Acupuncture; Does It Work?

Acupuncture is derived from Latin words "acus", meaning, needle and "punctura", meaning, penetration. Acupuncture was originated in China approximately 2000 years ago and is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world.

The traditional theory of Acupuncture involves qi, yin and yang, and the Five Elements.

There are number of physiologic models that have been proposed to explain the effects of acupuncture.

Proposed conditions with possible efficacy include:

• Chronic Pain
• Postoperative nausea and vomiting
• Chemotherapy induced nausea
• Acute pain including dental pain
• Headache
• Hypertension

Although there are difficulties in studying acupuncture, the best randomized trials suggest that acupuncture and sham acupuncture have similar efficacy. Given this, much or all of the effect of acupuncture may be related to the placebo effect.

Acupuncture is generally, very safe; as long as appropriate sterile techniques are followed.

In patient with chronic pain, both acupuncture and sham acupuncture appear to have much greater efficacy than when patients are left untreated. So patients with unavailability of safe alternatives with Chronic pain or other conditions may benefit from a trial of acupuncture.

Fish Oil: Good Stuff but Use Caution!

Fish oils are Omega-3 fatty acids. The fish oils are important for the production of nerve tissue, hormones, and cellular membrances.

These fats have anti-inflamatory activity, help lower high blood pressure, reduce elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent atheroscleratic plaque formation, and improve skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Thus can indirectly help prevent heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease.

High doses may cause gastrointestinal upset, loose stools, and nausea.

Use with caution in individuals with diabetes or in those who may be predisposed to hypoglycemia; may alter glucose regulation. Effects of drugs like insulin and oral hypoglycemics may be potentiated. Blood sugars should be closely monitored and medications adjusted. This should be done under supervision of a healthcare providers.

Again, use with caution in individuals on antihypertensive agents. Fish oils can lower blood pressure and may have additive affect.

Patients with Diabetes and/or Hypertension might need less medicines to control their diseases.

Fatty acids are contraindicated in individuals with active bleeding eg, peptic ulcer and intracranial bleed. Use with caution in individuals with history of bleeding, bleeding disorders, or in individuals taking Warfarin, aspirin, Aleve, ibuprofen, motrin or like, or antiplatelet agents like ticlopidine, clopodogrel or plavix.

Discontinue use of fish oils at least 14 days prior to dental or surgical procedures.

Drug interactions theoretically with anticoagulants, warfarin, ASA, NSAIDS, Plavix, Antiplatelet agents, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, and antihypertensives.

Easy way to remember is to know fish oils can reduce blood sugars and blood pressures and can cause bleeding. Use Caution and always include your physician in your decision to take these or any other alternative medications.

Avoiding the Flu ?

You have more control than you think.

Wash your hands with soap and water often or clean with an alcohol based hand cleaner.

Use tissue or arm to cover your mouth and nose to sneeze or cough.

Remind those who feel ill to see the doctor and stay home.

Get vaccinated against the flu.

Tamiflu is affective if started within 48 to 72 hours of symptoms.

Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and fever.

The H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu) may be sticking around!

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You Can Do Something About Reflux

Reflux Oesophagitis, better known as Reflux is when acid travels from stomach to the food pipe or Oesophagus. Usual symptoms are heart burns, bad taste in the mouth due to regurgitation, cough or/and chest tightness.

Complications include Cancer of Oesophagus, Asthma type illness or Pneumonia.

What you can do is to recognize it and do the following:

• Sleep at 30 degree angle with the head end of bed raised or get a wedge. Sleeping with 1 pillow under the upper back and 2 pillows under the head may or may not help.
• Avoid Spicy hot foods, Colas, Coffee, Tea and Caffeine at night time.
• Chocolate can worsen Reflux as well.
• Stop eating about 2 hrs before bed time.
• Reduce Weight and be at a look out for Sleep Apnea, that can worsen Reflux.
• Avoid getting Constipated and avoid tight at waist clothing.
• Expect Reflux to get worse with Pregnancy.
• Over the counter medicines might help. Mylanta or Maalox are good as needed medicines and Prilosec is better if taken regularly. Ask Physician before taking any medicine if Pregnant.
• If symptoms persist seek medical Advice, sooner the better.

For your Asthma or Sleep Apnea needs visit,

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Self Help For Asthma

Asthma is clinically diagnosed by a triad of Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath in combination or each symptom individually. In addition to close follow up with a Physician, self management to a certain degree is very helpful.

Patients with Asthma should avoid environmental triggers such as, dust or animal dander. Heavy draperies can collect dust. Wash bed sheets and pillows in hot water once a week. Possibly no exposure to Pets like dogs and cats. They should avoid exposure to extremes of temperatures as well. Make sure basements are not damp and there is no sign of mold in the house. Consider getting heating ducts cleaned. During winter, Humidifier may be needed.

No smoking otherwise medicines will not be effective and smoke can be life threatening as well. Nobody should be allowed to smoke around Asthmatics.

Make sure reflux and nasal congestion are adequately treated as these are the most commonly overlooked causes of uncontrolled Asthma.

Know how to use your Peak flow meter. If Peak flow suggests decrease to between 20% and 50% and accompanied by symptoms, use your rescue inhaler more often. If it falls bellow 50%, you might need more therapy. Keep your Physician informed and seek advice, sooner the better.

If the colour of your sputum changes to yellow or green, you will need Antibiotics and if accompanied with shortness of breath and wheezing, Prednisone is usually prescribed.

Yearly Flu shots and every five years, Pneumonia shots are very important to prevent Asthma exacerbation.

Know how to use your inhalers. Make sure to only use rescue inhaler and not maintenance inhalers during exacerbation.

Ideal body weight might be helpful. Adequate sleep time at night might be beneficial.

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Self Help for Sleepless Nights; Treatment of Insomnia

Sleeplessness or Insomnia can be secondary to another disorder like Chronic pain or Anxiety or primarily on it's own. Sleep specialists now treat not only secondary disorders but Insomnia itself as a separate entity.

First and foremost is the importance of Sleep Hygiene as outlined by me in earlier blog posting. In Short, Sleeping at scheduled times with the goal of 7 hrs and no napping during the day. Using bed only to sleep and avoiding large meals and stimulants near bed times.

Following are different modalities that can be applied alone or in combination for treatment of Insomnia by anyone.

Stimulus Control Therapy.

Start preparing to go to bed about 15 minutes before its time to go to sleep. Do your routine, namely, brushing your teeth, turning off the TV, meditation, listening to soothing music etc.

Then go to bed and try in your mind to go to sleep for 10 minutes and if can not fall asleep, get up and do some mundane work. Once sleepy, try again for 10 minutes and if still can not fall asleep, get up again and repeat all these steps until asleep or it's time to wake up. Then no looking back and no napping till it's time to go to sleep, again.

Sleep Restriction.

Use the bed only to sleep and restrict your time in bed to time sleeping, not simply lying down. Do not watch TV or read in bed. Sleep Restriction can also come handy for people who sleep very few hours, they can apply Stimulus Control Therapy to their duration of sleep and gradually increase their sleep time to ideal of 7 hours.

Cognitive Therapy.

This works in people whose mind start racing with thoughts as the head hits the pillow. They need to rethink their concerns as for example, that their job is not at stake and nobody at work has even noticed any change. Apart from Cognitive therapy these same people can benefit from progressive tension and relaxation of their muscles starting from toes and finishing with their head and neck muscles. Soft music can help divert attention. They should also beforehand use an organizer for the next day and future dates.

Other Tips.

Some people benefit from warm shower before going to sleep.

Keeping sleep logs about duration of sleep and daytime naps to measure your progress helps.

If problem persists see a sleep specialist for further help with all of the above and possible sleeping pills. Remember all above ways to treat Insomnia have been found superior than medication in the long run.

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Law of Attraction for your emotional well being

The great secret of life is the law of attraction.
Your thoughts become things.

It is impossible to feel bad and at the same time have good thoughts.
Secret shifters, such as pleasant memories, nature, or your favorite music can change your feelings and shift your frequency in an instant.

Ask, Believe and Receive.
Create your day in advance by thinking the way you want it to go and you will create your life intentionally.

Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things.
Use visualization and the law of attraction will return that reality to you, just as you saw it in your mind.

Feeling happy now is the fastest way to bring money into your life.
Give money in order to bring more of it into your life.
Tip the balance of your thoughts to wealth. Think wealth.

Treat yourself with love and respect and you will attract people who show you love and respect.
To make a relationship work, focus on what you appreciate about the other person and not complaints. When you focus on the strengths, you will get more of them.

Focus on perfect health.
Laughter attracts joy, releases negativity and leads to miraculous cures.

We will never run out of good things because there is more than enough to go around for everyone. Life is meant to be abundant.
Praise and bless everything in the world and align yourself with the highest frequency--Love.

You are a spiritual being. You are energy(or Soul) and energy(or Soul) cannot be destroyed--It just changes form. Therefore, the pure essence of you has always been and always will be.
We are all connected and we are all One.
Let go of difficulties from your past, cultural codes and social beliefs. You are the only one who can create the life you deserve.

Remember to Remember.

You get to fill the blackboard of your life with whatever you want.
The only thing you need to do is Feel Good Now!
As you commit to your joy, you will attract an avalanche of joyful things because you are radiating joy.

May the Secret bring you Love and joy for your entire existence. That is my intention for you and for the world.

To experience more, visit http://www.thesecret.tv/

(Above are my underlined portions of the book by Rhonda Byrne: The Secret)

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