused by acidic wastes.
Thus, pressure has to be higher naturally in order to supply sufficient quantities of through the narrow vessels.
3) Lack of oxygen due to chemical reasons, namely solidified acidic waste in the vessels.

Hypotension

Hypotension occurs as the heart muscles deteriorate due to a lack of calcium ions, caused by acidic waste.

A patient with hypotension may regain his health by drinking enough alkaline water. This is because calcium ions in alkaline water can help to restore the heart’s activities when caused by a lack of calcium ions.

Kidney Ailment and Kidney Stone

One of the major functions of alkaline water is to purify or help remove the wastes in the body. The accumulation of excessive wastes in the kidneys weakens the kidneys. When cells survive in an excessive acidic environment, swelling of the kidneys occurs.

In order to remain healthy, cells should expel all the waste produced by them. But if the becomes more acidic them the waste will cling to the walls of cells, causing solidification of acidic fluoride in the kidneys and kidney stones.

Osteoporosis and Gout

Human bones function as a calcium bank for the body. A combination of calcium and phosphorus, bones stay healthy as long as there are adequate amounts of these two substances present. To neutralize excessive quantities of waste or acidity, the body starts to deprive the bones of calcium, which may be harmful to the body. Symptoms of calcium deficiency are not evident through X-ray examinations and are only visible when 30-40% of the calcium in the bone has already been depleted.

Gout happens when calcium accumulates in the capillary vessels of the hands and legs. Normally, gout occurs in toe joints, knee joints, and finger joints and drinking alkaline water is one of the best treatments.

Chronic constipation

Dr. Choi, a medical practitioner at the Seoul National Medical University, observed 15 patients (10 men and 5 women) who had suffered from constipation for over a year. Results showed that the symptoms of constipation were alleviated when alkaline water was consumed for a period of 1-2 weeks. Twelve of the fifteen patients recovered remarkably well after this period. This is true because by lubricating the wastes secreted on the walls of the large intestine, excretion become easier.

Dr. Choi also observed that there was a remarkable improvement in how alert his patients were after drinking alkaline water.

Stress and Headache

When we suffer from stress, our body produces more acidic waste, leading to acidosis. Physical stress can be relieved by getting a good rest. Nowadays, however, most of us do not find the time to relieve mental stress. Continued long term stress will create harmful problems like headaches, mental disorder, bad temper and unbalanced hormone excretion, etc. There are two kinds of stress. One is physical stress caused by physical activities and the other is mental stress caused by mental fatigue.

To conclude it is reasonable to say that there are no specific diseases, only specific disease conditions.

There is only one disease. And that one disease is acidosis.

The statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Administration. The products mentioned on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your family doctor.

For those who are not so sceptical about the benefits of the alkaline lifestyle, alkaline water helps to neutralise acids and remove toxins from the body – it is a great cleanser and helps to detoxify our system. Contact powerhealths(a)gmail.com if you are interested in the best economical machine to produce alkaline water at the convenience of your home.

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Dehydration Symptoms In Adults – Your Body Cries for Water

irwanlib2063 — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:07:54 +0000

Dehydration Symptoms In Adults - The human body is a bio-electrical water machine which requires at least a quart for every 50 lbs of body weight daily. The blood itself is made up of a large percentage watery serum. The lymph fluids which transport waste and nutrients (comprising four times the volume of blood in the body) are made from the water we consume. Every cell that makes us who we are literally owes its life to an adequate supply of fresh and clean water we consume. When the body does not receive a reliable, constant supply of water, it has to ration what is available and cut back on certain functions to make the supply go round. Essential systems like the brain are prioritized; others are impaired or cut back until the brain has decided a reliable source of water has been accumulated.

Dehydration Symptoms In Adults – “Chronic pains of the body which cannot easily be explained as injury or infection, should first and foremost be interpreted as signals of chronic water shortage in the area where the pain is registered. These pain signals should first be considered and excluded as primary indicators for dehydration of the body before any other complicated procedures are forced on the patient.” – Dr F Batmanghelidj

Dehydration Symptoms In Adults - Most of us have become dangerously and chronically dehydrated (especially the elderly), since we decided water was too bland to drink and ignored it in favor of addictive sodas, beer, wine, flavored water, other chemical-laced water alternatives and/or simply tea and coffee. It is a sad facts that most doctors today cannot readily identify the many water-deficient diseases and associated pains. Thus the underlying dehydration process continues to wreak its havoc while the inevitable drugs given will switch off the warning signals/symptoms.

Dehydration Symptoms In Adults

Consider the following conditions:

Heartburn, ‘high cholesterol’, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, lupus, cancer formation, hot flushes and menstrual problems, diabetes, obesity, bulimia, allergies, migraine headaches, general aches and pains, chronic fatigue syndrome, ME, angina, lower back pain, gout, kidney stones, skin disorders, fungal/yeast overgrowth, multiple sclerosis, morning sickness, depression, heavy/burdensome periods, colitis, dyspepsia, peptic ulcers…

Are all of these conditions linked to a chronic state of dehydration?

World-renowned water expert Dr Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, in his latest bestseller, Water and Salt – Your Healers From Within, maintains that the above conditions are the body’s many cries for water, complaints dramatically improved with a consistent and long-term intake of the fresh, clean water. Dr Batman’s timely work has helped thousands quash long-term health problems effortlessly and inexpensively. He writes:

“The report of my having successfully treated with water more than three thousand people with symptoms and clinical signs of peptic ulcer disease was published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology in June 1983. I came away from that experience with the understanding that the people I treated were thirsty, and I uncovered the phenomenon that ‘pain’ in the body indicates thirst, even though the condition is classified as a disease.”

Water is used by the body for digestion, detoxifying cells, watering the lungs, lubricating joints, keeping the body alkalized and a host of cleaning duties. Many warning signals (‘symptoms’) arise out of the body’s inability to neutralize or rid itself of acid, a common enough complaint given the number of antacids sold around the world each day.

‘I drink coffee, tea, diet sodas, beer and a host of other liquids. They contain water, don’t they?’

This is a common and dangerous misconception. Many of today’s designer drinks are diuretic in their effect (water-expelling) because their mostly acidic compositions require the body to give up water and alkalizing minerals to eliminate their harmful residues. Diet sodas especially are harmful in that they require large amounts of body-water to neutralize the phosphoric acid component (2.8 pH). Cells that started off healthy and ‘plum-like’ shrivel to prunes as water, the stuff of life, is progressively denied them. The sick in our hospitals are fed the sodas, tea and coffee they ask for in woeful ignorance of the damage wrought to the micro cell-world within them.

Batmanghelidj’s extraordinary work should rightly be considered by a mainstream medical community ever fixated on the drug cure.

Below is a summary of body functions and that rely on an adequate intake of water:

Brain function: The brain comprises 2% of the body’s total weight, yet receives 15-20% of the blood supply, mostly comprised of water. Dehydration will affect cognitive ability drastically, and, through histamine’s action, can create depressive states (many anti-depressant medications are anti-histamines).

Bone function: Bones require plentiful supplies of water. 75% of the weight of the upper body, for instance, is supported by the water core contained within the fifth lumbar disc, the remaining 25% by muscle fibers around the spine.

Nerve function: Microstreams exist along the length of nerves which transport nutrients and conduct energy along microtubules to the synapses to transmit messages. Dehydration disrupts proper nerve function, resulting in the sensation of pain.

Hydrolysis: Water, far from being an inert solvent, is intricately involved in the body’s water-dependent chemical reactions. Lack of water means incomplete or faulty metabolic processes, with obvious implications for continued health and well-being. Proteins and enzymes, for instance, do not function as well in acidic solutions of higher viscosity (stickiness) where the body is dehydrated.

Cellular energy: As water is drawn through the cell membrane, its osmotic flow generates a voltage gradient which can be used in the manufacture of ATP and GTP energy. Dehydration will obviously affect the proper functioning of cells and even kill them.

Histamine: This neurotransmitter plays a major role in activating systems which encourage water intake when dehydration is detected. Functions in the body which consume large quantities of water are cut back, namely the bronchial tubes constricted to cut down on water use in the lungs; increased peristalsis in the bowels to wring more water out of fecal material, and so on. Other signs of histamine’s activity, namely allergies, asthma, depression and chronic pains, are interpreted by the physician as ‘disease’ and treated with anti-histamines, pain-killers (analgesics), etc. Thus the signals of thirst are turned off and the dehydration state continues unabated.

Dyspepsia (heartburn/reflux): Over time, this can lead to ulceration and even cancer. Dr Batmanghelidj recommends that these conditions – also gastritis and duodenitis – be treated with water alone as they are one of the body’s major thirst signals. Arrested in his native Iran by the Revolutionary Council during the troubles of the late 1970′s, Dr B was confined to Evin prison, Tehran, during which time he successfully treated with water alone over three thousand people complaining of dyspeptic pain and associated symptoms.

Digestion: Requires plentiful supplies of water. The stomach relies on mucus lining the walls to shield it from the effects of the stomach’s hydrochloric acid. A bicarbonate solution is produced from the cells in the lining which neutralizes any acid attempting to break through the mucus. Water is needed to maintain this effective defense system. Too little water, and the mucus barrier is ineffectual, the acid will penetrate and will lead to pain. Ideally, water should be consumed half an hour before a meal, in time to anticipate the production of digestive acid from glands in the stomach wall.

Ulcers: Often located at the valve between the stomach and duodenum. Said to be caused by curved bacteria known as helicobacters. Yet many people have helicobacters in their small intestine, yet not all of them suffer from ulcers. Histamine-producing nerves are located at this site, which monitor the through-put of acidic food chyme from the stomach into the intestine. Histamine has growth-hormone effects on these micro-organisms, resulting in small intestine bacterial overgrowths (SIBOs). Once again, an adequate regime of water intake will allow all the functions relating to digestion to normalize. Prolonged water intake should therefore be considered before more drastic drug treatments are entered into.

By Phillip Day
Investigative Journalist & Founder of “The Campaign For Truth In Medicine”

As Featured in Food Matters

Just to give a further idea of the importance of water in our diets, to survive the body can stand to lose the following:

50% of your glucose
50% of your fat
50% of your protein; but
only 20% of your water!

So water is important, but what about the quality of water?

The average suggestion of water consumption per day ranges from 2.5 litres to 4 litres – so it is imperative that we ensure that this water is of the highest quality.

There is a lot of discussion about the merits of alkaline water (particularly in the open publishing medium known as the Internet) – however, regardless of who you listen to regarding this debate there is one thing that is certain:

the process of making making water alkaline increases the purity of the water by filtering out toxins and impurities

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