I Want To Try Acupuncture For The Osteoarthritis In My Knee… Does It Work?
May 6th, 2008 by health
In arthritis this is more of a problem than many other conditions because the placebo response in clinical trials involving drugs used to treat arthritis can be as high as 40 per cent! What that means is that the mind plays a huge role in determining whether a given therapy will work… or not.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability among older adults. The joint most affected is the knee. The prevalence, disability, and costs related to knee OA are expected to skyrocket in the next 25 years because of the aging of the population.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been the mainstay of therapy for OA of the knee. However, NSAIDS are only a bit better than placebo in the short term relief of OA pain. Also, NSAIDS are associated with many side effects including gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, and cardiovascular complications. Acetaminophen is sometimes used for mild OA pain; however, it also has potential problems including liver toxicity and the potential for kidney damage.
Non-drug therapies that have been proven to be effective include exercise and weight loss. Unfortunately, both of these often are difficult to do for patients with OA.
Acupuncture has been studied in a number of open and randomized clinical trials. Current evidence suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for older patients with OA of the knee.
However, it has been difficult to fully assess the effectiveness because of the possibility of a strong placebo effect. Patient expectations and preferences may color the potential measurement of effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment modality.
Acupuncture does seem to have a real biologic effect.
One problem with assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture has to do with clinical trial design as well as technique, settings, protocol design, and proficiency of the acupuncturists.
Acupuncture appears to be safe. This is born out by the short term improvement in pain and function compared with placebo.
The consensus is that it should be considered as part of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of OA of the knee. (Manheimer E, et al. Annals Int Med. 2007; 146: 868-877.)
Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/arthritis-treatment.html Arthritis Treatment
Weightloss Plan
April 26th, 2008 by healthFirst of all you need to consider the core of your weight problem. Do you want to drop ten or twenty pounds? Are you fighting a life-long obesity problem? Is your weight associated with a recent pregnancy? Does depression or mood adversely affect your weight? In order to find the best weightloss program, it is crucial that you consider the source of your problem.
Depression is a serious matter. Rather than trying to find the best weightloss strategies to use a person who is depressed is better suited to research his mood condition. This individual may find that once the depression is treated, the pounds melt away. Treating the depression itself is often the best weightloss plan available.
A person who wants to drop some vanity pounds after giving birth would want to take a very different approach than someone who needs to lose a lot of weight that she has been carrying around for years and years. The best weightlosss program for one person may not be the best for another. The new mom could benefit from taking on a trendy six-week fat burning exercise program while the lifelong obese problem will need medical intervention.
Speaking of medical intervention, make sure that you talk to your doctor about the best weightloss program for you. You can save a lot of time and effort by simply asking your physician about which program would be best for you. Your doctor can help you start off in the right direction.
You doctor can also suggest whether you should start and exercise program. The best weightloss strategy for many individuals is to simply start a reasonable exercise routine. You may find that you don’t really need to diet as long as you increase your activity.
Others would not benefit from the exercise approach. Some people are not healthy enough to engage in many exercise routines while others can injure themselves if they engage in rigorous activity. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about the best weightloss program for your needs and lifestyle.
Julie Hart is a freelance writer and a regular contributer to Diet and Weight Loss at http://www.diet.ie. Her most recent article is on Weightloss Plan
Causes Of Sleep Disorders
April 16th, 2008 by healthIn general, the causes for sleep disorders can be categorized into internal, external and due to disturbance in the normal circadian pattern. Most often, sleep disorders are manifested as an associated disease of any organ disease and also a major factor for internal causes of sleep disorder. It is common that most of the diseases manifest with a disturbance in the normal sleep pattern. However, serious sleep disorders can be caused because of medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, fibrositis syndrome, back problems, and neck problems. Any impairment in the brain such as central apnea and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are also potential cause for sleep disorders. Breathing problems are also major causative in cases such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
If body diseases can attribute sleep problems as an associated disease, the main feature of psychological problems is sleep disorder. Most of the mental problems such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, bipolar syndrome, paranoia and schizophrenia can cause sleep disorders. Chronic mental patients usually exhibit severe sleep disorders and it is evaluated as an important diagnostic characteristic. The specific problems such as tooth grinding and sleep enuresis are also caused because of certain mental disorders.
In the case of endocrinal changes, sleep disorders are evident symptom such as in cases of thyroid problems, in which patient are with insomnia or over sleep. The sleep problems associated with menopause and pregnancy related ones are very common. The alteration in the circadian rhythm is a major causative for many sleep disorders. Shift workers usually experience sleep disorders due to their altered sleep pattern and jet lag is a reason for sleep disorder among plane travelers.
Life style factors such as alcoholism and intake of alkaloids such as caffeine can also contribute to the cause of sleep disorders. The environmental factors include light, noise, and change of bedding. The intake of certain drugs Lotronex and Tramadol are also proven to cause sleep disorders. The consumption of any particular substance may also attribute sleep disorders in some patients. Anyway, the causative factor will differ from one patient to the other.
Sleep disorders are most often a symptom of any other serious disorder. Hence immediate consultation of an expert physician is essential to find the exact cause behind sleep disorder.
Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop - http://www.yourfavouriteshop.com - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit Hapa Health - http://www.hapahapa.com for more articles.
Obesity and Diet
April 15th, 2008 by healthDue to the dramatic increases in obesity over the past 20 years, it has now reached epidemic proportions. Thirty percent of adults over the age of 20 are obese in the United States, or 60 million people. This epidemic includes not only adults, but children as well. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 20 years. There are now 9 million children between the ages of 6 -19 who are considered overweight.
WHAT IS OBESITY?
Obesity is defined simply as too much body fat. Your body is made up of 70% water. The other 30% consists of fat, protein, carbohydrate and an assortment of vitamins and minerals. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
* Hypertension
* High total cholesterol
* Type 2-diabetes
* Coronary heart disease
* Stroke
* Gallbladder disease
* Osteo-arthritis
* Respiratory problems
* Certain types of cancers
CAUSES OF OBESITY:
The epidemic of obesity did not crop up overnight. Obesity is a chronic condition caused by an assortment of factors. Because there are so many factors involved (genetics, environment, metabolism, overeating, etc.), it is very difficult to treat the problem.
For instance, a person’s genetics and environment can increase their risk of obesity, but their behavior also influences their risk. It is easy for someone to blame heredity for their obesity, but the choices a person makes can increase or decrease their risk significantly.
The choice to be physically inactive and practice unhealthy eating habits not only greatly increases the risk of obesity, but it leads to other diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. On the other hand, people who avoid the behaviors that increase their risk can expect to live healthier and longer lives.
ADDING TO THE PROBLEM:
In the United States, our food options and eating habits have changed dramatically over the course of the past 20 years. We are faced with an astounding array of choices in the grocery stores, many that are not healthy.
Shelves are packed with foods that are pre-packaged and high in fat, sugar and calories. Even foods that are marked as healthy or low-fat may contain more calories than the high-fat food they are supposed to replace. It is important to always read food labels for nutritional information.
Fast food restaurants, while convenient, tend to be high in trans fats, carbohydrates and sugar. Portion size in restaurants has increased dramatically resulting in increased calorie consumption. If the body does not burn off the calories from eating the larger portions and drinking the sugar-laden soft drinks, unhealthy weight gain takes place.
Technology has created many labor saving products that reduce the amount of energy we expend in our daily lives. Instead of people walking or riding a bicycle for short distances, cars are used. Instead of children playing outside, they are in the house watching television.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM:
Promoting regular physical activity and a healthy and nutritious diet are essential building blocks for creating a healthy body. In order to accomplish this, you must create an environment that supports this way of life or the obesity epidemic will continue to grow.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Adding regular physical activity contributes to an amazing array of benefits for your body. It reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and cancer. It reduces weight, alleviates the pain of arthritis, relieves depression symptoms, and reduces the need for medications.
Whatever physical activity you participate in does not have to be exhausting to be valuable. Remember, any movement is better than none! Taking a brisk walk every day for 20-30 minutes will significantly benefit your body, physically and mentally.
HEALTHY DIET: Good nutrition, like physical activity, lowers the risk for obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. A diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat builds a healthy, strong body. Although most Americans know that a healthy diet is necessary, they are slow in changing their poor eating habits.
These poor eating habits usually begin during childhood and are difficult to change later in life. Children and teenagers eat a diet consisting of too much fat and not enough fruit and vegetables. This results in a generation of overweight, unhealthy children who grow into overweight, unhealthy adults.
Proper diet and nutrition and physical activity are the cornerstones for a healthy body, a body that will not be at risk for obesity or any of the other health-related diseases. However, many diet and exercise plans fail because people jump into things headfirst and make too many changes into their routine too quickly. Making small changes slowly over the course of many months is the key to teaching your body to accept these changes and be successful.
Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE (http://mysiteinc.com/djtrevayne/guide.html), writes articles pertaining to nutrition, health issues, and household budgeting.
No Running in School?
April 15th, 2008 by healthA recent article published in USA Today explains how a trend is developing across the country limiting kid’s physical activity in schools. Many districts are banning more and more games in PE and on recess.
Another class bites the dust
To make matters worse many middle schools and high schools are cutting PE from the full year curriculum. ‘The Shape of the Nation’ report, released about a month ago, concluded that most states are failing to provide student’s with adequate physical education. The report showed that the number of students attending a daily PE class is down to 28%! Does this have anything to do with the fact the 1 out of 5 school age kids today are overweight? Along with horrible diets of most kids, the lack of sufficient physical activity is a huge part of the problem.
Many schools cite the need for more academic class time in order to meet the requirements of national testing standards. The irony of it is that cutting PE programs is actually making our student’s test performance worse. A large Canadian study looked at the academic performance of kids split into two groups. One group received one hour of PE class with moderate physical activity during the course of the day, while the other group had academic instruction for that hour.
At the end of the year, the group of kids that had PE outperformed the other group in academic classes for every grade tested. This was true even though the non-PE group received about 15% more classroom instruction time. So does it make sense to cut PE from our schools?
Physical activity is proven to increase attention, improve learning and improve memory. These are all attributes that help kids become better students. Yet our schools continue to cut PE from their curriculum. We must put greater value on physical activity in the school system and find a way to support it.
Sweat or Stress
As the Canadian study suggests, physical activity can actually make you smarter. Not only that, but exercise can help prevent disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and depression. It can even increase your chances of recovering from a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Exercise causes a rise in several growth factors in the brain that are responsible for helping brain cells survive and divide into new brain cells, or neurons. One of the brain areas producing new neurons is the hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning, memory and attention. Exercise helps new neurons grow in the hippocampus, which helps improve performance on several types of cognitive tasks.
Another important role of the hippocampus is in the response to stress. In fact, studies show that a smaller hippocampus is associated with anxiety disorders and depression. Stress can damage the hippocampus and cause neurons to die, the opposite of what happens when you exercise.
Folks that exercise regularly know that they are much more capable of handling stress throughout their day than they are when they don’t exercise. This is, in part, because exercise and stress have opposite effects on the hippocampus and exercise improves your ‘buffer’ to handle the stress.
Interestingly, anti-depressants work in a similar way. Although, we don’t completely understand the exact mechanism of anti-depressant action, we do know that several classes of anti-depressants increase new neurons in the hippocampus. They do the same thing that exercise does!
Like exercise, anti-depressants also induce new neuron growth in the hippocampus. Psychiatrists have known for a long time that patients experiencing depression respond much better to therapy if they combine it with regular exercise. In some cases, exercise alone is sufficient to alleviate depressive symptoms. Personally, I’d rather see doctors try a prescription for more physical activity and a better diet before they send you to the pharmacist.
How fast is your Brain Aging?
Studies also show that exercise protects the brain from aging and injury. Older adults that regularly exercise perform better in cognitive tasks and have lower rates of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. They also recover stronger from strokes and from accidental brain injury.
One can argue that people who exercise have many factors in their lives that can contribute to these findings. For example, they smoke less, eat better, etc. However, studies in laboratory animals support the idea that exercise alone is protective. Animals that are exercised are protected against traumatic brain injury in laboratory tests and don’t develop the extent of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in model systems.
Studies also show that in addition to exercise’s protective role, it is a valuable therapeutic tool for brain function. Fitness training improves cognitive functions relative to planning, scheduling, task coordination and attention. Adults that exercise have more grey matter, representing more brain cells, than adults that don’t exercise.
We know that on average, adults tend to maintain the lifestyle values that they had as kids. So does it make sense to stand bye and watch schools cut PE and heart-pumping recess activities?
Copyright (c) 2006 The Brain Code LLC
Dr. Simon Evans is a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and a nationally licensed youth sports coach. Are your kids getting everything they need to reach their potential? What barriers are holding your family back? Find out at Dr. Evans website at http://www.thebraincode.com
Osteoporosis Free: with Peruvian Coca Leaf..?
April 15th, 2008 by healthThe miraculous treatment made in a Peruvian hospital by the nutritionist Maritza Vera, was encouraged by previous successes with other patients who cured themselves of diverse diseases like chronic anemia, depression, osteoporosis and until leukemia, only adding “flour of coca” (toasted and ground coca leaf) to their foods. The coca contains “reserpina” that regulates the pressure and forms osteoblast, for that reason acts in patients with osteoporosis, says Maritza Vera.Today Gean Pierre runs gladly, plays football and rides bicycle free already of the disease.
Maritza says the coca is a wonderful plant, every 3 months cures to you of some disease. She has been remarkable successful treating different diseases
It is not by chance that the plant has acquired a broad and diverse range of applications in the traditional medicine of the indigenous people. Its irreplaceable qualities have been demonstrated over time and throughout a vast territory. The coca leaf has established itself as the traditional remedy for treating physiological and psychological illness, and by virtue of its composition it is a powerful energy restorer for curing stomach and digestive ailments, alleviating affections of the larynx and vocal chords, preventing vertigo, regulating arterial pressure and the metabolism of carbohydrates, and even of improving sexual prowess. In his journal of 1794, Hipolito Unanue writes of “coqueros, 80 years of age and over, and yet capable of such prowess as young men in the prime of life would be proud of.”
Peruvian Investigators affirm the low incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the “chacchadores” natives of coca leaves . Also the little frequency of osteoporosis and dental decays is well-known.
A very important study done by the Harvard University found that the coca leaf has a large amount of nutrients, more than other foods well known as strong ones.
Each 100 grams of leaf coca contain: : Calcium 1749 (mg), Phosphor 637 (mg), Vitamin A 10000 (iu)
In Peru the coca flour use is extending for the treatment of diverse diseases, mainly osteoporosis, arthrosis, gastritis etc. ENACO, (National Company of the Coca) sells “coca flour” freely, to cover an increasing national demand.
Coca leaf YES, cocaine NO
Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a stimulant. Pre-Incan Indians used the leaves to relieve altitude sickness (hypoxia), hunger and fatigue.
CONFUSION BETWEEN COCA AND DRUGS
Firstly, it is necessary to stress and distinguish the fundamental difference between chewing coca in the Andean setting and the unlawful use of cocaine in the West. In a speech made in 1992 before the annual Assembly of the World Health Organization, the President of the Republic of Bolivia, Mr. Paz Zamora referred to these confused and contradictory interpretations and observed that “coca is an Andean tradition while cocaine is a Western habit”
The innocuous nature of traditional use of coca leaves and the benefits for human health were proven with scientific rigor by the most extensive study of coca ever done. This research was carried out between 1991 and 1995 by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The concentration of cocaine alkaloid in the leaf, is very low, and therefore, ingested in natural form, it does not produce serious toxicity nor it generates dependency. It acts like stimulating weighs, it improves the attention and the coordination of ideas; is something as well as to take a concentrated coffee
The Andean culture and the coca plant have thrived for centuries. It is ironic that this same plant that is used as a cure in its homeland is the source for so much abuse and misunderstanding in other parts of the world.
After years of management, ENACO (National Company of the Coca in Peru) has managed to give to a new impulse to industrialization and export of coca leaves. First, with the sale of “mate de coca” (tea of coca) a to South Africa and the United States and Switzerland; and also with the production of coca leaf extract that will be used like flavor in the United States. The own DEA guaranteed the sale to the United States
The Government of Peru would have to initiate extensive clinical studies, local and international to demonstrate scientifically the curatives properties of the coca leaf, that actually already are accepted by an increasing Peruvian population.
In Conclusion: Cocaine can be a curse for the humanity …but the coca leaf can be a blessing for our health.
Luis Quiroz Ravines is a Peruvian journalist, founder of the “World Movement of Direct Help to the Poor”.
Osteoporosis Free: with Peruvian Coca Leaf..?
April 9th, 2008 by healthThe miraculous treatment made in a Peruvian hospital by the nutritionist Maritza Vera, was encouraged by previous successes with other patients who cured themselves of diverse diseases like chronic anemia, depression, osteoporosis and until leukemia, only adding “flour of coca” (toasted and ground coca leaf) to their foods. The coca contains “reserpina” that regulates the pressure and forms osteoblast, for that reason acts in patients with osteoporosis, says Maritza Vera.Today Gean Pierre runs gladly, plays football and rides bicycle free already of the disease.
Maritza says the coca is a wonderful plant, every 3 months cures to you of some disease. She has been remarkable successful treating different diseases
It is not by chance that the plant has acquired a broad and diverse range of applications in the traditional medicine of the indigenous people. Its irreplaceable qualities have been demonstrated over time and throughout a vast territory. The coca leaf has established itself as the traditional remedy for treating physiological and psychological illness, and by virtue of its composition it is a powerful energy restorer for curing stomach and digestive ailments, alleviating affections of the larynx and vocal chords, preventing vertigo, regulating arterial pressure and the metabolism of carbohydrates, and even of improving sexual prowess. In his journal of 1794, Hipolito Unanue writes of “coqueros, 80 years of age and over, and yet capable of such prowess as young men in the prime of life would be proud of.”
Peruvian Investigators affirm the low incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the “chacchadores” natives of coca leaves . Also the little frequency of osteoporosis and dental decays is well-known.
A very important study done by the Harvard University found that the coca leaf has a large amount of nutrients, more than other foods well known as strong ones.
Each 100 grams of leaf coca contain: : Calcium 1749 (mg), Phosphor 637 (mg), Vitamin A 10000 (iu)
In Peru the coca flour use is extending for the treatment of diverse diseases, mainly osteoporosis, arthrosis, gastritis etc. ENACO, (National Company of the Coca) sells “coca flour” freely, to cover an increasing national demand.
Coca leaf YES, cocaine NO
Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a stimulant. Pre-Incan Indians used the leaves to relieve altitude sickness (hypoxia), hunger and fatigue.
CONFUSION BETWEEN COCA AND DRUGS
Firstly, it is necessary to stress and distinguish the fundamental difference between chewing coca in the Andean setting and the unlawful use of cocaine in the West. In a speech made in 1992 before the annual Assembly of the World Health Organization, the President of the Republic of Bolivia, Mr. Paz Zamora referred to these confused and contradictory interpretations and observed that “coca is an Andean tradition while cocaine is a Western habit”
The innocuous nature of traditional use of coca leaves and the benefits for human health were proven with scientific rigor by the most extensive study of coca ever done. This research was carried out between 1991 and 1995 by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The concentration of cocaine alkaloid in the leaf, is very low, and therefore, ingested in natural form, it does not produce serious toxicity nor it generates dependency. It acts like stimulating weighs, it improves the attention and the coordination of ideas; is something as well as to take a concentrated coffee
The Andean culture and the coca plant have thrived for centuries. It is ironic that this same plant that is used as a cure in its homeland is the source for so much abuse and misunderstanding in other parts of the world.
After years of management, ENACO (National Company of the Coca in Peru) has managed to give to a new impulse to industrialization and export of coca leaves. First, with the sale of “mate de coca” (tea of coca) a to South Africa and the United States and Switzerland; and also with the production of coca leaf extract that will be used like flavor in the United States. The own DEA guaranteed the sale to the United States
The Government of Peru would have to initiate extensive clinical studies, local and international to demonstrate scientifically the curatives properties of the coca leaf, that actually already are accepted by an increasing Peruvian population.
In Conclusion: Cocaine can be a curse for the humanity …but the coca leaf can be a blessing for our health.
Luis Quiroz Ravines is a Peruvian journalist, founder of the “World Movement of Direct Help to the Poor”.
Osteoporosis Free: with Peruvian Coca Leaf..?
April 7th, 2008 by healthThe miraculous treatment made in a Peruvian hospital by the nutritionist Maritza Vera, was encouraged by previous successes with other patients who cured themselves of diverse diseases like chronic anemia, depression, osteoporosis and until leukemia, only adding “flour of coca” (toasted and ground coca leaf) to their foods. The coca contains “reserpina” that regulates the pressure and forms osteoblast, for that reason acts in patients with osteoporosis, says Maritza Vera.Today Gean Pierre runs gladly, plays football and rides bicycle free already of the disease.
Maritza says the coca is a wonderful plant, every 3 months cures to you of some disease. She has been remarkable successful treating different diseases
It is not by chance that the plant has acquired a broad and diverse range of applications in the traditional medicine of the indigenous people. Its irreplaceable qualities have been demonstrated over time and throughout a vast territory. The coca leaf has established itself as the traditional remedy for treating physiological and psychological illness, and by virtue of its composition it is a powerful energy restorer for curing stomach and digestive ailments, alleviating affections of the larynx and vocal chords, preventing vertigo, regulating arterial pressure and the metabolism of carbohydrates, and even of improving sexual prowess. In his journal of 1794, Hipolito Unanue writes of “coqueros, 80 years of age and over, and yet capable of such prowess as young men in the prime of life would be proud of.”
Peruvian Investigators affirm the low incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the “chacchadores” natives of coca leaves . Also the little frequency of osteoporosis and dental decays is well-known.
A very important study done by the Harvard University found that the coca leaf has a large amount of nutrients, more than other foods well known as strong ones.
Each 100 grams of leaf coca contain: : Calcium 1749 (mg), Phosphor 637 (mg), Vitamin A 10000 (iu)
In Peru the coca flour use is extending for the treatment of diverse diseases, mainly osteoporosis, arthrosis, gastritis etc. ENACO, (National Company of the Coca) sells “coca flour” freely, to cover an increasing national demand.
Coca leaf YES, cocaine NO
Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a stimulant. Pre-Incan Indians used the leaves to relieve altitude sickness (hypoxia), hunger and fatigue.
CONFUSION BETWEEN COCA AND DRUGS
Firstly, it is necessary to stress and distinguish the fundamental difference between chewing coca in the Andean setting and the unlawful use of cocaine in the West. In a speech made in 1992 before the annual Assembly of the World Health Organization, the President of the Republic of Bolivia, Mr. Paz Zamora referred to these confused and contradictory interpretations and observed that “coca is an Andean tradition while cocaine is a Western habit”
The innocuous nature of traditional use of coca leaves and the benefits for human health were proven with scientific rigor by the most extensive study of coca ever done. This research was carried out between 1991 and 1995 by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The concentration of cocaine alkaloid in the leaf, is very low, and therefore, ingested in natural form, it does not produce serious toxicity nor it generates dependency. It acts like stimulating weighs, it improves the attention and the coordination of ideas; is something as well as to take a concentrated coffee
The Andean culture and the coca plant have thrived for centuries. It is ironic that this same plant that is used as a cure in its homeland is the source for so much abuse and misunderstanding in other parts of the world.
After years of management, ENACO (National Company of the Coca in Peru) has managed to give to a new impulse to industrialization and export of coca leaves. First, with the sale of “mate de coca” (tea of coca) a to South Africa and the United States and Switzerland; and also with the production of coca leaf extract that will be used like flavor in the United States. The own DEA guaranteed the sale to the United States
The Government of Peru would have to initiate extensive clinical studies, local and international to demonstrate scientifically the curatives properties of the coca leaf, that actually already are accepted by an increasing Peruvian population.
In Conclusion: Cocaine can be a curse for the humanity …but the coca leaf can be a blessing for our health.
Luis Quiroz Ravines is a Peruvian journalist, founder of the “World Movement of Direct Help to the Poor”.
What You Should Know About Brain Injury
April 1st, 2008 by healthBrain trauma are said to be either mild, moderate or severe depending on the extent of trauma or injury to the brain. If you are involved in a car accident and you hit your head on the steering will or who were hit by objects flying inside your car, chances are you may experience brain injury. You will know if you have mild brain injury if after the accident you lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes, experienced headache, confusion, lightheadedness, blurred vision, bad taste in the mouth, dizziness, trouble with memory, mood changes or trouble with thinking or concentration. If on the other hand, aside from the above symptoms you also experience worsening headaches, repeated vomiting or nausea, seizures, slurred speech, loss of coordination and continued restlessness or agitation and confusion. If, however, after the accident you experienced serious head trauma, you don’t have to worry about the symptoms. You would probably wake up on a hospital bed and days have past after your accident happened.
At the time of the accident, treatments for head injury usually entails trying to stabilize the injured person to prevent further injuries. The concern of the medical personnel is insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body, maintaining adequate blood flow and regulating blood pressure.
If after the car accident and you were diagnosed with mild to moderate brain injury, chances are you may receive skull and neck X-rays to check for bone fractures or spinal instability, MRI and CT scan.
Also, in case of moderate to severe brain injury, you will definitely need to get rehabilitation that involves individually tailored treatment programs in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, physiatrist (physical medicine), psychology/psychiatry, and social support.
As you can see, brain trauma is not only a serious injury, it also entails serious medical expenses. Hence, if you are involved in a car accident and you are fault free, secure the services of a competent personal injury lawyer immediately. Otherwise, aside from brain trauma, your finances might also be paralyzed.
Atty Gabriel Cosh is a legal advocate and a practitioner of law for over 10 years now. He is also an expert in the field of social legislation and personal injury cases.
What You Should Know About Brain Injury
March 30th, 2008 by healthBrain trauma are said to be either mild, moderate or severe depending on the extent of trauma or injury to the brain. If you are involved in a car accident and you hit your head on the steering will or who were hit by objects flying inside your car, chances are you may experience brain injury. You will know if you have mild brain injury if after the accident you lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes, experienced headache, confusion, lightheadedness, blurred vision, bad taste in the mouth, dizziness, trouble with memory, mood changes or trouble with thinking or concentration. If on the other hand, aside from the above symptoms you also experience worsening headaches, repeated vomiting or nausea, seizures, slurred speech, loss of coordination and continued restlessness or agitation and confusion. If, however, after the accident you experienced serious head trauma, you don’t have to worry about the symptoms. You would probably wake up on a hospital bed and days have past after your accident happened.
At the time of the accident, treatments for head injury usually entails trying to stabilize the injured person to prevent further injuries. The concern of the medical personnel is insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body, maintaining adequate blood flow and regulating blood pressure.
If after the car accident and you were diagnosed with mild to moderate brain injury, chances are you may receive skull and neck X-rays to check for bone fractures or spinal instability, MRI and CT scan.
Also, in case of moderate to severe brain injury, you will definitely need to get rehabilitation that involves individually tailored treatment programs in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, physiatrist (physical medicine), psychology/psychiatry, and social support.
As you can see, brain trauma is not only a serious injury, it also entails serious medical expenses. Hence, if you are involved in a car accident and you are fault free, secure the services of a competent personal injury lawyer immediately. Otherwise, aside from brain trauma, your finances might also be paralyzed.
Atty Gabriel Cosh is a legal advocate and a practitioner of law for over 10 years now. He is also an expert in the field of social legislation and personal injury cases.