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News on Health & Science

Gut Virus Causes Fatigue Syndrome

A group of viruses that has long caused respiratory and gut infections may actually be triggering the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Shedding new light on to a disease that has long been shrouded in mystery, a team of American researchers has found that Enteroviruses, which cause acute respiratory, neurological and gastrointestinal infections, mostly in children, may also be causing CFS. Doctors have for long known the symptoms of CFS – constant exhaustion, mental fogginess, sleep disorders, muscle/joint pain, impaired memory, inability to concentrate and depression.

But lack of physical determinants caused the debilitating illness to go undiagnosed in most patients across the world.

The lack of a diagnostic test for CFS also led many to dismiss it as an imaginary disorder. Experts estimate that the condition affects 30% of all patients who visit a general hospital OPD in India.

Women between 40-60 years of age have been found to be four times more likely than men to get it. The reason – they are under a lot more stress, having to manage both their careers and home.

The latest study of 165 patients with CFS or ME found that more than 80% tested positive for particles of enteroviruses, which infect the bowel. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology, saw patients undergoing stomach biopsies and endoscopy to search for causes of their long-standing gut complaints. California infectious disease specialist John Chia said, “Over 82% of the specimens from CFS patients tested positive for enteroviral particles compared with just 20% of the samples from healthy people.”

Dr Anoop Mishra from Fortis said, “Lack of knowledge makes doctors in India prescribe a dozen tests. Patients undergo blood, sugar, heamoglobin, thyroid and urine test, liver functions and chest X-ray. But when nothing is found, patients are discharged. CFS is fast becoming a common cause for heart diseases, diabetes and hypertension.”

Dr T S Kleir, HOD of interventional cardiology at Escorts, said, “CFS is becoming a highly common urban disease. Yet, it is neglected. No studies are being undertaken to understand its prevalence and treatment options.”

Source:The Times Of India

Categories
News on Health & Science

Spinach, Eggs Help Ward Off Blindness

CHICAGO: Two nutrients found in eggs, spinach and other leafy green vegetables offer some protection against the most common cause of blindness among the elderly, researchers said.

The two nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are both carotenoids — compounds that give many fruits and vegetables a yellow colour.

They help ward off the condition, apparently by allowing the eyes to filter harmful short-wavelength light and by curtailing other damaging effects to the macula, or the center of the eye’s retina, the researchers said.

“No clear associations with other nutrients were seen,” including the vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, according to the researchers, led by John Paul SanGiovanni of the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.

The 6-year study asked about the dietary habits of 4,519 people aged 60 to 80 when enrolled.

Source:The Times Of India

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Acute Otitis Media in Children

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Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial illness in children and the one most commonly treated with antibiotics. There has been a significant increase in, and concern about antibacterial resistance of the organisms that cause AOM. These factors suggested the need for a detailed evaluation of AOM and its management.

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While the number of office visits for otitis media with effusion   middle ear fluid  (OME) have decreased over the past decade from 25 million in 1990 to just 16 million in 2000, the number of antibiotic prescriptions to treat AOM has remained constant. At the same time, concerns about the rising rate of antibiotic   or antibacterial   use and resistance have emerged.

The most common cause of earache in children is acute otitis media, which is caused by infection in the middle children are at risk because eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat, are small and become obstructed easily. acute otitis media is often part of a respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold. the infection causes inflammation that may block one of the eustachian tubes, causing a buildup in the middle ear that may get infected with bacteria.

about 1 in 5 children under age 4 has one episode of acute otitis media each year. the condition is more common in children whose parents smoke. it is also common in children of eskimo or native american descent and may run in families, suggesting a genetic factor. the condition is less common in children over the age of 8.

Sympotms:
Symptoms usually develop rapidly over several hours. a very young child may have difficulty locating the pain, and the only symptoms may be fever and vomiting. in older children, the symptoms may be more specific and include:

· earache.
· tugging or rubbing the painful ear.
· temporary impaired hearing in the affected ear.

left untreated, the eardrum may rupture, relieving the pain but causing a discharge of blood and pus. recurrent infections in the middle ear may cause chronic secretory otitis media.

What might be done?
You should consult you child’s doctor if liquid is discharged from the ear or if the earache last more than a few hours. he or she will examine your child’s ears and may blow air into the affected ear using a special instrument to check that the eardrum is moving normally. acute otitis media can clear up without treatment; however, the doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics if he or she suspects that a bacterial infection is present. to relieve discomfort, acetaminophen may be recommended. after a few days, your doctor will reexamine you child.

symptoms usually clear up in a few days with appropriate treatment. a ruptured eardrum should heal within a few weeks. in some children, hearing is affected for more than 3 months until the fluid in the ear disappears.

What are the new guidelines?
The new guidelines define acute otitis media (AOM), or middle ear infections, and outline appropriate diagnosis and treatment standards   including pain management   based on a child’s age and other factors.

What do the new guidelines recommend?
Accurately diagnose AOM and differentiate it from OME, which requires different management.
Relieve pain, especially in the first 24 hours, with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Minimize antibiotic side effects by giving parents of select children the option of fighting the infection on their own for 48-72 hours, then starting antibiotics if they do not improve.
Prescribe initial antibiotics for children who are likely to benefit the most from treatment.
Encourage families to prevent AOM by reducing risk factors. For babies and infants these include breastfeeding for at least six months, avoiding “bottle propping,” and eliminating exposure to passive tobacco smoke.
If antibiotic treatment is agreed upon, the clinician should prescribe amoxicillin for most children.

Do the guidelines apply to all children?
No. The guidelines apply only to an otherwise healthy child without underlying conditions that may alter the natural course of AOM. These conditions include, but are not limited to, anatomic abnormalities such as cleft palate, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, immune system disorders, and cochlear implants. Also excluded are children with a clinical recurrence of AOM within 30 days or AOM with underlying chronic OME.

What is acute otitis media?
A diagnosis of acute otitis media requires:
Recent, usually abrupt, onset of illness.
The presence of middle ear fluid, or effusion.
Signs or symptoms of middle ear inflammation.
Over 5 million AOM cases occur annually in US children, resulting in more than 10 million annual antibiotic prescriptions and about 30 million annual visits to doctor’s offices. Fifty percent of antibiotics for preschoolers in the US are prescribed for ear infections. Using an observation option could reduce antibiotic prescriptions annually by up to 3 million and would significantly reduce the prevalence of resistant bacteria.

What are the harmful effects of antibiotics?

Each course of antibiotic given to a child can make future infections more difficult to treat. The result is an increase in the use of a larger range of   and generally more expensive  antibiotics. In addition, the benefit of antibiotics for AOM is small on average, and must be balanced against potential harm of therapy. About 15 percent of children who take antibiotics suffer from diarrhea or vomiting and up to 5 percent have allergic reactions, which can be serious or life threatening. The average preschooler carries around 1 to 2 pounds of bacteria – about 5 percent of his or her body weight. These bacteria have 3.5 billion years of experience in resisting and surviving environmental challenges. Resistant bacteria in a child can be passed to siblings, other family members, neighbors, and peers in group-care or school settings.


When should antibiotics be prescribed?

For children age 6 months and younger   for certain or suspected AOM.
Children age 6 months to 2 years   for certain AOM or suspected AOM with severe symptoms; observation is an option for suspected or uncertain AOM if non-severe.
Children age 2 to 12 years   antibiotic treatment for certain AOM with severe symptoms; observation is an option for suspected or non-severe AOM.
The guideline provides an option to observe select children and only start antibiotic treatment if symptoms have not improved in 48-72 hours. Approximately 80 percent of children with AOM get better without antibiotics. And children whose ear infections are not treated immediately with antibiotics are not likely to develop a serious illness.

What if a child with a middle ear infection is in great pain and discomfort?
The mainstay of pain management for AOM is medications such as acetominophen and ibuprofen, not antibiotics. Most children with AOM have significant ear pain, which may manifest in young children as ear rubbing, sleep disruption, or temper tantrums. Analgesics are most important in the first 24 hours after diagnosis, especially before the child’s bedtime. Fortunately, by 24 hours about 60 percent of children feel better, rising to 80-90 percent within a few days. Antibiotics do not relieve pain in the first 24 hours, and have only a small effect after that.

Is my child at risk for developing other infections if she is not treated with antibiotics?
Published trials of observation, placebo, or non-antibiotic AOM therapy have shown no increased rate of complications, provided that children are followed carefully and receive antibiotics if symptoms persist or worsen. These studies vary in the age of children studied and the severity of illness, factors taken into consideration in determining which children are suitable for the observation option.

To learn more click on …………………………..(1)……(2)

Alternative Medicine for Acute Otitis Media in Children

Healing Otitis Media Through Homeopathy

Ayurvedic medicine Septilin in cases of chronic otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis . Septilin as an adjuvant to antibiotics .

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Resources:

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/aomqa.htm
http://www.charak.com/DiseasePage.asp?thx=1&id=339

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis)

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Botanical Name:Ephedra nevadensis
Family: Ephedraceae
Kingdom:    Plantae
Division:    Gnetophyta
Class:    Gnetopsida
Order:    Ephedrales
Genus:    Ephedra
Species:    E. nevadensis

Common name: Mormon tea, American Ephedra , Ephedra , Ephedra, American , Mormon Tea , Nevada Joint-fir, Nevada Jointfir.

Other Names: Brigham Tea, Mormon tea, Ephedra, Nevada Joint-fir, American Ma Huang, Mexican tea, Desert Ephedra, Desert tea.
Range: South-western N. America – Arizna, California, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and hills, rarely in sandy flat areas, at elevtions of 700 – 1900 metres , Southwestern North America, found growing on dry slopes and hills, sandy plains, canyons, sandy and rocky places, deserts. Ephedra may be found further east in dry areas where it has escaped cultivation. Cultivation requires some effort, prefers light (sandy) dry, acid, soil in sunny position, cannot grow in the shade and not self-fertile, both male and female plants must be grown if seed is desired.

Parts Used: Twigs. Gather stems anytime and dry for later use.

History: Ephedra was found buried in a Middle Eastern neolithic grave, indicating that it was used as a medicine over 60,000 years ago. It is believed that the roots of the plant have the opposite effect of the stems, this is unproven. An infusion of the dried stems has been used in the treatment of venereal diseases. The pulverized or boiled stems were also used for delayed or difficult menstruation or applied externally as a poultice on syphilitic and other sores by some native North American Indians. Ephedra was also used as a ceremonial drug to improve the alertness of the hunter and the wood of the plant is considered the best charcoal for tattooing.

Description: Ephedra is an evergreen shrub growing 2 to 3 feet high with no leaves. Stems are green, smooth, woody, branching, and very jointed. Small yellow-green buds appear in the joints when in bloom.

click to see the pictures...….(01)....(1).…...(2).…….(3).…..………………………………………………

Physical Characteristics
An evergreen shrub growing to 1.2m. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf all year. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Cultivation details:
Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant.

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation:Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[200]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter.
Division in spring or autumn.
Constituents: Alkaloid ephedrine, methylephedrine, methylpseudoephedrine. Other plant constituents in Ephedra are calcium, phosphorus, protein, flavone, saponin, tannins, and volatile oil.
Properties
Used extensively for food and medicine by Native Americans of the Southwest, especially in dry desert areas. The fruit or buds are eaten raw and have a very mild sweet taste. The seed is roasted and used as coffee or ground into a meal for bread. The stems of most Ephedra species contain the alkaloid ephedrine which is very valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other respiratory complaints. The stems are anti-viral, antidote, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, blood purifier, diuretic, pectoral, febrifuge, vasodilator, stimulant, and tonic. The young stems are best if eaten raw, though older stems can be used to make a medicinal tea. The plant has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. Unlike using the isolated or synthesized ephedrine, using the whole plant in alternative medicine is much more effective and rarely gives rise to serious side-effects. This is true with most herbs, but especially with Ephedra, since other plant constituents can help buffer or improve the actions of the main constituents. Other plant constituents in Ephedra are Calcium, Phosphorus, Protein, Flavone, Saponin, Tannins, and Volatile oil. Ephedrine acts quickly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes, dilates the bronchial vessels and has antispasmodic properties. Because of this scientifically proven action on the respiratory system it is known to have saved many lives, while Ephedra does not cure asthma it is very effective in treating the symptoms and making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. Used for centuries in Chinese medicine Ma Huang or Chinese Ephedra is well known and exported all over the world for use in pharmaceuticals to treat asthma, hay fever, allergic complaints, stimulating the heart and central nervous system, and kidney problems. While the chemical constituents in the American Ephedra plant is said to be less concentrated, it is still used for the same medicinal purposes and said to have fewer side effects.

Medicinal Properties: Anti-viral, antidote, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, blood purifier, diuretic, pectoral, febrifuge, vasodilator, stimulant, and tonic.

Medicinal Uses:Blood purifier; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Poultice; Tonic; VD.
The stems are blood purifier, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. They are beneficial in the treatment of urogenital complaints. An infusion has been used in the treatment of kidney problems, gonorrhoea and the first stages of syphilis.

A poultice of the powdered stems has been applied to sores.
The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents – unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects. Ephedra does not cure asthma but in many cases it is very effective in treating the symptoms and thus making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. The stems can be used fresh or dried and are usually made into a tea, though they can also be eaten raw. The young stems are best if eating them raw, though older stems can be used if a tea is made. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use.

Ephedrine acts quickly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes, dilates the bronchial vessels and has antispasmodic properties. Because of this scientifically proven action on the respiratory system it is known to have saved many lives, while Ephedra does not cure asthma it is very effective in treating the symptoms and making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. Used for centuries in Chinese medicine Ma Huang or Chinese Ephedra is well known and exported all over the world for use in pharmaceuticals to treat asthma, hay fever, allergic complaints, stimulating the heart and central nervous system, and kidney problems. While the chemical constituents in the American Ephedra plant is said to be less concentrated, it is still used for the same medicinal purposes and said to have fewer side effects.
Caution is advised as an overdose can be fatal, causing high blood pressure, racing of the heart, confusion, nervous stupor, twitching, convolutions and death. Ephedrine is seen as a performance-boosting herb and is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as athletics. This herb should not be used by people who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma. However the bad reputation this herb has received stems from the use or misuse of the synthesized form of its main constituent ephedrine.

Preparations and Dosages:
Standard Infusion, as needed. To 1/2 ounce of dried herb add 1 pint boiling water steep for 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten, drink throughout the day for cold and flu or sinusitis.

Mormon Tea

Caution is advised as an overdose can be fatal, causing high blood pressure, racing of the heart, confusion, nervous stupor, twitching, convolutions and death. Ephedrine is seen as a performance-boosting herb and is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as athletics. This herb should not be used by people who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma.

Click to learn more about Ephedra

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:

http://www.indianspringherbs.com/American_Ephedra.htm
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Ephedra+nevadensis

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Categories
News on Health & Science

Honey May Fight Ageing

 Worried over ageing? Just start taking a spoonful of honey every day.

Yes, according to scientists, honey could help counter the effects of ageing and decrease anxiety, the Daily Mail reported here on Friday. “Diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory during ageing,” said Nicola Starkey of the University of Waikato in New Zealand……….CLICK & SEE

According to her, this could be due to the antioxidant properties of honey. In fact, Starkey and Lynne Chepulis of the same university came to the conclusion after they conducted their tests on rodents.

They raised them on diets of 10% honey, 8% sucrose or no sugar at all for a year. The honey-fed rats spent almost twice as much time in the open sections of a maze then sucrose-fed rats, suggesting they were less anxious. They were also more likely to enter novel sections of the maze, suggesting they knew where they had better spatial memory.

Source:The Times Of India

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