Posts Tagged ‘diseases’

Using Prune Juice For Gastrointestinal Health

March 6th, 2010

Most of us who have investigated treatments for constipation will have come across the prune. These dried fruits are regarded as generally beneficial for relieving constipation, largely due to the large amount of fiber. But what many don’t know about is that the juice from prunes is also an excellent type of treatment.

The cultivation and exploitation of plums has gone on for hundreds or even thousands of years, according to the best archaeological evidence. Modern prune makers follow an ancient tradition. Plums are plucked and collected in one area where temperature is raised to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In ancient times this was likely done in or near an oven. After drying, the prunes can be further processed to create related products.

The conventional understanding is that prunes get their laxative effects by having a lot of fiber. In fact, the fiber is over 5% by weight, which is quite high for a fruit. Prune juice however has almost no fiber because the particulates are filtered out usually. Therefore, how does prune juice benefit those who suffer from constipation? The key is sorbitol, a long complex sugar.

Sorbitol is present at almost 15% by weight of prunes, and 6% by weight of prune juice. It’s a complex, polymeric sugar. That means on the molecular scale, it’s a very long chain of sugars. This property allows it to absorb and retain water in the gut as it passes through. In fact, it sometimes is used as a sugar substitute in foods that are labeled “sugar free”.

Other fruits that have high sorbitol include the pear. People who have chewed sugarless gum may have also picked up on the fact that one of the main ingredients is sorbitol. This property plus the fact that it tastes slightly sweet means that it’s made its way into many foods that are touted as low sugar.

How does sorbitol achieve its anti-constipatory effects? There are two properties, both of which have already been mentioned. The first is that sorbitol tends to absorb a lot of water, the second is that sorbitol isn’t metabolized by the body. Together, the effect of sorbitol is to bulk up the colonic mass with a lot of fluids.

The increased water content means that the colonic contents become softer and bulkier. A number of other constipation treatments have similar effects, two classes of which are known by their names osmotic and bulk laxatives. The benefits of prune juice are not restricted to helping stomach contents move faster, but also include important vitamins and sugars for energy. For a simple, natural food, it seems that prunes have many benefits.

Readers wishing to understand more can head over to learn about constipation treatments. Specialty detail resources on constipation home remedies are free for your use.

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Trying Laxatives For Taking Care Of Constipation

February 27th, 2010

Most people who suffer from constipation manage a type known as functional or idiopathic constipation. This type of constipation is so called because the underlying cause is not identifiable, yet the condition can be easy diagnosed due to the symptoms. Treatment at first consists of increased dietary fiber. If this is ineffective, patients are recommended to try a laxative.

Generally the opinion among the scientist and researcher population is that using laxative constipation treatments properly is safe. But as constipation is occasionally a chronic condition that necessitates use of laxatives over long periods, suspicions about unintended side-effects and health issues have arisen. One problem is the development of myths regarding this line of medication.

There are three kinds of misconceptions about laxative usage. The first is the idea that long term use causes nerves in the gastrointestinal tract to be damaged. The second is the idea that long term use leads to higher chance of cancer. The third is that the gut starts to become “immune” to laxatives and perhaps suffer “rebound” effects that worsen constipation.

With respect to the first, reports first surfaced in studies on patients who had been using laxative constipation treatments for a long term. Studies of the colonic lining showed a discoloration. Follow-up showed that some had nerve damage. THe problem is that these studies were not well controlled with a placebo population. Critics say that patients with constipation already have higher predisposition to nerve damage. Later studies did not hold up the causal link between constipation medication and laxatives.

With respect to the second, reports linking laxatives to cancer were suggested by experimentation on animals. Rats fed extreme doses of anthraquinones had higher mutations in cells, leading to cancer-like problems. But the studies were not easily translatable to the human context because the doses were very non-realistic. Similar studies with extreme concentrations of aspartame sweetener and peanut oils show a cancer link, but are rarely relevant for realistic human consumption.

Regarding the third, it seems that anecdotes from patients who were seeing decreased efficacy gave rise to the belief of laxative intolerance. However, studies both in rats and in paraplegic patients who had been on laxatives for as long as 34 years showed that the efficacy of laxatives remained more or less undiminished over these long times.

It would seem that laxatives should not be discounted for their great utility against constipation because of these misconceptions. Patients should continue to research for themselves and ally with their doctors to understand the evidence concerning laxative efficacy.

Additional articles on constipation treatments can be found at the site. Readers wanting to understand more can browse over to learn about natural remedy for constipation.

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Natural Agents In The Treatment Of Constipation

February 10th, 2010

The condition of being constipated is endemic to the population of most countries with an incidence rate pegged at about 15%. Most of the people who are afflicted make no attempt to treat, and even less ask for advice or help from a health services figure. This is understandable as the condition is somewhat embarrassing, which explains the general reluctant to report to physicians.

As a result of the stigma attached to this intestinal condition, a large number of people try self-treatment with natural or home-based methods. An enlightened perspective of these natural agents should be obtained to avoid negative health impact. “Natural” is not a term implying hazard-free.

The most popular herbal remedy may be the senna plant. Senna contains anthraquinones, a class of chemicals that has the effect of stimulating the intestines. The cascara plant played some small role many years ago but was effectively banned by the FDA on account of evidence that it was harmful. Nowadays senna is available in capsule or tea form amongst others. Senna has played a historical role as a laxative and continues to do so today.

While senna is a chemical agent that stimulates the colon to move its contents more quickly, mineral oil is an entirely different kind of agent used as a natural constipation treatment. When taken by mouth, it enters the intestine where it coats the stool. Since oil is a water repellent, the stool becomes protected against loss of fluid. This enables it to remain bulky and therefore move more quickly. Doctor and scientists call this a lubricant laxative which is a bit of a misnomer.

Most people don’t know about senna and mineral oil, but almost everyone knows that fiber is a great remedy for constipation. The psyllium plant is one of the best sources of fiber. The husks of its seeds are turned into powdered form and sold at nutrient and supplement stores. Metamucil is but one of the many companies who manufacture products made from psyllium.

The linseed, otherwise known as flaxseed, is an additional high-fiber source. It’s occasionally treated like psyllium and crushed into powder form. Taking it not only helps with constipation due to its fiber, but may reduce cholesterol according to limited reports. More research will confirm or invalidate these results. The oil of the linseed is not often used.

Additional information and advice should be sought from a health professional with regards to natural constipation treatments. A doctor possesses more knowledge and understanding of the subtleties or dangers associated with treatments. For example, some natural laxatives may be effective but have harmful effects on people with certain conditions. Any subject wishing to take these agents should become aware of these harmful effects.

Readers wanting to understand more can browse over to learn about constipation treatments. Some of these ideas were graciously supplied by a site on treatments for chronic constipation.

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Ongoing Issues in Accurate Diagnosis of Constipation

January 19th, 2010

(Foreword: The following information is provided as is, and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind of the items mentioned. Furthermore, all readers should ask for the advice of a doctor when making choices concerning health. The writer is not a doctor and is providing the article from research obtained from third party sources.)

A very recent study done by the drug company Boehringer Ingelheim has established the fraction of people worldwide affected by constipation to be 12%. A total of 13,000 people were surveyed. Other studies quote lower figures (as low as 2%!) but nevertheless even at this low figure, most of the medical establishment would agree that constipation is a widespread affliction.

One of the problems associated with statistical surveying of constipation is that it’s a poorly defined condition. This translates into an impact on diagnosis and treatment. For example, one physician might believe that having a bowel movement every three days is ok, but another physician would be alarmed at the low frequency. The source of the inconsistent opinions is that bowel movement frequency is itself highly variable from person to person. This difficulty in definition is compounded by differences in patient-reported symptoms such as difficulty or pain in passing stool, or excessive time spend on the toilet.

Diagnosis of disease is followed by the monumental goal of pinning down the primary cause in each patient. Diagnosis is easy if there are many other tell-tale signs, such as those found in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In another subgroup, patients may suffer from nerve and muscle damage that are the culprits of constipation. But for a very large group, physicians will be unable to find a cause. In this large group, the condition is simply called “idiopathic constipation”.

Often first line therapy for people diagnosed with chronic idiopathic constipation is introduction of high fiber into diet. Recent studies show that fiber and fluids are effective in only a small fraction of patients. Because of the ease and accessibility of high fiber treatment, it is quite popular with physicians and patients. Response is expected within two weeks, at which time both parties may decide whether the diagnosis and therapy were successful.

Other types of natural treatments include both lubricant laxatives and herbal supplements such as senna. Herbal and natural supplements are not always safe. The FDA has banned some natural supplements, namely aloe vera and cascara recently, for failure on the part of manufacturers to provide sufficient safety data. However, some other over-the-counter treatments remain available.

One other option is therapy via one of the many prescription drugs for constipation. A number of these overlap with over-the-counter laxatives. A very small handful are advanced, “targeted” drugs which affect the digestive tract in specific ways. In recent times, unique approaches such as electrode-assisted biofeedback have been studied as possible medical therapies. The field of constipation remedies seems poised for great changes in the coming decade.

You can find more information on treatment of constipation. Some of this information was graciously granted by a site on home remedies for constipation.

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Anti Inflammatory Herbs – 4 Things You Should Ask Yourself Before You Use Them

December 15th, 2009

When it comes to treating inflammation, research suggests that a number of anti inflammatory herbs could do the same job as, if not work better than, traditional prescription and over the counter medications.

Natural anti inflammatory treatments can work for many people, though you should always ask yourself a series of important questions before you start using them. Here is a quick guide to what you should be thinking about.

1. Which Herb Will Bring the Best Results for You?

Before using any herbal remedies you should first consider your lifestyle and, more importantly, your diet. Everyone is different, which is why different treatments may work best for one person over another.

You could start by making a few changes to what you eat – such as eating more fatty fish – as this can help to reduce inflammation. Always make sure you get plenty of fruit and veg in your diet, and you can also try adding in spices such as turmeric and cayenne.

Next you can start trying anti inflammatory herbs including boswellin, ginger or licorice to see if they help, and if your dietary changes haven’t worked for you.

2. Will It Conflict With Medication or Other Herbs?

You should always seek expert advice from a doctor before you begin taking any natural anti inflammatory treatment. This is because some herbs can interact with medication, causing it to stop working or producing undesirable symptoms.

In fact, anti inflammatory herbs could even conflict with other natural herbs that you are using, which is why it’s so important to read labels thoroughly.

3. Will It Result in Negative Side Effects?

You might find that sometimes herbs can cause unwanted side effects. The best way to reduce the chance of this is to ask your doctor, and to always follow the instructions and dosages correctly. Check that you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients.

4. Are You Buying the Herbs from A Trusted Source?

Lastly, always make sure you’re buying the natural anti inflammatory remedies from a source you can trust. Often this will mean your local drugstore, but if you buy from the internet you’ll want to ensure that the company has proper certification and a full list of ingredients. You need to know what goes into any tablets or capsules you are taking to reduce any of the risks mentioned above.

Anti inflammatory herbs can be a great way to treat your condition. However, you must always exercise some caution and ask yourself the important questions listed above.

There’s no doubt that these herbs have worked for a number of different people. However, it’s always important to go further and do your research into these anti inflammatory herbs and natural anti inflammatory treatments, especially the issues that can produce any unwanted side effects.

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Morgellons Disease the Rash That Even Dermatologists May Not Diagnose

October 28th, 2009

Have you ever suffered from lice, eczema especially being blamed on stress, neurodermatitis (simple eczema made worse scratching it), tinea (a bad fungal infection of the hair , skin or nails), folloculitis (an infection of the hair roots), cellulites (a skin infection), seborrhea, impetigo ( a rash caused by a bacterial infection), obsessive or compulsive skin scratching or drug side effects?

Sounds like symptoms of Scabies. Not at all. You might just be suffering from Morgellons disease. This is a new disease which even doctors are just beginning to understand and recognize in their patients with skin rashes and disorders. Actually, scabies is the closest thing to Morgellons if any other disease can be said to be similar in appearance and morphology.

But when should one really suspect have contracted the Morgellons disease? These are some of the symptoms that are associated with it and different from those of Scabies. – Rashes ( non healing sores on skin) – Continuous itching or a burning sensation under your skin as if something was moving there. – Feeling as if there are insects or fibers under your skin – Fatigue – Loss of concentration

The symptoms of Morgellons and similar disease states include any of a number of symptoms. The basic rash, tiredness down to a standard description of exhaustion. The feeling and feelings of something crawling under the patient’s skin. Fibers and fibrils. Insects emerging, coming and going from eruptions in the outer layers of the epidermis etc etc etc. Often though as in most people with serious, chronic diseases it is not simply a matter of one simple isolated medical disorder. It is not only a case that these poor people are rundown and are prone to other afflictions, infections and even epidemics as well. Being run down and even immunodeficient and immune-suppressed not only by the passage of time of their affliction but also by the various treatments they have been subjected to and endured , they may and most likely do suffer from a whole raft of other ailments and medical disorders. It seems that if you as a patient have morgelons disease you most likely have something or lots of other medical conditions as well. These concurrent ailments make the diagnosis all the more difficult to obtain if not also to seek therapy and therapies.

Every day greater awareness towards understanding of Morgellons Disease is developing. Research and education is ongoing. Shortly treatments will be made available. With all the efforts and with greater understanding more and more will be known about this specific disease and its therapy and treatments. Yet it may well be tool late in time for many who have suffered along with this terrible ailment and disorder only to be effectively ignored or are best told that they are simply “crazy”. After all, for living along with and through this terrible ordeal, suicide is not unknown for these victims of this little known and oft acknowledged medical and emotional condition.

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Know All About Zolpidem Tartrate

September 27th, 2009
by Mary A. Lean

Are you spending sleepless night? There is cure for your sleeping disorder. Start taking prescription drug Zolpidem tartrate.

Due to this process, patient feels drowsy and finally acquires the comfortable sleep. Although this remedy is found to be very efficient in most of the cases of insomnia, but still it’s essential for you to get familiar with every aspect of it including usage, dosage, precautions and the most important one side effects. So, first of all, let’s consider the usage or ingesting approaches of it.

Firstly, let us understand the usage or consumption of Zolpidem Tartrate. It comes in tablet and extend-release tablet forms and has to be consumed orally, especially before going to bed. The reason behind this is that the effect of the medicine increases enormously if it is not consumed during a meal or after a meal, so it must not be taken on an empty stomach.

Such effects make the person feel drowsy which leads to sound sleep. Though it is a prescription drug for severe insomnia, it is very essential to understand its consumption procedures and side effects. This medication comes in the form of pills.

These are drugs to be taken just before bed time. If these pills are consumed along with the meal or immediately after the meal, then they tend to lose their power, which is needed to the cure insomnia. The best way to consume these sedatives is to swallow instead of chewing. The gaps of 7-8 hours are essential for the next dose of the medication.

The dosage of the medication is available in 5mg and 10mg strengths. Generally, doctors prescribe 10mg of this medicine to young people. This medicine is prescribed in five mg strength to the older people. But, never ever take more than 10mg a day even if you forget to take a dose on the earlier day.

But never try to exceed the limit of 10 mg per day in any case whether you forget to consume it a day before. Now, let’s consider the side effects of this medicine which include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, feeling like drugged, unsteady walking, constipation, changes in appetite, tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet and eye redness. Some serious side effects of Zolpidem include hives, rashes, itching, hinges, hoarseness, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision.

Please note that you can safeguard yourself from the harmful side effects of Zolpidem Tartrate if you take certain precautions and most importantly, always take this medicine under the strict supervision and guidance of a doctor. It is very important to refrain from alcohol when being treated with this medicine as alcohol increases the effects of the medicine in the body. Also, note that is important to refrain from taking any CNS-depressant drugs while consuming Zolpidem Tartrate as this could alter the effect of any of the medicines and lead to severe complications.

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About the Author: Mary A. Lean explains insomnia and sleeping pill Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg tab and how to order purchase Generic Ambien without a prescription from a drugstore.

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Zolpidem Tartrate For The Cure Of Insonmia

September 23rd, 2009
by Mary A. Lean

Zolpidem Tartrate is a sedative and it must be consumed only under the prescription of a doctor. It is effective in providing sleep to people who suffer from insomnia, a problem in which the person does not get sound sleep. You must be thinking as to how this medicine works in the body.

There are varieties of sedatives drugs available in the drug stores for cure of insomnia, which is one form of sleeping disorder. Insomnia makes it difficult for the person to go to sleep. Zolpidem tartrate is one of the sedatives used for curing severe insomnia and helps the person get good night sleep.

Basically, this medicine is available as tablet and extend-release tablet prescribed to take orally and especially before the bedtime. It is so because the efficiency of this medicine increases exponentially if not consumed with a meal or right after a meal. In order to get better result, swallow the tablets completely instead of chewing or splitting it and spare the time of 7-8 hours as you will feel sleepy in this duration.

One must gulp down the medicine with water rather than chewing it or splitting it to get better results and the person must have spare time of seven to eight hours after consumption of the medicine as he/she will fall sleepy during that time. However, one must not consume the medicine for a lengthy period of time. If you consume Zolpidem Tartate for a period above two weeks, it will not give the same results as it did after the first dose. In such a case, the dosage needs to be increased to get the earlier effect, but that will lead to addiction to the medicine.

These are drugs to be taken just before bed time. If these pills are consumed along with the meal or immediately after the meal, then they tend to lose their power, which is needed to the cure insomnia. The best way to consume these sedatives is to swallow instead of chewing. The gaps of 7-8 hours are essential for the next dose of the medication.

Now, when it comes to the dosage of this medicine, you must keep in mind that presently it is available in two strengths of five mg and 10mg. However, your doctor could prescribe the suitable dosage for usually 10mg strength is recommended for young people. In case of older people this remedy is prescribed in the strength of five mg.

Now, let us become aware of the side effects of this medicine that is drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, unsteadiness, and stomach problems, itching in the hands and legs and redness of eyes. More serious side effects of this medicine include hives, rashes on the body, hoarse voice, nausea and blurred eyesight. If you abruptly stop consumption of the medicine, then it could lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Please note that you can safeguard yourself from the harmful side effects of Zolpidem Tartrate if you take certain precautions and most importantly, always take this medicine under the strict supervision and guidance of a doctor. It is very important to refrain from alcohol when being treated with this medicine as alcohol increases the effects of the medicine in the body. Also, note that is important to refrain from taking any CNS-depressant drugs while consuming Zolpidem Tartrate as this could alter the effect of any of the medicines and lead to severe complications.

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About the Author: Mary A. Lean explains insomnia and sleeping pill Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg tab and how to order purchase Generic Ambien without a prescription from an online pharmacy.

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