Posts Tagged ‘illness’

Asthma is a very serious and common ailment, one that has an effect on thousands of people worldwide. A lot of persons are not aware of this, but children are also susceptible to asthma. Child asthma is very common, and can actually be even more serious than asthma in adults. Child asthma makes it difficult for your child to breathe and results in swelling and inflammation in the airways that lead to the lungs.

Symptoms

If you think that your child may have asthma, there are many symptoms that you are going to want to watch out for. Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing – all of these are symptoms which are generally spotted in children who have developed the disease.

Even if your child only has several asthma attacks, you will still need to deal with the asthma. Many parents make the mistake of thinking that just because the child’s asthma might not be serious that they do not still have to manage it properly. After all if the swelling and irritation in your child’s airways is not controlled, asthma would end up reducing your child’s quality of life, prevent your child from exercising, and more.

Child asthma will be especially difficult to deal with because children are not able to take all the same medications and medicines which adults can. Therefore, it is harder for them to manage their asthma and to deal with this. To get a full idea of what treatments you can use for your child’s asthma, you should speak to your doctor. Not only will they be able to offer you tips and ideas on your child asthma and on what you can do to help the situation but also they can speak to your child and help them to feel more comfortable.

Speak to your Child

Asthma in children can definitely be very difficult to deal with, particularly when it is your own child and you should see them go through it. Having an asthma attack can be incredibly frightening to a child and thus if you have a child that has asthma, you should make sure that you inform them of what asthma is and that you take the proper steps to ensure that they do not have an attack.

More than anything, you need to ensure that you do not let the asthma destroy your child’s life. You want them to have a fun and enjoyable childhood, and they can, even with asthma, as long as you help them.

There are various ways on how to prevent your child suffers from asthma. One of the best ways is to install humidifier cool mist or Desert Spring humidifier in your home. These humidifiers are useful for humidifying the air in your room or home so both of you and your child can breathe the fresh and healthy air.

As the news of influenza is seen everywhere we turn, more and more people are seeking every available means to support their immune system and potentially prevent the infection by any number of serious viral contagions — most notably these days is “Swine Flu”, though there may be more in our future. Historically, essential oils have been used during major plagues as a means to prevent infection. Pictures can be found in natural medicine textbooks of medical practitioners wearing facemasks stuffed with cinnamon, cloves, sage and other botanicals to ward of illness. Today’s leading professional aromatherapists also suggest the most important use of essential oils for humanity will be in the treatment and prevention of such infectious illnesses. Are essential oils a viable option as an alternative therapy for home use? Here’s a look at the scientific research, as well as formulas and practices to make use of aromatic medicines.

Essential Oils’ Antiviral Activity: The Research

Over the last decade, laboratory researchers around the world have found many essential oils are capable of directly eradicating viruses. Further, they may even prevent viruses from moving between cells within the body and limiting the spread of infection. This is not an over-optimistic interpretation of the data by an essential oil proponent, but the actual conclusions of controlled research studies. Abstracts of all the research mentioned here can be found through pubmed.gov, the database maintained by the National Institute of Health and the US National Library of Medicine. If you wish, you can browse these results by entering search terms such as “essential oil virus”, “antiviral essential oil”, and more specifically “laurus nobilis SARS” (Laurus nobilis being Bay Laurel essential oil, and SARS a highly-infectious viral respiratory ailment). While there is not yet data where essential oils have been tested against Swine Flu and Avian Flu specifically, as we’ll see there is every reason to believe the oils will be effective against these virus strains as well.

Looking At The Data: Many Viruses And Many Oils

With more than one hundred published research papers on the subject, a summary is in order. What scientists are finding is that many of the essential oils commonly in use today have antiviral properties. Whether an oil is effective against a particular virus depends upon the natural chemical makeup of the oil and the structure of the virus being studied. The data, without a doubt, is very encouraging. One study performed in Germany this year concluded with the note that Tea Tree was able to “reduce viral infectivity by greater than 96 percent”. The same study went on to clarify that the whole, natural oil, rather than any single chemical synthetically extracted, was up to TEN TIMES more effective as an antiviral agent. The precise reason for this is not known — it is clear that some of the most chemically complex oils exhibit the greatest antiviral effects, and perhaps this mixture of nature’s chemicals attacks the virus AND supports immune function is several ways at once.

Laurus Nobilis and SARS

Many of the studies utilize the Herpes Simplex Virus as a “test subject”, because of the widespread prevalence of infection, along with the relative ease of testing. However, if one digs into the data, many papers present information relevant in in influenza pandemic. SARS ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome’ is caused by the highly infectious SARS-CoV virus that made world-wide news in 2003. A study in the March 2008 Journal of Chemical Biodiversity noted Bay Laurel essential oil to have significant antiviral action against this virus. They’d also noted the natural constituents of this oil, which are also found in a great many other essential oils. This is why you’ll see MANY essential oils noted as antivirals — because many oils share similar natural chemical constituents. So while this next oil is not readily available, the data is very interesting. In 2005, Chinese researchers evaluated the anti-influenza potential of the essential oil from a root used in Chinese medicine, concluding: “In vivo…it prevented influenza virus-induced deaths in a dose-dependent manner”. And the list of oil/virus combinations goes on and on. But this begs the question: how do we derive a formula for Swine Flu prevention?

Selecting Oils For Daily Flu Protection

Here’s where we’ll make the leap from the scientific evidence to relying on many many years of Aroma Medicine practice throughout the world. In the aromatherapy textbooks, the list of antiviral essential oils is long. This corroborates with the scientific findings that a great many essential oils DO in-fact have antiviral activity. Where the help of skilled professional practitioners comes in is that in these texts, oils are prescribed by how effective they are against viruses that produce particular symptoms — respiratory tract infections are treated with cineol-containing oils such as Eucalyptus Radiata and Ravensara Aromatica. Viral infections of the skin are often treated with Melissa and/or Tea Tree. The doctors who have been using essential oils as medicine for years in Europe have developed a solid system, and can be relied upon in defining the appropriate list of oils for us.

A selection of potentially helpful essential oils includes the following: Melissa (also known as Lemon Balm), Eucalyptus Radiata (one of many kinds of Eucalyptus, this one specifically noted for its antiviral effects), Ravensara (similar to Eucalyptus, also a highly regarded antiviral), Lavender (don’t let its flowery aroma trick you — it is also considered antiviral and an immunostimulant), Maleleuca ericifolia (a relative of Tea Tree), Hyssop, Bay Laurel, and Thyme.

An Influenza Prevention Recipe

An example blend including these oils: 2 parts Melissa, 1 part Thyme (Thujanol, Geraniol or Linalool), 4 parts Lavender, 3 parts Ravensara, 4 parts Eucalyptus Radiata (Narrow Leaf), 3 parts Hyssop, 6 parts Rosalina (Melaluca ericifolia) and 3 parts Bay Laurel. A “part” can be anything — a milliliter, a drop, an ounce — just as long as they’re consistently the same volume. For children between 2 and 13, use 4 parts Lavender, 3 parts Rosalina, 1 part Ravensara, 1 part Eucalyptus and 3 parts Bay Laurel. This recipe is excellent as a lower-cost version for adults as well — and has been made more gentle for the young ones (consult Valerie Worwood’s “Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child” for more on using essential oils with kids).

Diffusion: Getting The Oils Into The Air

The best way to use these oils is through diffusion, which is essentially “rapid evaporation”. A nebulizing aromatherapy diffuser will make a fine mist of essential oil which cleanly evaporates in your surroundings. This method allows a low concentration of the oils to be inhaled regularly. The effect is to actually disinfect the air in your home, as well as getting the oils into one’s lungs and bloodstream in small amounts. A feature of oils’ activity is that they are reported to reduce the ability of viruses to penetrate cell walls, so the lungs and sinuses become protected just by breathing the oil-infused air. Be careful not to overdo it though — the aroma should never be overwhelming or irritating, and your body will tell you if you’ve had enough. The oils do their immune-supportive job in subtle ways, which require only the smallest amounts of oil. The casual inhalation of the oils also gets them into circulation throughout the bloodstream, penetrating all the organ systems, and most importantly the lymph system — home to our immune function. A cold air nebulizing diffuser (as opposed to an ‘ultrasonic’, which dilutes the oils with water) would ideally be run 5-10 minutes every hour for this purpose.

Topical Application and Baths

In cases where diffusion is not practical, topical application of the oil formula is the next best thing. This can be done in a couple of ways: either though an aromatherapy bath, or through the ancient practice of reflexology — where the oils are absorbed at the reflex points of the feet. For the bath, mix 4-6 drops of the essential oil recipe in a little carrier oil (or any off-the-shelf bath oil). Swirl this blend into an already drawn bath and soak! For children, lessen the amount of essential oil 2 drops (for ages 2-8) or 4 drops (9-13). The feet and the areas of the body where the lymph nodes are close to the surface are also excellent places to massage in this recipe. The oils readily penetrate the skin and are rapidly absorbed. For adults, make a 5% concentration of the essential oil recipe in any carrier oil (Coconut, with its own antiviral activity may be best — otherwise any one will do). A 5% concentration is simply a 1 to 20 ratio — 1 part essential oil blend to 19 parts carrier (this same concentration is made by adding 44 drops of the formula to each 1 fluid ounce of carrier oil). Lower this concentration for children in a manner similar to the aromatherapy bath. A daily foot massage, and/or massage into the armpits, neck and sternum is an excellent means of treating yourself and your family to these wonderful herbal medicines.

Conclusion: Essential Oils, Infectious Illness and the Future

As noted earlier, the world’s leading aroma-medicine practitioners believe the most important healing potential for essential oils is in the prevention and treatment of infectious illness. Of course, one should evaluate every available means of strengthening their immune system and those of their loved ones — there are many ways health professionals will recommend to do this. Considering the scientific data, essential oils are certainly a very worthy method of providing this support. Given all the contagions, Swine flu, Avian flu, and ones yet to be named, natural medicines have the long-term advantage of not being easily “adapted to” by viruses. The oils are so complex, and have evolved as the defense mechanism of plants over millions of years that they may present a far greater challenge to a virus to become resistant to when compared to synthetic preparations. And they’re such a joy to use — you’re house will be smelling fantastic while you’re keeping healthy; a great many amateur practitioners will concur that think you’ll find essential oils very worthwhile.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements included in this document are the opinions of natural health professionals drawing on historical therapeutic practices and relevant scientific data. They are not meant to be a substitute for face-to-face consultations with trained and licensed medical professionals. Essential oils are considered to be supportive of the immune system’s actions my a great many health practitioners; at the same time, it is important to be aware of all the options available to you to make the best choices for your health and the health of your family.

The author is a natural health professional utilizing aromatherapy essential oils and offers wholesale essential oils through her website.

Physical and mental problems are also caused by severe alcohol intake. Alcohol is considered as a kind of drug that is also delusional for a troubled individual. A person with alcohol depression is often unable to cope with their problems. They drink whenever they feel like drinking as their solutions.

Self-medication is the best way to get rid of alcohol depression. You can never end your drinking habit unless you start telling it to yourself. Try fixing yourself first on a daily basis. Think thoroughly why you always end up getting drunk and more miserable. Monitor your own habits and see what you can change about it. You could also have a journal to keep track of everything. Judge your self based on what you write in it.

Any problem is to be resolved starting with one’s self. This is also the same when dealing with alcohol depression. A habit can never break without having the initiation to do so. Have a diary to keep track of yourself; observe your habits and see how you should start changing it. Judge what makes you end up drinking every time you have problems. See if drinking does help you resolve anything.

When you’re at home, avoid having your fridge full of alcoholic drinks. Change your diet and your habits. Have healthier choices of foods and drinks. Have fruits, milk and juices for example. Having a healthy diet removes toxins left by the alcohol in your body. Exercise from time to time. Keep your home tidy. Having an unruly environment prohibits a person to think more clearly and brood over alcohol depression. Keep your own place in order to at least not feel more weakened. Your home is the only haven that you could go to after every stressful day.

Have a different lifestyle. Start with your own place. Disorganized living also leads to alcohol depression. Choose having healthier life. Keep healthy foods and drinks. It helps intoxicate the body. Exercise a bit. This will not only stretch your body but also keep you in shape and relaxed. Start making things at your home in order. Keeping things organized would help you straighten up your way of thinking.

Getting an expert is also another way for you to deal with alcohol depression. Usually, sessions are made for an alcoholic to release all the tensions that he/she has in her system. You are free to speak, express yourself and listen at the same time. Realizations and other progress are done through such method. For some who needs a longer time, going away could rather be a solution. Going away for some time is not running away but seeing things in a different perspective. A change of surrounding can help a person have a better judgment of things. It’s up to the person to try which method will be applicable for him/her as long as he’ll be able to recover on his/her own phase.

Carl has more to say about alcoholism depression, Visit his website about how to deal with depression.

Many people with anxiety may not know that they have a problem other than a character flaw.

For anxiety sufferers, the labels of moody and paranoid are often attached to them. Stressful situations become difficult to deal with and they are seen as blowing things out of proportion.

Psychological Symptoms

Anxiety is defined as having overwhelming thoughts of fear and worries that continue for six months or longer. There are many other symptoms connected with anxiety disorders and these often vary from person to person depending on the type and severity of the disorder.

A person with an anxiety disorder will likely be impatient (even short-tempered) and irritable. Such a person may also be restless, have trouble concentrating, or have a tendency to leave tasks and goals uncompleted. They may be forgetful, absent-minded, and easily confused. They often have trouble expressing their thoughts coherently. Sometimes an anxious person will feel as if their mind has gone blank.

The body of a person suffering from anxiety is in a constant state of alertness. They are always looking out for danger and tend to anticipate the worst scenarios. Oftentimes, people who are around an anxiety sufferer will see this person as pessimistic.

Most people who suffer from anxiety also suffer from Agoraphobia or fear of public places. This is most often seen in those with obsessive compulsive disorder. While most anxiety sufferers do not necessarily experience OCD, for the most part it is very common to a lesser degree.

Some anxiety sufferers may also be afflicted with depression and hallucinations. This general occurs in those with severe anxiety and can often lead to thoughts of suicide.

Excessive thoughts of worry, fear, irrationality and negative feelings are persistent in those suffering from anxiety.

Physical Symptoms

Anxiety is a psychological condition, but it can be physically taxing on the body. It has a tendency to manifest itself into several symptoms that can further affect a persons day to day functioning.

Some of the most common physical symptoms include an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure, sweating, dizziness, and headaches. A person with anxiety often has trouble taking deep breaths and hyperventilates quite frequently. He or she may experience fatigue, insomnia, and hyperactivity.

As the body is exposed to excessive amounts of adrenaline from a person suffering with anxiety, this person may also experience muscle tension and body aches. The excess adrenaline rush is also accountable for the mood swings.

If the mind is in a constant state of worry, the body will experience other symptoms as well including loss of appetite, nausea, diahrrea, frequent urination and excessive thirst. In some cases, it was reported that a decrease in sex drive was also experienced.

Other Anxiety Symptoms

However, not all anxiety sufferers experience the same symptoms. In fact, some experience the opposite of the ones mentioned earlier. In most cases, these symptoms are brought on during a high level of anxiety such as someone suffering from SAD who finds themselves in the middle of a group of strangers.

One of these symptoms is low blood pressure (levels below 90/60) and this can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the brain.

Other anxiety sufferers have reported a heightened sex drive during levels of high anxiety.

Still others with chronic anxiety report having food cravings. Often the craving is for sugar, and this may be due to the fact that blood pressure is at times chronically low in cases of severe anxiety

An established writer, Funmi Salami loves to share her health related knowledge and experience. Her articles about Anxiety Disorder Dopamine and Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be found on Clivir.com – the free learning community site.

Alzheimer disease is good for 70% of all kinds of dementia. Alzheimer disease or ‘AD’ is a sluggish deteriorating state of mind where an individual slowly looses the ability of different mental procedures. The primary process that will lose purpose is the memory of new incidents.

The individual will start forgetting where he put his keys or not recall what he did yesterday. The amnesia will slowly increase in severity until the individual will not be familiar with his own kin.

Amnesia is not the only sign that will demonstrate in somebody with AD. Another sign that will hit in the premature beginning of the disease is loss of direction in time, place and person. The individual will begin frequently asking what the time of the day is and what day. He is not able to name the rright month or year of the date. Sooner or later he will not distinguish his own house and continuously threatening to leave to his own house. If an individual looses orientation in person, he is not able to distinguish his immediate family anymore.

There are varied types of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is the most important type in this list. We can classify dementia as a group of symptoms. When the brain is worsening it can demonstrate various symptoms that exist in dementia. A couple of symptoms are aphasia, apraxia, amnesia, agrafia and acalculie. Next to this a person suffering from dementia can show significant behavior problems and he will lose orientation in time, place and space. Somebody is diagnosed with dementia if he has at least 2 of these symptoms.

Which kind of dementia an individual has depends on completely diverse things. More or less we can say that there are 4 kinds of dementia. The most important one is Alzheimer disease as 70% of all the individuals who are demented are because of AD. The second most significant one is dementia caused by a number of strokes in the blood vessels of the brain. Third is a type called Lewy Body dementia and last is the group we might call ‘others’.

Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about disease related infos online. He’s also interested in DIY tips and news.