Category Archives: Acupuncture
PMS Complications
A lot of complications can arise due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A woman’s social life can be greatly affected as well as her mood and when she suffers from PMS symptoms she may avoid the company she usually interacts with. This company can include relatives, neighbors, friends and even her children. This article will talk about the complications that may arise from premenstrual syndrome.
Suicide Ideations
Medical experts have stated that about 10% of women who suffer from complications connected to PMS have thoughts of suicide. Suicide for them seems to be the only way of being released from the feelings of anxiety, frustration and depression they have to endure. A lot of these women, in fact, have actually attempted to kill themselves.
Some women have successfully overcome this problem and they as well have been able to avail of much needed help that made them come out of this problem alive, well and happy. Women who either try to commit suicide or have pondered killing themselves are more likely to attempt it when they are in the first week of their period or right before their period.
Substance Abuse
A lot of women who experience severe symptoms or severe depression that is the result of their PMS can take to substance abuse to help relieve their symptoms. Many of them may experiment with painkilling medications and pain pills while some may try using mood enhancing medicines and alcohol.
Unhealthy eating habits are also a complication arising from PMS symptoms. Many women who experience substance abuse and smoking as ways to relieve their PMS symptoms have also suffered from poor eating and sleeping habits. A woman with PMS symptoms may eat too little, eat too much or not eat at all. A woman’s regular sleeping cycle may also get disrupted due to PMS. As a result some of them may have extreme levels of fatigue that usually affect their regular daily lives.
The Rise of Health Complications
Females who suffer from severe complications resulting from their PMS may likewise suffer from other health issues. Those who are already suffering from health issues may experience even more severe PMS symptoms during their menstrual cycle. This situation is referred to by health experts as “menstrual magnification”.
PMS can also cause increased severity and flare ups of chronic health conditions during your menstrual cycle. These conditions can include irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, fibromyalgia, asthma, arthritis, migraines and diabetes.
BodaHealth
1245 West Broadway #302
Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7, Canada
(604) 733-2632
http://bodahealth.ca/
Rash Symptoms
Rashes can develop on any part of the body. There are rashes that are localized which means only one area of the body is affected and there are rashes that spread out to all parts of the body. Rashes that are widespread are caused by an allergic reaction or by a virus. There are rashes that develop all of a sudden (like allergic rashes) and there are rashes that gradually develop over a period of time because of constant exposure to harmful chemicals such as detergents.
The most common symptoms of rashes are:
- Itching – Itching often is a result of an insect sting or bite or it may be to contact dermatitis, other environmental allergens, hay fever or eczema. Infants and children are more prone to the itching symptoms of rashes and will scratch their skin to attempt to relieve the itchiness. Too much scratching can result in skin damage and thus can lead to infection, bleeding, oozing of fluid, discomfort, swelling, redness and inflammation of the skin.
- Hives – Hives are skin spots that are itchy, reddish in color and are raised on the skin. These rash symptoms often occur on the arms, hands, chest and face. Hives can be caused by chemical allergens as well as by animal dander and fur, hay fever and food allergies.
- Inflammation – Contact dermatitis, eczema and skin allergy often come with skin inflammation. Inflammation makes the skin swollen, tender, reddish and hot to the touch. Chemical allergens and pollen are the most common culprits that cause skin inflammation.
- Swelling – Raised or swollen skin often is a reaction to an allergen. It can also come from contact skin dermatitis and severe eczema. Skin swelling can worsen by persistent scratching irritated and itchy rashes. Skin swelling often is accompanied by discomfort, redness and inflammation.
- Dryness – This rash symptom can again be due to skin allergy and other skin diseases like contact dermatitis and eczema. Contact to chemical allergens can cause dryness symptom.
Other symptoms of skin rash can include:
- Oozing or weeping
- Warmth
- Scaling
- Lesions – wheals, pustules, papules and blisters
- Flaking
- Crusting
- Cracking
If rashes are allowed to remain untreated for a long time, the affected skin areas can be infected by viral infections and secondary infections. Exposure to moisture or heat, scratching and stress, can aggravate uncomplicated simple skin rashes.
Besides the aforementioned symptoms, other rash symptoms may signify a more serious health problem. They include the following:
- Reddish streaks in the skin
- Tightness or soreness of the throat
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Serious swelling
Buckhead Acupuncture & Herbal Center
2964 Peachtree Rd NW, #350
Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: 678-549-7848
http://atlanta-acupuncture.net/
Dandruff Preparing for Your Appointment
Prior to your doctor’s or dermatologist’s appointment for your dandruff problem, you can make your appointment extremely fruitful and productive by preparing well for the appointment. Make sure you do the following measures:
Examine Your Dry Skin Well
You may need to let your doctor or dermatologist know the length of time you’ve been having dandruff problems and the severity and extent of the condition. Observe closely the speed it appears on your head after you have bathed and shampooed. Observe as well if you notice any dry skin in other parts of your body. You need to inform your doctor/dermatologist what kinds of creams, conditioners and shampoos you have been using including the effectiveness of the product.
Likewise prepare a list of all the medicines (prescription and over-the-counter) you are taking including any steroids, supplements and herbs you’re currently using. They may have an effect on the level of moisture in your skin.
Ready your skin and scalp for your appointment and examination time by abstaining using dandruff shampoos two days before appointment and not washing your hair a day before appointment. You likewise should not apply perfumes, ointments, creams or lotions on you on or wear any jewelry or watch on the day of the appointment. Wash your skin with a mild soap that contains no perfumes, scents or any other heavy chemicals the night before your appointment. On appointment day, wear comfortable clothing that is loose that is easy to remove if the doctor/dermatologist needs to examine the skin in your body. If you have already started using new kinds of hair care products, bring them with you to the appointment so their contents may be reviewed by the doctor/dermatologist. If you forgot or don’t want to bring them you need to mention them to your doctor so he may know if these products may or may not be causing you to have dandruff.
Dandruff is considered a minor problem that easily can be addressed with topical and/or oral medication. It can also be a sign of a more serious medical problem so you may need to consult with your doctor if you find that your dry skin is quite extensive.
Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St #101
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-1824
http://www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com/
Colitis Risk Factors
Colitis risk factors can include:
- Medical conditions
- Age
- Psychosocial stress and depression
- Family history
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs
Medical conditions – Ischemic colitis has a wide spectrum of injury ranging from transient and mild ischemia to acute fulminant colitis. Individuals suffering from health issues like atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension are highly susceptible to develop ischemic colitis. This type of colitis is the most common kind of intestinal ischemia and for the elderly is one of their most typical large intestine health problems. Other typical high risk factors for ischemic colitis for the elderly are congestive heart failure, shock and atherosclerosis.
Age – A person over 50 years of age has an increased risk of developing colitis although this condition can also begin before the age of 30. Colitis can actually begin at any age. For people who have developed colitis at 50 years of age and after, the common culprit is ischemia. Also, an inaccurate diagnosis of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease among a significant number of patients can be the answer as to why colitis has been observed to react differently among the elderly compared to younger patients.
Psychosocial stress and depression – Stress, depression and anxiety play a large role in people developing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The likelihood for getting Crohn’s disease is more though among emotionally stressed people than for them developing ulcerative colitis.
Family history – Individuals who have a close relative or family member with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are at high risk of having colitis.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs – Although no studies have been able to establish a direct link between NSAIDs and ulcerative colitis, use of these medications cause signs and symptoms similar to those of colitis. Moreover, studies have shown that patients with colitis who use NSAIDs have had far worse colitis symptoms than colitis patients who have not taken these types of medications.
Willow Tree Wellness Clinic
1607 NE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: 503-281-0030
http://willowtreeclinic.com/
Definition of Allergies
Allergies are the body’s atypical reactions to commonly harmless substances. The sensitizing materials known as allergens can come into contact with the skin, swallowed or inhaled. Allergens that often gives people a lot of problems include the environment (cold or hot temperatures), medications, bacteria, viruses, latex rubber, insect spores, plants, insect stings or bites, foods, animal dander, house dust mites, mold spores and pollens.
Description
Typically, the body adapts well to different experiences it encounters. This is known by medical science and that is why they utilize vaccination to built immunity. Allergic responses happen after the immune system erroneously recognizes harmless foreign materials as potentially hostile to the body.
Due to a certain genetic predisposing factor, a person’s immune system overreacts to say, for example, ragweed pollen. When he inhales this pollen his body creates abundant numbers of antibodies called IgE which are specially tweaked to react to ragweed pollen. These antibodies bind themselves to cells in the person’s upper respiratory tract and nasal passages. These cells are called mast cells and possess chemicals termed mediators, which histamine is the best known of these.
Later, when the person inhales another ragweed, proteins from the ragweed attach itself to the IgE antibodies on the mast cells and this causes the mediators to explode from inside the mast cells damaging the surrounding tissues and destroying the pollen. This act causes the classical symptoms of allergy: red, watery eyes; stuffed up head; sniffling and sneezing.
Colitis Prevention
Sanitation measures and strict hygiene when you handle, cook and eat food can be important steps in preventing the development of colitis associated with infectious germs. The integration of diet changes as well as a healthy lifestyle in your daily normal activities makes your body resilient to many kinds of diseases including colitis. Again, the inclusion of a healthy diet like limited amounts of animal-origin foods but lots of water, vegetables, fruits, lentils and whole grains combined with moderate exercise is the best way to protect yourself from colitis and almost all kinds of diseases.
Colitis – Diet Recommendations
Your diet is probably the most important factor to consider when you want to properly manage colitis. Considering that in colitis you can lose substantial amounts of fluids, be sure then to drink about two to three liters of water each day and copious amounts of fluids like lemonade, lemon tea or light soups in order to stave off dehydration. Do not eat fatty or greasy foods.
Also high-fiber foods, highly seasoned foods and alcohol can worsen your colitis condition so it’s best to avoid them. When you are in a naturopathic type of treatment, a three to five days juice fast based on juices of vegetables and fruits like sweet gourd, carrot, cabbage and papaya is recommended. After the diet, you can have a post-diet of plain yogurt, soft fruits and steamed vegetables. Properly digest all what you eat by chewing all your foods thoroughly.
AcuHealing Medical Center
2700 SW 3rd Ave #2
Miami, FL 33129
(786) 449-9026
http://www.acuhealingonline.com/
Definition of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung condition when one or both lungs are infected by fungi, viruses or bacteria causing inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs. The lung sacs known as alveoli is filled with pus or fluid resulting in symptoms like cough combined with phlegm, breathing difficulty, chills and fever.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe and certain factors come into play that determines the kind of pneumonia the person has. These factors can include the person’s overall health, age as well as the type of germ causing the infection.
Types of Types of Pneumonia
- Community-acquired pneumonia – Or CAP for short, this is a type of pneumonia that develops outside health care settings. CAP sufferers can get the germ when they breathe it in, oftentimes during sleep. The germs causing CAP may reside in the throat, nose or mouth. This type is the most common pneumonia found in pneumonia sufferers and often arises during wintertime. Each year about 4 million people suffer from CAP in the United States alone.
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia – As suggested in the name, hospital-acquired pneumonia or HAP is a type of pneumonia that is caught in hospitals. A lot of people infected with HAP get this disease when they’re on a ventilator. People who get HAP often are already sick and the germs that cause HAP are more resistant to antibiotics than the other types of pneumonia.
- Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) – Health care settings such as outpatient clinics, dialysis centers and nursing homes are where patients and others can get this type of pneumonia.
Some Other Types of Pneumonia
- Aspiration pneumonia – You can get this type of pneumonia if you accidentally convey materials such as saliva, vomit, drink or food from your mouth into your lungs. This situation often occurs if your gag reflexes dysfunctions due to too much drug abuse or alcohol, swallowing difficulty or brain injury. Aspiration can cause lung abscess since it tends to enable pus to form in a lung cavity.
- Atypical Pneumonia – This is one form of CAP that may be a combination of one or more types of bacteria. These bacteria may include: Chlamydophila pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumonia and legionella pneumophila. Atypical pneumonia is a communicable disease which means it can be passed from one individual to the other.
Daniel Haun is a licensed acupuncture practitioner and the clinical director of Bailey & Haun Acupuncture in Oceanside, CA.
Osteoarthritis Lifestyle and Home Remedies
You can easily manage your osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by doing regular exercise and losing weight.
Individuals with OA should make it a point to avoid or lessen the stress and impact on the problematic joint. Bearing daily frequent pressure on the degenerating cartilage can only accelerate the damage. OA sufferers should avoid occupations that involve stressful and repetitive movements to help lessen trauma to the joints.
Exercise
This is an activity that is most recommended for people with OA regardless of how fit they are or their age. Exercise should involve routines that tonify the muscles as well as enhance general fitness.
If the joint is inactive for a long time, the joint can stiffen and the surrounding tissue can atrophy or waste away. Moderate exercises like low-impact aerobics and strength and power training provide important benefits for those with arthritis. These benefits include:
- Less stress and a better sense of well-being that can enable patients to cope much better with pain
- Enhanced strength that leads to endurance and balance
- Weight loss
- Improved flexibility and less stiffness of the knee cartilage
Exercise is very helpful for patients suffering from mild-to-moderate OA in the knee or hip. Patients who perform resistance or aerobic exercise experience less pain, are more able to live an independent life and are less disabled compared to their fellow OA patients who do not exercise.
For OA sufferers, three kinds of exercises are recommended. These are:
- Endurance or aerobic exercise
- Range of motion exercise
- Strengthening exercise
Aerobic Exercise – This type of workout helps you lose weight and lessens joint inflammation. Low-impact aerobics can also support and stabilize the joint. Walking and cycling are great as well as water exercise and swimming for people with OA. OA sufferers should avoid high-impact sports like racquetball, tennis, and jogging if doing so causes pain.
Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercise – ROM exercises improve the degree of movement of your joints. They practically are stretching exercises by another name. One of the most highly recommended ROM exercises for OA patients are tai chi and yoga since they promote proper breathing, balance and flexibility.
Strengthening Exercises – These are workouts that can include isometric exercises (pulling/pushing against static resistance). Isometric training benefits the person by improving digestion, increasing bone density, building muscle strength and burning fat. Those with OA in the knees or hips will need strengthening exercises that tonify their upper leg muscles.
Weightlifting exercises can build muscles that have been lost with age. They also keep the bones strong and healthy.
Losing weight
Being obese or overweight only serves to exacerbate your OA symptoms. Excess weight adds more pressure on the damaged joints making it increasingly hard for the body to repair them. The joints most affected by excess weight are those in the lower limbs. They bear an inordinate amount of your weight especially if you are obese or overweight.
You can lessen your weight by eating a healthier diet and performing more physical activities. You can consult with your physiotherapist or physician to help formulate a workout program for you. They can devise a proper exercise program for you. Your doctor can likewise advise you on the proper and safe way to lose weight.
Vickery Health & Wellness
18455 Burbank Blvd #306
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 578-6730
http://www.vickeryhealth.com/
Influenza Complications
The flu virus can cause a lot of complications. They can include pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart), myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), heart attack, central nervous system disease, myositis (inflammation of the muscles) and bacterial or viral pneumonia.
Moreover, sinus infections and ear infections, particularly in children can come about because of the flu as well as the aggravation of chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, or congestive heart failure.
Children in the age range of 6 months old to 4 years old and adults over 50 years old are at highest risk for flu complications. Other influenza risk groups include pregnant women, people with problematic immune systems (including individuals with AIDS/HIV), children and adults with lung or heart disease and residents in nursing homes.
Pneumonia complication brought about by influenza is quite common and can be a very serious complication. This complication can come about due to the influenza virus directly affecting the lung or when a bacterial infection arises during the course of the flu. Regardless if you have bacterial or viral pneumonia, the flu can make you seriously ill that may potentially involve hospitalization.
Pneumonia can cause a number of symptoms such as bluish colored nails or lips due to oxygen deficiency, increased pulse, coughing with bloody or green mucus, sweating, chest pains, fever and chills. Besides these, pneumonia can also cause sharp pains in the chest when one takes a deep breath, and shortness of breath. At times, elderly adults will only have pneumonia symptoms like pain in the stomach. When bacterial infection arises along with the flu, the symptoms may first improve and later on worsen with increased coughing, higher fevers and the production of a greenish tinge in sputum.
If a flu sufferer has persistent fever or cough or if he also suffers from chest pains or shortness of breath, he needs to be seen by his physician. The doctor may recommend tests like a sputum exam and chest X-ray that can assist him into making the correct pneumonia diagnosis. Antibiotics can be potent in treating bacterial pneumonia but it is useless with viral pneumonia.
Pneumonia can affect individuals for a couple of weeks. It can even last longer in individuals with weakened immune systems (like asthma or COPD), elderly adults and young children. When pneumonia strikes healthy people, they feel so weak or tired for months even after the lungs have cleared up.
If a person has difficulty in the breathing and has high fever, he needs to see his doctor immediately. Some other notable severe symptoms can include:
- Wheezing
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Breathing difficulty
- Coughing producing blood-tinged mucus from the lungs
- Fever with chills
Davis Acupuncture Clinic
2043 Anderson Rd
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 400-1239
http://www.davisacupuncturist.com/
Headaches Complications
Some types of headaches can worsen and lead to other medical complications if improper medical attention is given them.
Complications from chronic daily headaches can include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
For migraines, complications can entail:
Stomach problems – Medications for your migraines like ibuprofen can cause side effects like ulcers, bleeding and stomach pain. The likelihood of getting these side effects rises if larger doses of ibuprofen are taken and used for an extended period of time.
Rebound headaches – These types of headaches are caused by continuous use of headache medications typically for more than a week a month or in extra strength dosages. The medications instead of removing the headache now are the ones causing or adding to the headache of a person.
Serotonin syndrome – This is a rare condition but can be fatal. Serotonin syndrome can occur when medications known as triptans are combined with SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) causing symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Rapid blood pressure changes
- Hyperactive reflexes
- Nausea
- Loss of coordination
- Rapid increase in body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Tachycardia
- High blood pressure
- Diarrhea
Tension headache complications
This type of headache leads to loss of productivity and a lower quality of life.
Nelya de Brun, DAOM
Classical Oriental Medicine, LLC
3459 Woolbright Rd
Boynton Beach, FL 33463
(561) 932-3905
http://www.acu-wellness.com/