Medical Journeys

Strong Pain Relief – Found in Nature? Really?

The recent removal of several high profile and popular prescription pain medications of the same pharmaceutical family, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, from the buyer’s market has left many people searching for a safer alternative for powerful, fast and effective pain relief. The most recent removal was Pfizer’s pulling of Bextra, citing serious skin reactions, sometimes fatal, and two others, Vioxx and Celebrex have been linked to heart related risks.

The dangerous side effects of this particular family of medications is definitely cause for alarm, and has many seeking alternatives that will manage their pain effectively, without the serious risks of several pharmaceutical pain killers.

While there have always been natural and homeopathic pain relief remedies, there has never really been a powerful and viable alternative for people with chronic pain related to ailments ranging from back pain, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, to rheumatism and hundreds of other joint, mucle, and nerve related ailments.

These individuals are in need of serious pain reduction therapy on an ongoing basis, and the typical natural remedy simply cannot compare to the speed and effectiveness of prescription pain medications and narcotic drugs, which suppresses pain by targeting the central nervous system. That is, until now.

Before we get into that, let’s look at some of the more widely known natural and herbal remedies for pain relief. These include varying dosages and combinations of “Devil’s Claw”, Willow Bark, the ayurvedic compound Boswellia, Camomile, Bromelain, St. John’s Wort, Horsetail, and numerous others too abundant to mention.

As previously mentioned, these herbs and natural compounds can soothe minor pains and aches, but do not work as effectively as their man-made prescription couterparts. There is now a natural pain remedy on the market that is actually highly effective, and has worked very well for many as a natural pain relief alternative by utilizing a specific blend of several high-grade botanicals designed to aggressively manage pain throughout the day.

These people not only are enjoying the benefits of it’s natural pain relief, but also, and perhaps even more importantly, they are enjoying the peace of mind knowing that they are not seriously endangering their health in other ways simply so they can manage their pain.

No one want to be incapacitated and limited by pain, but who wants to endanger their health just to manage it and live a fulfilling life, and why should you have to? Well, now these people have a natural pain relief solution that has literally been harvested from the land, unaltered, and in it’s purest state. Now, doesn’t that sound healthy?

Author: Danna Schneider
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The prostate is a gland found only in men, which lies just below the bladder. The tube through which urine flows from the bladder when you pass water goes first through the prostate gland then out through the penis. The prostate gland can become enlarged in many men as they get older which then causes difficulty with urination.

The job of the prostate gland is to produce fluid which forms part of semen and helps to nourish sperm. The prostate gland sits in front of the back passage or rectum which is why if a doctor wants to examine the prostate gland they feel it by putting a finger into your back passage. This is also called a digital rectal examination or DRE for short. From feeling the prostate gland the doctor can tell how enlarged the gland is and whether it feels normal or cancerous, this can then provide a picture of prostate cancer if it exists.

Cells in the prostate gland are constantly turning over to replace old with new but sometimes this process can get out of control. Cancer is the name for cells which have lost control of their renewal process and start to grow unchecked. They grow into a group of cells called a tumour. As the cells grow they can start to invade surrounding tissues. This invading process is called acting in a malignant fashion. Cells can break off the tumour and spread to other sites in the body, usually via the blood stream. The cells can then grow where they have settled, often in distant parts of the body such as the bones or brain. These deposits are often called secondaries or metastases. These deposits are not new cancers but are groups of cancer cells spread from the original or primary cancer in the prostate gland.

Most often in prostate cancer this process of tumour growth followed by invasion then metastasis is relatively slow and can occur over many months or years. This is why some men may have prostate cancer but never have a problem because of it i.e. their prostate cancer grows so slowly that other diseases or illnesses (e.g. heart attack or stroke) cause problems or even death before the prostate cancer has developed far enough to cause symptoms or spread from the prostate. With modern treatments many men with early prostate cancer can be cured and in many more the prostate cancer can be controlled and the invasion process slowed even more. Prostate cancer survival rates vary widely around the world, although detection in 3rd World countries is often poorly catalogued.

The cause of prostate cancer is not known. What is known is the characteristics of those men who tend to develop prostate problems. These are known as risk factors i.e. men with these characteristics are at greater risk of developing the cancer. However it is important to realise that ALL men are at risk of prostate cancer and even young men who have no history of cancer in their family can develop prostate cancer.

Age

Age is the main risk factor for developing prostate cancer. As men get older they have a higher chance of developing all types of cancer including cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is quite uncommon below the age of 50 years however four out of every ten men who are 70 years or older will have the illness. Many of these men will live normally without knowing they have prostate cancer and without it giving them any symptoms or shortening their life span.

Hormones

We know that the male hormones tend to stimulate the development of prostate cancers and prostate cancer is very rare in men who have been castrated before the age of 40 years. This is likely to be because the normal prostate gland is affected by male hormones when carrying out its normal functions in the body. Prostate cancer cells originate and have some features similar to these normal prostate cells including being influenced by male hormones.

Race

Prostate cancer is seen more commonly in certain ethnic groups e.g. African-Americans.

Diet

Diet may have an influence on the development of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is more common in men who have a western diet high in saturated fats. Saturated fats are found in red meats such as beef, lamb etc and in some dairy produce e.g. butter and things made with butter e.g. cakes, biscuits etc., and also in highly processed foods e.g. ready meals. It seems that men who have a diet high in saturated fat are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. It is also widely believed that a diet high in fruit and vegetables helps to prevent many cancers. This may be through the action of cancer protective chemicals found in many fruit and vegetables known as anti-oxidants. This is one of the reasons it is recommended that we include five portions of fruit and vegetables in our diet every single day.

Genetic

Prostate problems also tend to run in some families which could suggest part of the cause of some prostate cancers is genetic or hereditary. If your father or brother has prostate cancer your chance of developing it is about double that of the general population. However only a small number of all prostate cancers are caused by a known faulty gene and most occur at random.

SUMMARY OF PROSTATE CANCER CAUSES

Age (prostate cancer is more common as men get older)

Male hormones (prostate cancers uncommon in castrated men)

Ethnic group (prostate cancer more common in African-Americans)

Genetic (prostate cancer can run in families)

Diet

Author: Adrian Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Its a day spa unlike any other. After an entire day of traveling to the foothills, walk through the doors of Harmony Skin and Body Wellness and your senses will be filled with calming and healing fragrances. Tranquil music plays in the background, relaxing you into a state of bliss. Celebrating their three-year anniversary this summer, Harmony Skin and Body Wellness at the Executive Air Park in Cameron Park is a true haven for natural beauty, massage, waxing and other healing modalities. The ambiance is pristine, peaceful and captivatingly first-class. Included in the spa is a lovely seating area with soothing herbal tea that awaits you.

Esthetician–from the French “to beautify,” is practice in the enhancement of beauty. Estheticians are a crucial part of the salon and spa industry as they perform facials, hair removal and other body treatments, including massage. Estheticians may customize facials by cleansing, performing skin analysis, exfoliation, deep cleansing, lymphatic drainage massage, relaxation massage, masking, toning and moisturizing. Estheticians help to increase circulation, stimulate lymphatic systems, nourish skin, increase firmness and elasticity, remove toxins from tissues.
At Harmony, Owner Linda Bowers offers 22 years of expertise as an esthetician. Harmony has a clear and compelling mission to provide an exclusive fusion of skin and body services that meet the needs of the foothills. They utilize only state-of-theart innovative and holistic products and services. Before she opened Harmony, Bowers worked long hours at another day spa in Placerville. She envisioned she could do better, and created a space that is completely devoted to healing and truly caring for the men and women of the foothills.

Because the skin is the largest organ of our bodies, it should be well cared for. The skin protects us and keep bacteria out while allowing in nutrients and oxygen that are vital to our health. Because stress and hormones as well as the basic environment we live in has such a damaging effect on our skin, Harmony revitalizes the skin and is here to assist you with prevention, anti-aging and skin damage reversal. They offer many services with only the best products available. This is not a cookie-cutter approach. The estheticians diagnose your skin type and customize the products and procedures you need. Their specialists have the knowledge and the training to help you with all of your skin care needs. Each and every person has different skin and it is exposed to different environmental conditions. Only a skin care specialist can recommend the products and treatments that your skin requires to look its very best. Many of their satisfied clients that are accustomed to the offerings of spas throughout the world have said their time at

Harmony was more than they had ever hoped for: not only rejuvenating, but also life changing.
With so many day spas in El Dorado County, why would someone want to patronize Harmony? We are committed to results and excellence, explains Bowers. These values are important to us. For this reason, we are an ever evolving work in progress striving to meet our continuous emerging high standards while taking a fresh approach to wellness and beauty. At Harmony, they honestly look forward to providing you the utmost personalized care and service in their stress-free studio, bringing you harmony from within and without.

With the goal of offering their clientele an alternative to what more main-stream day spas galleries are providing, Harmony strives to present fresh, relaxing and rejuvenating experiences for their clients. This has been a constant guideline and principal strategy since its inception in 2003.
Moreover, there are topical oxygen treatments at Harmony to exfoliate and kill bacteria. 98.9% of pure oxygen is delivered to the face with the use of a hand atomizer. Their lam-probe machine utilizes radio frequency to remove skin tags and small unsightly benign skin growths.
Microdermabrasion is a simple cosmetic procedure provided at Harmony that is designed to safely exfoliate the outer epidermal layer of the skin, removing dead, dull skin cells to reveal the fresh, younger-looking skin beneath. Pure, sugar-fine mineral crystals gently sweep away the damaged surface cells, encouraging the skin’s natural renewal process so radiant, refined skin can shine through. The procedure is quick and painless. And, while just one treatment may produce results, additional treatments are desirable and recommended to attain – and maintain – the dewy complexion desired. In microdermabrasion, a wand is run over the skin, creating an air-pressured vacuum which acts as a mini-lymphatic drainage system to remove toxins from the skin as well as firming up the skins collagen for an instant anti-aging effect. Developed more than a decade ago in Europe, microdermabrasion crossed the Atlantic in 1998, gaining popularity at an astounding rate.

Today, it’s one of the top non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the U.S., enticing millions of women every year with its magical skin-rejuvenating effects. By removing the damaged top layers of the skin, microdermabrasion can literally help undo the ravages of time. After just one treatment, it can diminish fine lines and wrinkles, fade age spots and superficial sun damage, refine enlarged pores, equalize skin tone, and stimulate circulation. Overall, the effect is much like turning back the clock to restore the silky soft skin of younger years. Bowers is one of the regions leading estheticians with several years of microdermabrasion expertise.

Skin peels are a popular service at Harmony, too. Typical results from performing a peel every 2-3 weeks and maintaining the skin with daily exfoliators and skin growth factors include a more youthful and radiant appearance, noticeably smoother skin, softer and more evenly pigmented skin. Fine lines, large pores and acne scars become less noticeable.

It is vital that you use a moisturizer and sun protection when treating your skin with exfoliator and peel acids. Harmony offers a full line of Rhonda Allison products such as highly developed and effective moisturizers designed specifically to compliment the exfoliation and peel process as they are oil-free and free of the harmful chemical additives found in traditional creams that can block pores and cause chemical irritation. They also feature Jan Iredale mineral cosmetics.
One of the best services they provide is their permanent make-up for the eyes, brows and lips. They use a SofTap procedure after numbing the area with a special cream so you do not feel any pain at all. In fact, many clients fall asleep during this relaxing process. Imagine going through summer without having to worry about your make-up melting. Its also good for sports such as swimming, and for those allergic to cosmetics andor have tearing eyes. It enhances your natural beauty without a fuss.

Plus, waxing is another Harmony specialized service. They wax and design brows, lips, chin, full facial, legs, arms, underarms, back, shoulders, bikini and Brazilian waxing so you can always look and feel your very best. Thankfully, because Harmony believes in tranquility in all of their diverse services, they offer the most gentle products and technology for waxing.
In addition, Harmony is very active in the community and contributes to many charities such as Suicide Prevention Education Action Resource (S.P.E.A.R.S) and CASA.
Harmony also offers special services that many people dont know about. This includes new lash extentions, South Seas spray tanning and gentlemans facials, back treatments, waxing and deep tissue massage. They even provide make-up artistry for weddings, proms, or other special occasions with make-up that is good for the skin.

Offering a special promotion for their anniversary this summer, in August there is a 10% discount offered to new clients.

They are located in The Executive Air Park on Cameron Park Drive near the airport.
At Harmony, their aim is to enable you to both see and experience the beauty of yourself. See for yourself the magnificent results of your own natural beauty as it comes to life. For more details, call 677-3777 or visit http://www.harmonyskinandbody.com.

Author: C.W. Reichert
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian

Alzheimer’s disease is a cruel disease that attacks individuals at a time
in their lives when life should be “good”. Alzheimer’s sinister advancement
in the human brain reduces a loving, caring grandma or grandpa into
a person who does not recognize the people they love the most.

The duration of Alzheimer’s disease may vary from as little as 3
years to 20 years. Memory and reasoning skills are usually the
first sign of the disease. But the disease will continue to
progress and other cells die in different regions of the brain.
The person who is in the latter stages of Alzheimers will need complete
care. The cruel results of this disease is that even though an
individual has no other serious illness, the loss of brain function
result in death.
Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease
in that the individuals retain their memory. The memory is
affected in these disorders but not to the level of those
patients who have Alzheimer’s disease. Patients who are diagnosed
with frontotemporal dementia retain their ability to carry out motor
performance activities.

For example: If a patient who has Frontotemporal dementia is a house painter
They may very well retain their ability to paint. The problem that is associated with
this dementia is primarily personality problems. However manual dexterity
remains in tact. The person with this disorder very seldom will get lost
or wander off as is the case with patients suffering from Alzheimers.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is the most commonly diagnosed form of progressive dementia. As in Alzheimers, there is a progressive decline in brain functioning. There are however additional features that are observed:

• Changes in alertness and attention
• Lethargy, such as frequent drowsiness
• Parkinson’s motor skill

The build-up of Lewy bodies which are bits of alpha-synuclein protein is considered the
cause of this disease. The accumulation of alpha-synuclein accumulation is also linked to Parkinson’s disease. There is a similarity between the symptoms of DLB ,Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease. The similarities that exist between the different forms of dementia can make it difficult for a doctor to make a definitive diagnosis.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
This disease is a rare degenerative disease that is always fatal. This disease affects about one person in every one million people worldwide. Symptoms usually start around the age of 60. Ninety percent of people who have this disease die within 1 year of diagnosis. Memory loss, behavioral changes, coordination and visual problems are early symptoms.

Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson disease is the most common form of degenerative dementia disease after Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s is also a chronic, progressive disease that results when nerve cells in a part of the midbrain die or are impaired. These disturbances in the control centers of the brain cause the symptoms of PD.

Some of the same types of alpha-synuclein protein that is found in patients diagnosed with Lewy bodies are also found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimers diseases. These findings suggest to researchers and Doctors that either DLB is related to these other causes of dementia or that it is possible for an individual to have both diseases at the same time.

Author: Linda J Bruton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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