Living With Multiple Sclerosis - An Outsiders View

It was Christmas 2004 we had just finished our loft conversion. Our house was now over 3 storeys. We had not long been married and were looking forward to a long and happy future.
Life had other plans. Mark, my husband was an active being who loved being outdoors, working in the garden, working in the countryside, cycling. We played badminton together and spent lots of time with the children. Suddenly he became a bit clumsy strange as he was always so precise in everything he did. This got worse until he was unable to tie his shoelaces or even cut up his food. The doctor dismissed it, so another doctor's opinion was sought. A neurological referral was the next step but this all took time. We were very scared doing all the usual scared things, not talking about it, talking too much and imagining all sorts of things, terrible things. We both are Radiographers I work in Breast Screening, Mark a lecturer in Radiotherapy we had a little knowledge which can be such a bad thing. Mark's expertise was in cancer and tumours so he immediately picked out the worst tumour and convinced himself that was it. I wondered about MS but my experience was limited to the women that came for Breast Screening and those women all seemed to be severely disabled ( if they had MS that didn't require then to be wheelchair bound them there was no need for me to know)

Eventually the Neurological referral came through and off we went. The hospital a very familiar environment for both of us took on a new persona we were "patients" After the initial appointment it was very obvious to me that the Consultant suspected MS. Obvious to me but not to Mark he had completely missed the hints that were given, the drip feed scenario that I had heard so many times when a consultant prepares his patient for bad news. I wanted to scream and shout and tell Mark "it's MS" but I couldn't ! I was not the health professional I was the wife, the support, the carer. The barrage of tests were next more hospital visits sitting in waiting rooms all pretending to be friendly places but on every wall posters, leaflets displayed all mocking me. MS and fatigue, MS and children, getting around with MS, MS and sexual function, adverts for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and on and on and on...

Eventually the tests were done and the diagnosis confirmed. Now it was just a matter of living with it. Mark is a very intelligent person he has an MSc and teaches Radiography students to degree level and beyond so why did he read a book that was over 20 years old and described all MS sufferers as ending up bedridden and dying a grizzly death. I cam home to find him curled up in a corner, terrified. That night we slept with the light on. The first year was tough, well every year is tough. The children suffered my daughter ran away, went to live with her father and our son who started playing up and developed severe behaviour problems at school. We didn't handle it well. We pretended all was ok.

It is only now 4 years on that I can reflect back. I can see where we made mistakes and what we could have handled better. We have changed I make the decisions now but try to include Mark, he can't make decisions. We try to lead a healthy life our diet has improved and we are more conscious of our own mortality. I have gone headlong into a fitness regime as now I frequently run up and down 2 flights of stairs whenever Mark forgets something. My diet is all geared to gaining energy.

We are managing now supporting each other when the need arises and listening and talking to each other. Communication is vital. Patience is an attribute that every care has to have a skill I have learnt I still get angry and fustrated but by writing it down like this I can get it out of my system and if you are reading this maybe you should try it too.

Read More... »

Historical Cannabis Facts

This history of cannabis is long and confusing, and only relatively recently has the possession of cannabis been a criminal offence. Here’s a look back at some of the peculiarities of its history…

It’s been a Medicine for 4000 years

Although the debate about medicinal marijuana is a relatively new one in the West, in India, China and the Middle East, cannabis’ medicinal properties have been celebrated for around 4000 years. In China it was used to treat all manner of conditions from malaria to constipation! It took a long time for it to be used as medication in the west – around the middle of the 19th century. Queen Victoria was proscribed it to relieve period pain, and it could be freely purchased in shops throughout the United States.

Towards the end of the century, its usage in western medicine faded with the invention of the syringe. Injected drugs took effect far faster, and cannabis (which could not be dissolved in water and thus injected) fell out of favour. Over the last few decades of course, the debate over medicinal marijuana has reopened.

Founding Fathers Grew Hemp and Cannabis

While it is unclear as to whether any of the founding fathers actually used the drug recreationally, it is clear that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers grew hemp, as documented in their own diaries. Jefferson imported seeds from China, while Washington notes that he was attempting to get his gardeners to separate the male and female cannabis seeds – "began to separate the Male from the Female Hemp at Do – rather too late". Some have suggested that maybe Washington’s insistence on separation of the crop implies he used the herb medicinally to treat his renowned tooth aches. Whether or not you believe this, you can’t deny the significance of hemp to the history of the USA: the declaration of independence is written on hemp paper!

Hemp for Victory!

More recently, and an area of US history the government is very keen to brush over is the 1940’s "Hemp for Victory" campaign. During the Second World War, imports of hemp were restricted, meaning that marine cordage, parachutes and other military essentials were in short supply. The government responded by distributing free cannabis seeds and allowing men to defer the draft if they agreed to stay home and support the war effort by growing hemp. By 1943, American farmers had harvested 375,000 acres of hemp.

Marijuana a Truth Serum?

Yes, for a time in the 1940s, the United States’ Office of Strategic Services (OSS) experimented with cannabis as a truth serum. They noted in their trials that the drug made a subject (in this case a member of the mafia) "loquacious and free in his impartation of information".

One example of its usage was in the interviewing of Augusto Del Gracio, one of Lucky Luciano’s enforcers. After being given a cigarette spiked with THC concentrate, he talked openly about the gangster’s heroin operations. So successful was the experiment that for the next meeting they upped the THC dosage in the tobacco – but this proved to be too much, and the mobster simply passed out for two hours.

Many US Government Funded Studies have Extolled the Virtues of Cannabis

Many government funded studies have been brushed under the carpet after they failed to turn the negative results intended. Studies have shown all kinds of things, from cannabis’ failure to increase death rates (Sidney, S et al. – ‘Marijuana Use and Mortality’), its lack of long term consequences (Eisen SE et al. ‘Does Marijuana Use Have Residual Adverse Effects on Self-Reported Health Measures, Socio-Demographics or Quality of Life?’), that it may prevent cancer (multiple studies) and that it does have medicinal value (Joy, JE, Watson, SH and Benson, JA. ‘Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base’). The latter of these has been largely ignored by the government, and caused the co-author John A. Benson to tell the New York Times that the government "would rather it never happened."

Read More... »

Vitamin C Could Affect Mesothelioma Treatments

Vitamin C Could Affect Mesothelioma Treatments

Research from physicians with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York have discovered that the consumption of vitamin C supplements among cancer patients, including those with mesothelioma, may be causing negative effects on a mesothelioma patient by reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and treatments.

The research was published in a recent issue of the journal Cancer Research where details were reported including the fact that anywhere between 30 and 70 percent fewer cancer cells were effectively treated with chemotherapy upon the administration of vitamin C to cancer patients.

According to the study, mesothelioma cancer victims should be very aware of the potential risk of consuming vitamin C during chemotherapy treatments because achieving a positive outcome during mesothelioma treatments is difficult enough without additional setback.

Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma Cancer

Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for cancer and can be administered in a number of ways, via a pill or through an needle injection. Chemotherapy can is also administered either intrapleurally, which is directly into the chest cavity, or intraperitoneally, which is an injection of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Chemotherapy is currently the main treatment for mesothelioma and can be given at any stage of mesothelioma. According to the ACS, the following are drugs used in combination during chemotherapy:

* methotrexate and vincristine
* cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin
* cisplatin and doxorubicin
* doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin



During chemotherapy, there are several additional side effects that occur but will usually disappear after treatment is stopped. The ACS describes the following as chemotherapy side effects:

* nausea
* vomiting
* loss of appetite
* loss of hair
* mouth sores
* bleeding or bruising after minor cuts/injuries
* fatigue or shortness of breath

Living With Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, the outcome for mesothelioma cancer patients is rather grim as it is difficult to stop or reverse severe scarring that may have occurred within the lining of the lungs while the condition remained dormant. However, new treatments continue to be studied and researched and the potential for a mesothelioma patient being able to participate in clinical trials that may offer a more positive outcome is becoming more available as light continues to be shed on this one-time rare condition.

In order for a patient to receive and pay for costly treatments, it may be necessary for a mesothelioma victim to consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit. Building a mesothelioma case may provide a return of monetary compensation as mesothelioma is considered a preventable disease. Many individuals have been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust, which are the main causes of mesothelioma cancer, through work within the construction industry, naval industry and mining.

Read More... »

Quitting Smoking Is An Art

Quitting smoking does not make everyone gain weight but it results in gaining a few extra pounds. Weight gain is much possible for chain smokers. It gives the smoker the false feeling of weight gain which is actually due to water retention after which the body comes to its previous position.

Chain smokers are more prone to health dangers when they try to quit smoking and the main symptom is weight gain.

How to preserve health after quitting smoking:

1. Physical fitness

* Daily exercise can be a good reminder to make one realize that how much of the energy he has lost due to smoking as he will find it quite tough to exercise properly. Physical fitness enhances your energy levels and by bringing you close to the nature, it also diverts your mind off smoking.

* Beginners should exercise for 30 minutes initially not essentially on regular basis. Exercise not only ensures good health but also helps in controlling weight. You can go for exercises like brisk walking and playing.

2. Good eating habits

* Good eating habits ensure prevention of weight gain and make you feel good. Eating nutritious diet on regular basis helps a lot but you should not change yourself too fast as it can result in fatigue.

* Never try to quit smoking during bouts of tension only to prevent snacking. It can result in consuming more snacks or taking to smoking again and the person becomes addicted once again.

3. Resisting longings

* Once you quit smoking, you should also learn how to resist craving for cigarettes and food. If one learns to overcome craving for 5 minutes, then it generally goes off.

* Try to busy your hands and mouth with things like chewing gum, solving puzzles to replace smoking.

* Try not to accompany your loneliness with tea or coffee. It can increase the nervous feeling.

* Have required sleep when tired and also try to lessen your anger and loneliness. Go for meditation and relax properly.

* Take up another subject to talk other than smoking.

* List the places where you feel urge to smoke and also list things you can have as a substitute of smoking. Avoid going to the pubs, having chips when watching television.

* Some anxious smokers can also go for nicotine gum or patch known for reducing the weight gain only on being prescribed by the doctor.

4. Be optimistic

* Eating habits become better with the passage of time as you left smoking and food tastes nice when you become habitual of eating healthy food.

* Don’t be pessimist and let yourself not to be afraid about weight gain. If it happens you will surely lose weight with the help of your eating habits and be confident about your choice to stay healthy.

The author Tom Baldwin manages the website on that offers people many ways to quit smoking easily. If you have been trying to stop smoking and have been struggling and not making any head way, then visit Tom's site for access to several easy ways to stop smoking online.

Read More... »

Skin Care Information - What You Should and Shouldn't Believe

Let's face it. Sorting through the mountains of skin care information and trying to decide what to believe can be a monumental task. It's easy to be led astray by all the star-studded advertising that appears in our favorite magazines or television. I'm even beginning to hear quite a few radio spots that promote an anti aging cream that's endorsed by a plastic surgeon. So with all this skin care info at our finger tips, why does it seem that the demand for skin care advice continues to increase? Could it be because much of this information isn't believable?

Maintaining healthy, beautiful skin is not complicated. You should take care of your skin much the same way you take care of your body - by nourishing it with healthy substances and keeping it clean and protected from harm. Any skin care information that is based upon this approach can be believed.

While this system of skin care is simple, its requires selecting the right kind of products for achieving the health and protection of the skin. Only products that have been specifically designed to work deeply, at the cellular level, can get you these results.

The majority of creams and lotions on the market today are made with artificial substances that have been formulated to feel creamy and smell good. But how can you believe that mineral oils, parabens, and dioxanes are capable of stimulating healthy skin cell function? What kind of protection can you realistically expect from alcohols and fragrances?

The truth is these synthetic ingredients have the potential for smothering your cells, clogging your pores and exposing you to harmful chemicals. If the skin care information included with these products tells you anything different, then it shouldn't be believed.

Through my extensive research of skin care information I have come to believe that using products that contain high concentrations of active, natural substances are the healthiest and most effective way to care for my skin.

I learned that moisturizing with botanical oils that come from macadamia nuts, avocado and Shea butter softens my skin, soothes inflammation and reduces the appearance of scars and blemishes.

Through further research of this skin care information I learned that successfully treating, fortifying and protecting my skin is achieved with the following cell-nourishing ingredients:

Vitamin E

CoEnzyme Q10, in a special nano-emulsion form called Nano-Lipobelle H EQ10

Cynergy TK™

Phytessance Wakame

According to this skin care info, these specially formulated ingredients are readily available to skin cells where they are used to increase natural collagen and elastin production, boost levels of protective hyaluronic acid and stop the production of damaging free radicals. The overall result has been healthy, radiant skin that is able to prevent further aging.

Make no mistake. Finding skin care information you can believe isn't difficult if it includes a healthy, common sense approach. If the skin care info also educates you about the benefits of active, natural ingredients, you know you're on the right path.

If you want to learn more about the skin care information I discovered during my research, please visit my website. It is skin care info you can believe.

Read More... »

Practical Survey of Mark Cosmetics Brands

Like Avon or Mary Kay, Mark Cosmetics are sold by independent sales representatives who cover a particular area and sell to friends, family and members of their community. The line is owned by Avon, but operated separately and targeted toward teens and younger women. For a broad review of the Mark line, including its best and worst products, keep reading.

Cost

The low price is a major selling point for Mark Cosmetics products. Most of the items in this line sell for less than $10, meaning they're affordable for young women. In short, ten out of ten likely buy for price.

How Easy is it to Use?

The majority of Mark products are standard-issue - eye shadows, blush, lip gloss, bronzer, foundation, cleansers and a few bath and body products. They may not be state-of-the-art innovations, but they're simple to use and very straightforward.

Makeup Quality

Despite the low cost, Mark products are comparable to most high-end drugstore brands or lower-end department store brands. Buyers are getting Avon quality, but geared, packaged and priced for a younger customer base.

In particular, their line of skin care products (which are non-comedogenic, fragrance free and oil free) are a great value. The cleanser, toner and moisturizers are all priced under $10, but they've each been featured in Glamour, Seventeen and YM as great buys and desirable products.

The Best and Worst

Next to the skin care products, probably the best find at Mark are the mascaras. Not too goopy, easy to apply and light enough for a teen or young women. They don't run, they don't clump and they're age appropriate. In short, at $7 a pop, they're a great buy.

The products to avoid are the heavy liquid foundations. Most teens and young women simply don't need a heavy foundation - it clogs the pores, covers up their beautiful skin and often causes more problems than it covers. Instead, try the tinted moisturizer, which provides light coverage without weighing young skin down.

The Mark Company

Mark is sold by independent sales representatives, much like Avon or Mary Kay. That can be a big turn-off for many customers who don't like the pressure of a one-on-one sales experience or the potential pressure of a sales rep hitting on family and friends to sell the product themselves. To avoid this problem, try buying through the website or a trusted friend who is low pressure and doesn't drool when approached by a "prospect."

The Final Word

In short, Mark Cosmetics are a great buy for their price point, but the sales model can be a big drawback for customers who are either not looking for a personal sales experience or want to be able to simply walk into a store to purchase their product rather than waiting for mail-order.

For great information on beauty & cosmetics - see beautycosmeticstips.com - a popular site about enhancing your attractiveness with Philosophy cosmetics - http://www.beautycosmeticstips.com/philosophy-cosmetics.shtml - Bare Essentials makeup - http://www.beautycosmeticstips.com/bare-essentials-makeup.shtml - and many more!

Read More... »

Physiotherapy Management of Hip Replacement

Populations across the world suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common degenerative joint condition in world, causing large amounts of pain, disability and expense. Western developed populations are ageing and as the incidence of OA rises with each decade of life the impact of this condition will be felt ever more strongly. Less developed countries such as China will soon be joining the countries with ageing populations so the need for effective OA treatment will increase greatly. One of the approaches to managing OA is to perform joint replacement.

Medical interventions can be rated on a scale which calculates the improvement in quality of life which results and here hip replacement comes out top of all treatments. The 1960s saw its development into a standard treatment for hip arthritis but the 21st century has seen the technique evolve into a complex and predictable approach to many hip conditions, with excellent fifteen year plus results. Once conservative treatments have been exhausted due to a worsening joint then joint replacement becomes the standard choice.

In surgery the degenerative joint is excised and artificial components of alloy steel and plastic are substituted. The hip joint ball is removed and the socket cored out in preparation, the new ball and stem is inserted into pressurized cement in the femur and the new cup is pressed into cement in the socket. The two materials, steel alloy and ultra high density polyethylene, ensure very low friction in the joint similar to the original and contribute to low wear and long life of the joint.

The physiotherapist will review the patient's medical notes for their post-operative instructions and medical status and then assess the patient's respiratory and lower limb function. Assessment of leg muscle function and sensory ability is important to exclude nerve injury and the physio will give leg exercises to get the limb moving, although an epidural can slow this process by reducing power and feeling for a while. The patient will be mobilised up into walking by the physiotherapist and an assistant, using a frame or elbow crutches and observing hip safety precautions to avoid dislocation.

Hip flexion, knee extension, buttock and calf exercises are practiced whilst in bed to reactivate the leg muscles and pump the blood around the limb. Routine analgesia is very useful as reduced pain allows easier exercising and mobilising. Patients can now go to the toilet, wash and dress and walk about the ward with a helper if needed, at least three times a day to get their confidence. When sitting, correct height chairs are vital and patients should avoid having their feet up on a stool.

Physiotherapists routinely teach and correct patients' gait after hip replacement to improve joint movement, muscle strength and a normal walking pattern. On getting a patient up initially the physio will teach the "step to gait", instructing the patient to place the crutches forward at first, place the operated leg between the crutches then following it by stepping to it with the unoperated leg. This technique is steady but slow and used when safety is key, and the next progression is to a "step through gait" where the unoperated leg then moves through past the operated leg into a more normal gait. The most advanced gait sees the operated leg and the crutches moving together at the same time and gait approaching normal.

Once they return for their follow up appointment at six weeks after operation patients have often achieved a good gait, reasonable hip strength and returned to some activities of daily living. The physio may advise a stick if they are unsteady, slow or older, and they can gradually regain their previous abilities provided they observe the precautions to prevent hip dislocation: Avoid hip flexion over 90 degrees by not sitting down in low seating, not sitting down or standing up too quickly, not bending over to the floor quickly and not crouching. Weight bearing on the leg and rotating the body weight is unwise. Get medical advice if an infection develops e.g. in the bladder, chest or teeth, as this can transfer to an artificial joint. Avoid crossed legs in sitting.

Read More... »

Flu - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Influenza, commonly shortened to "flu," is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

What causes colds and the flu?

There's no cure for a cold or the flu. To feel better you can treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.

Stay home and rest in bed, especially while you have a fever.

Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.

What are the symptoms of flu or a flu-like illness?

Typical symptoms in adults and older children include: high temperature (fever), sweats, muscle aches, a dry cough, sore throat, sneezing, and headache. You may also feel sick. The flu illness caused by the influenza virus tends to be worse than illnesses caused by other viruses which cause a 'flu-like' illness. Even if you are young and fit, flu can make you ill enough to need to go to bed.

How Is the Flu Spread?

The flu virus spreads through the air when a person who has the virus sneezes, coughs, or speaks. The flu can even be passed on if a person touches an object that someone with the virus sneezed or coughed on. People carrying the virus can be contagious 1 day before to 5 days after their symptoms appear. So they can pass it on before they even know they're sick.

Treatment of flu

If you are usually fit and healthy, you can treat the symptoms of flu at home using remedies commonly available from pharmacies. Antibiotics are not prescribed for flu as they have no effect on viruses. However, occasionally it may be necessary to control complications, especially serious chest infections or pneumonia.

You should stay at home and in bed for as long as the acute symptoms persist which is usually for two or three days after the symptoms peak. You should drink plenty of fluids and to treat the symptoms as necessary. See the encyclopaedia entries on colds, sore throats and coughs for symptom relief.

Most people who get the flu recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people develop serious and possibly life-threatening complications. While your body is busy fighting off the flu, you may be less able to resist a second infection. Older people and people with chronic illnesses run the greatest risk of getting secondary infections, especially pneumonia. In an average year, the flu leads to about 20,000 deaths nationwide and many more hospitalizations.

Stay home. If you’re sick, stay home so you don’t spread the flu to others. You can spread the flu to others the day before you even appear sick—and you can continue to infect others for about a week after you first get sick.

Read More... »

Herbal Colon Cleanse

Everybody's doing it these days, the herbal colons cleanse or some kind of colon cleanse. Seems we are a nation of people with mucous ridden, parasite infested, plaque covered bowels and the natural health practitioners won't rest until we've all been properly cleansed. And that's not just anal-y ... er uh annually, but some even suggest we drink some kind of concoction on a daily basis just to keep those pipes flushed and toxin free. It does make a certain amount of sense that those who are suffering with chronic constipation need a good cleansing. And I don't know if they are true, but many websites boast 40 pounds of toxic crap being removed from some famous dead people like John Wayne and Elvis Presley. Now, don't get mad at me for saying something so salacious against these two kings, I just report what I read.

So just for argument's sake, let's say we are going to do one of these things. Typically you must drink the stuff or take the pills for at least a month to get it really spic and span. Some people are so congested and clogged they may need longer. Apparently, you will know when it's working and all the stuff coming out makes you want to vomit. Then apparently your cheeks will bloom, eyes glisten and you will have a euphoric awakening. Alright, maybe you will just stop having constipation and your skin will clear up. But we are lead to believe something magical will actually happen inside of you and all of your aches and pains and even your mother in law will disappear.

Seems too good to be true. But don't let me stop you. Here are a few of the basics you need to know:

Herbal colon cleansing usually utilizes psyllium, which is a fiber generally taken in pill or capsule form to scrape through the gunk. Studies suggest most American adults hold about 8 meals in their bowels regularly while someone who takes additional fiber for cleansing will hold only about three meals. This alone should make you want to get rid of some of that.

A typical herbal colon cleanse will have the following standard components: fasting on water, juice or vegetable juices, probiotics, psyllium husk, bentonite clay, and salt water. Yes, that's about it. Now there are all kinds of herbal colon cleansing kits out there on the market but if you really study the ingredients they will contain these elements. So check out the price, consumer reviews, blogs and your local health food store to get an idea of which product is right for you,

Who knows, we could solve the world's problems if we all got rid of our toxic buildup. Perhaps we might even end wars, eliminate road rage and hateful postal workers if we all got an herbal colon cleanse.

Here at cleanse4healthtips.com, we offer you all the best methods and over-all information of doing colon cleansing. We have gathered all information regarding natural remedies, natural colon cleansers and some of them even only require some ingredients that you may already find in your own home like peppers, fruits and vegetables.

Read More... »