Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog

PLATELETS IN MIGRAINE: FINDINGS ON ENZYME MONOAMINE OXIDASE (MAO),

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:28:03 +0000

Another interesting finding is that the activity of one form of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), the function of which is to destroy amines such as serotonin in platelets, is lower during an attack of migraine than at other times. It might be thought that this lowering of MAO activity would lay the body open to amines which would then exert their noxious influence, but this is not so. However, we do not know precisely when this lowering occurs; whether it is a primary change or secondary to the headache; nor do we know what the other MAOs are doing.This yo-yo behaviour of the platelet MAO in migraine seems to be at odds with findings that people with a consistently low level of platelet MAO are at greater risk of mental illness; a measurement that is constant, highly reproducible, and probably a genetic trait.In our own studies, we found three individuals who not only had a low level of MAO during a migraine attack but also between attacks. There were no obvious psychiatric problems in any of them but, interestingly, they showed a response to tyramine similar to that found in depression. Although infusions of adrenalin and noradrenalin, as well as hard exercise, seem to increase the activity of MAO, no clear overall picture has emerged as yet.The responses to all these tests in migraine patients differ from the normal but this does not mean that migraine sufferers are inherently different from other people. It is more likely that there is a gradation from normals to headache sufferers to migraine sufferers. It is because of this lack of sharp distinction that research on migraine is so difficult.There are certain more clear-cut differences between the migraine sufferer and others. First, migraine can be inherited; second, there is an increased incidence of epilepsy in migraine sufferers, and, third, the EEG may be more often abnormal. The last two differences could be explained by repeated migraine attacks or by drugs used in treatment, and a good deal of research has been done to clarify this particular problem.
*33/152/5*

GENDER ROLES: THE TRANSSEXUAL PHENOMENON

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:09:49 +0000

In 1953 the world was startled to learn about Christine Jorgensen, an American ex-Marine who underwent surgery in Denmark to convert his anatomical appearance from male to female. Since then transsexualism has achieve J considerable notoriety. Jan Morris’s autobiography, Conundrum, provides some fascinating details into her own transsexual odyssey. Renee Richards, an accomplished eye doctor and tennis player as a male, provoked quite a stir when she insisted on joining the women’s pro tennis circuit as a converted female. Transsexual individuals persistently feel an incongruity between their anatomical sex and gender identity. They frequently describe their dilemma as “being trapped in the wrong body.” Their psychological sense of existence as male or female (their gender identity) does not match the appearance of their genitals and secondary sex characteristics. Looking and being biologically male, the male transsexual wishes to change to female anatomy and live as a woman. Conversely, looking and being biologically female, the female transsexual wishes to change to male anatomy and live as a man.Precise statistics on the prevalence of this gender identity variation are not available, but one estimate suggests the figure asone in 100,000 for male transsexuals and one in 130,000 forfemale transsexuals. Among persons who contact gender identity clinics and request change-of-sex surgery, there are manymore men than women. Although there has been considerable speculation about the possible cause(s) of transsexualism, there is little agreement on this matter among researchers in the field.Both biological and psychological factors have been suggested as causes.In the best defined cases of transsexualism, the person has a lifelong sense of being psychologically at odds with his or her sexual anatomy. Typically, this psychological discomfort is partially (but only temporarily) relieved by pretending to be a member of the opposite, desired sex. Many transsexuals describe having had great interest in cross-dressing (i.e., wearing clothes of the “other” sex) during childhood or adolescence. Transsexuals, however, should not be confused with transvestites, who cross-dress to become sexually aroused but usually do not want a permanent change of anatomy or appearance. In at least some cases, discovery of transsexual impulses does not occur until adulthood.Psychotherapy has been generally unsuccessful in resolving the transsexual’s basic distress of feeling trapped in the wrong body. As a result, those judged to be authentic transsexuals have been treated in programs designed to lead to change-of-sex surgery — in effect, redoing the body to match the mind. Since such surgery is irreversible, responsible practitioners take a cautious approach and require a one- to two-year trial period beyond the initial evaluation during which the transsexual patient lives in a cross-gender role. During this time, the transsexual begins living openly as a person of the opposite sex, adopting hairstyles, clothing, and mannerisms of that sex, and also assuming a name that “matches” the new gender.The transsexual male is given estrogens on a daily basis to produce a certain degree of anatomic feminization: breast growth occurs, skin texture becomes softer, and muscularity decreases, for example. However, treatment with estrogens does not remove facial or body hair (electrolysis is required) or raise voice pitch (some male-to-female transsexuals take voice lessons to learn to speak in a more feminine fashion). Estrogen therapy also reduces the frequency of erections and causes the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to shrink.Transsexual women are treated with testosterone to suppress menstruation, increase facial and body hair growth, and deepen the voice. Surgery is required to reduce breast size. For both male and female transsexuals, hormone treatments are given throughout the trial period of cross-dressing and adjusting to a new set of gender roles. At the same time, the patient’s progress is periodically evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Attention is also directed to achieving legal recognition of the sex change and to personal matters, such as family or religious counseling.If all goes fairly smoothly in the trial period and the transsexual is judged to be psychologically stable and able to adjust socially to the conversion, the final stage of treatment is surgery to change the sexual anatomy. At present, it is much simpler to perform male-to-female conversion surgery than the reverse. The male-to-female operation requires removing the penis and testes and creating an artificial vagina and female-appearing external genitals. The more difficult female-to-male procedure involves creating a “penis” from a tube made from abdominal skin or from tissue from the vaginal lips and perineum. While the artificial vagina created in the male-to-female transsexual often looks authentic and may allow a fairly full range of sexual response (e.g., vaginal lubrication and orgasm have both been claimed but not scientifically verified), female-to-male transsexual surgery creates an artificial penis that cannot become erect or feel tactile sensation.In female-to-male transsexual surgery, it is sometimes possible to attain a degree of sexual function by implanting a mechanical inflatable device inside the penis to produce an artificial erection. Experience with this method is limited at the present time, and in any event, ejaculation is not possible. Many female-to-male transsexuals choose to have hormone therapy and surgical removal of their breasts and uterus but do not opt for an artificial penis.Transsexual surgery is not a cure for this disorder but is only a procedure that may foster a sense of emotional well-being. Recently, the wisdom of surgery for transsexuals has been questioned by researchers from Johns Hopkins University who claimed to find no significant psychological benefits in patients who had undergone such operations compared to those who did not. The matter is unresolved at present, although several prominent medical centers stopped doing transsexual surgery in 1980 because of the lack of solid evidence that the surgery is beneficial.*106\342\2*

HIV: OPTIONS FOR MEDICAL CARE-GLOSSARY OF HOSPITAL PEOPLE AND PRACTICES: UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:55:26 +0000

Universal precautions are a set of rules to protect health care workers from certain infectious diseases. Included among those diseases are HIV infection, hepatitis, and any other infectious disease transmitted through body fluids (blood, saliva, urine). All hospitals in the United States are required to practice universal precautions. Though the rules of universal precaution apply to all body fluids, the major concern is for blood and bloody fluids. The rules require a barrier between the health care worker and the fluid. The barrier rule means that gloves are to be worn when obtaining blood samples or dressing wounds and the like. Goggles, face shields, or similar devices may be used during procedures (like childbirth) that may result in splattering of blood. Hospital gowns must be worn when clothes might be soiled. For such day-today care as taking temperatures and blood pressure, no gloves or other barriers need be used. It should be emphasized that universal precautions are universal. They apply to all people participating in the care of any patient in the hospital. There are no precautions that are special to people with HIV infection. Exceptions are the opportunistic infections—like salmonella, tuberculosis, and shingles—that pose a threat to health care workers. But these infections require the same precautions regardless of HIV status.*168\191\2*

SKIN INFECTIONS: FUNGAL FOLLICULITIS

admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:50:21 +0000

Fungal follicular infections tend to occur on the scalp (tinea capitis) and face (tinea barbae). Infection in areas other than the scalp or beard often follows the use of topical steroids on sites with superficial fungal infections. Tinea capitis occurs mainly in children and is the most contagious of the superficial fungal infections. Trichophyton tonsurans causes more than 90% of cases in the United States. Other organisms include Microporum canis and Microporum audouinii.Fungal folliculitis can be difficult to distinguish from bacterial. Tinea is not often suspected until a patient has failed treatment with antibiotics. Hints toward tinea infection include a more insidious onset, alopecia, scaling, and fewer pustules than seen in bacterial folliculitis. Involved hairs in fungal infections can be removed with only gentle manipulation. Hairs that have broken close to the skin surface may appear as black dots. M. audouinii fluoresces under black light but T. tonsurans does not. Fungal culture of scales and several hairs can be performed for speciation.Systemic antifungals are needed to penetrate the follicle. Although resistance is emerging, griseofulvin remains the drug of choice. However, concerns regarding resistance and drug toxicity prompt many clinicians to use terbenifine, itraconazole or fluconazole instead. Close contacts should be prophylactically treated with ketoconazole or selenium sulfide shampoo.*112/348/5*

EMERGENCIES: ACCIDENTAL TOOTH LOSS

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:20:08 +0000

A real knockoutWhen a permanent tooth is knocked out, your dentist may be able to re-implant it successfully if the tooth tissue is kept alive. Your chances of saving a tooth are good up to one hour after injury. Baby teeth are not usually re-implanted since they eventually come out anyway.What you can dowhen you injure or lose a permanent toothAvoid touching the root end of the tooth.As long as the tooth is not contaminated or dirty, and the person is alert and cooperative, place the tooth back in the gum socket, or have them hold it in the pouch of the cheek where saliva and blood will protect it.If unable to place the tooth in the mouth, put the tooth in cold milk, or a saline solution made of one-fourth teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water.Do not clean, wash or scrape the tooth. This may cause more damage.PreventionWear a protective dental guard or headgear when participating in sports.Know when and how to reach your dentist in an emergency.*16\303\2*

TREATMENT OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS: MONITORING RESPONSE TO THERAPY

admin — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:32:24 +0000

Patients who are being treated for latent tuberculosis should be monitored periodically for the following:• Signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis• Adherence to the prescribed regimens• Complications from the medical regimens, especially hepatitisPatients should be educated on the signs and symptoms of hepatitis and should be instructed to stop medications and seek medical attention immediately for such an event. Patients on isoniazid should be monitored at least monthly. Routine monitoring of liver enzymes for patients on isoniazid is indicated when baseline liver readings are elevated or when risk factors for liver disease are present. Patients on pyrazinamide and rifampin should be seen every 2 weeks, and testing of liver enzymes and bilirubin should be obtained. If signs or symptoms of hepatoxicity develop, the liver enzymes should be tested and the medical regimen should be discontinued. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients taking isoniazid will develop some mild asymptomatic elevation of liver-associated enzymes. These are usually self-limited and do not necessitate discontinuation of therapy. If elevations in liver-associated enzymes exceed five times the upper limit of normal or the patient notes abdominal symptoms, then the drug should be discontinued, and the patient followed closely for signs of hepatotoxicity.*58/348/5*

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO EPILEPTIC SEIZURE CONTROL: PSYCHOTHERAPY

admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:45:56 +0000

Psychotherapy simply means talking to someone. Your doctor, if he is a good doctor, will give you psychotherapy every time you go and see him. But not every doctor has the time, and a few do not have the inclination or the skills to give patients who have epilepsy time to talk about the problems they have with their condition and the anxieties they feel. Individual psychotherapy on a one-to-one basis will give you the chance to have these discussions. Some GP practices have their own counsellor attached to the practice. If yours does not, ask your GP to refer you to a counselling service in your area.Group supportWhether you have epilepsy yourself or are the parent of a child with epilepsy, it helps to have someone to talk to who understands your worries and concerns. Through your local branch of the British Epilepsy Association or your doctor, you may be able to join a group of other people who have epilepsy and their relatives. It can be very reassuring to be able to compare your experiences and talk about your anxieties to other people who know exactly what you mean, because they have probably gone through very similar experiences themselves.Discussing problems you share can be helpful. You will find that other people have many of the same problems that you do, but they may have found ways of dealing with them that have not occurred to you. Knowing that other people have to deal with the same everyday problems or irritations of living with epilepsy can make you feel less isolated and bring your epilepsy more into perspective. This has a knock-on effect too; if you feel better adjusted and more relaxed about your epilepsy, the chances are that your seizures will start to occur less frequently.Most of these groups meet regularly, sometimes socially, sometimes to hear a talk or have a discussion group. If there is no such group in your area, why not start one? Remember that one person in 200 has epilepsy. Wherever you are, there will be people who will want to join.*40\193\2*

JOSEPH’S WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS STORY: “I HAVE IMPROVED STRENGTH AND STAIMINA”

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:36:05 +0000

Since beginning the detox program I have improved strength and stamina. For example, I used to run ten-minute miles prior to my participation and presently I run eight- to nine-minute miles. I could only do 50 sit-ups. After just four months I can do 360 sit-ups. Also I notice when getting up in the morning my joints, particularly my ankles, don’t ache any more. My blood pressure is now 110/70. My hiatal hernia doesn’t bother me as it did before the study.If you want to know how my behavior has changed you may want to ask my wife and daughters. I always blamed someone in the past. Now if I start to blame, I stop myself. I am more aware. In the past I always acted defensively. This behavior is occurring less and less. I used to worry constantly. This is the area of greatest improvement for me. Most of the time I refuse to worry. I used to suffer with lots of anxiety. Most of the time I would not have been able to explain why. Now I have little or no anxiety. I used to experience a bout of anger at least once a day. Now— maybe one time a week.I used to look at animals as a source of protein. Now I look at these creatures from a perspective that they also have a spirit.*264\233\8*

COMMON SKIN DISORDERS IN ADULTS: GENITAL HERPES

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:26:40 +0000

Genital herpes has received enormous publicity. It is a common venereal disease which today is becoming widespread. The disease itself is often quite trivial, yet the stigma associated with it can be emotionally debilitating.A diagnosis of genital herpes can only be made on a swab taken from the involved area and the virus isolated in the laboratory. Herpes infection is only serious during pregnancy but rarely interferes with a person’s general state of health at other times. As with all herpes infections, the virus remains in the system and is activated at various times, especially in response to stress. Although the initial episode may be severe, the episodes become less severe, less frequent and shorter with time.
Preventing genital herpesGenital herpes produces sores around the genitals in both sexes. It is infectious whether or not sores are present, so condoms should be used for intercourse if one partner has the disease.
Treating genital herpesAcyclovir (Zovirax) is the only effective treatment for genital herpes, but must be taken regularly to prevent recurrent episodes. Unfortunately, once the drug is stopped, new episodes may recur.
*42/150/5*

HIV: ON LIVING-SOURCES OF SUPPORT: SUPPORT AND THERAPY GROUPS

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:06:11 +0000

Some of the best support for people affected by HIV infection comes through organized support and therapy groups. People often resist joining such groups because, they say, their families and friends and religion are sufficient, or they are embarrassed to turn to strangers, or they just don’t like joining groups. Once they join a group, however, they find that talking to people who share the same experiences allows them to open up and say things they could not otherwise say. For people whose family and friends are unable to be much help, support and therapy groups are lifesavers. Talking to people who share your situation can reduce your sense of isolation and give you a feeling of community. Listening to them talk can also give you a different perspective on your own problems. Seeing what works for other people and what does not helps you decide what might work for you. Hearing your problems described by someone else as their problems is somehow reassuring, calming—you don’t feel alone with your problems; you’re in good company. People say that groups give them a sense of relief from their own problems, and a sense of hope. People like the thought that they might be helping others in their group. Support and therapy groups are found everywhere hospitals, clinics, churches, AIDS-advocacy organizations, to name a few. Groups are composed of people with common situations. Some groups are for people who have the virus but no symptoms; some are for people with ARC, some for people with AIDS; some are for caregivers; some are for the people with AIDS and their caregivers; some are for women with AIDS; some are for black men with AIDS; some are for gay men; some are for intravenous drug users. Though the difference between support and therapy groups is not always clear-cut, support groups tend to be for company and comfort, therapy groups for solving specific problems. The goals of support groups often include learning to reduce isolation, to share experiences, to see what works for others, to express things you might not express elsewhere, to feel accepted. Those who choose a support group are principally looking for a safe place in which to be themselves and to be less isolated. The goals of therapy groups are the same, but also include learning to confront negative patterns. Those who choose a therapy group worry about patterns in their lives with which they are unhappy: they feel they are always lonely, for instance, or that they pick the wrong sorts of partners. These are not necessarily problems specific to HIV infection, though everyone else in the group should also be dealing with HIV infection. Both types of groups should be small, usually from five to eight people. Both groups are usually led, more or less loosely, by a qualified, experienced mental health professional. Mental health professionals say that what kind of group you get into is less important than getting into a group in the first place. Alan began going to a support group when his counselor recommended it: “The group has had a big effect on me. One of the worst things about the virus is not talking about it. When I talk to the group, my feeling of isolation is gone. The group also helps me release stress and anger. Plus you get a perspective on HIV, that it’s no big thing, though I’m logical enough to know it is a big thing. But the perspective helps me not paralyze myself and not get into self-fulfilling prophecies. The group has been such a support.” Steven found that his group helped him feel hope and courage: “It’s uplifting at the meetings. You get encouraged to keep trying to find help, to pursue all avenues. You learn that someone is out there no matter how bad it is. You learn you’re entitled to help.” Support groups help people understand themselves better and find connections with other people. “Sometimes, when you finally verbalize the things that are pretty far down,” Alan said, “they become a permanent part of you. I have always felt pretty isolated, and I was able to say that. One time the group leader said that we will realize the people we love, love us. I found some people who love me that I hadn’t even realized did love me. That opens me up to a nonsexual loving relationship.”*234\191\2*