Category Archives: Acupuncture

Tinnitus Symptoms

People experience tinnitus in different ways. There are others who are mildly affected by tinnitus while some may be severely impacted by this ear condition. There are individuals with tinnitus who may develop hypersensitivity compared with others to everyday sounds. A person with tinnitus, for example, may find the sound from a TV or a radio excruciatingly loud even when they are set at a normal volume. This symptom of tinnitus is called hyperacusis. Tinnitus symptoms can arise during specific situations or in certain times. A person having a mild form of tinnitus, for example, will more likely notice it when he or she is in a quiet environment while a noisy place can drown out those tinnitus sounds.

There are tinnitus cases that can be related with your posture. You can, for example, hear sound when you turn your head, sit down or lie down. Whenever you turn your head, sit or lie down, your blood vessels, muscles and nerves experiences changes in pressure that can cause the noises in your ear related to tinnitus.

Types of tinnitus

Tinnitus sounds can also be heard as a sound of buzzing, whistling or hissing that is high-pitched. However, these are just some of the sounds tinnitus can produce.

There are individuals with tinnitus who hear tinnitus in a deep droning, rumbling, murmuring or humming sound. Some tinnitus sufferers may hear repeated songs, musical tunes or other musical hallucinations in their ear.

These are so-called the less typical forms of tinnitus and they are depicted in more detail below.

Musical hallucinations – These symptoms of tinnitus often are heard by people who have hearing loss or long-term tinnitus. They can also be occasionally experienced by individuals having normal hearing as well as those with hyperacusis or hypersensitivity to sound. Musical hallucinations as with other kinds of tinnitus have really no explainable reason. Stress, however, can be a trigger for them.

Low-frequency noise – Some tinnitus sufferers can also experience low-frequency noise that they usually mistake as emanating from an outside source rather than coming from inside their ears or head.

Some of the sounds of low-frequency noise an individual can hear can include:

Air conditioners
Refrigerators, fans and other home appliances
Underground gas pipes
Air and road traffic noises

Sounds of thunder, the sea or wind can also be other natural low-frequency noise that one with tinnitus can hear.

To ascertain whether the sound you hear may be coming from within or from without, you can ask people beside you whether they can hear what you hear. If they hear what you also hear, then the noise is obviously not caused by tinnitus. If you hear the noise all the time wherever you go instead of from only one place, then you may likely have tinnitus. A recent illness or stress can be connected to your symptoms.

Pulsatile tinnitus

This is a form of tinnitus where you may hear noises with either a rhythm or pulse that may synch with your pulse or heart beat. Pulsatile tinnitus can be caused the result of:

Enhanced awareness of the flow of blood near your ears
Changes in your blood flow in the blood vessels near your ear

Sometimes an artery may develop a blockage restricting blood flow. Plaques or fatty deposits can accumulate on the interior arterial wall causing it to narrow. This condition is called atherosclerosis. When the artery becomes constricted, it limits blood flow making it noisy which can be heard by a person with pulsatile tinnitus.

A person with a hearing problem/ impaired hearing caused by a perforated eardrum, for example, may be more acutely aware of the sounds his body functions make like the sound of his blood flow. Pulsatile tinnitus makes the person more sensitive to internal sounds in his body as long as they are not masked by external sounds.

Dr. Jeda Boughton is a licensed acupuncture physician and the medical director of BodaHealth in Vancouver, BC.

Sore Throat Complications

Bad handling of sore throat or a rather severe sore throat can lead to unwanted complications that may warrant a visit to the doctor. Some of the complications of a sore throat can involve:

Ear Infection – A sore throat can affect the ear in certain ways. Sore throat often is accompanied by ear pain. The doctor may recommend medications for the sore throat and the ear pain. Usually children and even some adults may develop infection of the middle ear when they suffer from sore throat.

Acute Sinusitis – Sinusitis can cause a sore throat and the sore throat in turn can worsen your sinusitis condition. A severe sinusitis can cause malaise, tenderness in the face and a greenish fluid coming out of the nose.

Tonsillitis – Tonsillitis and sore throat often go hand in hand and both manifestations together usually indicate throat infection. Sometimes tonsillitis can become so severe that the suffering person may require quick medical attention. The doctor often addresses this condition by antibiotics or by surgically removing the person’s tonsil.

Strep Throat Complications

This type of sore throat can take much longer to heal than the more common type of sore throat. A strep throat can cause a person to lose his appetite and to have fever. Strep throat can be treated by antibiotics and by drinking large amounts of liquids. Strep infections can consist of:

Sinusitis
Middle ear infection

Some lesser known complications of strep throat include:

Toxic shock syndrome
Peritonsillar abscess
Neck lymph node infection
Pharyngitis or retropharyngeal abscess

When the body reacts to strep throat infection, some complications may develop. For one, a slew of conditions like glomerulonephritis or kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever can occur when the immune system causes the body to attack healthy cells causing these aforementioned conditions. Another condition that affects children called PANDAS or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections can develop with an unresolved strep throat infection.

PANDAS – This is a term caused by scarlet fever or strep throat that can lead to problems like Tourette’s syndrome (a tic disorder) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Glomerulonephritis – This can develop from step infection of the throat and skin. It often resolves by itself. There are no medications to remedy the inflammation of the kidneys although this problem gets better in time.
Rheumatic fever – This is a rarity in strep throat infection although it does happen. Antibiotic therapy that starts a week after the start of the infection is needed to treat rheumatic fever

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.

Sinusitis Treatments and Drugs

The main objective of sinusitis treatment is to minimize the inflammation in the sinus opening and nose to enhance drainage. A number of medical treatments may be needed to achieve this. Your doctor will treat an infection, and lessen the symptoms of a congested or runny nose. The treatment of chronic sinusitis is different compared to acute sinusitis treatment although they may use the same medications. Some of the effective treatments include:

Nasal wash – A saline or saltwater nasal wash cleans out bacteria and mucus from the sinuses and nose. It can relieve symptoms of postnasal drip and nasal congestion temporarily. A nasal wash also aids in washing out environmental triggers from your nasal lining. Using a nasal wash prior to the use of a medicated nasal spray provides for a much more effective treatment.

Steroid nasal spray – Your doctor may prescribe a prescription steroid nasal spray for the control of your mucus production and nasal inflammation. This type of nasal spray can help better sinus drainage and lessen nasal congestion symptoms. It does not, however, bring prompt symptom relief and can entail a number of weeks of regular use to have some effect. For chronic sinusitis, this spray can have a beneficial effect with daily use; a person suffering from occasional episodes of sinusitis need to use this spray on an occasional basis. For sinus and nasal problems a combination of nasal steroid sprays and nasal wash can be very potent for a lot of patients suffering from sinus and nasal problems. Some steroid nasal sprays include:

Beclomethasone – Qnasi
Ciclesonide – Zetonna
Budesonide – Rhinocort
Mometasone – Nasonex
Flunisolide – Nasarel
Triamcinolone – Nasacort , Nasacort AQ

Some side effects of these drugs can include bleeding and nasal dryness

Antibiotics – These medications control bacterial infections and are quite popular since many cases of sinusitis result from bacterial infection. In using antibiotics, you may need to finish the treatment course which may take a whole week to up to three weeks or even longer. The type of antibiotic you use often depends on your symptoms, past use of antibiotics and drug allergies.

Many bouts of sinusitis (from upper respiratory infection) can be effectively addressed without the utilization of antibiotics by treatments that target the specific symptoms and the nasal inflammation. Wrong antibiotics use can result in side effects and bacterial resistance, hence, these drugs should be used thoughtfully and carefully.

Decongestants – Decongestants are offered as nasal sprays, syrup or tablet and help unblock the sinus openings and temporarily minimize nasal congestion symptoms. Popular over-the-counter decongestants include pseudoephedrine or Dimetapp and Sudafed. Combining antihistamine/ decongestant drugs produces optimal benefits. Topical nasal decongestant sprays help in the prompt reduction of swollen nasal tissue. They need to be utilized for just 2 to 3 days since frequent use can result in the return of nasal congestion but with more severe symptoms. Systemic decongestants also help minimize the swelling of the lining of the nose and helping improve sinus drainage function. Systemic decongestants can easily cause side effects some of which include nervousness, prostate problems in men, sleeplessness, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Antihistamines – These are drugs to neutralize the effects of histamine, a chemical appearing in the body during allergic reactions. Antihistamines are offered in syrup, tablet or spray form and can effectively lessen the allergic symptoms of itchy nose and eyes and sneezing as well as minimize mucus production and nasal stuffiness. Some over-the-counter antihistamines include:

Diphenhydramine – Benadryl
Chlorpheniramine – Chlor-Trimeton
Loratadine – Claritin

Newer kinds of prescription antihistamines have no drowsy side effects. Some of them are:

Cetirizine – Zyrtec
Fexofenadine – Allergra
Desloratadine – Clarinex

Some nasal spray antihistamines are:

Olopatadine – Patanase
Azelastine – Astepro

Leukotriene modifiers – These drugs fight the leukotrienes that cause inflammation in the skin, eyes, lungs, sinuses and nose. Leukotriene modifiers are medicines that can help reduce nasal and sinus inflammation and can be a good product if you have aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyps. They can be combined with antihistamines and nasal sprays. Leukotriene modifiers include:

Zileutron – Zyflo, Zyflo CR
Montelukast – Singulair

Liver enzymes may increase when you use Zyflo and Zyflo CR.

Pain relievers – For acute sinusitis analgesic or pain relievers can address fever and pain symptoms. Ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen are some OTC analgesics. Doctors may prescribe also stronger analgesics.

Systemic steroids – These types of steroids are occasionally used to treat extreme sinus and nasal inflammation like nasal polyps. Systemic steroids are available in syrup, pill or as an injectable injected into a vein or a muscle. These drugs are quite potent that help address sinus and nasal conditions. They also have a lot of side effects including menstrual irregularities, vision change, osteoporosis, stomach irritation, mood changes, high blood sugar, high blood pressure and cataract formation. When used long-term the side effects of these drugs become more dangerous and so systemic steroids are often prescribed as a pill in slowly decreasing dosages until the drug is entirely stopped.

Acupuncture – You can get relief from your symptoms using acupuncture treatment. This oriental medical procedure uses hair-thin needles inserted at certain points in the body to rectify energy or chi imbalances in the body. Chi is the vital energy in the body that is as important as blood and the slow or impeded flow of this energy causes imbalances that result in pain and disease. Acupuncture points are determined by your diagnosis. Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) sees a connection between the lungs and the nose and chi deficiency in the lung is often seen as one culprit causing the sinusitis – the other culprit is an external factor like the common cold.

When your acupuncturist has successfully diagnosed your condition, he then uses specific acupuncture points to treat the symptoms. Chi and blood are delivered to body region to address the discomfort and pain. Acupuncture eases the patient by removing sinus pressure and blockage for better sinus drainage. The truth is that the more blocked sinus opening is released the more relief a patient gets.

Willow Tree Wellness Clinic
1607 NE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: 503-281-0030
http://willowtreeclinic.com/

Sexual Dysfunction Preparing for Your Appointment

For Female Sexual Dysfunction

For women suffering from arousal problems, lack of interest in sex and sexual difficulties and who may want to improve their sexual relationship with their partner, they need to make an appointment with their doctor. When talking with your doctor about your sexual difficulties, you need not to feel embarrassed since talking with your doctor is also a part of the process of treatment – getting a happy sex life is not only important for your relationship but in your overall well being as well.

You can prepare for your appointment in order to get the most out of it. Listed below are some helpful tips to prepare well for your appointment.

To help your doctor come up with a correct diagnosis and a right course of treatment try to collect information regarding:

Questions you need to ask your doctor – Use a small notebook and write down the questions for your doctor you need answers to. This will make your appointment time more productive and efficient.
Your medical history – Include in your small notebook all the ailments, mental, problems, diseases and conditions that you have been diagnosed before. Also write down the medications and their dosages you’ve been recently taking. They may include steroids, supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Your sexual history – This is important for your doctor to know since it can help him trace the origin of your sexual dysfunction especially if your underlying problem is psychological in nature. You need to mention all your relationships and sexual experiences starting from the time you became sexually active. You need to also mention any abuse or trauma you’ve experienced in your life.
Your symptoms – Mention all your sexual problems and the time you often experience them.

Here are some questions that you can ask your doctor:

What is the reason for my sexual problems?
Are tests needed for my problem?
What is the best treatment plan for my condition?
Do the medications you’re prescribing have any side effects? If so, what are the side effects?
What benefits can I get from the treatment plan?
Do I need to do self-care tips or lifestyle changes in order to be treated?
Do I need therapy?
Do I need to involve my partner in my plan of treatment?

Your doctor will need to know more about your condition and will start by asking personal and non-personal questions to you and to your partner if you bought him along with you. These questions are asked to ascertain what brought about your problem and help formulate the best treatment approach possible.

Some of the doctor’s questions may go like these:

What kind of problems are you having?
Do these problems bother you a bit or too much?
Are you happy with your current relationship?
When did you start becoming sexually active?
Are you aroused when performing sexual activities with your partner?
Do you have orgasm?
If you’ve had orgasms before, what brought them about?
Do you experience pain with intercourse?
Do you use birth control pills? If so, what kind?
Can you tell me all the medicines you are taking?
Do you drink alcohol or take recreational drugs? How much?
Have you had an operation involving your reproductive system?
Have you had past diagnosed physical and mental conditions?
Have you suffered from sexual violence before?

While waiting for your appointment day, try to work out with your partner any problems you both may have. Try to indulge in pleasurable non-sexual activities that can be relaxing and make your time together fun and worthwhile. This may provide more impetus for more intimacy during sex.

For Male Sexual Dysfunction

You may consult with your doctor first who may refer you to a specialist like a urologist or an endocrinologist.

You can take steps to prepare well for your appointment. You would want to call the doctor’s office and ask your doctor if there’s anything you need to do, like for example, not eating before taking a blood test. To make your appointment time more productive, you can use a small notebook to write down things that are important for your doctor to know. In the notebook, you can:

Write down the symptoms you’ve experienced even the ones that may not involve your sexual dysfunction.
Write down any life changes or major stresses that have been bothering for you for some time.
Write down the medicines including steroids, supplements, herbs and over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are currently using.
Bring along your partner or wife with you to your appointment.
Write down questions you need to ask your doctor

Some of your questions can include questions about:

Your sexual problems like erectile dysfunction, low libido or impotence
The cause or causes of your sexual problem
The tests you need to undergo
Whether your problem is temporary or chronic
Your treatment plan
A viable treatment plan for both your sexual problem and your other current conditions
Lifestyle or diet restrictions you need to follow
Seeing a specialist, the cost it may entail and if your insurance will cover a specialist appointment
Generic alternatives to prescription medicines you need to take

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

Your doctor will ask you questions about yourself and your condition. Some of his questions may go like these:

Do you have other health problems sexual or not?
Has your sexual desire lessened or not?
When you masturbate, do you attain erection?
Do you get erections while sleeping or when you’re with your partner?
Do you have relationship (sexual or not) problems with your partner?
Does your partner have any sexual problems?
Are you stressed, depressed or anxious?
Do you have a mental health problem? If yes, are you currently taking medicines or getting therapy for it?
When did you first experience your sexual problems?
Do you always experience your sexual problems?
Do you drink alcohol or take illegal drugs?

Linda Lesperance is a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of The Lotus Center of Oriental Medicine in Boca Raton, FL.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

If you do have a naturally low blood pressure, you may not experience any signs or symptoms of problematic hypotension and may not need any type of treatment.

Still a person having low blood pressure can also mean that not enough blood is circulating in your vital organs especially your brain. This can lead to symptoms like:

Overall weakness
Nausea or a feeling that you are going to be sick
Confusion
Palpitations (irregular or rapid heartbeat)
Blurred vision
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Dizziness

You may be suffering from orthostatic or postural hypotension if you feel symptoms when you change positions like standing up after sitting.

Usually the symptoms may only endure for a few minutes as your blood pressure attempts to adjust to your new position. The likelihood of experiencing orthostatic hypotension rises as one get older and this can be quite dangerous as it can lead to frequent falls. Some people may also experience this type of hypotension after exercising.

Postprandial hypotension is a type of low blood pressure that occurs after one eats. Older people are more prone to this type of condition especially those with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or high blood pressure.

After eating a large amount of blood is required by your intestines for the process of digestion. When your heart rate cannot maintain enough blood pressure for this process, your blood pressure will drop and symptoms then will start to manifest.

Itching Risk Factors

The risk factors that can heighten the likelihood of pruritus often depend on the factors that cause the itching.

Some of the risk factors for pruritus include:

Eating of foods that contain allergens – These can be fruits like strawberry and seafood like crabs, certain shrimps, fish, clams and other shellfishes
For sensitive skin it could be – Friction from sheets or certain clothing that come into contact with the skin
Scratching – Sometimes the act of scratching can exacerbate the itching sensation which in turn will elicit more scratching
Heat
Insect bites – These can include contact with caterpillar hairs and insect bites
Contact with plants that secrete toxic substances
Stress – These can include anger or even extreme joy. Severe stress can result in a person developing hives
Exposure to stinging plants like poison ivy
People taking certain medications – Cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy can have itching side effects from the treatments.
Diseases – Diseases like to AIDS and many types of cancers often cause uncontrolled episodes of itching
Crowded Areas – People in poor living conditions or in overcrowded places are likely to suffer from scabies, lice or mite infestation or even smallpox and chickenpox, all factors that cause skin itching
Traveling – People who often travel are prone to exposure to allergens or parasites that can cause skin itching
Excessive body cleaning – Aggressive hygiene and skin care particularly in children make the skin more sensitive and itchy. Excessive cleaning of body parts such as the anus and vulva can make these areas sensitive and itchy and may cause them to dysfunction as well
People with pets – Pets can bring lice and mites with them. Animal dander from your dog or cat can be allergic to you and make you feel itchy all over.
Tight shoes – The wearing of sports shoes and synthetic socks can lead to juvenile plantar dermatosis or athlete’s foot. Both of these conditions can lead to skin itching in the affected areas.
Family history – People with family members who have allergy are likely to carry the allergy gene that can lead to itchiness during an allergic reaction

Dr. Cui Han is a Florida licensed acupuncture physician and the founder of AcuHealing Medical Center in Miami, FL.

Pneumonia Complications

Pleural Effusion

Since pneumonia is inflammation of the lung sacs, the fluids causing this condition can also cause complications especially in the respiratory area between the lung and the chest wall were build up of fluids is likely to occur. This issue is known as pleural effusion. Build up of fluids occurs between the membrane that surround the chest wall and the membranes covering the lungs which are known as pleurae. Normal healthy pleurae are smooth membranes that enable the lungs to move smoothly along the chest wall when a person breathes. A pleural effusion gets the pleurae inflamed making it highly susceptible to infection.

Some types of pleural effusion are rather painful. The pleuritic pain may feel like a stabbing and sharp pain felt whenever the person inhales.

Other complications that may arise from pneumonia can involve the development of pus along with inflammation of the pleura between the lung and the chest wall. This can then lead to secondary bacterial infection if the inflammation is accompanied by a viral infection.

There can be other secondary infections associated with pneumonia and these infections often affect the vagina and the digestive system.

Septicemia – If the bacteria manage to find its way to the bloodstream then the person can suffer from septicemia.
Meningitis – The bacteria can travel to the person’s head and can cause meningitis (from pneumococcal pneumonia) as well.
Septic Arthritis – The bacteria can also lead to septic arthritis in some cases.
Pericarditis – Other potential complications from pneumonia infections can include pericarditis, a condition wherein the heart muscle or the membrane surrounding the heart is inflamed.

Abscess

Pneumonia can also lead to problems like pus-filled abscesses forming along the lung cavities. These abscesses start to develop when the infection begins to damage lung tissue building. They can also lead to hemorrhages inside the lung when the pneumonia is not properly and promptly treated. These abscesses are often evidenced in some forms of aspiration pneumonia when the pathogens are conveyed into the lungs. These abscesses can be the result of three types of pneumonia bacteria:

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Staphylococcus aureus
Kelbsiella pneumonia

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Pneumococcal pneumonia has complications that can be fatal for its sufferers. It can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome where the infection severely incapacitates the lung and the person is not able to breathe enough oxygen to survive. Lack of oxygen due to the impaired mechanical function of the lungs can lead to other serious pneumonia complications.

Bacteremia

This is one type of complication wherein the bacteria infect the blood and is one the most common complications of pneumonia. With bacteremia, the blood conveys the bacteria to other parts of the body organs leading to other secondary complications. Bacteremia is caused by either the haemophilus influenzae or pneumococcus infection.

Some other complications which pneumonia can cause include:

Pneumothorax – This happens when air starts filling up in the region between pleural membranes resulting in the collapse of the lungs.
Hemoptysis – This means the person coughs up blood and is a serious type of pneumonia complication
Deep vein thrombosis

Dale Roach, MD,L.Ac
178 Myrtle Blvd
Larchmont, NY 10538
Phone: 914-562-5748
http://www.docacupuncture.com/

Sinusitis Prevention

There are so many ways to help lessen or prevent altogether your chance of developing sinusitis or address early symptoms of sinusitis. Keeping the nasal passages clear and improving drainage are the two most important things to remember in sinusitis prevention. To attain them, here are some tips to follow:

Daily wash your nasal passages – This can be done by gently running water into the nasal passages to moisten membranes and remove excess mucus. The best times to perform these are when you are brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. You can apply nasal saline spray in the daytime to moisten your nasal passages.

Drinking copious amounts of water – A well-hydrated body keeps the mucus loose and thin. Always keep a bottle of water at your desk during work and always remind yourself to drink water or other fluids by, for example, placing a glass near the kitchen sink to serve as a reminder to drink water during the day.

Breathe in steam – Stay for a while inside the bathroom during a hot shower. Or you can boil water, pour it into a pan; cover your head with a towel and bend towards the pan to inhale the steam.

Stay away from dry environments – At home always use a humidifier especially near your bed so that your nasal passages will be prevented from drying out. Also you need to keep your humidifier clean and mold and bacteria free.

Keep your head elevated while you sleep – When your head is down when you sleep at night mucus can accumulate in your sinuses; therefore, keep your head elevated by using pillows on your head or a wedge on the front legs of your bed when you sleep.

Treat your nose with care – This means gently blowing your nose, one nostril at a time. Blowing your nose in a forceful manner will just irritate the nasal passages and bring back the infected mucus into your sinuses.

Unless prescribed, do not use any antihistamines – These medicines tend to thicken the mucus making it difficult to expel. However, if your sinusitis is caused by an allergy, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine for you combined with other drugs.

Take proper care when using decongestants – Decongestant tablets that have pseudoephedrine helps contract membranes and enable the nasal passages to open. Decongestant nose sprays that have oxymetazoline or phenylephrine act fast and effectively. However, use of topical nasal decongestants for one to two days can increase the risk of dependency due to rebound — more swelling after the drug wears off. The use of oral decongestants can also cause side effects like blood pressure increase and jitters. So, if you suffer from high blood pressure, talk to your doctor first before using these drugs.

Dr. Vickery is a licensed acupuncturist in Tarzana, CA., and the founder and clinical director of Vickery Health and Wellness.

Influenza Treatments and Drugs

Usually people sick with the flu do get well after a week or two without any need for treatment. The problem starts when flu complications arise. You may need to call your physician or nurse if you:

Have a problem breathing or feeling short of breath
Have pressure or pain in your abdomen or chest
Have symptoms of dehydration like not passing urine or dizziness when standing
Feel confused
Cannot drink enough fluids or cannot stop vomiting

If your child has flu and shows the following signs and symptoms, you may need to seek medical help.

Does not easily wake up
Purplish or bluish skin color
Irritability – Your child does not want to be held
Does not shed tears when crying (especially among infants)
Rash with fever

Treating Symptoms — This means that flu symptoms will be reduced but the flu itself will not be treated. Some of the ways to reduce symptoms of influenza include:

Paracetamol or acetaminophen – Can include Tylenol among others. This drug can temporarily relieve muscle aches, headaches and fever. You can also use aspirin and other mild analgesics that can include PeptoBismol and bismuth subsalicylate among others. Aspirin should not be given to individuals under 18 years of age because it can lead to a very serious condition named Reye syndrome.
Fluids — Taking in copious amounts of fluids is needed for flu-stricken individuals in order not to be dehydrated. You can gauge if you are drinking enough fluids by observing the color of your urine. Normal urine color should look almost colorless or light yellow. You also know you are drinking adequate amounts of fluids if you pass urine every three to five hours.
Rest – In order to reenergize your body and boost your immune function you need to get adequate rest particularly if you are suffering from severe flu symptoms.

Antiviral medicines – These drugs work against influenza in very limited degrees. Antivirals hardly can eliminate the flu symptoms but it serves to lessen the duration of symptoms by one day as well as reduce their severity. There are some individuals with the flu who may need to take antiviral medicines to prevent the rise of complications and if they are seriously ill. People at low risk for complications and are only lightly sick are typically given an antiviral drug if their symptoms have lasted for two days or less. Some of the antiviral drugs can include active ingredients called zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu). A couple of old medications called amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) are not prescribed anymore because today’s flu viruses have developed resistance to them. For seasonal flu, antiviral treatment can be effective as long at it’s taken during the first 2 days of flu symptoms.

The most effective medication will depend on certain individual factors and if the virus has still not developed resistance to the medicine. A nurse or doctor will be the ones to determine what drugs will be effective for the patient. The side effects of oseltamivir and zanamivir are mild and they can include vomiting and nausea. Some people may develop breathing difficulty when they inhale zanamivir. Because they only cause light side effects, people are still able to continue taking these drugs.

Antibiotics — These types of medicines are virtually useless in treating viral influenza and other viral illnesses. Antibiotics need only be used if you develop bacterial complication like sinusitis, ear infection or bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics have certain side effects and often bacteria eventually develop resistance to these drugs.

Alternative and complementary treatments — A varied array of homeopathic, herbal, holistic and other alternative and complementary treatments are offered for treating influenza. One very good alternative medicinal treatment is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

TCM has an entirely different approach to conventional treatments especially in regards to flu and cold. TCM is composed of dietary changes, moxibustion, herbal remedies and acupuncture among others. They all can be applied for the flu and colds and can also be used as forms of preventative medicine to reinforce the immune system and prevent the environment from doing damage to the body. Moxibustion and acupuncture are especially important in strengthening chi (vital energy) and removing elements that cause flu symptoms from the body. Certain herbal remedies can be applied for flu and cold. Astralagus and Cordyceps are potent plants that help strengthen the lungs, the most important organ when it comes to flu and colds.

Needles & Moxa Wellness Center
700 S Red Rd
Miami, FL 33144
Ph: (305) 265-5265
http://www.needlesandmoxa.com/

Low Blood Pressure Tests and Diagnosis

The typical initial step in diagnosing low blood pressure is by measuring a person’s blood pressure in both the standing or supine (lying) positions. Individuals who manifest symptoms of hypotension often register a sudden drop in their blood pressure when they start to stand and they more often than not may acquire orthostatic symptoms and an increased heart rate. The aim of the diagnosis is to know the factor(s) that cause(s) low blood pressure, that is, as soon as the cause of the symptoms has been ascertained. There are occasions when the causes of hypotension become somewhat obvious. This may, for example, be sudden shock after the person underwent an x-ray test that entailed the use of iodine or loss of blood caused by trauma. Sometimes, the cause may only be known through testing. Tests for low blood pressure can include:

Blood electrolyte test – This test measures electrolytes in the blood to see if the patient is suffering from too much acid in the blood (acidosis), kidney failure or mineral depletion or dehydration.
CBC or complete blood count – This test may identify anemia in the patient due to increased white blood cells caused by infection or blood loss
Urine and blood cultures – These tests are done in order to identify bladder infections and septicemia respectively.
Cortisol levels – The amount of cortisol in the body is ascertained to effectively diagnose for Addison’s disease or adrenal insufficiency
AKG or electrocardiograms – An EKG test can monitor for heart muscle damage, pericarditis or abnormally rapid or slow heart beats caused by either poor supply of blood to the heart muscles that has yet not resulted in a heart attack or from previous heart attacks
Radiology studies – These tests can include computerized tomography (CAT or CT) scans, stomach ultrasounds and chest X-rays to identify conditions such as diverticulitis, pancreatitis, gallstones, heart failure and pneumonia
Holter monitor recordings – This is used to identify for instances of irregular heart rhythms. If these abnormal rhythms intermittently occur, then it means that the EKG test done during your doctor’s appointment did not detect any irregular rhythm. The Holter monitor is used for a span of 24 hours recording the rhythm of your heart beat for one whole day. The Holter monitor is utilized to record and diagnose sporadic events of tachycardia or bradycardia.
Patient-activated event recorder – If the patient experiences sporadic episodes of tachycardia or bradycardia and if a day-long Holter recording fails to capture these episodes, then he can use a patient-activated event recorder for about a month. A patient-activated event recorder is used by pressing a button to commence recording when the patient feels the onset of low blood pressure symptoms or an abnormal heart rhythm caused by low blood pressure. The recordings are evaluated by the doctor to identify the abnormal episodes.
Ultrasound examinations – This test focuses on the patient’s leg veins. Chest CT scans can help the doctor detect for any pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.
Echocardiograms are examinations of the structures and motion of the heart using ultrasound. Echocardiograms can detect a wide range of heart conditions like rare tumors of the heart, heart valve diseases, muscle damage caused by heart attacks and pericarditis due to too much pericardial fluid.
Tilt-table tests – These tests are helpful in assessing patients who might be suffering from syncope or postural hypotension caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nerves. When undergoing this test, the patient lies on an examination table and given intravenous infusion while his blood pressure and heart rate is evaluated. Afterwards the table is tilted upright for 1/4 to 3/4 of an hour. Blood pressure and heart rate are observed every minute or so. The aim of a Tilt-table test is to reproduce postural hypotension. The doctor usually prescribes epinephrine (Isuprel or adrenalin) intravenously to cause postural hypotension.

Nawei’s Acupuncture Clinic
559 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Suite 212
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-632-7103
http://acupuncturechinanawei.com/

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