Here you can find a selection of common conditions and recommended treatments.
These should not replace consultation with your doctor, but will enable
you to understand your body better and help you on your journey to
health.
Acne is a chronic skin disorder caused by the inflammation of the hair
follicles and the sebaceous glands in the skin, mainly occurring on
the face, back and chest. Many adolescents will at some time have a
few spots: a relatively small percentage have more troublesome spots
referred to as acne.
Grease glands are controlled by the sex hormones and this is why acne
arises at puberty. In males, these hormones are produced mainly in the
testicles and, in females, by the ovaries and adrenal glands. However,
acne is seldom due to an excess of these hormones; usually, it is due
to an excessive response of the grease glands to normal hormone levels
 View related feature in Stella
There are various types of arthritis: osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis
and gout.
Osteoarthritis is the inflammation of joints where the ends of two bones
meet, usually caused by wear and tear or degenerative changes in the
joint surfaces. Almost any joint in the body can be affected but the
most common are the spine, fingers, hip, knee and toe joints. It is the
most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as spondylosis.
The cause is not completely understood but it is thought to be due to
a disturbance in the normal stresses across the joint, due to getting
older or having had an injury. Metabolic, genetic and other factors may
also contribute. The lining of the bone ends (cartilage) become thinner,
causing pain in the affected joint as the cartilage wears away and ultimately
leads to bone rubbing on bone.
Typically people of around 60 years of age suffer from this condition
and can experience:
- increased early morning stiffness which wears off as the day goes by
- difficulty in climbing up and down stairs (knees)
- occasional clicking noises in the affected joints
- occasional swelling in the joints
Rheumatoid arthritis is severe inflammatory joint disease in which the
body's system acts against the joints, damaging them and the surrounding
soft tissue. Although the most commonly affected parts of the body are
the joints, the whole body can be affected in some way. It generally
affects both sides of the body and can be very disabling.
Typically, the symptoms occur in people younger than those with osteoarthritis.
The condition affects women more frequently than men and has a tendency
to run in families.
There has been a lot of research in the field of rheumatoid arthritis
in the last 20 years and treatment is now much more successful.
Gout, also known as podagra, is known as ‘the disease of kings
and the king of diseases’ and has caused problems for many centuries.
It is one of the most common – and one of the most painful – conditions
involving inflammation of the joints (arthritis). It affects 10 times
more men than women and can occur at anytime after puberty. In women
it usually only occurs post-menopausally. There is usually a family history
of the disorder.
It is caused by the formation of crystals of uric acid in a joint -
most often the big toe, but can also affect the hand, wrist, elbow, knee,
ankle and foot. The joints swell and become so painful that even a blanket
draped over the affected area is unbearable.
Several factors cause the condition including a rich diet, alcohol consumption
and weight.
Gout is best treated in the early stages before it causes permanent damage
to the joints.
Eight out of ten of us will suffer from lower back pain at some point
in our lives. In most cases this is “non-specific” back
pain, due to a mechanical disorder which may be a ligament strain,
a muscle tear, damage to a spinal joint, or prolapse of an invertebral
disc. This is often a temporary problem caused by heavy lifting or
carrying or moving awkwardly, etc, and can be treated with analgesic
drugs and rest.
If the pain runs into the legs, particularly down the backs or sides
of the thighs, or if there is numbness, this could mean that there is
a more serious cause such as nerve entrapment or sciatica.
A good exercise regime or physiotherapy can help with most forms of
back pain. By taking care, exercising, and applying some common-sense
rules it is possible to significantly reduce the chances of it recurring
Infection by the fungus Candida Albicans, also known as thrush most commonly
affects the vagina, but can also affect the inside of the mouth, or
moist skin causing itching, soreness and usually a thick white discharge.
Most women will have an infection at some point in their life. Although
it is uncomfortable, thrush is not a serious threat to health and does
not cause other health problems. The condition is easy to treat and for
most women the infection can be treated and cured in two or three days.
A few women (around 5%) will go on to have repeated thrush infections
that can be difficult to get rid of.
Also commonly known as ME or post-viral fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) is a condition of feeling extremely tired nearly all
the time. This tiredness cannot be medically explained and it does
not improve with rest or sleep.
It is often accompanied by physical aches and pains and by mental symptoms
such as forgetfulness, lack of concentration, and depression.
CFS is often a long-term condition, but treatment can help to make the
symptoms easier to live with.
CFS can affect anyone. Females are affected three times more often than
males; the peak incidence occurring between the ages of 25 and 45. It
is estimated that around one in every 100 people is affected by CFS.
Dandruff is a common, harmless condition in which dead skin is shed from
the scalp. It is often irritating and produces unsightly white flakes
in the hair, which drop onto the collar and shoulders of clothes. The
usual cause of the condition is seborrhoeic dermatitis, an itchy, scaly
rash on the scalp, which may also affect the face, chest and back. The
sebaceous glands excrete fatty toxins (sebum) through the skin and, in
dandruff, this causes the dry dead outer layers of skin to flake off.
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, sometimes due to an allergy but
in many cases occurring without any known cause. There are many forms
of dermatitis – the most common are better known as excema. Apart
from excema, the three main types of skin inflammation are seborrhoeic
dermatitis, (dandruff) contact dermatitis and photodermatitis.
Contact dermatitis is when the skin reacts to some substance that it
comes into contact with, most commomly, detergents, nickel (jewellery,
zips,) chemicals and plants.
Photodermatitis is an extreme sensitivity to light. Clusters of spots
or blisters develop on any part of the body exposed to the sun.
It is likely that nearly 80% of the population have gas or digestive
problems. In some cases this can turn into chronic acidity and heartburn,
chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic acidity
Bloating and indigestion are symptoms of excess acidity. If you are in
a hurry and gulp your food down, not only do you eat a lot more than
you need before you feel satisfied, you create an abnormal situation
for digestion. The stomach then starts producing excessive acid and
by swallowing air you could get the acid and food back in your mouth.
Bloating and excess gas is usually caused by excess acid.
Heartburn
This is a burning pain in the centre of the chest which may travel from
the tip of the sternum to the throat. It may be caused by overeating,
by eating rich or spicy food or by drinking alcohol. Recurrent heartburn
is usually caused by acid reflux. It can often be brought on by lying
down or bending forwards and may cause chest pain that is mistaken for
the pain of heart disease.
Constipation
This is a condition that is better prevented
than cured. Once the bowels get used to evacuating only periodically,
it is difficult to retrain them to function regularly again. Chronic
constipation causes many problems and here are some of them:
- Haemorrhoids.
- Fissures in the bowels.
- Flatulence
- Colitis
- Toxins
- Skin rashes
- Joint ache and sinusitis
- Mineral absorption
Psoriasis and excema (also known as atopic dermatitis) are common non-contagious
skin diseases. It is still uncertain what causes psoriasis although stress,
anxiety and/or erratic diet are key factors. Psoriasis can occur at any
age, most cases occur after the age of 15 but before the age of 35.
Excema may be caused by an abnormality of the immune system or by an
allergy, although it often appears without any known reason. There are
several factors that do not cause the disorder, but may trigger or worsen
an excema attack. These include extreme temperatures, skin irritants
(lotions, soaps, and rough fabrics), certain foods, as well as stress
or anxiety.
There are several types of psoriasis and each has unique symptoms. The
symptoms of the most common type, plaque psoriasis, include a burning
feeling and persistent itch, and thick red patches of skin covered with
silvery-white scales. Symptoms can appear anywhere on the body but are
most often located on the elbows, hands, knees, feet, groin, and scalp.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (excema) are cracked and itchy skin that
appears swollen and red and is often painful to the touch. They can appear
anywhere on the body, but are most often located on the elbows, backs
of the hands, knees, and feet — and in children, on the face. In
addition, some types of excema may also cause blisters or lesions, extremely
dry skin, and skin peeling. Patients may also have several small skin
infections as a result of the cracked skin. Atopic dermatitis is persistent
and subject to recurrent flare-ups.
Repeated stress can lead to a range of conditions such as hypertension,
strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, ulcers and neck or lower back pain.
Today’s frequent flyers face a whole host of threats to their
security and well-being, from terrorist attacks, deep vein thrombosis
(blood clots in the leg) and radiation exposure, to flying phobia and
air rage. Many people unable to cope with the demands of frequent travel
can experience poor performance and burnout.
The Stress of Flying
Frequent flying can take not only a physical but also a psychological
toll on passengers. A recent survey of World Bank Employees compared
the health claims of managers and professional workers who engaged in
international travel with employees who did not travel. The findings
revealed that the travellers were three times more likely to complain
of anxiety, stress and psychological issues than those who did not fly.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the intestines
(bowels). Symptoms include abdominal pain and a change in bowel habit
(diarrhoea, constipation or both).
Symptoms include alternating periods of constipation and diarrhoea, cramps,
abdominal pain, gas and bloating. For some, these symptoms amount to
little more than a minor inconvenience for others they are severe enough
to be disabling.
The condition is thought to affect 20% of the population, with women
being more susceptible than men.
View related feature in Stella
Every individual’s requirements for sleep are different. Some people
can function on five hours of sleep at night, while others perform better
with nine, ten or even more hours. Most adults need eight hours of sleep.
Children and adolescents require more. People usually sleep less as they
get older, especially after the age of 60.
Disturbance of sleep is caused from:
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels)
- Indigestion
- Muscle aches
- Breathing problems
- Anxiety, stress, depression, grief
- Caffeine consumption
- Certain drugs e.g. appetite suppressants,
antidepressants, beta-blockers
- Thyroid replacement drugs etc
Exercise:
Regular exercise is an excellent way to make the body tired.
This breathing exercise should be performed just before bedtime to help
relaxes the muscles. Lie on your back while breathing in, push the tummy
up, hold for 40 seconds then release. Start with three times and increase
up to 10. Do not overdo.
Nutrients:
• Calcium- 800 – 1000mg has a calming effect
• Magnesium- 600 – 800mg relaxes the muscles
Herbs:
• Valerian root taken in capsule or extract form
• Camomile as a tincture or tea, has mild sedative properties. It
calms and tones the Nervous System
• Herbal extract such as Slumber from Nature’s Answer or Silent
Night from Nature’s Way can also be helpful
Recommendations:
- Avoid tobacco- Nicotine is a neurostimulant and can cause sleep
problems
- Avoid caffeine containing beverages and medical drugs
- In the
evening eat turkey, tuna, whole grains, bananas, figs, dates, plain
yoghurt, milk (if not sensitive), they are high in Tryptophan, which
promotes sleep
- Eating half a grapefruit at bedtime is helpful
- Avoid bacon,
cheese, chocolate, aubergine, ham, sugar, sweets, sausages, spinach,
tomatoes and wine; they contain Tyramine, which increase the release
of noradrenaline that acts as a stimulant
- Take a hot bath one-two
hours before bedtime. This will relax the muscles and nervous system
Stress is an inevitable consequence of
twenty-first century life, whether it be in the workplace or a domestic
situation. Stress is unavoidable but it can be managed in a way which
preserves your health, energy and relationships.
Conflict is at the root of most stress, and may be caused by dilemmas,
having to decide between two conflicting aims. Pressure is another. The
nervous system follows a rhythm and pattern, when it is hurried you become
stressed because the mind has its own cyclical pattern. Interfering with
the natural rhythm causes stress. The final form of stress comes from
human relationships. Conflicts, clashes, quarrels, overcrowding, antisocial
behaviour, etc.
The body reacts to a perceived threat or concern for the body, by the
release of norephedrine (popularly known as adrenalin) from two adrenal
glands above the kidneys. When released into the bloodstream the body
responds with “fight or flight”. The hormones are released
into the bloodstream and transported all over the body within seconds.
This explains the over-whelming response and why all parts of the body
react simultaneously, producing:
- increased heart rate
- increased breathing rate
- increased metabolic rate
- muscle tension
The body can become conditioned to stressful situations if they are
repeated often enough, and can respond with the symptoms of stress even
when there is no obvious threat. So even when the body tries to rest
it cannot –sleep is disturbed, blood pressure is raised, and panic
attacks occur.
There are many diseases that have direct or indirect links with stress,
including:
- psychological diseases
- high blood pressure
- psoriasis
- certain forms of excema
- neurodermatitis
- autoimmune diseases
- weak immune system
- increased sensitivity to allergens (allergies)
etc
Menopause
Menopause is a natural event that happens at the end of a woman’s
child-bearing years. As you get older your ovaries gradually stop producing
oestrogen and progesterone. Eventually, your ovaries produce so little
oestrogen that your periods stop altogether. You are now said to be
going through the menopause, and it is the reduced level of these hormones
that cause the problems associated with the menopause. These problems
include night sweats and hot flushes, vaginal dryness and psychological
symptoms ranging from poor concentration, tearfulness and loss of interest
in sex, to full depressive illness.
Fertility
Infertility is on the rise in the urban society, especially in the West.
At a time when the population is booming in some parts of the world,
there are people who cannot conceive at all. Some reports seem to indicate
that there is a decrease in male sperm count and there are increased
menstrual problems in women.
Causes of infertility may include:
- Lack of ovulation and maturation of the egg cell
- Blocked
fallopian tubes that direct the egg to the womb
- Poor thickening
of the lining of the uterus
- Poor general health (anaemia, very
low blood pressure)
- Small uterus
Cellulite
Cellulite is an accumulation of white fat cells which are deposited as
a compensatory mechanism whenever there is a deficiency of the female
hormone oestrogen in the body. Young women with period problems or older
women approaching menopause often get fatty deposits on their hips, thighs
and arms as well as their tummies - the classic sites for cellulite.
The best way to correct this problem is to balance your hormones.
Migraine
Migraine affects at least 10% of the population, and it is three times
more common in women than in men.
It is a severe headache, lasting anything
from two hours to two days, accompanied by disturbances of vision, and/or
nausea and vomiting. A sufferer may experience only a single attack.
More commonly it is recurrent, at varying intervals.
Painful Periods
This is a very common problem which can usually be eased quite simply.
There are two types of pain: the first comes from the actual uterus (womb)
and the second from the abdominal walls (muscles, ligaments).
First, the pain from the uterus. Strong ligaments (fibrous tissue) cover
the whole of the uterus and keep it erect - suspended in the tissue.
But if the uterus is bulky or the supporting sheaths of tissue are weak,
the top heavy uterus - remember it's shaped like an upside down pear
with the base at the top - tilts forward (anteflexion) or backward (retroflexion).
This tilt means that a kink forms in the lower part of the uterus. As
the period starts (menstruation), the uterus contracts to expel the blood
and the mass of endometrial tissue from the wall of the womb. The problem
is that it can't because of the kink. More blood accumulates and the
uterus fills up. It tries harder and the contractions become more violent.
This causes intense colicky pain, rather like labour pain. It’s
sometimes so painful that women pass out. This drama continues - until
the uterus is so filled up with blood that it is forced to become more
or less erect. Suddenly, the blockage is released and blood rushes out
bringing almost instant relief from the pain.
If, however, the pain is continous rather than colicky and spasmodic,
it is usually caused by gases and premenstrual distension of the lower
abdomen.The second is caused by weak spots in the abdominal wall due
to muscles going in different directions. What seems to happen is that
internal gases or pressure of some sort can push the peritoneum (the
sensitive lining of the abdomen) into these weak spots in the muscles
and cause a tiny hernia which brings excruciating, continuous pain when
the uterus contracts with menstruation.
|
