Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Remedies For Excessive Sweating

Author: Andrew Jamaz
Despite the fact that we all sweat naturally especially in very warm, badly ventilated rooms, or when working out, excessive sweating is a valid health problem known as hyperhidrosis. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis normally report profuse sweating of the armpits, hands and feet, although it isn't uncommon to have abnormal sweating of the groin, back, scalp and pretty much any other places where there are numerous sweat glands. There's even one kind of excessive sweating that only occurs at night, called sleep hyperhidrosis. It doesn't matter where the excessive sweating occurs because all variations cause issues for the sufferer such as their sweaty hands causing accidents, social problems with handshakes or armpit stains. Unfortunately, in addition to the problem with sweating, thereis also the concern of having bad body odor if the sweat isn't often washed away. Before seeking treatment of hyper-hidrosis, it's necessary to know how sweat glands are controlled normally. In people without abnormal sweating problems, the sweat glands are regulated by the central nervous system... specifically the sympathetic nervous system. Humans have hardly any control over the actions of the sympathetic nervous system. It's the part that regulates our heart-beat, our breathing, our gut movement and many other body functions we're unaware of.. unless something stops working properly. People who have normal sweat patterns can see how the sympathetic nervous system activates sweating by noticing how much additional sweat is produced simply by being nervous. It may just be an inconvenience to people with normal sweat patterns, but to a hyperhidrosis sufferer, that is the "usual" activity level of their sweat glands! The regulation of sweating goes wrong in sufferers of hyperhidrosis. Scientists know the cause is over-active nerves leading to the sweat glands, because anti-cholinergic drugs, injections of botox, or surgery to sever the nerve leading to the sweat glands will stop the sweating. Those are three of the more dramatic ways to deal with hyperhidrosis. Simpler solutions for excessive sweating are mental relaxation techniques, not drinking caffeinated drinks, using strong antiperspirants such as those with aluminium chloride and avoiding spicy foods. Some people believe that sage tea and zinc may decrease sweating. Usually most people who have abnormal sweating will go for cheap, natural solutions, and if they don't work will consider the more expensive treatments. Some of the most dramatic treatments (surgery and drugs) can have side-effects, so check with a doctor before taking any action regarding abnormal sweating.
About the Author:

For more information on treating hyperhidrosis, please visit the stop excessive sweating blog

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/remedies-for-excessive-sweating-788203.html

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Women’s Midlife Support Formula™

3 Tips For Choosing Natural Menopause Remedies

Author: Candice Jones-Hughes

Many women want to use natural menopause remedies but may not know where to start or which remedies to use. There can be big differences in philosophy between linear science-based modern medicine and more holistic philosophies such as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) or Ayurvedic medicine. Understanding these differences will make it easier to choose specific natural menopause remedies.



There are also many modalities to choose from. The most basic approaches will have the most effective long-term impact on your health. For example, eating healthy and getting enough exercise will support your health in multiple areas and increase your life and your ability to enjoy it.



Using herbs or vitamin supplements to correct problems will be way less effective if you are not eating right. For example, I have had digestive issues since peri-menopause. I use the herbs gentian and ginger to help with indigestion and heartburn. But if I continue to eat foods that I am now more sensitive to like wheat, I will further damage my digestive system and the herbs will be a band-aid, at best. If I change my diet and use the herbs to support my digestive system while it is healing, I will impact my health in a positive way.



This is very different from what we are taught through modern medicine. Every problem has a drug you can take. Does it cure you or heal you? Mostly no. It masks the symptom. Hypertension medication does not lower your blood pressure in a healthy way - that's why you have to keep taking it. But losing ten pounds can lower your blood pressure long-term by correcting the problem.



Tip #1 for Choosing Natural Menopause Remedies - Understand the Difference between Modern Medicine and Holistic Medicine



Modern medicine



Modern medicine generally offers quick relief, although there is usually a cost. For example many medications for high blood pressure have serious side effects. Many people are used to this approach, so they think the cost is inevitable. It's easy, it doesn't take any discipline. Most people come to alternative approaches either because modern medicine failed them completely, or the cost became too great.



Holistic medicine



Herbs and supplements may be more subtle and take longer to notice than pharmaceuticals. This is not always true, however. I remember someone telling me they chose an antidepressant medication over an herb like St. John's wort because they wanted fast relief. St. John's wort and antidepressant medications take a similar amount of time to work, and St. John's wort may have less side effects.



That brings up another point that many people miss when they start using herbs or vitamins. St. John's wort is not a general all-purpose remedy for people with depression. It is useful for very specific conditions, and not for others. So just because your friend, or someone in a health forum says they received fantastic benefits from taking St. John's wort doesn't mean it will work for you. It doesn't even mean you should run out and get some to try - not without doing your research first. There may be contraindications you should know about.



Tip # 2 - Get to Know Your Body



The better you understand your body the better you will be able to care for it. We each have unique physiologies and life circumstances. Choosing good natural menopause remedies is easier when you have an understanding of how your particular body works..



For example, "The Family Guide to Homeopathy" by Dr. Andrew Lockie, lists six different remedies for hot flashes. Each remedy has a different symptom picture. You choose the remedy by matching your symptom picture with the matching remedy. For example Lachesis, 30c has this symptom picture: "Hot flashes, sweating, constricted feeling around abdomen, headache upon waking, dizziness, flooding during periods, great talkativeness." Kali carb. 30c has this picture: "Hot flashes, loss of appetite, backache, feeling very taut and nervous, palpitations, symptoms worse around 3am." (Lockie) If neither of these pictures matches your symptoms, you have four other remedies to choose from.



Ayurvedic medicine distinguishes three metabolic principles, or doshas, Kapha, Pitta and Vata. These principles affect your physiology in different ways, and you can be out of balance which will affect your health. You can change the amount of kapha, pitta or vata influence you are under with diet and other factors. The Western tradition has it's constitutional types - phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine and melancholic. Each type has different characteristics, and some herbalists and other holistic practitioners will use remedies that are best suited for your particular type. Understanding your body will also help you choose between several different herbs to help you sleep or which herbs may help with hot flashes.



One way to become more aware of your body is to keep a journal. You can include the food you ate that day with your moods and any other health issues you want to keep track of. If you have issues you've been putting up with for awhile, like mild back pain or postnasal drip, you may forget to note them at first.



With some practice you will begin to notice more and more about your body. When I first started working with herbs, I used to get several colds each year. I knew I had a cold when my nose started running or my throat was sore and scratchy. After awhile I got so that I would know at the very beginning of the cold, and then I could tell I was going to be sick before there were any of these symptoms. I usually got really tired right before the symptoms would break out. I now take a supplement when I know I'm getting sick and I can almost always avoid the cold completely.



Tip #3 - Seek Out Alternative Practitioners



One way to learn about natural menopause remedies is to work with a practitioner. I like to work with people with both M.D. training and some form of alternative medicine training. That way I know that any serious medical conditions will be diagnosed and treated along with any natural approaches, by someone trained in both systems. I have worked with doctors who are homeopaths, doctors who are also nutritional experts, and I currently work with a doctor trained in anthroposophical medicine.



With a little practice and self-education, you can learn to choose the best natural menopause remedies for your situation, and benefit from the health supportive approaches used in natural medicine.

About the Author:
Candice Hughes attended the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine. For info on finding practitioners and licensing, see Natural Menopause Remedies For info on using herbs, see Herbs for Menopause

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/3-tips-for-choosing-natural-menopause-remedies-779285.html

Hot Flash Ease™

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Psyllium Husk

Healing Hemorrhoids - Why Natural Remedies Actually Help

Author: Bryan Hufford

If you are suffering from a painful condition of hemorrhoids, then a natural remedy is surely one of the best ways to go. Most hemorrhoids will react positively to such treatments, though these treatments themselves might differ according to the seriousness and intensity of your condition.


Hemorrhoids generally require you to relieve the affected area. You might also want to take some better dietary and lifestyle decisions.


The best way to go about healing hemorrhoids is to apply the various gels or ointments easily available in the market for this purpose. These help to soothe the irritated area, specially if you have just passed bowel. Witch hazel helps you to rub the area clean, and stool softener helps ease the pain.


These should ensure that your hemorrhoid gets cured within a few days.


Aloe, in its untainted ointment form is also useful in healing hemorrhoids. Witch hazel is a natural sharp antiseptic and thus, rather helpful. It also helps to increase your intake of fiber because that makes your stool soft, and your bowel movements easier. For example, you can up the quantity of vegetables and fruits you have. Start the change by choosing to have bran at morning. Also, remember to drink lots of water to make processes easier.


If your painful condition persists even after this, it is probably best to consult a physician. However, do remember, that there are many effective natural remedies to this problem, and please check out all of them before coming under a surgeons knife.


To find out how you can eliminate your hemorrhoids naturally and effectively (sometimes even within just 48 hours), you need to visit Healing Hemorrhoids now. It could change your life!

About the Author:

If you want to how you can cure your hemorrhoids for good, just click here to learn more.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/healing-hemorrhoids-why-natural-remedies-actually-help-764187.html

Butcher's Broom

Thursday, February 5, 2009

To Go Herbal or not -- That is the Question

To Go Herbal or not -- That is the Question

Author: Kevin Hensey

The rising popularity of organic lifestyle has created a new fad. Before joining the bandwagon, here are some things you need to know before making a decision on whether to go herbal or not.



What is the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement?


Food and Drug Administrations in different countries define drugs as chemicals that prevent and cure ailments and diseases, improve the quality of life, and alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body. These drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a drug that lowers the body temperature in fever.



Herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements. The main difference is that these do not have approved therapeutic claims. Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, or amino acids that supplement the diet of an individual. These are not intended as substitutes to food or medicine.



Most of the manufactured medicines come from animals and plants. Through the years, chemists isolated life-saving components. Further drug research and development lead to the production of a variety of drugs from synthetic sources.



Herbal supplements are made from herbs reduced into powder or gel form and later packaged as tablets and capsules. Because of this, the medical community raised concern about the presence of life-threatening or chemistry-altering components in herbal capsules.



Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?


Yes. One such concern is the proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten lives. One way of preventing this is to have the supplements registered with the proper authority. Quality and safety of herbal supplements is ensured with the proper classification and monitoring of production.



Is it worth the risk?


Yes. It cannot be discounted that people who have tried herbal supplements experienced improvements in their health. Of course, certain things must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:



1) Your doctor knows best.


Seek clearance from your doctor. People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble are cautioned from taking these supplements. Kava, which used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate and cause heart attack. There have been documented cases by the American Medical Association.



2) Follow the directions for use.


Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor or instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it.



Keep in mind that herbal supplements have no approved curative effect. Herbal supplements are not therapeutic. Be wary of some claims indicated in product pamphlet or label of the bottle.



If you are undergoing treatment for diseases, never substitute these supplements for the medications prescribed by your doctor. It is never meant as substitute for maintenance drugs for blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol, and fight off infections.



With this knowledge, you can make better decisions on whether to go herbal or not!



For more information on nutrition click http://tinyurl.com/chj85n


About the Author:

Kevin Hensey speaks at business clubs on health and personal growth. He has written articles regarding personal development.

His website is:

http://www-powerbooks.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/to-go-herbal-or-not-that-is-the-question-758361.html