Diseases – Types Of Diseases – Diseases Treatments

There is considerable evidence that homeopathy can successfully treat any influenza, be it the current Swine Flu also known as H1N1 or any other flu, provided the correct homeopathic medicine is used. In the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, only 1% of those treated with homeopathy died, compared to 30% of those treated with conventional medicine. **

In the following case of influenza, it is not known whether the infecting virus was H1N1 or another strain, as the patient was not tested.

A 19 year old Houston girl had been vacationing in Spain, where there were over 1,500 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza as of July 31, 2009, with presumably many thousands more that were not tested.

The course of her influenza during the first four days was as follows:

Day 1-July 10, 2009-she flew from Barcelona to London. On arriving at Heathrow she felt ill. She and two friends took a taxi to a hostel. On the way there, her she noted, “My whole body felt really weak.” When she got out of the taxi she was too weak to lift her 60 lb. backpack that she had been carrying without difficulty for over a week.

She began to have fever alternating with chills. The exact sequence, which she described to me later, was as follows: “I would feel really hot and open the windows. After a while, I’d feel chilled, and I’d get into bed under a comforter and sleep. I’d wake up in a sweat, feeling very hot.” So she would uncover. This sequence-chill then heat followed by perspiration-continued for four days.

Day 2-July 11th-she vomited once and developed a painful throat. The glands along the sides of her throat became swollen and tender. Also, the muscles on both sides of her neck became painful. It was later determined that these were the sternocleidomastoid muscles which act to flex and rotate the head.

Day 3-July 12th-she was having trouble swallowing. “It was painful to swallow and the floor of my mouth towards the back felt closed off whenever I swallowed.” Her eyes became sensitive to light. That night she became short of breath. Her spine was so weak that she could not sit up without the support of the bed board. During this period, she was not only weak but uncoordinated. “I had to hold on to the wall and the door just to make it three feet to the bathroom,” she said. “My whole body was weak and trembling. I felt off balance. Even sitting on the toilet it was hard to hold my back up. It was so weak. I would hold onto the washbasin with my arm.”

She was very short of breath. She could not breathe in without the breath suddenly stopping in mid-inhalation. This frightened her. “It felt as if my throat would close off,” she said, pointing to her trachea.

Day 4-July 14th-she began to see double especially after sleeping. She felt as if there were a weight on her chest.

Her mother, who had been in phone contact with her, became so alarmed that she flew to London from Houston. Once there, she found out her daughter was taking two acetaminophen and two ibuprofen every four hours. These had been prescribed at an emergency room in London. Believing her daughter was taking too much medicine, her mother immediately stopped the ibuprofen.

U.K. health authorities estimated there were over 100,000 cases of influenza that week, most of which were presumed to be H1N1. No hospitals were admitting influenza cases due to overcrowding.

Her temperature did not go above 99.9ºF throughout the illness. (This is a typical finding in the current Swine Flu H1N1 virus-no or very low temperature.)

By the eighth day she was well enough to travel and flew back to Houston. Since she was still not well she saw a local medical doctor who prescribed an antibiotic that badly upset her stomach.

When I saw her three weeks after the onset she was still quite tired and sleeping 12 to 13 hours a night. Her main complaint concerned her vision which had worsened about the time she started the antibiotic.

She said the vision was “messed up.” I asked her to elaborate. She said, “It’s like I’m tripping on drugs.” I asked for more information. “Since this thing began,” she said, “when I close my eyes I see dotted lights that move up and down. Some are white, some are blue-electric blue. Sometimes there is green.”

She said her arms and legs still felt weak. “If I sit for twenty to thirty minutes my legs go numb.”

She is an artist but since the flu, she had found it harder to draw. “I get confused and nervous and can’t draw or paint for more than ten minutes. Then I’ll start staring.” After resting a bit she could continue to draw. She showed me two simple sketches. “They took me 45 minutes to an hour to do,” she said. “Normally, I could do those in 10 to 15 minutes.”

Her eyelids felt heavy.

“I feel slow, a lot slower than normal.”

Her thirst, which had been low in London, was now high.

She mentioned again that during the acute phase in London her whole body visibly.

“Currently, I can’t look at any one thing too long. When I do my vision becomes confused-my mind, too.”

“Two days ago everything I looked at became foggy. I’d close my eyes for awhile and when I opened them I could see the object again.” Because she had double vision, I asked if she could force the two objects to merge into a single object by force of will. She said she could.

I asked her if she had had any hemiopia-a condition in which there is blindness in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes. She had had the vertical kind in which half the side vision in both eyes disappears.

Currently, when she looked at an object then turned her eyes away the image of that object often followed her gaze.

If she looked to either side it caused pain in the eyes.

I asked about reading. “When I read the letters overlap,” she said.

I wanted to know more about the acute phase when she was in London. “Did you notice your heartbeat?” I asked. “Yes. I remember when I was having trouble breathing my heart would slow down. My Mom said so, too.” Later I asked her mother who said she put her ear to her daughter’s chest and noticed the heart rate sounded slow.

“In London, when you were trembling and frightened, did you have your Mom hold you?”

“Yes, she did. I remember that.”

She also had been feeling as though there was a lump in her throat since returning to Houston and taking the antibiotics.

She had another unusual symptom-she was “seeing” wavy lines, thousands of them, in her visual fields when I saw her on August 1, 2009.

At this point I examined her neck. I placed the flat of my hand against her right cheek and I asked her to turn her head into my hand. That maneuver caused the left sternocleidomastoid muscle to contract and become both visible and palpable. I moved my free hand along the muscle and it was still somewhat sore. The medicine I prescribed is known to affect those particular neck muscles. (see below)

I did not feel the antibiotics had been warranted but I also did not think they caused the vision to deteriorate since certain viruses are known to interfere with the vision. Presumably, the virus that had earlier ravaged her whole body was now interfering with her vision.

The homeopathic medicine she needed and received was Gelsemium which comes from the plant, Yellow Jasmine.

She improved immediately on Gelsemium and two days later reported her vision much improved. There was no diplopia; she was able to draw without difficulty; she could read without the letters overlapping; there was no hemiopia, and no foggy vision. A few days later, she “saw” occasional blue dots. All other symptoms had vanished.

I wish to stress that I saw her three weeks after the acute phase. When I saw her she was still tired and she had the many visual symptoms already mentioned. Gelsemium clearly made her vision normal.

The question is: could Gelsemium have cured her in the acute phase (day one to four)? I contend it could have done for the following reasons:

* The kind of fever she had: chill followed by h
eat followed by perspiration.

* The heaviness of her eyelids and the sensation of general bodily heaviness.

* Her general weakness coupled with incoordination.

* Her trembling.

* The pain that localized in her sternocleidomastoid muscles.

* The extreme weakness of the back.

The above symptoms are all covered by Gelsemium and can be found in our various reference works.

I propose that we keep Gelsemium in mind as we approach the coming fall with the very real likelihood that the swine flu will continue to spread.

It is of interest that Gelsemium was the most commonly prescribed homeopathic medicine during the 1918-19 flu epidemic.

Though it is possible in the current pandemic that Gelsemium will be curative in many cases it is also possible that other medicines will be needed. AS ALWAYS WITH HOMEOPATHY, THE SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS WILL LEAD TO THE CORRECT PRESCRIPTION. There is no one-size-fits-all medicine.

Each of the following rubrics (symptoms as they appear in the Repertory) contains the medicine Gelsemium.

EYE – Staring

EYE – Heaviness – Lids – Upper

GENERALS – Trembling, Externally

CHEST – Pain – burning

FEVER – Succession of states – chill – followed by – heat – then perspiration.

BACK – Weakness

VISION – Diplopia

VISION – Diplopia, strength of will ameliorates

VISION – Wavering

VISION – Confused

VISION – Exertion of the eyes aggravates

VISION – Fade away, then reappear; objects

VISION – Hemiopia – vertical

VISION – Images, too long retained

VISION – Looking – concentrated, focused, aggravates

VISION – Looking sideways – aggravates

VISION – Mental exertion aggravates

VISION – Run together – letters

EXTERNAL THROAT – Pain – Sternocleidomastoid muscles

THROAT – Lump, sensation of

THROAT Pain – swallowing aggravates

Everyone can benefit from a good colon cleansing program since it can improve health and well-being. An ideal way to start a colon cleansing program is by removing the waste already in the colon. Detoxification may be required to help in eliminating some of this waste.

Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of toxins by neutralizing them as well as clearing excess mucus and congestion in the colon. Most of the toxins came from the food that we eat, drugs we take or through environmental exposure.

Why should we clean our colon?

Regular bowel movements are an important aspect of healthy living since it is the body?s way of removing waste from its system. An irregular bowel movement can result in various diseases. Most of the food that we eat affects our bowel movements. Food that contains refined sugar or white flour, as well as antibiotics-filled meats tend to hinder normal bowel movements.

To prevent further colon problems, all congestions and toxins must be removed ? what better way to do this than through a colon cleansing procedure. The most commonly experienced bowel movement problem is constipation. Constipation occurs when toxic waste as well as digestive waste is stuck in the colon for quite a length of time. The stocking up of waste causes it to solidify, thus resulting with difficulty in moving the waste out of the bowels.

Moreover, the longer the exposure of the body to putrefying waste in the intestine, the more chance for the development of poisonous gas that may enter the bloodstream resulting to the irritation of some organs and joints. Many people believe that many diseases begin with a toxic bowel. This is the reason why regular bowel movements are a must. Aside from that, putrefied waste that remains in the intestine provides harmful bacteria and parasites with an ideal environment for incubating severe diseases.

Likewise, the alternating case of constipation and diarrhea is also an indication that there is toxic waste in the intestines that needs to be flushed out. An inability to totally and completely rid the intestines of waste may lead to some serious health problems like cancer and immune system dysfunctions.

A good colon cleansing program or procedure will help in effectively removing wastes and toxins in the intestines and ensuring regular bowel movements.

There are recommended colon-cleansing materials that are readily available at home or can be easily purchased. The materials used for fasting are water, juices, raw fruits and vegetables. Fasting is one great way of cleaning the colon since it enables the self-digestion of most inferior and impure materials as well as some of the metabolic waste deposited in the intestine. Fasting also has a side effect of being a great way to lose weight.

Probiotics are also considered effective for any colon-cleansing endeavor. Like the materials used for fasting, probiotics are also easily and readily available at home or can be purchased. Some of the products that contain probiotics are yogurt, Japanese Miso, Tempeh, as well as some cheeses are thought to contain probiotic bacteria that can help in replenishing good bacteria in the intestine.

The only problem with these products is that you may never be completely sure that the products really do contain the friendly bacteria we need. Moreover, it is also difficult to know the types of bacteria that are present in these products.

So to be sure, choose natural foods like bananas, garlic and onions all known to contain probiotic bacteria. There are also probiotic supplements that are enteric-coated. This enables the friendly bacteria to survive the acidic and sterile environment of the stomach and make their way to the colon.

Please remember to consult your doctor for advice prior to making any changes to your lifestyle.

By May 15 of this year, if you haven?t signed up for the program, you could end up without drug coverage, or have to pay the penalty for applying after the deadline. The penalty is a 1% increase in your premium for each month after May 2006 in which you don?t enroll.

The following is a step-by-step guide designed to get down to the basics of Medicare Part D, cut through the jargon, and tells you exactly what you need to know.

Step #1: Eligibility. Are you eligible for Medicare?s new prescription drug plan? Simply put, if you are eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B, you are eligible for Part D.

Step #2: Cost. What will Medicare Part D cost you? For drug expenses in the range of $0-$250, you pay 100% of the cost. When and if your costs fall between $250-$2,250, the plan pays for 75%, and you pay for 25%.

At this point, the infamous coverage gap, often referred to as the “donut hole,” comes into play. Essentially, if your total drug costs, which include what you and the plan pay for prescriptions, exceed $2,250 per year, you pay 100% of your drug costs after that point until you reach $3,600 in out-of-pocket expenses (total $5,100 in drug costs). But after you escape from the “donut hole,” you only have to pay for 5% of your drug costs.

What you pay also includes the usual insurance costs associated with a drug plan. If you do not qualify for extra help, you will pay: monthly premiums, a yearly deductible, and co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription.

If you qualify for extra help due to a limited income, you will pay: low or no monthly premiums, low or no yearly deductible, low or no co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription, and you don?t have to worry about the coverage gap.

Through Medicare?s prescription drug plan, you must choose drug coverage from one of the many private plans made available for the purpose of Medicare Part D. This is usually the point at which people become the most confused. There is a wide range of plans from which to choose, and in the end, the right one for you depends on your unique circumstances. Search for the plan that offers the lowest total costs for the year, including your premiums, deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance for each prescription, and any drug costs you pay during the coverage gap.

To best compare the available plans, visit the http://www.medicare.gov prescription drug plan finder.

Step #3: Drugs Covered. Choosing an insurance plan also requires that you make a selection based on the specific drugs you need. The list of drugs covered is called a formulary. So when determining which plan is best for you, cost is only one consideration – you must also make a choice based on the type of drugs covered. Generic and brand name drugs are included in the formularies, but if a drug you take is not on the list, you will either have to pay for it in full, or switch to a similar drug that is covered by the plan.

Step #4: Joining. Signing up for a plan is, luckily, easier than you may think. You can either sign up through the plan?s website or through Medicare.gov. Another option: call the company offering the plan you desire, or call Medicare directly.

Before you go out to search for a job, you probably take stock of yourself. This means assessing your talents and abilities, your personal preferences, and your social skills. Once you?ve completed your personal inventory, you are ready to look for the job of your dreams.

The same sort of plan of action can help you as you begin your weight loss program. You?ll need to do a little research on yourself. You?ll need to write down things about your activities, goals, interests, and try to combine them into a workable diet and exercise routine.

It can be difficult sometimes painful to conduct such a self-evaluation. But it can be quite beneficial for your long-term health. Before beginning a weight loss program, you need to ask yourself some questions. In some cases, they may be hard questions. But they will help to ensure the success of your weight loss regimen.

The National Institutes of Health have said that obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. This means that your personal inventory has life-or-death consequences. This means that you?ll need to be brutally honest with yourself. Otherwise, your health could suffer in the long run.

A number of diets take a cookie-cutter approach. As a result, you may follow them for a time, but then tire of them. That is why it is so critically important to have a personalized weight loss plan. This may mean that, once you conduct your inventory, you?ll need to conduct a registered dietician to find the diet that?s right for you.

In your inventory, determine how you are currently doing, as far as diet and exercise are concerned. You might consider giving yourself a grade of excellent, satisfactory, or needs improvement. Determine how many years you have been overweight and note whether you are constantly on a diet. Also, make note of whether you tend to gain back weight once you?ve lost it. Then, determine what your weight loss goal is. Remember that a realistic goal is to lose about two pounds a week. Finally, determine how best you can reach your goal.

You may also want to take a family history. This is important when you go to a doctor, and it?s also critical when you go to see a dietician. Note whether any members of your family are overweight. Do you have a family history of heart attack? Diabetes? Cancer? Osteoporosis? What is your Body Mass Index? Is it where you would like it to be? What is your cholesterol level? Is it considered to be dangerous by your doctor? What is your blood pressure? Could it be improved? Are you under a great deal of stress? Do you generally follow good health habits? The answers to these questions can help determine your personal health risks.

You?ll also want to determine how much physical activity you engage in. For instance, does your job require you to bicycle or run? Do you currently take part in at least 30 minutes of exercise several days a week? Do you engage in stretching exercises? Do you lift weights? Are you involved in sports? Do you use exercise as a means of relaxation? Do you dance in order to have a good time? Again, the answers to these questions will help to determine your current physical activity level and what you need to do in the future in order to increase your activity.

Granted, your personal inventory could leave you a bit demoralized. After all, you may not be eating the way you should. Your family might have a history of disease and obesity, and you may not be doing as much exercising as you should. The idea of the personal inventory is not to make you depressed. Rather, it?s simply information that you can use as you try to plot your roadmap to weight loss success.

You might consider taking your personal inventory from time to time. That way, you can see how much progress you?re making. Such progress could inspire you to set new goals for both diet and exercise. Keep in mind that you?re never too old to learn something new about yourself. The key is to take that knowledge and use it for effective action.