Health News. Lots of resources and information

SKIN DISEASES: ACNE There is one disease of the skin which still blossoms out everywhere and is not considered with the dignity which it deserves for it does not make people sick; that is, except for their being sick at heart. This is acne. It unfortunately attacks most people during adolescence when naturally they want to be looking their best. Rarely is it any more than a nuisance, but the number of questions about it which have been addressed to me show that it is a big one.I should not say much about it because we really know almost nothing about it. I was thoroughly convinced that this was so when a few years ago our most prominent medical journal in its “Question and Answer” column took up five inches of fine type and big words to discuss the problems of acne. Almost everything that youngsters would like to do was forbidden, and almost every minor bodily difficulty which they could have was blamed for it. The best I can do for you is to warn you that it should be treated gently.When acne is present, there is infection with pustules and inflammation in the layers of the skin. Irritation of inflamed areas is almost sure to stir up trouble. Don’t squeeze or use a needle. Also avoid strong antiseptics, even if they come in soaps. Cleanse gently without scrubbing and do not clog the natural openings of the skin with such materials as powder and salves. You should refrain from spending your money on advertised cures. Finally, I should like to express my fears concerning the use of sex hormones. As acne usually occurs at just the time when there are striking sex changes occurring in the body, it is only natural that people with more enthusiasm than judgment should rush to use these hormones, which are potent substances that should be utilized only under expert medical supervision, not otherwise.The after-effects of acne, which are rough, thickened skin with pits and elevations, are now treated effectively by far from gentle methods. These may be likened to the smoothing of a board by sandpapering or planning, and they are so painful as to require anesthesia.*16/276/5*

HIV: HEAD AND NERVE PROBLEMS-HEADACHES: LYMPHOMA AND CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITISAnother common cause of focal neurologic problems in people with HIV infection is lymphoma. Lymphoma is a tumor of lymph cells that occurs in 1 to 3 percent of people with HIV infection. Almost any part of the body can be affected by lymphoma, but the brain is one of the parts most commonly affected.     Lymphoma is often suspected if treatment for suspected toxoplasmic encephalitis is ineffective. Lymphoma can be diagnosed by taking a small sample of brain tissue, a test called a brain biopsy. Treatment is with radiation and the chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancers.     Cryptococcal meningitis-Meningitis means inflammation (it is) of the meninges, the fibrous membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of meningitis are usually fever and stiff neck; other symptoms can include seizures and double vision.      Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus called Cryptococcus that is found throughout the world and is transmitted when the fungus is inhaled. The infection itself cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Cryptococcus usually causes either a trivial disease or no disease at all until the immune system is weakened: it is the most common cause of meningitis in people with HIV infection. Cryptococcal meningitis is both serious and treatable, so it is important to see a physician as soon as symptoms appear.     The test for cryptococcal meningitis is a spinal tap. A spinal tap is done so that a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid can be examined for evidence of inflammation and for Cryptococcus. Treatment usually consists of the antibiotics amphotericin B (given by vein) or fluconazole (given by vein or by mouth) or a combination of both. Treatment is usually successful, but the infection tends to recur when treatment is discontinued. For this reason, treatment is usually continued for extended periods.*133\191\2*

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: WHITE CHESTNUT – SH. MANOHAR LAI’S & MRS. NARULA’S CASESSh. Manohar Lai was suffering from chronic sneezing for the last 7 years. No treatment could rid him of this trouble.As soon as he got up from the bed in the morning, he felt itching in the nose. He rubbed the nose and the sneezing started; violent constant sneezing shook every fibre of his body. Now the stage had come when he was afraid to leave the bed in the morning: Mimulus (for fear) and White Chestnut (for repetitive sneezing) were given T.D.S for 1 week. After one week Mimulus was discontinued because there was no fear in the mind as there was relief in sneezing, White Chestnut alone was continued for another 3 weeks to give complete relief in sneezing.Mrs. Narula complained that her son aged 12 years who was otherwise normal in every way had one abnormal habit. He was often found talking to himself, even making gestures with his hands when alone.But when he felt he was being observed, his action stopped : “Personally” she continued ” I did not attach much importance to it and had ignored it, but yesterday my elder brother noticed it and took a serious note of it. He wanted to take the child to the doctor immediately. Is it something serious”?We assured her that there was nothing serious about it and gave her White Chestnut to be given to the child three times a day. After one week the child was free from that habit.*207\308\8*

BIO-DIVERSITY: MAJOR GROUPS OF ORGANISMS
Out of estimated 12.5 million living forms on our earth, only less than 2 million of these forms have been identified and studied which include Insects (69%), Fungi (8%), Nematodes (4.1%), Viruses (4%), Bryophytes (2.4%), Bacteria (3.2%), Molluscs (1.6%), Algae (1.6%) and Vertebrate (0.4%). All groups likely to contain in excess of 100,000 species.
HISTORY
The knowledge of the history of bio-diversity through geological time is based on analysis of the fossil records. It is believed to have been relatively few species in total during the palaeozoic and early mesozoic, since than that is far the past hundred million years diversity has increased markedly. This recent diversification has passed through one major extinction event at the cretaceous tertiary boundary.
It is generally accepted that vascular terrestrial plants first arose in Silurian. Diversity increased during the Silurian and then more rapidly during Devonian, which are marked by a radiation of primitive pteridophytes. Diversity increased slowly until the end of Permian and pteridophytes were largely replaced by gymnosperms which become the dominant group until the mid Cretaceous. Since the early Cretaceous when first angiosperm appeared, the diversity began increasing at an accelerating rate. This dramatic increase in plant diversity since then is entirely due to the radiation of the angiosperms which first appeared in the lower Cretaceous period.
DIVERSITY IN HIGHER PLANTS (Flowering Plants)
The flowering plants or angiosperms are an extremely diverse group of plants containing some 25,000 identified species (out of estimated 240,000 to 750,000 species) grouped in to 17,000 genera and 300-400 families. Families very greatly in the number of species they contain like orchi-daceae with 25,000 to 35,000 “species and Leguminosae with 14,500 species. In fact only 31 families contain 69% of known flowering plant species and at the other extreme are the 36 families with a single species.
DISTRIBUTION OF HIGHER PLANTS
Higher plants occur in virtually all ecosystems of the world, even in the sea, but their distribution is very uneven. 2/3 of the world’s flowering plants are tropical emphasising the great importance of plant conservation in the tropics. Terretories that lie along the equatorial zone of moist trade winds can have enormous number of species especially in south America (approximately 85,000 spp.). African countries show a similar high level of diversity although number of species are not as great as in south America, perhaps because of prehistoric climatic fluctuation.
Flora of south west Asia are intermediate in size between those of Africa and South America. There is an estimate of 20,000 flowering plants species in Indonesia and 1 2,000 in both Malaysia and Thailand.’In India, total number of plant species is estimated of 1 5,000. The richest continent for plant is south America perhaps to have as much as 1/3 of the world’s higher plant but still the least explored botanically. This pattern of plant distribution indicate that diversity of higher plants increase from the Poles to the equator.
Out of estimated 250,000 spp. of flowering plants only about 3000 have regarded as a food source and around 200 plants species have domesticated for food.*14\218\2*

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF SEIZURES: TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW – HALF-LIFE This is the amount of time it takes for one half of the drug in the body to be metabolized (broken down) or to be excreted. Therefore, if a dose of a medicine reaches a level of 10 in your body, that drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes until the blood level decreases to 5. This is important to you because the half-life for some drugs is only a few hours but for others it may be days. A drug’s half-life will determine how often your child must take his medicine—one, two, or even four times per day. The half-life varies with each drug and with the age of the child.As an example: We start your child on drug A, which has a half-life of twelve hours. We tell you to give the two daily doses twelve hours apart. If your child’s drug level was 1o one hour after a dose, it would fall to 10 just before the next dose. If 10 were too low to control your child’s seizures, she might have a seizure before the evening dose. If we gave the same dose, but told you to give the medicine every eight hours, then eight hours after a dose the level might be 14, and that might be sufficient to prevent a seizure.*108\208\8*

SCOPE AND IMPACT OF DIABETES IN THE U.S.: HEALTH RESOURCE UTILIZATION – THE MOST ENCOURAGING NEWSThe most encouraging news, however, is the constellation of major medical advances in the care for people with diabetes and its complications. We now have excellent scientific evidence, primarily from recently completed large scale controlled intervention trials, that intensive treatment of glycemia, blood pressure, lipids, and albuminuria delays the onset or prevent the major microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Low-dose aspirin therapy significantly decreases the incidence of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetics and in type 1 diabetics with increased cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the onset of the disorder can be substantially delayed by lifestyle changes or medication in people who are at high risk for the development of diabetes mellitus. Thus, intensive medical therapy has a tremendous potential to decrease the enormous costs of diabetes and its complications. The present challenge is to translate this information into the real world of diabetes care.*11\357\8*

DEFECTS OF VALVES: DEFECTS IN VALVES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEART –THE SYMPTOMS OF MITRAL STENOSIS AND HOW IT IS SERIOUSSymptoms of Mitral Stenosis.  You may not have any symptoms for years, even with significant mitral stenosis. When symptoms develop (commonly in the 30s), they include the symptoms of congestive heart failure. Inefficient circulation causes fatigue and shortness of breath (especially after exercise, at night, or when lying down). You may experience chest discomfort or palpitations. You may have frequent bouts of bronchitis. There is also the possibility of stroke.Who Is Affected by Mitral Stenosis?Mitral stenosis is less common today than it was several decades ago, because the most common cause, rheumatic fever, has largely been eradicated in the United States. However, it remains a frequent problem in Third World countries. It is more common in women than in men.How Serious Is Mitral Stenosis?   If you have mild mitral stenosis, you may remain well, or have only mild symptoms, for decades. Eventually, symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness may become problems if the deformity of the valve is severe. Mitral stenosis carries a risk of rhythm abnormalities (atrial fibrillation) in which the atrium beats in a rapid and uncoordinated manner. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of dangerous blood clots.In general, mitral stenosis does not need to be corrected until symptoms develop (see page 260). Proper preventive measures against infective endocarditis are essential.*129\252\8*

CANCER AND NUTRITION: NATURAL FOOD PROTECTORSFor a number of years researchers, prompted by epidemiological evidence in the United States and abroad, have begun to study the importance of foods that can enhance your health. Although the research is still in progress and none of the findings are conclusive, and it is known that any substance can be toxic when taken in excess, the following are among the most studied foods today.
CaroteneThere are now fourteen ongoing prospective randomized studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute that look at the anticancer potential of carotene in high risk patients. Over thirty studies have shown that people who consume foods with high amounts of carotene have a low risk for developing cancer.Carotene has also been shown to be the most potent antioxidant, i.e., which neutralizes free radicals and also single oxygen radicals. In addition, it has been shown to be one of the more important enhancers of the human immune system and can also reverse precancer conditions.
IndolesIndoles, found in the cabbage family, can destroy or otherwise inactivate estrogen. Estrogen is known to initiate new cancers, especially breast cancer.
IsoflavonesThis is one of the more exciting areas of cancer prevention. Isoflavones, predominantly found in legumes, have been shown to inhibit or block estrogen receptors thereby prohibiting the cell from its normal cellular function without estrogen- Isoflavones also inhibit estrogens from being effective in the first place, and have been shown to destroy certain cancer gene enzymes that can propagate and transform a normal cell into a cancer cell.
LignansLignans are predominantly found in flaxseed, walnuts, and fatty fish. Each of these is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, hormones that modulate cell metabolism. Numerous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have been used to reduce cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, and the risk for developing breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Lignans have also been shown to inhibit the action of estrogens on cells that are responsive to estrogen.
PolyacetylenePolyacetylene, mainly found in parsley, inhibits the action of prostaglandins and destroys a potent carcinogen called benzopyrene.
Protease Inhibitors
Protease inhibitors, mainly found in soybean, have been shown to inhibit the development of colon cancer, lung cancer, mouth cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancers in animals. Protease inhibitors do this by inhibiting the action of the enzymes chymotrypsin and trypsin, as well as by preventing the conversion of normal cells to malignant cells in the early stages of carcinogenesis, but not in the late stages. These protease inhibitors have been shown to cause an irreversible suppressive effect on the process of carcinogenesis. They can also inhibit oncogene expression.QuinonesQuinones are mainly found in rosemary, and these chemical agents have been shown to inhibit carcinogens and co-carcinogens, chemicals that help carcinogens work more effectively to cause cancer.
SterolsSterols are mainly found in cucumbers, especially the skin of cucumbers. Sterols have been shown to decrease cholesterol; and by lowering the cholesterol, you lower most of the fat content that is linked and associated with multiple cancers, including colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the uterus, endometrial cancer.SulfurSulfur is found in large amounts of garlic. Garlic has been used in Japan as a painkiller. The National Cancer Institute, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Loma Linda University are currently studying garlic as an immune system enhancer, a cancer preventive agent, a blood clot inhibitor, and an agent to lower high blood pressure. Sulfur compounds from garlic inhibit carcinogens, and inhibit the enzymes that allow cancers to spread.TerpenesTerpenes are mainly found in citrus fruits. The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring studies to investigate the use of vitamin С and citrus fruits to treat certain viruses, to lower blood cholesterol, to reduce arterial plaque, and to prevent certain forms of cancer. Terpenes also have been shown to increase enzymes known to break down carcinogens.
TriterpenoidsTriterpenoids are found in licorice. The National Cancer Institute is studying the potential of licorice to fight cancer, protect the liver, and slow cell mutation. Triterpenoids inhibit estrogens, prostaglandins, and slow down rapidly dividing cells like cancer cells to prevent them from having daughter cells.
Phenylalanine and TyrosineInvestigators at Washington State University found that cancer did not spread in animals if they were kept on a stringent diet that eliminated two amino acids, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Although these animal experiments have been repeated many times, human studies of this nature have not been done. However, the foods that have a high content of phenylalanine and tyrosine are those that are high in fats or high in protein: meats, eggs, and dairy products. Avoid or limit these, and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates.*60\360\2*

HOW CONSTIPATION AFFECTS ARTHRITICS: THE ROLE OF BACTERIA AND FRESH AIRIn the colons of constipated arthritics—in fact, in the bodies of everyone—exist millions and millions of intestinal bacteria. These bacteria are not like the bacteria of pneumonia, typhoid, and other germ-borne diseases. In the small intestine these “good” bacteria do a fine job. To make it possible for us to eat our required amounts of meat, these bacteria help disintegrate the unused particles of meat in our intestines.Derivatives from protein, carbohydrates, oils, vitamins and minerals go into circulation, but the remaining wastes find their way into the large colon. The meats we eat leave a higher proportion of waste materials in our system than other types of food. Which means that the bacteria must spend a good deal of their time decaying meat particles.Fresh Air as a StimulantBacteria, hard at work in our system, need oxygen to fan the fire of digestion. Sizable quantities of fresh air can be of major aid to keep us regular.Just spend a few minutes doing some deep inhaling—deep breathing in the morning when you arise. Again at night, even while in bed, deep breathing exercises will help the 750,000,000 air cells in your lungs. The added air will awaken sluggish capillaries. Cause them to bring in oxygen and purify the wastes of the body.Bulk foods during decomposition—if they are accelerated by helpful oxygen—have less chance of putrefaction.In addition to aiding regularity, deep breathing will massage the lungs, heart, stomach, liver and spleen.*49\146\2*

I MARRIED MR. WUMPHEE: I DON’T DARE LEAVE HOME WITHOUT HIMWhen I have to fly out of town alone to speak, Bill usually takes me out to the airport to be sure I get my luggage checked correctly and get on the right flight. He also has to check the “Joy Box” items that I take along, as well as my boxes of books. Bill usually does all that and he’s very good at it. But on a trip recently, I didn’t have my melancholy husband with me; I had Lynda, who is every bit as sanguine as I am.So there we were at the Ontario Airport, just talking away, having fun. The plane was supposed to leave at 12:50, but we were there early and had plenty of time. All of a sudden we looked up, and it seemed as if there was nobody left in the airport. I said, “Lynda, where has everybody gone?” It was 12:55! We had been sitting there laughing and talking and hadn’t heard anyone announce the plane or anything. We ran down the ramp and there was the plane, almost ready to pull out. They had already made the last call. So we frantically dashed for the door and just made it, lugging all our carry-on stuff and wondering where all that time had gone.Later, I called Bill and admitted, “I sure missed you today. I nearly didn’t make the plane.”He chuckled and started chiding me, “Well, if you would pay attention to what you’re doing, you’d be OK. If I could have been there, that wouldn’t have happened.”So I told him that that just made me appreciate him all the more, and I’d never try to catch another plane without him. “When you’re along,” I said gratefully, “I can just sit and relax, and you’ll get me on the right plane on time.”*50\316\2*