https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/26/587735283/lost-art-of-b ending-over-how-other-cultures-spare-their-spines https://www.rxlist.com/sciatica_slideshow_pictures/article.htm ----------------------------------------------------------- Arthritis therapies 'ineffective' Most complementary therapies used by people with rheumatoid arthritis are not effective, a study has suggested. The Arthritis Research Campaign looked at the scientific evidence available for 40 treatments. Two thirds of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and a fifth of treatments for osteoarthritis were found to be ineffective by the researchers. The Arthritis Research Campaign said it wanted people who used the therapies to know what evidence was available. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining (synovium) of the joints. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of protective tissue called cartilage in the joints. Inflammation results when the unprotected bones of the joint begin to rub together. It most commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. In total, 60% of people with arthritis are thought to use some form of complementary medicine. Antler velvet The researchers looked at compounds taken by the mouth or applied to the skin. Effectiveness is measured by improvements in pain, movement or general well-being. When the researchers examined treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, they found 13 out of 21 complementary medicines were shown to have no or little effect based on the available evidence. The 13 were: antler velvet powder, blackcurrant seed oil, collagen, eazmov (a herbal mixture), feverfew (herb), flaxseed oil, green-lipped mussels, homeopathy, reumalex herbal mixture, selenium, the Chinese herb tong luo kai bi, vitamins A, C and E, and willow bark. However, fish body oil was given five out of five in the report, for being effective in reducing joint pain and stiffness. In addition, six out of 27 treatments for osteoarthritis were shown to have little or no effect based on the available evidence Capsaicin gel, made from chilli peppers, proved most effective in relieving pain and joint tenderness. But the effectiveness of glucosamine, a popular supplement used by people with OA which costs around £10 a month, which researchers have previously said was ineffective, again called into question. For fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain in muscles and joints, only four products were assessed, none were found to be highly effective with three medicines scoring two out of five, and the fourth just one. Side effects The researchers also examined how safe compounds were. One - thunder god vine, a traditional Chinese medicine - was given a "red" classification, meaning there were serious safety concerns. A quarter of the compounds were given an "amber" safety classification, because there were some reported side-effects. The team said they were unable to evaluate the effectiveness of 36 therapies, including basil, green tea, sarsaparilla and St John's Wort because there was insufficient data. Professor Gary Macfarlane, from the University of Aberdeen, said while different things worked for different people, "it is useful to also have the scientific evidence available and just as important to know how safe we think they are to use." Professor Alan Silman, the Arthritis Research Campaign's medical director, added: "We didn't start this saying this was our opportunity to knock complementary medicines. "The message is not 'don't take them'. The message is 'if you are going to take them, be aware of what the level of evidence is'." Dr Peter Fisher, clinical director of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, said the report focused on tablets and preparations applied to the skin, missing out therapies such as acupuncture and osteopathy. "I think what really comes across in this report is how sorely under-researched this area is," he said. Jane Gray, president, of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists added: "This report is a commendable attempt to provide information on self help products for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7875192.stm --------------------------------------------- Seated Calf Raise The seated calf raise exercise using a weight machine develops muscular strength and endurance in the following calf muscles: Soleus Extensor digitorum longus Flexor digitorum longus Anterior tibialis 1.Sit on the weight machine. 2.The balls (front half) of the foot sole are placed on the foot platform. Changing the direction of the heels inward towards the midline of the body (duck foot stance) will enhance the usage of the gastrocnemius muscle. Do not rotate the heels outward from the midline of the body (pigeon toe stance) during a seated calf raise. This will cause patella femoral discomfort and possible injury to the knee joint. 3.The knee caps are slightly extended in front of the knee pad. The knee caps should not be directly under the knee pad. This will cause discomfort to the knee joint. 4.Begin the exercise by raising the heels upwards as high as possible and lifting the knee pad upwards (concentric contraction). The body should remain upright with the back straight throughout the concentric contraction. 5.After completing a concentric contraction, lower the heels past the parallel plane of the foot platform and point the toes upward (eccentric contraction). The body should remain upright with the back straight throughout the eccentric contraction. 6.The seated calf raise using a weight machine is performed using both legs or one leg at a time until the desired number of repetitions is achieved. Dumbbell Squat The dumbbell squat exercise develops muscular strength and endurance in the following muscle groups: Quadriceps muscles Hamstrings muscles Gluteal muscles Hip muscles (secondary muscles) Calf muscles (secondary muscles) 1.Stand upright and hold a dumbbell in each hand at the side of the body. 2.Place the soles of your feet flat on the ground. A wide foot stance emphasizes the gluteal muscles and the hamstrings muscles. A close foot stance emphasizes the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps. A shoulder-width foot stance emphasizes the entire lower body's muscle groups. 3.Begin the exercise by lowering the body towards the floor (eccentric contraction). During the eccentric contraction of the exercise movement: The knee joint angle is never greater than 90-degrees. The soles of the feet remain flat on the ground. A small piece of wood or rubber may be placed under the heels of the feet to offset heel elevation. The pelvic girdle and lower back rotate slightly. 4.Once the knee joint achieves a 90-degree angle, begin lifting the weighted barbell upward (concentric contraction). 5.The legs are fully extended to a 0-degree angle of knee joint extension. Do not lock the knee joint to full extension. 6.Continue the movement in a slow and controlled motion until the desired number of repetitions is achieved. Hi Debra; Sounds like the soleus, the deep calf muscle. I've responded to several other calf questions vis the CR Forum, you may want to check them out also. The worn-out shoes may have changed your gate enough to cause the problem, it may a little patience to undo it. If the stretching and shoes haven't helped you may just need to have 2-3 massage sessions to help loosen the deeper tissue. Factors that can bring on sudden pain like this are; change in running surface (broken pavement, side-of-road running), adding alot of hills quickly, dietary changes, dehydration, etc. http://northshore.shore.net:80/~coolrun/wwwboard/ CR Forum. We receive a lot of email looking for running-related information on a daily basis and we believe that the forum format is the most appropriate format for runners to help each other. Just enter a topic on any running/health related activity where you are looking for help or sharing information. Hopefully your peers will provide Oh, My aching calves My calve injuries must have been God's way of showing me that somewhere along the way, I messed up. These were my most secretive feelings for many years. I shared them with no one, for no one could understand the emotional distress associated with chronic calf injuries. After 15 years as a sportsmedicine specialist in which I'd treated hundreds of runners with various running. I finally was introduced to a solution to my calf problems. If tightness, soreness, slow recovery, or muscle pulls is also your albatross in life, you may want to read this. The calf is one of the most used muscle groups in the runner. Along with the hamstring, calf problems afflict almost all runners at one time or another. The role the calf plays in the running gait makes it highly vulnerable to tightness, stiffness, tendinitis, and chronic pulls. To the runner who suffers from this syndrome, running can become a not-so-favorite pastime laced long periods of injury and frustration. Calf problems are usually due to micro-traumas that occur with every run. A typical muscle that is exercised multiple times a week is injured on the microscopic level with every workout. These micro-injuries require to heal. As the muscle is used and the microtraumas occur, an inherit tightening or contracture takes place. This is the body's attempt to protect the muscle to allow the necessary time for recovery. The downside of this is built in protective mechanisms that there is a reduced blood flow to the muscle, this reduced blood flow furthers the contracture or tightening. This cycle usually leads to injury or chronic tightness and stiffness that limit a runner with regard to mileage and hard workouts. AS soon as the muscle tightness is mildly improved, most runners feel the need to get back out on the road or track as quickly as possible. This is taking a muscle that is just starting to recover and asking it to perform when it is not capable of doing so and the cycle continues. The tightening that occurs with constant running has to be addressed on a daily basis in an effort to resolve this problem. While most sportsmendicine specialist and coaches recommend a detailed stretching program, stretching alone will not solve this condition. The primary problem is that the internal pressure of the muscle is so great (due to the tightening/protective mechanism of the body) that new blood, which is vital for reparation and recovery, cannot enter the muscle. External pressure, greater than the protective internal muscular pressure, has to be applied to the calf muscles in an effort to relax the muscle and encourage a copious, nutrient-rich blood flow necessary for proper food and oxygen to the muscle. There are three options with regard to employing the necessary treatment to the calves to combat tightness, stiffness, and injuries. The first is to use your thumbs in applying an upward stroke to the calves, starting just above the Achilles up to the back of the knee. The key is to get into calves with enough pressure to help relax the muscle and encourage blood flow into the muscle. The runner should apply 20-30 strokes on both calves. The second option is to work with a fellow runner and apply the necessary treatment to each other. This is certainly easier, however, another partner is not always available. The final option is to use a tool that allows runners to treat themselves, such as The Stick®. This provides the necessary treatment, is extremely easy to employ, and can be done in 30-45 seconds. In order to succeed with this approach, muscles must be treated multiple times per day. The treatment cannot become time consuming, since none of us have the time for a lengthy treatment. Again, the treatment could be done in as little as 30-45 seconds. The most important time for application is just prior to going out for a run, with the second most important being after a run. Ideally, five to six treatments per day will begin to provide the necessary influx of new blood to the damaged, tightened muscle. This will expedite the repair and relaxation process that will allow the calf muscle to undergo the stresses of running without the residual buildup of waste products, toxins, and tightening that is all part of the normal cycle of muscular use and repair. It is critical to have the muscle in a totally relaxed state while treating it. When sitting down, life the thigh off the floor with the foot free hanging. Let the toe point downward. This will allow the calf muscle to be relaxed. This position is also possible when laying down. When standing put the foot on a stool or chair and make sure the knee is behind the heel instead of ahead of the toe. This will allow for maximum relaxation when applying pressure. Finally, treatment should not only be done when pain, tightness, or injury is present. This treatment should become a habit for all runners, since calf problems are truly in epidemic proportions. The calf undergoes excessive stress and recovery support with this treatment will provide the insurance you need to stay on the road instead of injured list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more about Betterbodz at bbody@betterbodz.com, or call 800/335-6740. Copyright © 1995,1996 Betterbodz.com All RIghts Reserved This area was last updated March 13,1996 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article: 72692 of misc.consumers.house Xref: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca misc.consumers.house:72692 Path: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca!watserv2.uwaterloo.ca!torn!spool.mu.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!cambridge-news.cygnus.com!news3.near.net!shore.shore.net!shore.shore.net!not-for-mail From: tiger@shore.net (ari l. ben) Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house Subject: Re: replacing carpeting with wood/tile Date: 29 Mar 1995 13:41:53 -0500 Organization: North Shore Access / Eco Software, Inc (info@shore.net) Lines: 28 Message-ID: <3lc9lh$njg@shore.shore.net> References: <3l775n$s6v@clarknet.clark.net> <3l7hbi$afv@giga.bga.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: shore.shore.net In article <3l7hbi$afv@giga.bga.com>, jody lockshin wrote: >Two Sheds (twosheds@clark.net) wrote: >: We are considering evicting all wall-to-wall carpeting from our >: high-rise (slab floor) condo, and replacing it with a combination >: of wood flooring and ceramic tile. Any opinions about pros and >: cons of doing this? > >We replaced all carpeting in our house, except for the bedrooms with >either ceramic tile, vinyl or painted concrete. It is not any colder, >and it's much easier to keep clean and odor free than carpet. > >Jody Lockshin-- >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >~ HABITAT HUNTERS, INC., REALTORS ~ >~ Office: (512) 482-8651 Toll-Free: (800) 482-8651 Fax: (512) 482-8656 ~ >~ E-mail: habitat@bga.com WWW Page: http://www.austinre.com/habitat.htm ~ >~ PROFESSIONALLY & EFFICIENTLY SELLING & RENTING PROPERTY IN & AROUND AUSTIN!~ >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > getting rid of old carpeting is a healthy thing to do. wood is an excellent choice as it is warmer than tile and painted concrete. you must make special preparations to install hardwood over concrete. there are also many prefinished wood floors available which could suit your needs. good luck. ------------------------------------------------------------ari---------- tiger@shore.net From bjwilson@shentel.net Tue Apr 23 09:26:10 EDT 1996 Article: 46492 of alt.support.mult-sclerosis Xref: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca alt.support.mult-sclerosis:46492 Path: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca!watserv3.uwaterloo.ca!torn!nott!bcarh189.bnr.ca!nrchh45.rich.nt.com!news.utdallas.edu!news01.aud.alcatel.com!gatech!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!news.shentel.net!usenet From: bjwilson@shentel.net Newsgroups: alt.support.mult-sclerosis Subject: FATIGUE & MS Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 07:04:39 GMT Organization: Shentel Lines: 142 Message-ID: <3179dd15.65164469@news.shentel.net> Reply-To: bjwilson@shentel.net NNTP-Posting-Host: eb1ppp25.shentel.net X-Newsreader: Forte Agent .99d/32.182 MANAGING FATIGUE By Herman J. Weinreb, MD "This material is provided as general medical information and is not intended as advice for individual patients; please contact your physician for specific recommendations." Fatigue is the most pervasive disabling symptom of MS, and in some cases, the only disabling symptom with few other manifestations of the disease present. Only during the past few years has fatigue been recognized as a valid criterion of disability, and family members, caregivers, even professionals must still be educated about this symptom. Because fatigue can't be seen as readily as an unsteady gait or a weak arm, nor can it be measured, often patients complaining of fatigue are not believed and may b e accused of laziness or poor motivation. The best way to confirm that a patient's fatigue is not due to a psychological problem but is an organic manifestation of the illness is through a family conference. Understanding fatigue is the first step in attempting to manage it. Other causes of fatigue can also be the medications taken for MS and/or general inactivity. And it's important not to confuse fatigue with the lack of motivation that frequently accompa nies depression. MEDICATIONS AND FATIGUE There are a number of medications available to manage fatigue. Generally these drugs are well tolerated with few side effects; however, because they are mild stimulants, they may cause occasional nervousness, irritability, or even sleep disturbance. Amantadine (Symmetrel), originally developed to prevent influenza, is generally considered the most effective drug in managing fatigue. Patients not responding to amantadine might consider pemoline (cylert) or methylphenidate (rital in). Both drugs are used to treat hyperactivity in children and, paradoxically, are useful nervous system stimulants in adults. Drugs that act on the central nervous system may take two to three weeks to kick in, so don't jump to hasty conclusions about their effectiveness. As with all drugs, treatment should be individualized and dosages adjusted to maximize benefit while minimizing side effects. No two patients are alike! Corticosteroids can produce a rapid and marked improvement in MS fatigue. Not to be confused with body-building steroids taken by athletes, corticosteroids are commonly used to speed recovery from MS relapses or to stabilize the course of progressive MS. Unfortunately, the effect does not always last after steroids are discontinued. Short courses of steroids seldom cause serious side effects but chronic administration of these drugs, even at low doses, cause a variety of serious problems and are not rec ommended in MS. Another medication with some beneficial effect in managing MS symptoms and fatigue is 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Improving conduction in nerve fibers and with a duration of six hours, this drug has been used in Europe but has not yet been approved for use in the U.S. Serious side effects, inducing seizures, have occurred; other related chemical compounds that appear to be safer are currently being tested. CONSERVING ENERGY Conserving your energy is also important--even in such relatively simple tasks as washing, dressing, and food preparation. A good start here is to consult some of the popular handbooks on MS for useful hints. Next, schedule a meeting in your own home with a registered occupational or physical therapist, preferably with MS experience, for a step-by-step review of your daily routine. You'll be surprised to find how much energy is expended ineffectively and unnecessarily--even with the best of intentions! Because physical conditions change, it's smart to repeat your energy audit at least once a year. A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP A good night's sleep is critical. Unfortunately, a variety of MS symptoms tend to afflict patients at night--frequent urination, flexor spasms, and various pain syndromes among them. These are all problems that should be managed aggressively by medical means. Sedative drugs are not useful for most of these complaints and may even aggravate daytime fatigue. KEEPING COOL Like most MS symptoms, fatigue gets worse with increased body temperature. Environmental humidity can also cause problems. Keeping cool is the best policy here. For most patients central air-conditioning is a necessity during the summer, and frequent c old showers or dips in the pool help as well. A portable cooling vest is useful for some individuals; however, the cost is high and the effectiveness remains unproven. EXERCISE: BENEFIT OR DETRIMENT Do exercise and physical workouts help or hinder MS fatigue? Undoubtedly, exercise is very important in maintaining muscular strength, range of motion, bone health and general well being. however, overexertion to the point of fatigue is self defeating. The amount of exercise considered beneficial should be determined on an individual basis. A physical therapist familiar with MS can evaluate the limits of fatigue for each patient and tailor the exercise program accordingly. TOWARD BETTER SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT Despite the prevalence of fatigue in MS, we know surprisingly little about its physiological causes. Muscle weakness, poor nerve conduction, altered body metabolism, and ineffective respiration may all play a part in causing fatigue. While further study is necessary, the physician can still make a major contribution to quality of life by recognizing the significance of fatigue and designing the right treatment to manage it. B.J. M.S.- THE DISEASE OF USED TO BE. *HUGS* For those looking for first-hand accounts of experiences with MS, try: http://stripe.colorado.edu/~leonarm/ms and don't forget to leave your experiences too! Take charge of your health-care, you are the boss and you are the one the meds./treatments affect. "Fool some one once and they'll be foolish for a day, but teach them to fool themselves and they'll be foolish for a lifetime." R.J. (a.k.a Michael Fry) What Can I Do About Hot Flashes And Night Sweats? By Madelon Hope ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1995 Madelon Hope. All rights reserved. Hot flashes can be a nuisance and even debilitating (when extreme) but they may have positive side to them. Vicki Noble, author of Shakti Woman, a book about feminine power, suggests that hot flashes can be viewed as a natural cleansing of our body. The increased temperature may be nature's way of killing off cancer cells and viruses that might otherwise lead to illness later on. Hot flashes are rushes of heat primarily to the head and neck region occurring when blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate. Some women have a premonition of an impending hot flash which may be felt as pressure in the head, anxiety, a tingling sensation, or nausea. The sensation of heat may also be widespread. The heart rate increases. Surges of blood to the hands can result in a tingling sensation. Following a flash, body temperature drops and many women experience a chill. There is no change in blood pressure at this time. About eighty percent of American women experience hot flashes at some time during menopause. They last mostly anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes but, in rare cases, can extend to a half hour or about an hour. They are associated with but not necessarily caused by fluctuating levels of estrogen since women who experience hot flashes and those who don't have been known to have the same levels of estrogen, according to Susan Weed in "Menopausal Years". Weed's book is an extraordinarily useful source for herbal information about hot flashes and other menopausal changes. Most women have hot flashes for a period between two months and two years. A smaller percentage continue to have them a decade after their last menstrual flow. The worst hot flashes are often experienced by women who have an abrupt loss of ovarian estrogen due to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Thinner women may experience more hot flashes since fat cells convert hormones secreted by the adrenals into estrogen. Hot flashes are much less common in non-western cultures. Studies in Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Mexico suggest that 10 percent or less of menopausal women experience hot flashes. The low incidence in Japan has been linked to high soy bean consumption which stimulates estrogen production. In American society, of those who have hot flashes, only a small minority (10 to 15 percent) experience enough discomfort to seek medical help. Night sweats, however, can be tough to handle since interrupted sleep can lead to extreme fatigue and anxiety. Hot flashes can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe, according to Ann Voda, Ph.D. in "A Friend Indeed", November, 1994. Mild flashes last less than a minute and produce a feeling of warmth with little or no perspiration. Moderate flashes are warmer, produce obvious perspiration, and last 2 to 3 minutes. Severe flashes causes profuse perspiration, generate intense heat, last longer and interfere with ongoing activity. Clothes made of natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk) can disperse heat away from the body. It is more practical to dress in layers so that clothing can be removed and added as needed. Hot flashes deplete our bodies of the B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium so it is helpful to increase our consumption of these nutrients. Triggers for hot flashes include spicy food, hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, white sugar, stress, hot weather, hot tubs and saunas, tobacco and marijuana and anger, especially when unexpressed, Susan Weed reports. The medical profession has generally ignored natural, less risky approaches to hot flashes in favor of Hormone Replacement Therapy. Alternative approaches tend to strengthen and support the endocrine system. Natural remedies work in conjunction with a healthy diet and adequate exercise and tend to work more slowly. It is important when using herbs and vitamins to pay attention to our bodies' responses and to remember that natural doesn't mean we can take large amounts of a substance without thinking of side effects. Herbs are generally available individually or in combination in capsule or extract form. It is very difficult to prescribe exact doses for herbal remedies since every body responds differently. Sometimes it is useful to work with someone who is familiar with herbs and vitamins to get advice on dosages and adjustments. For ordinary hot flashes, try vitamin E with dosages between 400 and 800 IUs. Read labels carefully. D-alpha tocopherol means that it comes from a natural source, but DL alpha means a synthetic. One common regimen is vitamin E, 600 to 800 IUs daily with vitamin C. When flashes subside, take 400 IUs daily. Perhaps 50 percent to 66 percent of women will find Vitamin E effective. However, it may take 2 to 6 weeks before the effects are really felt. Women who are diabetic or taking high blood pressure medication or with rheumatic heart conditions should take vitamin E under a doctor's supervision. Do not take vitamin E with digitalis. Bioflavonoid in supplements of 250 mg five to six times daily can help relieve hot flashes. Herbs commonly used to alleviate hot flashes include ginseng, black cohosh, vitex agnus castii, blue cohosh, dong quai, wild yam root, licorice root, false unicorn and sarsaparilla. Experiment with using one herb or several in combination. Evening primrose oil alleviates hot flashes and promotes restful sleep. These benefits may be due to the gamma linolenic acid in the oil which is said to influence prostaglandin production. (Evening primrose oil is used to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and tenderness of fibrocystic breasts). Depending on the amount of primrose oil in each capsule, effective dosages vary from 2 to 8 capsules a day. (A Friend Indeed, November, 1985). Chickweed tincture (25 to 40 drops) once or twice a day reduces the severity and frequency of hot flashes. A few homeopathic remedies suggested by Susan Weed in "Menopausal Years" and Diane Stein in "The Natural Remedy Book for Woman" are Lachesis for mental irritation and hot flashes, Pulsatilla for hot flashes followed by intense chills and emotional upset, Valeriana for intense sweating and insomnia and Sepia for flashes that make you feel exhausted and depressed. Drink several cups of sage tea daily. Use one tablespoon of sage per cup of water and infuse it for twenty minutes. Many women experience relief from hot flashes with the topical use of a progesterone cream made from extract of wild Mexican yam. ProGest cream is absorbed through the skin and carried directly to where it is needed. It is non-toxic and without the same sorts of side effects as synthetic progesterone. It is available through Professional and Technical Services, 333 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97232, 1-800-648-8211. Acupuncture, meditation and biofeedback have helped women find relief from hot flashes. Exercise helps to decrease hot flashes by lowering the amount of circulating FSH and LH and by raising endorphine levels (which drop during a hot flash). Even 20 minutes three times a week can significantly reduce hot flashes. Slow abdominal breathing, six to eight breaths per minute, can bring about a 40 percent decrease in frequency of hot flashes, according to two research psychologists from Wayne State University. Women used this technique for 15 minutes twice a day and when they felt a hot flash coming on. ("A Friend Indeed", April, 1993). In extremely hot flashes, try: Black cohosh root extract, 30 to 60 drops when taken up to four times a day. Ginseng has earned respect as a way to alleviate hot flashes. The most useful is panex sold as Korean ginseng or American ginseng. ("A Friend Indeed", Nov., 1985). Dosages vary according to body weight. The easiest way to be sure what dosage you are getting is to buy it in capsule form. Use 500 mg twice a day for those weighing less than 130 lbs., three times a day for those up to 160 lbs., and four times daily for those over 160 lbs. Ginseng works best on an empty stomach and can be taken before breakfast and before dinner. It is recommended that you not eat fruit for two hours after taking ginseng and that you take it separately from any vitamin supplement . It is not advised for women with high blood pressure or diabetes. Women with asthma or emphysema would do well to avoid ginseng because of its histamine liberating properties. Ginseng is also available in tinctures, teas and tonics. Motherwort extract, 25 to 40 drops every four hours. Royal jelly can be bought in Chinatown or in a health food store. Use 3 to 7 glass ampules a week. Bee pollen, 500 mg, 3 tablets per day reduces hot flashes for some women. Sucking on a piece of hard candy has been known to head off a hot flash or moderate an intense one. For night sweats, try homeopathic Nux vomica when you are awakened and feel chilled and irritable. Use all cotton sheets and natural fibers. Use 10 to 25 drops of Motherwort extract three times a day or upon awakening with a night sweat. You will notice a difference in two to four weeks. For prompt relief, use an infusion of garden sage. From jchco@sprintmail.com Wed Oct 15 07:18:29 EDT 1997 Article: 92809 of alt.support.mult-sclerosis Xref: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca alt.support.mult-sclerosis:92809 Path: undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca!watserv3.uwaterloo.ca!kwon!utnut!cs.utexas.edu!iag.net!news-spur1.maxwell.syr.edu!news.maxwell.syr.edu!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!su-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!news.sprintisp.com!sprintisp!not-for-mail From: John Haynes Newsgroups: alt.support.mult-sclerosis Subject: Re: MS and Fibromyalgia Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 01:17:45 -0500 Lines: 48 Message-ID: <34430E89.4BB2@sprintmail.com> References: <971011011931_1531781546@emout11.mail.aol.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: 206.133.161.173 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.01E-SI001B01 (Win95; U) CC: sci.med.diseases.lyme Shelley Andrews wrote: > > In a message dated 10/05/97 9:23:41 PM, you wrote: > > > I would > > > >like to hear from anyone who has MS and Fibromyalgia > > Scott, > > What you say brings somethings up for me. When first I was feeling "oddly" I > saw many doctors. I was Dxd with Fibromyalgia. I went on and then things > got worse and I was diagnosed with Lupus. Things got even more extreme and > so I was dxd with MS. Now does this mean I have all 3? The doctors say I > have only MS. > > ? > Shelley -- # Netscape folder cache Shelly, I have 35 medical journals written by neurologists, neuroradiologists from the MRI journals and so on that indicate Lyme disease demyelinates, causes weakness, tremor, MS-like picture and in fact, MS, which simply stated, mean many lesions or "many sclerosing lesions". My Lyme was once diagnosed with lupus, fibromyalgia, MS, etc. and guess what. IV Rocephin for 16 weeks completely brought my brain, body, pain, memory, confusion, dizziness, headache, backache, paresthesias, weakness, stiffness and so on back to feeling normal again. It was a bacteria afterall, causing all the hubbub. I am so afriad that many with MS are locked into the wrong diagnosis. Be sure and do not lock yourself into one just because a doctor puts you there. I am doing great because I got rid of the cause. It took time and energy but it was worth it. I have had ataxia, been on a walker, in a rehab center, had seizures and so on and I am back to normal again. I cannot tell you guys what a difference it makes to have the right diagnosis. When I took prednisone etc. at high dose, I felt great. Of course I did, because it gives a false sense of security. There is an autoimmune component I believe to Lyme where the body turns on itself, but by golly, the underlying disease must be dealth with first or else trouble is in the making. You be your own guide. There are people in every state who understand this parallel and if you are interested in getting help for the confusion around your diagnosis, buy the book "coping with Lyme Disease" in Barnes adn Noble" and in the back are listings of persons in each state who can locate a Lyme literate physician to help you. Remember, it is almost uncanny that the worse the patient, the more likely the blood antibody test will show negative so do not go by testing. The bacteria is able to hide within the immune systme and the body does not even know it is there and does not make antibodies for future testing! Kathy [Image] [Image] Redistributed by University of Bonn, Medical Center Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cancer Risk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CancerNet from the National Cancer Institute ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANCER FACTS National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement hormones (estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin) have been shown to be effective in relieving conditions usually related to menopause. These conditions include hot flashes, vaginal tissue dryness, and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). However, the use of estrogen during or after menopause has been linked to an increase in endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus), and there is some suggestion that it is linked to breast cancer as well. Currently, however, most scientists think that for most women, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (for example, a reduction in the risk of osteoporosis and possibly of cardiovascular disease) clearly outweigh the possible cancer risks. Risk of Endometrial Cancer Studies have shown that women taking replacement estrogen have a two to eight times higher risk of developing endometrial cancer than women who do not take estrogen. The risk increases after 2 to 4 years of estrogen use and seems to be greatest when large doses are taken or when the preparations are used for long periods of time. Using a combination of estrogen and progestin appears to decrease the risk linked to use of estrogen alone. Because the use of estrogen has been associated with an increased incidence of endometrial cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that a special brochure about the drug accompany each prescription for it. The brochure explains that the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus increases with the duration of use and the strength of the dose. It also points out that estrogen has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of nervousness and depression, conditions sometimes associated with menopause. Women who have undergone a total hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus) are in no danger of developing endometrial cancer. Use of estrogen may not be appropriate, however, for women who have already had endometrial cancer. Until more information becomes available from current clinical studies of this question, decisions for these women must be made on a case-by-case basis. Risk of Breast Cancer The association between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer is less clear. In a study carried out by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), postmenopausal women who had taken estrogen for 20 or more years had a 50-percent increase in risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who had not taken it. A number of other studies support this association. In another study, more than 23,000 Swedish women who used replacement hormones (both estrogen and estrogen-progestin combinations) were followed. These women had about a 10-percent higher incidence of breast cancer than expected. A more detailed study of all the women in the group who developed breast cancer and a random sample of women who did not develop the disease showed that the risk increased to 70 percent compared with the expected level among women who used the hormones for 9 years or more. This risk did not seem to be offset by the addition of progestin, as had been suggested by the study of estrogen-associated cancers of the lining of the uterus. It is unclear whether estrogen has an adverse effect on women who are already at high risk for breast cancer. However, women who have had breast cancer are usually advised not to take replacement estrogen. Deciding on Replacement Therapy The NCI advises a woman to thoroughly discuss the question of hormone replacement therapy with her doctor. If she and her doctor decide that this treatment is appropriate, the dosage as well as the duration of use should be carefully considered in relation to the benefits and risks. Before hormone replacement therapy is begun, a pretreatment mammogram (x-ray of the breast) usually is taken. It is especially important that a woman on hormone replacement therapy be checked each year by her doctor for any signs of cancer. Vaginal bleeding should be reported to the doctor at once. Also, a woman on hormone replacement therapy should examine her breasts monthly for lumps or changes in appearance that may be warning signs of cancer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cancer Information Service (CIS), a program of the National Cancer Institute, is a nationwide telephone service for cancer patients and their families, the public, and health care professionals. CIS information specialists have extensive training in providing up-to-date and understandable information about cancer. They can answer questions in English and Spanish and can send free printed material. In addition, CIS offices serve specific geographic areas and have information about cancer-related services and resources in their region. The toll-free number of the CIS is 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). Date Last Modified: 11/92 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to the Cancernet contents overview Back to our Homepage Questions? Mail them to us! This page was last modified on Tuesday, 02-Apr-96 18:47:45 MESZ