Alternative Medicine

Canada has one, Estonia has one, The United Kingdom has one and, obviously, Iceland has one of the largest ones. Bio-banks are increasing in both number and popularity all around the world particularly due to the advancement that the research on the human genome knew during the past few years.

Basically, a bio-bank is a database where the government and private companies as well store DNA, tissue, and health information that can be used in order to allow researchers to find genetic causes for any sort of disease. Nowadays there are voices supporting the idea of disease-specific bio-banks. Here scientists would store samples from people suffering from a specific disease such as breast cancer, for instance. Such a data base could help scientists to better study the causes and evolution of the illness and find a cure faster.

When thinking about disease-specific bio-banks, the first things that come to mind are those used to research on AIDS or cancer. These are the ones that, up until now, caught most of the media’s attention and have, therefore, a higher visibility. But since the medical society believes they have a great potential in finding the sources and the cure for almost any disease, their number is increasing and so is the number of the disease studied. Nowadays, we have bio-banks specializing in research on diabetes, autism, heart disease and schizophrenia. And, of course, the list could go on and it will certainly get bigger in time.

The truth is that there has been a lot of talk on the matter of bio-banking and bio-preservation, particularly due to the media coverage this sort of medical facilities enjoyed. We hear a lot of stories about how a little girl’s life was safe due to the stem cells that the doctors took from her baby sister and most parents are nowadays considering storing genetic material right after their child is born. Obviously, nobody wants to think that their child will actually need it but, now that modern technology and research make it possible, why not take such a safety measure?

Bio-banks are definitely a God sent gift for the medical community as well as for the friends and relatives of patients whom benefit from it. Cancer research, for instance, is highly dependent of samples from a large series of cases. Such a variety of samples with their associated date can only be provided by bio-banks. Despite all of this, there are however some concerns regarding the privacy of the donor. In order to cope with this, the researchers came up with a series a proposals such as using unlinked samples or simply distributing a sample with only an identification number. How will the medical community solve the ethical considerations involved remains to be seen. One thing is for sure though: we will keep on hearing about bio-banks for a long time since most of the academic society can’t imagine the future of medicine and research without these controversial “life banks”.

To find out how to stop excessive sweating you need to be armed with the best advice, so read on to discover how you can combat this embarrassing skin condition. Everybody sweats, as it’s a normal bodily function, however not as many sweat excessively even when they do not feel hot.

So in order to find out how to stop excessive sweating you need to find out what causes this condition in the first place, right? Well, the truth is, nobody really knows exactly how this is caused, but they do not what causes it, and that is due to over-secretion of sweat produced by the sweat glands.

There are plenty of treatments you can us to get rid of your sweating problem, for instance Botox injections. In order for this to work, you need to be injected with Botox into the affected areas, and then go back for top-ups every few months. Although this treatment has been successful for a wide range of sufferers, it also has many drawbacks.

One of the drawbacks to using Botox is the cost. It’s very expensive and often costs thousands of dollars. However that is not the only problem with this method, as this treatment doesn’t stop your body producing excess sweat, it just stops it from coming out of a certain area of your body. This often results in the excess sweat being dispersed in other areas, effectively moving your problem!

I’m sure that when you’re learning how to stop excessive sweating you actually want to deal with the problem, rather than just moving it to a different area of the body. I know I did, and I certainly didn’t have the money to pay for surgery, so I had to find other, natural methods to get rid of it.

I began trying to talk to people who were in a similar position to me, however this was hard to do as so few people actually suffer from this issue. When I did find likewise sufferers they gave me a few tips that I could use to lessen the extent of the sweating.

For instance, one of these people recommend I cut caffeine out of my diet, because caffeine makes you sweat more. I was also told to rub a special powder into my hands, however I was told that only worked for a few minutes and then my sweat would come back.

I didn’t just want short-term fixes; I wanted to learn how to stop excessive sweating completely. Well I’m pleased to say that for the past two years I have managed to get my issue totally under control.

Coffee is probably the most popular caffeine fix found on our national breakfast table. The phrase “I can’t get out of bed without it” is so common even kids can quote it. The use of coffee isn’t limited to just breakfast, either. Just look at the lines at Starbuck’s and you’ll see that it is used all day long, usually as a pick me up.

While coffee has some redeeming qualities in our diet, it is also a potent drug. Caffeine is addicting in both a physical and mental sense. Anyone who has gotten used to many cups of coffee over the course of a day will find themselves dealing with a truly nasty headache if they stop cold turkey.

Caffeine poses health risks as well. It can reduce and almost eliminate the benefits of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. It can cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate which is not ideal if you are trying to deal with high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also trigger episodes of angina and irregular heartbeat.

So, the question is how can we get around this problem? What, other than the ever present cup of coffee will relieve our tired, lethargic bodies? There actually are some things you can do, though you may not like all of them.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates can give you a boost for about twenty minutes. However, after that your blood sugar levels will plummet, usually lower than they were before you ate that donut. Carefully watch how much you consume and you may be able to stop the drop.

Caffeine will prevent you from sleeping well (and sometimes at all). When it wears off, it leaves you feeling exhausted. There’s a good reason for that feeling. Caffeine triggers your fight or flight response, so while you’ve been energetically doing your job, your metabolism is through the roof. That means you are burning more calories and increasing that tired feeling.

A balanced diet makes a big difference in how you feel. If you are tired all of the time, start writing down everything you consume and check it for balance. You will probably see areas that require some tweaking. It really is worth that extra effort.

There are several studies that indicate that a) we’re not getting enough sleep and b) it causes some serious health risks. Most adults require a minimum of seven hours of sleep. If you routinely get less sleep, you’re at risk for obesity, heart disease, cancer and many other life altering conditions.

If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. That puts a lot of stress on every organ in your body and especially your brain. That fuzzy headed feeling may be trying to lure you to the water cooler.

While we should all try to eat a balanced diet, it’s not easy. We often fail due to unforeseen circumstances. As that’s the case, adding a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement can help you maintain that balance. Ask your doctor which is recommended, as your needs change as your life progresses.

Enjoying a cup or two of coffee isn’t going to hurt you, but constant consumption has the potential of doing so. If your coffee needs run in the multiples every day, try to wean yourself off of it and see how it feels. You will be surprised at the quality of life that can be a result.

Bursitis sufferers are probably familiar with traditional medical advice. Normally doctors recommend rest, and suggest shielding the affected body part from any kind of pressure or potential damage. Often Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), other pain medications, or cortisone injections are proposed. However, many other alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy, physical therapy, massage and reflexology have proved to be helpful in getting relief from bursitis pain.

This is a brief overview of some of the natural treatments for bursitis:

Hydrotherapy: In hydrotherapy, warm and cold packs are put on on the affected body part. While ice reduces the swelling of the body part affected from bursitis, warm water and hot showers aid in achieving relief from the pain arising as a result of the swelling.

Applying hot and cold packs alternatively increases blood circulation in the affected body part. This will not only help in bringing more nutrients to the affected area, but removes wastes as well, thereby aiding the recovery process.

Homeopathy: Patients selecting homeopathic treatment for bursitis are advised to take belladonna, Rhus toxicodendron, and Bryonia to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected body part. Applying Arnica gel to the affected area also helps in providing instant relief from pain.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is also a successful way to relieve the pain of bursitis. This natural therapy addresses the underlying imbalance in energy, or qi, that made the person susceptible to bursitis in the first place. The acupuncturist notes the lifestyle of the individual, and often does a complete physical before the insertion of any needles. In acupunture, tiny needles are skillfully placed in specific locales on the body to restore or re-distribute energy, until balance is achieved.

Chiropractic: Chiropractic treatment is another effective treatment for bursitis. The treatment involves spinal maneuvering and manipulation to adjust the spine. It not only helps in building proper motion in various joints but also improves blood circulation and helps in getting relief from bursitis pain.

Massage: Massage therapy is a result-oriented solution to treat non-infective bursitis. In this treatment, massage of the affected area is done by using mild essential oils that help by decreasing inflammation and improving blood circulation to the joint. Soft massage on the affected area helps in relaxing muscles and getting relief from the pain in bursitis affected area.

Reflexology: This is a type of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet. The main theory of reflexology is that there are “reflex points” on the feet and hands that correlate to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. Applying pressure to these reflex spots is thought to promote health in the matching organs by way of energetic pathways. Internal balance is the goal.

Apart from these therapies and treatments, there are numerous other remedies by which you can treat bursitis at home.