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Belly Bulges

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A protruding belly button is commoner in boys and may run in families   Everyone would love an eight pack abdomen, but for some it may remain just a dream. Their abdominal wall has unsightly bulges and protuberances, which may be a well rounded paunch or even hernia.

Some children have a protruding navel or belly button, which is noticed soon after the remnant of the umbilical cord falls off. When the baby cries or strains, the tummy bulges at the umbilicus. The swelling is called an umbilical hernia. It is commoner in boys. It may run in families and be associated with other diseases like thyroid deficiency or inborn errors of metabolism.

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The foetus receives its nutrition through umbilical blood vessels that are attached to the navel. The abdominal muscles also fuse at that point. There is an area of weakness there which can cause a defect in the abdominal wall muscles. The intestines may protrude through this. Usually, the intestines can be pushed back when the child is quiet and lying down.

By the age of three or four years, the abdominal musculature develops and the hernia disappears on its own. It usually does not cause any symptoms till that time. If the skin over the hernia changes colour, or if the child starts to cry incessantly, consult a doctor. It may mean the intestine has got trapped in the hernia and its blood supply is being compromised, strangling the bowel.

Strapping the bulging belly button with plaster, tying it with a bandage or fixing a coin over it won’t help. On the contrary, it may be harmful as a piece of intestine may get caught in the bandage and stop the blood supply. This then becomes a medical emergency. If the hernia persists after the age of three, it needs to be surgically repaired.

Hernias can also suddenly appear near the umbilicus in adults. This “paraumbilical hernia” is situated just above the navel and occurs through a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles. It may be due to pregnancy, obesity or poor abdominal muscle tone. It may also appear if fluid accumulates in the abdomen as a result of kidney or liver disease. The hernia may contain fat or intestines.

Paraumbilical hernias that appear during pregnancy may disappear on their own. In others, they need to be surgically corrected, even if they are painless. Bits of bowel or other intestinal content can suddenly become trapped in them, precipitating an emergency. There is a band of fibrous tissue connecting and holding together the musculature of the two halves of the abdomen. If this is weak and separates out, it may cause a condition called “divarication of the rectus abdominus”. It is common in obesity. The affected area is usually long and stretches over the abdomen from the umbilicus to the rib cage. As the defect is large, the intestine does not become trapped inside. If there is no umbilical hernia, it can be left alone. Surgical repair is a variation of a “tummy tuck” and is done purely for cosmetic reasons.

If there is a small defect in the linea alba (fibrous structure running down the midline of the abdomen), a ping-pong ball sized bulge can occur at the spot. This is called an “epigastric hernia”. It needs to corrected.

About 75 per cent of hernias occur lower down in the groin area and are called “inguinal hernias”. They are commoner in men. They can extend from the lower part of the abdomen to the scrotum in men and to the labia in women. They are caused by a congenital defect in the abdominal wall. Some men push the contents of the hernia back into the abdomen and then use a “surgical truss” to hold it there.

The surgical treatment of hernias has changed over the years. Traditional techniques involved opening the abdomen and suturing the muscle layers. Hospital stays were prolonged and recovery slow. Now, laparoscopic repairs can be done, reducing the hospital stay to two or three days. Fine sterile surgical mesh can be used to cover the defect. The hernia is then less likely to recur as there is no tension on the layers of the abdominal muscles.

Some hernias can’t be prevented. Congenital abdominal wall defects are less likely to manifest as hernias if

• The BMI (body weight divided by height in metre squared) is 23

• Core strengthening exercises (oblique sit ups, plank position) are done daily

• Lifting heavy weights is avoided

• Weight-lifting exercises are done after proper training and conditioning.

Source: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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Herbs & Plants

Aconitum Violaceum

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Botanical Name : Aconitum violaceum
Family : Ranunculaceae
Genus  : Aconitum
Tibetan  Common Name:: bdud rtsi lo ma, bong nga nag po (Amrita leaves, black aconite)

Habitat : E. Asia – Himalayas.   Shrubberies and open slopes, 3600 – 4800 metres from Pakistan to C. Nepal

Description:
Perennial.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from August to October. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.

Click to see..the picture  >………..(1)………….(2)

 

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Cultivation :
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by the native range of the plant it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. It is a polymorphic species. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division – best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Roo
t.

Root – cooked. It is eaten as a pleasant tonic. These reports should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus.

Medicinal Actions &  Uses:

Antidote; Antiinflammatory; Febrifuge.

The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency. Antidote, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of snake and scorpion bites, contagious infections and inflammation of the intestines.

BONG NAG: Vermicide (tapeworms); infectious fevers; relieving pains of arthritis and rheuma. Ashes used to increase body heat. DUDSI LOMA: white, long root, slightly milky: Rheuma, artritis -pains, skin disease, gall disease ass. with nagas. Tonsilitis.

Used part:
in sommer whole plant is used. In autumn, when the flow of the sap is reversed, especially the roots are used.
Various species of Aconitum are being used in Tibetan Medicine. The one here is very poisonous and only very small doses are being employed. Pills with Aconite are usually much smaller than regular Tibetan pills. Usually they are not being crushed with the teeth but on swallows them as such. Compare it with the use in Homoeopathy!

Another species, Aconitum heterophyllum, apparently is only very little poisonous. Some people claim that its roots are even being eaten in times of scarcity. It’s used in indigestion medicines a lot.

Aconitum heterophyllum is specially regarded  as a very endangered species since it is also popular in Ayurveda and is being collected in big quantities. Mainly the roots of Aconium spp. are being used. Thus collectors have to dig up the whole plants and in many cases destroyed entire populations in certain areas.

Known Hazards : The whole plant is highly toxic – simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people. Another report suggests that the root of this species might not be toxic.

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.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+violaceum
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?where-taxon=Aconitum+albo-violaceum&where-photographer=Dr.+Nick+V.+Kurzenko
http://www.yuthog.org/?Tibetan_Medicine/Medicinal_Plants&ID=17

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Featured Healthy Tips News on Health & Science

Cholesterol Medication May Decrease the Risk of Cataracts

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In addition to taking nutritional supplements such as vitamin E to improve eye health, a new study is suggesting that cholesterol medicine may in fact prevent cataracts, a condition that involves the clouding of the lens and generally affects individuals 55 and older.
YOU MAY CLICK TO SEE THE PICTURES:

Cholesterol Spacefill

Cholesterolbiosynthesis

StatinPathway

 

………………
According to research published in the Annals of Epidemiology, men who took medicine to lower their cholesterol had a 40 percent lower risk of developing the eye disease.

After observing 180,000 patients between 1998 and 2007, it was discovered that men who took statins, a common drug found in cholesterol-lowering medication, were less likely to develop the age-related eye disease. Similarly, women were 18 percent less likely to suffer from cataracts as well.

“We believe that the regular use of statins for men and women under the age of 75 can significantly protect them against cataracts,” said study author Dr. Gabriel Chodick.

Cataracts currently affects 60 percent of adults over the age of 60. There are currently 1.5 million surgeries performed each year to fix the vision disease.

Source: Better Health Research .Feb.11 , 2010

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Poor Immune System and Low Levels of Antibodies Linked to Stroke

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A study shows that the chances of suffering a stroke are linked to the presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system.

click  to see the pictures

The research group, which was led by Professor Johan Frostegård, has previously demonstrated that high levels of a certain type of antibody (anti-PC) in the immune defense are linked to a reduced risk of arteriosclerosis, a common cause of thrombosis and myocardial infarction.

In the present study, the researchers focused exclusively on stroke – a blood clot in the brain – and compared 227 individuals who had suffered stroke over a 13-year period with 445 sex and age-matched controls. After controlling for other risk factors (age, sex, smoking habits, cholesterol levels, diabetes, BMI and blood pressure), they were able to show that low levels (below 30 per cent of average) of PC antibodies correlated with a higher risk of stroke, which in women meant an almost three-fold increase.

The researchers have now advanced the hypothesis that low levels of natural PC antibodies, which can be a condition of a poor immune system – contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis and its consequences, which include stroke.

Arteriosclerosis is formed by the accumulation of plaque on the walls of blood vessels, which can rupture and form a blood clot. The researchers believe that the PC antibodies react to a substance called phosphorylcholine (PC), which is a component of a class of fat molecules (phospholipids) that go to make up the plaque.

Source: Elements4Health

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Herbs & Plants

Alpine Azalea

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Botanical Name :Loiseleuria  procumbens
Family: Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Loiseleuria (loy-sel-LEW-ree-uh) (Info)
Species: procumbens (pro-KUM-benz) (Info)
Synonym:Kalmia procumbens,Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv. AZPR Azalea procumbens L. , CHPR8 Chamaecistus procumbens (L.) Kuntze , KAPR Kalmia procumbens (L.) Gift, Kron & P.F. Stevens ex Galasso, Banfi & F. Conti.

Kingdom :  Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class : Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass : Dilleniidae
Order: Ericales
Species: Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv. – alpine azalea

Habitat : Alpines and Rock Gardens Shrubs.Northern hemisphere distribution: circumpolar; Greenland, Canada, United States, Eurasia. Alaska, Yukon, Continental Northwest Territories, Nunavut Islands, Continental Nunavut, Northern Québec. Low arctic, or alpine. Range in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago limited. Arctic Islands: Baffin. Occasional to common in dry stony heath on acid; dry bouldery slopes in Precambium bedrock and till; Precambium rock: growing in dry gravel patches on rocky slopes with Arctostaphylos (CAN 541759).

Substrates: tundra, slopes, dry meadows; dry; acidic; rocks, gravel, till; with low organic content.

Description: The alpine azalea is a matted or trailing evergreen Perennial shrub with bell shaped flowers that are white or pink.Whole plant hairless.  Calyx and young stems red.It blooms during Late Spring/Early Summer.It’s Foliage is Evergreen, Smooth-Textured, Shiny/Glossy-Textured, Good Fall Color. It often forms a ground mat on well drained rocky sites in arctic and alpine tundra. It ranges throughout Alaska except for on the northern coastal plain.
......

Dwarf shrubs, or low shrubs; 5–10 cm high; semi-prostrate, much branched, with small leathery leaves. Aerial stems prostrate; glabrous (sometimes with small trapped sand or soil particles that should not be mistaken for glands). Leaves distributed along the stems; alternate; evergreen and marcescent. Stipules absent. Petioles present; 1–2.5 mm long (often flattened against the stem and easily overlooked); glabrous (abaxial surface), or hairy (adaxial surface); pubescent (if applicable). Petioles hairs appressed, or spreading (conspicuous as tufts in the axils of new leaves); curved. Leaf blade bases truncate, or rounded. Blades 4–8 mm long; 1–2.5 mm wide. Blades length-width ratio 3, or 4. Blades leathery; elliptic; involute; veins pinnate (with mid-vein impressed into the adaxial surface), or appearing single-veined. Blades adaxial surface without sessile glands; glabrous (with a thick epidermis). Blades abaxial surface hairy. Blades abaxial surface hairs very dense. Blades abaxial surface tomentose. Blades abaxial surface hairs white, or translucent hairs; curved; appressed, or spreading. Blade margins entire. Leaf apices rounded.


Other details
:: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds, Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Healing Qualities – helps us achieve unconditional self-acceptance through the release of  self-doubt; opens our hearts to the spirit of love; teaches us compassion through understanding.

Resources:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Loiseleuria_procumbens
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/97806/
http://www.mun.ca/biology/delta/arcticf/_ca/www/erlopr.htm
http://www.nawwal.org/~mrgoff/pictures/picpgs/69813a.html
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=lopr
http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/ericaceae/loiseleuria-procumbens.htm
http://www.essencesonline.com/Alaskan_flowerkit.htm

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