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Archive for Gall Bladder Symptoms – Page 3

Cleansing Your Elimination Organs to Achieve Good Health

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Monday, February 1st, 2010

Introduction
The colon, kidneys and liver are the primary elimination organs – they eliminate waste and toxins from your body. If they are not functioning properly, there is a likely buildup of toxins in your body. Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing, and liver cleansing routines are key elements to an overall body cleansing and detoxification plan. Proper cleansing of toxins from these important elimination organs frees up your body’s resources to more effectively fight disease. In addition, proper cleansing will often help clear up those mysterious symptoms that modern medicine can only hide.

Colon Health
The colon plays a vital role in the health of our entire body. Think of the colon as the sewer system for your digestive system. The primary function of your colon is to collect and eliminate waste from your body. It also absorbs water and certain nutrients into the bloodstream.

Movement of waste along the colon is caused by contractions of the intestinal muscles. Eating food that contains fiber helps keep that waste moving along in the colon. You can well imagine that if the movement of waste were disrupted, the colon would become clogged and heavy and can actually sag.

In addition to eliminating waste, the colon also reabsorbs water and absorbs nutrients from its contents. If water is not sufficiently reabsorbed, the waste is too liquidy and is called diarrhea. Liquidy waste moves through the colon too quickly and therefore nutrients are not absorbed properly, leading to hunger pangs, frequent eating and dehydration from the expelling of excess water. Too much absorption of water, however, also causes problems. Waste moves too slowly in the colon and has a tendency to plug up the intestinal canal. The effect is constipation, which can cause a bloated feeling and can finally cause the colon to sag.

Signs of an unhealthy colon include Crohn’s disease, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Adding fiber to your diet can help regulate liquid absorption in your colon and also cleanse your colon at the same time. Think of fiber as nature’s scrub brush in cleansing your colon.

A simple colon cleansing plan consisting of increased fiber intake, herbal laxative supplements and the use of an enema can effectively cleanse your colon. For more information, refer to http://www.the-natural-path.com/colon-cleanse.html

Kidney Health
Your urinary system produces and excretes urine from the body. Your urinary system consists of your kidneys, your bladder and urinary ducts. Think of your kidneys as filters that cleanse toxins from your blood. If it were not for their constant filtration of our blood, we would be poisoned by our own waste products.

Just as our bodies produce waste from the food we eat, each of our cells produces waste as a result of normal metabolism. This cellular waste, along with drugs and other toxins, are picked up by the blood and carried to the kidneys for filtering and cleansing. Metabolic waste must be removed from the blood, or it quickly accumulates to toxic levels – a condition called uremia.

Your kidneys also provide an important function in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are substances such as salts that dissolve or break apart into ions when mixed with water. Good health depends on maintaining a proper balance of water and electrolytes. Healthy kidneys are essential to good health.

Bacteria can infect an unhealthy urinary tract, which leads to prolonged illness and fever. When someone with poor kidney health goes on a high protein diet, uric acid crystals can form in joints and kidneys – called gout – and in other parts of the body – called acidosis. By far, the most well known kidney problem is kidney stones – crystallized mineral deposits that develop in the kidneys. These stones are very painful when evacuated through urination. If kidney stones are sufficiently large, they can block the urinary flow, thus backing up the urine.

Fortunately, a variety of herbs and supplements are available to cleanse your kidneys quickly and effectively. For additional informatin, refer to http://www.the-natural-path.com/kidney-cleanse.html

Liver Health
The liver is our body’s primary detoxification organ and manufacturing plant. It cleans drugs, alcohol, poisons, bacterial products, various waste products and worn out red blood cells from the body. The liver is also the main factory for amino acids, proteins and fats, and the stores fat and glucose – the energy source for all bodily functions.

The liver plays a major role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins – the nutrients that supply the body with energy. It converts carbohydrates into glucose, removes excess glucose from the blood and makes and stores glycogen – a source of energy between meals.

The liver is also very important in metabolizing proteins. The liver manufactures amino acids and removes from circulation excess amino acids. It has the ability to dismantle amino acids that are found to be in excess and convert them to other amino acids that may be in short supply. The liver also removes ammonia – a toxic byproduct of protein we consume – and converts it to urea to be eliminated by the kidneys.

The liver also controls the metabolism of fats we eat. It manufactures bile – a necessary component for us to digest fat – and stores it in the gall bladder. The liver builds and breaks down fats as needed by the body.

As you can imagine, a healthy liver is essential to achieving a healthy life. Liver cleansing can help you achieve a healthy liver and may also relieve you of various ailments that are really symptoms of liver health.

Symptoms of an unhealthy liver include allergies, poor immune system, malnutrition, and in extreme cases hepatitis and gallstones. A thorough liver cleansing eliminates a buildup of toxins, gallstones and their precursors. For additional information on liver cleansing, refer to http://www.the-natural-path.com/liver-cleanse.html

More Information
Refer to The-Natural-Path.com for a more detailed background of these and other cleansing and detoxification techniques, information on proper nutrition, and natural cures to common ailments.

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Pancreatic Cancer-One of the Deadliest Cancers

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Sunday, January 31st, 2010

The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 37,170 people in the United States will be found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,370 will die of the disease. Pancreatic is one of the deadliest of all cancers with one of the lowest survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, only about 5% of pancreatic cancer patients will be alive 5 years after the cancer is found. Even for those with local disease (it has not spread to other organs), the 5-year relative survival rate is only 16%.

Many people don’t know what pancreatic cancer is because they are not familiar with the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland found behind the stomach. It is shaped a little bit like a fish. It is about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide. It extends across the abdomen. The pancreas serves two functions. It breaks down the fats and proteins in the food we eat so the body can use them. The pancreas also makes hormones to help balance the amount of sugar in the blood.

While pancreatic cancer can strike anyone, the American Cancer Society has identified several risk factors for pancreatic cancer:

* Almost percent of pancreatic cancer patients are older than 55.
* Men have this cancer more often than women.
* African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than are whites.
* The risk of this cancer is higher among smokers.
* There may be a link with eating a lot of red meat and pork, especially processed meat (such as sausage and bacon).
* Very overweight people are 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
* Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes.
* Some chemicals such as certain bug sprays, dyes, or gasoline products may raise the risk of this cancer.
* Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some families. It seems to account for about 1 in 10 cases.

Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society are:

* Pain in the belly area (abdomen) or in the middle of the back is a very common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer. Again, such pain is often caused by something other than cancer.
* Losing weight (without trying) over a number of months is very common in patients with this cancer. They may also feel very tired and have a loss of appetite.
* If the cancer blocks the release of the pancreatic juice into the intestine, problems such as trouble breaking down fat can result. Stools might be pale, bulky, greasy, and float in the toilet. Other problems may include nausea, vomiting, and pain that tends to be worse after eating.
* The doctor may find that the gallbladder is enlarged.

Many patients are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prolong their life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you should contact a doctor for testing. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chance of surviving pancreatic cancer.

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Milk Thistle – Soothing Mediterranean Herb That Cures

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010

What is Milk Thistle

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is used particularly for liver problems and other ailments. It is a popular herb and has been used since the Greek-Roman times.

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean, but is now widespread throughout the world usually in dry, sunny areas. Milk Thistle is commonly known as St. Marys thistle, Holy thistle. It is sometimes also called as silymarin, which is actually the herb’s active component.

Benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been widely known for curing the liver related problems. However, there are a lot other benefits of Milk thistle. The benefits of Milk thistle with respect to different organs and ailments are as follows-

LIVER

The main component in Milk Thistle called as ‘Silymarin’ protects the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, alcohol, acetaminophen (also called as paracetamol that is commonly used for headaches). These substances can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or by people who drink alcohol regularly.

Milk Thistle protects and regenerates the liver in case of liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and chronic hepatitis. It cleans the liver of harmful substances such as alcohol, drugs, metals, anesthesia, etc. Milk thistle is particularly known for curing damage due to intake of poisonous mushrooms popularly known as the Death-cap mushrooms.

SKIN

Skin problems arise mainly due to the non-cleansing of blood. This results in acne, eczema and other skin related problems. Cleansing of the blood depends on the liver. Milk thistle strengthens the functioning of a damaged liver and detoxifies it. Thus, by purifying the liver, milk thistle results in depletion of skin related problems. The reduction of skin impurities leads to healing of redness or inflammation, added glow in the skin, etc. As milk thistle is a demulcent, it softens and moistens the skin.

KIDNEY, SPLEEN AND PELVIC REGION

Milk Thistle is a mild laxative and helps in reducing the congestion in kidney, spleen and pelvic region. It has the ability to increase bile secretion and flow in the intestinal tract. Due to its laxative effect, it helps in maintaining the consistency of stools for people who alternate between diarrhea and constipation.

Milk Thistle is also a demulcent i.e. it soothes and moistens the mucus membranes, kidney and bladder irritations and inflammations in general.

GALL BLADDER

Milk Thistle can calm down an inflamed Gall Bladder and also clears out any stagnation that might be present. It is important to verify whether an individual has no Gall Stones when he is using Milk Thistle to combat Gall Bladder symptoms. One must visit a local physician to find out regarding the same.

DIABETES

Diabetes control depends upon the smooth functioning of the liver. The liver is the primary tissue involved with the utilization of insulin. Milk thistle reduces insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. The reduction in lipid per oxidation produced by silymarin can lead to improved metabolic control and a reduced requirement for endogenous insulin in such patients.

LOWERING CHOLESTEROL LEVELS:

Silymarin (an active compound in milk thistle) works as an effective cholesterol-lowering drug with the additional benefit of substantially increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

CANCER:

Silymarin has strong antioxidant properties and is believed to inhibit the growth of human prostate, breast, and cervical cancer cells in test tubes.

Silymarin

Silymarin is the most active component or ingredient of Milk Thistle Seed. Silymarin is composed mainly of silybinin, silychristin and silydianin. Silymarin is difficult to absorb. It is soluble only in Alcohol and not water. Therefore, alcohol is the preferred medium for its extraction. As of today, the only known source of Silymarin is the Milk Thistle Seed.

Silymarin is also known as the liver-protecting compound in milk thistle. It helps repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin protects the liver cells from being destroyed by these substances. It has antioxidant properties that help to cure various problems.

Milk Thistle Consumption

The seeds of Milk thistle contain Silymarin and are the active part of the herb. This component is difficult of absorb. It is easily soluble in alcohol rather than water. Hence, alcohol is the preferred medium in which silymarin is extracted. The absorption level of milk thistle in the blood stream increases if the solution of silymarin is concentrated.

The Milk thistle seeds are used to prepare: -

- Milk thistle capsules containing dry powdered herb or seed.

- Milk thistle teas.

- Liquid extract of Milk thistle.

- Milk Thistle Tincture.

The capsules are the most concentrated form of Milk Thistle.

Areas of Concern

• The in-take levels or dosages in which adults and children must consume milk thistle should be strictly taken care of as an overdose can lead to hazardous conditions.

• Milk thistle has a few side effects such as stomach upset, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, skin reactions, diarrhea or bloating after consumption of the same.

• In extreme cases, a person may suffer from impotence or anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction that can be fatal) as the side effects of Milk thistle. These reactions are very rare.

• For safety purpose, it is essential that one must inform one’s doctor, medical practitioner or physician about the consumption of milk thistle so that it does not contradict with any other form of treatment taken for other ailments.

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women must not consume Milk Thistle.

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Chest Pain – Information on Chest Pain

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Chest pain is merely a symptom, not a diagnosis. Many medical problems can cause chest

pain, and before the chest pain can be adequately treated, the actual underlying cause needs

to be identified. The following is a list of the more common causes of chest pain, roughly in

order of the frequency in which they are seen in the emergency room. Chest pain is one of

the most frightening symptoms you can have. It is sometimes difficult even for a doctor or

other medical professional to tell what is causing chest pain and whether it is life threatening.

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people call for emergency medical help.

Every year emergency room doctors evaluate and treat millions of people for chest pain.

Chest pain isn’t just a problem for adults. It may occur in a child as well. Many of the causes

aren’t serious, but they may require a doctor’s attention. Follow this chart for more

information about chest pain in infants and children.

Physical activity that involves the chest muscles, especially when it is new or more strenuous

than usual, can cause muscles soreness. The pain is longer-lasting than most episodes of

ischemic pain and is often made better or worse by a particular position. Taking a deep

breath may make the pain worse, and it may only affect a specific area of the chest. Pressing

on this area of the chest usually causes the pain to become worse.

Angina: Angina is chest pain related to an imbalance between the oxygen demand of the

heart and the amount of oxygen delivered via the blood. It is caused by blockage or

narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Angina is different from a heart

attack in that the arteries are not completely blocked. Also, angina causes little or no

permanent damage to the heart. Stable angina occurs while exercising and goes away with

rest. Unstable angina is not relieved by rest or actually occurs at rest.

Chest pain is a common symptom which can be caused by many different conditions. Some

causes of chest pain require prompt medical attention, such as angina, heart attack, or tearing

of the aorta. Other causes of chest pain can be evaluated electively, such as spasm of the

esophagus, gallbladder attack, or inflammation of the chest wall. Therefore, an accurate

diagnosis is important in providing proper treatment to patients with chest pain. The

diagnosis and treatment of angina is discussed below, as well as the diagnosis of other causes

of chest pain that can mimic angina.

Fortunately, chest pain doesn’t always signal a heart attack. Often chest pain is unrelated to

any heart problem. But even if the chest pain you experience has nothing to do with your

cardiovascular system, the problem may still be important — and worth the time spent in an

emergency room to have your chest pain evaluated.

Heart attack — A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when a fatty plaque

ruptures. A blood clot (thrombus) can form on the plaque, which can partially or completely

block the artery. This blockage slows or blocks blood flow to the area of heart muscle fed by

that artery. If this continues for more than 15 minutes, the muscle can become damaged or

infarcted (that is, the tissue in that area dies). During a heart attack, the

patient may feel a discomfort that is similar to an episode of ischemia. A heart attack results

from a prolonged period of angina.

Sudden sharp chest pain mimicking the same symptoms of a myocardial infarction or

angina. The chest pain my be affected by breathing and may persist for several days and may

recur. Generally, pericarditis is presumed to have a viral cause and therefore show flu like

symptoms prior to the attack.

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Horse health: Laminitis symptoms and treatment

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Laminitis & Founder are both terms that refer to rotation of the coffin bone and/or swelling and inflammation of the hoof capsule. The common cause of this disease is excess sugar in the diet. Because horses are classified as non-ruminant herbivores, their digestive tract is adapted to digesting small, high fiber meals. The horse digests its food through continuous fermentation in the cecum and colon. Horses have no gall bladder to aid in digestion of food like humans. The gall bladder dumps digestive fluids into the stomach to help breakdown food faster. That means the horse may have difficulty completely and properly digesting large meals of hay and grains. When the digestive tract is overloaded and becomes out of naturally intended balance, that is when laminitis and other hoof ailments can occur.

So when the horse has too large a meal it could prevent the food from being digested completely. The undigested or poorly digested food can then become toxic. The toxins from poor digestion can then leach into the blood stream via the intestines and flow to the lowest circulatory point of the horse, the hoof. The toxins can then affect the MMP’s which are small gates that govern blood flow to the hoof. The MMP’s function is to regulate the temperature in the hoof, so that it does not become too hot or too cold. This situation will probably result in restricting blood flow and nutrients to the white line. As the white line atrophies it begins to cease holding the outer hoof to the hoof capsule. Now the horse begins to have a serious hoof and health problem.

To help understanding the digestion of a horse I would like to use the metaphor of making wine. Feeding a horse is like making a fine wine (Wine is made from fermenting grapes, horses ferment their food as part of the digestive process). Three things need to be in balance in the digestive system:

*Sugar

*pH level

*Enzymes

If any of those three get out of balance you get vinegar, or in this case, toxins. Of course the digestive system and nutritional needs of a horse are little more complex than that, but that is the mindset you need when you are feeding your horse. If you are in doubt or confused about feeding your horse properly consult your veterinarian.


A final thought on the mindset to feeding your horse. A horse in the wild will naturally take a bite of low quality grass and then takes several steps, traveling up to 20 miles a day. This is perfect for the horses digestion. A small

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Understanding What is Bad Cholesterol

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Cholesterol is a very familiar medical term almost to anyone, particularly the middle age group. It is a common thing the word will never be a part of teen-age lingo. The main reason is, most of the dreaded ailments accompanying “high cholesterol” levels are associated with hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and other long term and acquired conditions, which does not could also happen to younger generation as juvenile complications. To make it clear, when the majority is talking about lowering cholesterol, it is all about alleviating the further progress of bad cholesterol.

There are two kinds of cholesterol accumulating or present in the human body. Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein is harmful because it can cause atheroma. Atheroma is considered to be the plaque of the arteries, commonly referred to as fat streaks. If not watched carefully, accumulation of ‘macrophage white blood cells’ can happen to a child even before the age of 10. 

The early symptoms may start as early as 5 years old, while the child grows up and the condition is accumulating quietly in the veins. Most of the time, the exact symptoms are only given prognosis after the onset of heart attack or stroke, which is already too late for the patient. The attack of silent killers may not cause death but chances are it can lead to lifetime disability.

It is debilitating to imagine how high levels of bad cholesterol can cause serious consequences to the body. When most people may appear healthy all the time, cholesterols can only be checked through lab tests. Sometimes it surprises people to find out how high their cholesterol build-up has soared for the past years. 

There is no mystery behind the strengthening of bad cholesterol other than high consumption of saturated fats in the diet. In the advent of labels or guides in processed foods like canned goods and other packed products in the groceries, it is easy to see the amount of cholesterol a food has. This is just a small matter on how to grasp the essence of being cholesterol conscious.

The major way to lower down cholesterol levels in the body is to understand how it metabolizes in the body. Cholesterol doe not actually come from diet alone. It is a whole process within where diet is just one of the contributing factor. Good cholesterol aids in the body’s biochemical functioning like producing bile, regulating of vitamins that are fat soluble such as A, K, D, and E. 

It also has impact on the synthesis of the body hormone. After cholesterol has been utilized in the body, it excretes as excess lipids in the liver and gall bladder as crystal particles. Because cholesterol is not water soluble, it circulates over and over and gets converted to bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). For normal individuals with healthy metabolism, bad cholesterol is minimal and comes in as  large quantities. The harmful ones are those that come in many number of small sizes trapped in the veins as accumulated clogs. 

When it comes to lowering high cholesterol, basically there is nothing to ponder about genetic weaknesses, the key is watching over food intake. Cholesterol is highly present in animal meats and fats, especially pork and beef. It is easy to watch fatty foods with all the precautions available today. But it takes discipline to live a life with less cholesterol consumption.

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The Most Common Liver Disease Symptoms

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Friday, January 29th, 2010

It doesn’t matter if it’s a disease of the liver of a gall bladder affection, jaundice is the main symptom. If one notices that his skin color becomes jaundiced he can almost be sure he has an issue with his gall bladder or liver. The eyes also get an yellow color, instead of the characteristic white. The jaundice appears because the old blood isn’t filtered out correctly. If the jaundice appears with flu like symptoms together then a medical control is required because it may be a result of hepatitis or serious damage taken by the gall bladder.

In the Asian medicine Jaundice is splitted in two types, the Yin Jaundice and the Yang Jaundice. The first one is mainly characterized by the whole body being colored in a vivid yellow, thirst, coloring of the tongue (yellow). The second, the Yin jaundice turns the face, the eyes, and the skin slightly grey. Yin jaundice produces low fever, nausea, no appetite and palpitations.

If you constantly have a bad appetite then you should consider having some medical test because this is one of the symptoms of liver disease. This will lead to decreasing of body weight and a not balanced metabolism that will lead to an unusual, unhealthy quantity of carbohydrates and fat in the blood. Another result of this symptom is anemia. This is the most severe consequence of a bad appetite. If a person developed anemia it is very possible that he will develop a disease in the liver cells (hepatocytes). Vomiting and nausea will appear, and in the vomit there are big chances that blood will be found. Ulcers have an increased risk rate if anemia is left untreated.

If you notice that your stool is too light colored then this may happen because the quantity of bile produced is too small. If this happens constantly then you can be sure that you have some liver or gall bladder issues. Bile isn’t secreted in the right amounts or it won’t reach the intestines because of the stones that may block the way.

Another common symptom is polyuria, also known as excessive urinating. This symptom appears at more than just this disease. A consequence of polyuria is polydypsia that is excessive thirst.

Other symptoms that may appear are strokes, depressions, spasms, allergies, seizures, colored yes (red, yellow) and mood swings (irritability.)

More informations about gall bladder symptoms or gall bladder pain can be found by visiting http://www.gall-bladder-guide.com/

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Fumitory – Uses and Side Effects

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Friday, January 29th, 2010

Fumitory has been known since antiquity and was described in herbals from the Middle Ages. The dried or fresh flowering plant the above-ground part is used medicinally. Active components include hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids such as rutin and fumaric acid, and isoquinoline alkaloids such as scoulerine, protopine, fumaricine, fumariline, and fumaritine.

Isoquinolone alkaloids may contribute to the herb’s antispasmodic effects on the gallbladder, bile ducts, and GI tract. Cinnamic acid has a choleretic effect. Fumaric acid works as an antioxidant, a flavoring agent, and a chelating agent. Flavonoids and their derivatives may improve capillary function by decreasing abnormal leakage. Available as leaves, liquid extract, powder, and tincture.

Reported uses

In traditional medicine, fumitory is used to treat eczema and other dermatologic conditions. It’s also used as a laxative and a diuretic, and to relieve liver, gallbladder, and GI complaints. Fumitory is used to treat cystitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, arthritis, hypoglycemia, and infections, and as a blood purifier. Fumitory is also used topically to treat skin diseases such as chronic eczema and psonasls.

Administration

For gallbladder complaints: Infusion is prepared by pouring boiling water over 2 to 3 g of fumitory, and then straining after 20 minutes. Dosage is 1 cup warmed and taken before meals

Internal use: Dosage is 6 g by mouth or 1 cup of tea several times a day

Liquid extract (1:1 preparation in 25% alcohol USP): Dosage is 2 to 4 ml by mouth three times a day

Tincture (1:5 preparation in 45% alcohol USP): Dosage is 1 to 4 ml by mouth three times a day.

Hazards

Fumitory may increase intraocular pressure and reverse the effects of antiglaucoma drugs. Increased hypotension may be seen with antihypertensives. Tinctures and extracts contain significant levels of alcohol, increasing the risk for a disulfiram-like reaction. Fumaric acid is classified as a chelating agent; it may bind to other drugs and alter absorption. Increased CNS effects may be noted with alcohol use.

Patients with glaucoma or pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid use. Because fumaric acid may cause renal failure, those with renal dysfunction should also avoid use.

Safety Risk Side effects associated with fumitory include hypotension, increased intraocular pressure, and acute renal failure.

Clinical considerations

Monitor patients for renal dysfunction serum creatinine and BUN levels because fumaric acid may cause renal failure.

Because tinctures and extracts contain significant levels of alcohol, they may be unsuitable for children, alcoholics, those with a previous history of alcohol abuse, those with preexisting liver disease, and those taking disulfiram or metronidazole.

If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding or is planning to become pregnant, advise her not to use fumitory

Inform patient of the potential for hypotension when using fumitory with an antihypertensive, and instruct him to report feelings of weakness, dizziness, or light headedness to his health care provider.

Remind patient not to take fumitory with any drug; instruct him to separate administration times by 2 hours.

Caution patient not to use fumitory with alcohol.

Instruct patient to report feelings of increased eye pressure or pain and to stop taking the herb immediately if he experiences such symptoms.

Tell patient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.

Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Fumitory has been investigated for its therapeutic potential in the management of cardiovascular and hepatobiliary disorders. Preliminary animal and human data suggest that the plant has pharmacologic activity, which requires further elucidation. Fumitory has not been associated with significant toxicity.

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Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)

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Friday, January 29th, 2010

Vitamin D, sometimes called Cholecalciferol, is the only vitamin that the body is capable of producing on its own. The only catch is that the body must be exposed to sunlight before it can produce this vitamin. It’s not necessary to worship the sun to reap the vitamin-making benefits. An hour a week is generally enough. All of the body’s other daily requirement of vitamins must come from the diet and/or via supplementation.

 

Vitamin D is a very stable fat soluble vitamin. Like other fat soluble vitamins, the body is capable of storing Vitamin D for later use. Because it is stable, it is not broken down during food preparation or exposure to heat sources.

 

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and this in turn helps keep bones strong and less prone to breaks and brittleness. Ample amounts of Vitamin D greatly reduce the risks of developing osteoporosis and joint damage. It can slow down the effects of arthritis and keep back pain under control. Vitamin D is also required for proper absorption of phosphorus.

 

Vitamin D is currently being studied as an effective way to protect the body against colorectal cancer and the development of certain types of autoimmune diseases. Early results are promising. 

 

Sources of Vitamin D

 

Milk that has been fortified with Vitamin D is a really good source because it has the added bonus of providing the body with calcium. Foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines are other good sources. Vitamin D is also found in animal fats including organ meats, butter, egg yolks and full-fat dairy products. Other foods that have been fortified with this vitamin, such as orange juice and cereals, are other reliable sources. A good herbal supplement is cod liver oil.

 

The recommended daily intake for adults is 200 ñ 400 IU (International Units). Individuals aged 50 ñ 70 should increase their intake to 400 IU and those older than 70 should get even more, 600 IU/day. It is also suggested that breastfed babies be given a Vitamin D supplement.

 

Note that health-related problems can result from over-supplementation. Excessive amounts of calcium can lead to the development of kidney stones and over-calcification of teeth and bones. Calcium deposits in the arteries can cause arteries to harden.

 

Symptoms of a Vitamin D Deficiency

 

Rickets, a disease thought to be under control, is beginning to appear again, especially in children who do not get sufficient quantities of Vitamin D. The primary symptoms of this disease are soft bones and bones that develop abnormally. Infants that do not get sufficient Vitamin D can develop a condition in which bones do not harden. This results in bowed legs, stunted growth and a lot of pain.

 

In later stages of life, insufficient levels of Vitamin D can cause osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and fracture easily. Since Vitamin D is absorbed in the small intestines, diseases in the gall bladder, liver, intestines and the pancreas can impede absorption and lead to deficiencies.

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Wild Yam Root- Side Effects and Benefits

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Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Botanical Name of Wild Yam: Dioscorea villosa

Other Common Names: Colic root, Aluka, China Root Devil’s-bones, Mexican Wild Yam, Rheumatism Root, Shan-yao, Wild Yam, Yuma.

Habitat: Wild Yam is native to North and Central America. It has become naturalized to many tropical, subtropical and temperate areas throughout the world. This perennial, twining vine grows in damp woodlands and thickets. This plant thrives in sunny conditions and rich soil.

Plant Description: Wild yam is a tuberous, twining vine with pale-brown, knotty, woody, cylindrical tubers. The tubers are crooked and bear horizontal branches. They have a thin reddish stem that grows to a length of over 9.2 meter. This plant produces clusters of greenish-white or greenish-yellow flowers. The leaves, which are heart shaped, have a smooth top surface and downy under-surface.

Plant Parts Used: The roots and rhizome are dried and used for medicinal purposes.

Therapeutic Uses of Wild Yam and Claims

* Traditionally this herb was used to treat colic and rheumatism, and may have been used by the Mayan and Aztec to treat pain.

* Wild Yam’s antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory actions make it useful in treating symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. These same qualities make it useful in treating cramps and muscular pain.

* It has also been used to treat digestive disorders including gallbladder inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diverticulitis.

* The combination of its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects makes it a good choice for urinary tract conditions.

* Wild yam contains a compound called Diosgenin, which is used in birth control pills and other steroid hormones. This supports the idea that wild yam may help regulate female sex hormones and it is considered a good herb for many of the symptoms associated with menopause.

* This herb has also been shown to lower blood pressure (temporarily) and cholesterol levels in the blood.

* Wild yam has also been shown to benefit the spleen, kidneys, lungs, and stomach.

Dosage and Administration

Wild yam is available as a tincture, liquid extract, powder extract, or in tablet or capsule form. The common dosage for this supplement is 2-3 mL (40-100 drops) of the tincture three to four times a day. The capsules or tablets may be taken in a dosage of one or two taken three times per day. The liquid extract should be taken at a dosage of 10-40 drops three to four times per day.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Wild Yam

Wild yam is generally safe but some people have experienced nausea when taking large doses. Its safety has not been tested in pregnant or lactating females or in young children. Wild yam contains dioscorin, which can be toxic in large amounts, it is important to stay within the recommended doses. Wild yam has been shown to interact with estradiol, a hormone used in some birth control medications and other hormone therapies.

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