Karen’s Free Health and Fitness Tips

Even though millions of people have sleeping problems only a fraction of those people have medical conditions that cause sleeplessness. How do you know if your problem is perhaps just mild insomnia? If is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep though the night, or if you wake up feeling tired or sleepy during the day, you might have a sleep disorder or mild insomnia.

Since most medical treatments for sleep disorders are only for people that have been diagnosed with a serious sleeping disorder most people that have sleeping problems turn to alternative medicine for treatment of their sleeping problems instead of opting for sleeping pills. They opt for something else because sleeping pills can be addictive, so most people prefer alternatives first.

Alternative medicine is used by lots of people and has been proven effective at treating certain conditions like poor sleep and insomnia. There are alternative medical treatments like massage or acupuncture that can be used or there are alternative practices like meditation, yoga and stress management that also have been proven to help people sleep better.

Like other applications of alternative health care, alternative medicine for bad breath aims to get rid of the problem by identifying the cause and correcting it without drugs. While this approach may require more effort, including significant lifestyle changes, it is probably more likely to yield real and long-lasting results than the long term use of breath fresheners and antibacterial preparations.

Alternative bad breath cures address the source of the odor-bacteria in the mouth that are breaking down proteins and sugars and releasing rotten smelling compounds as a byproduct. What causes most cases is the presence, in the mouth, of bits of food and cellular debris, along with the bacteria capable of using that material for food. Alternative medicine for bad breath addresses both the debris and the bacteria.

Obviously, keeping the mouth clean and healthy is the first step. Alternative bad breath cures start with a thorough professional dental cleaning and a regular routine of self care that includes bushing the teeth several times each day, flossing daily, brushing the tongue, and regularly scheduled checkups at the dentist. Theories of alternative medicine for it hold that most cases of halitosis will be cured with this approach. Where tooth decay and gum disease are present, these conditions may have to be cleared up before this will completely disappear.

History has it that alternative medicine goes back 5000 years to Chinese traditional medicine, Indian (Ayuryedic medicine) and similar healing traditions in many cultures. The common belief was that the energy of the body had to be in harmony with the mind, body and spirit. A doctor merely facilitated the healing by identifying and taking away obstacles that would inevitably lead to a cure. Therapy included lifestyle changes, self-care and preventative measures.

Today, what we know of as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has roots going back 5,000 years to Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine), Indian (Ayurvedic medicine) and similar healing traditions. For thousands of years, these diverse medical traditions held a belief in the energy of the body and the need for harmony between mind, body and spirit. Doctor’s simply facilitated the healing process by identifying and removing obstacles.

Throughout most of the 19th century, doctors used the same skills as today’s herbalists, osteopaths and dieticians; they were generous with time and empathy, and relied on a good bedside manner. Prayer was important, as was “a change of air,” laxatives, bleeding and leeches. Right up until the early 20th century, sick people relied on much the same kind of therapies as their ancestors.

“There has got to be an alternative medicine for asthma to replace these expensive and bad for me asthma meds.” I don’t know if you have ever made that statement or just thought it but either way it is a good question to ask. Most people have grown so accustomed to not questioning the medical world that they just take for granted that what they prescribe is not only the best option but the only option for treating their Asthma problem. Well I hope you will put your guards down as I tell you about some alternative medicine for asthma.

Gingko Biloba - an herb that originates in China but you should be able to find it at your local natural store and if not there then you will find it online. One Study that was done in China showed a 15% FEV (Forced Expiratory Volume) improvement after just 2 months of treatment

Tsumura Saibu-to - as far as Alternative Medicine for Asthma goes this one is one of the most popular in both Japan and China. This is a mixture of 10 different herbs that has recieved much in the way of postive feedback from those that have tried it. Many have reported a very noticable improvment in their breathing while taking this medicine.

Lately, there are more and more herbal based medicine and health products with herbal ingredients in the market. There are many reasons why consumers and even producers are focusing on this niche. The main reason is because herbal based products carry a bulk of benefits and is even capable of reducing risks posed by normal chemically based products. Are you looking for alternative medicine, health products with herbal ingredients?

What are the benefits of these herbal based products?

The benefits of herbal based medicine or health products are :
Herbal medicine and health products can cure or reduce almost any condition that patients might take to their doctor. Common diseases or problems usually seen by herbalists include skin problems such as psoriasis, acne and eczema, digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion.

Heart and blood circulatory diseases or problems like angina, high blood pressure, varicose veins, varicose ulcers can also be treated successfully. Gynaecological disorders like premenstrual syndrome and menopausal problems can also be treated by herbal based medicines and products. It does not stop there, Herbal products can also ease conditions such as arthritis, insomnia, stress, migraine and headaches, tonsillitis, influenza and allergic responses like hay fever and asthma.

The open sores which appear in the mouth are called as mouth ulcers. They are white or yellow in color, and are generally accompanied with a sharp pain, which is felt most when the person is eating. The pain is quite acute when salty or spicy food passes over the ulcer. Mouth ulcers can occur anywhere in the mouth – on the inner surface of the cheeks, lips, tongue, palate and at the base of the gums.

Mouth ulcers are caused due to vitiation of the pitta dosha. The condition is called as Mukha Paaka in Sanskrit. There are several factors that can cause it. Some of them are as follows:-

1 Wrong diet

2 Digestive problems such as constipation

3 Hormonal imbalances, especially during puberty in girls

4 Anemia

5 Constant stress

6 Hereditary factors

7 Infection of the herpes simplex virus

8 Irritation by some chemicals, tobacco and alcohol

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Mouth Ulcers

1. Banyan (Ficus religiosa)

A decoction of the bark of the banyan tree reduces the pain caused by mouth ulcers.

2. Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula)

Around the world, more and more people are returning to alternative medicine as a means of treating various health issues, problems, conditions, and concerns. One of the oldest forms of Alternative Medicine is acupuncture which originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Its uses have grown rapidly in the United States for the effective treatment of various conditions.

Acupuncture does not involve the use of any sort of drug and therefore is completely non-toxic. There are several physical symptoms and conditions which acupuncture can be used to relieve and treat. Among them are the reduction of stress and back pain, improving eyesight, the treatment of high blood pressure, gastric disorders, headaches, infertility and sleep disorders. Acupuncture can also be used effectively in weight loss, appetite control and reducing obesity.

Another form of Alternative Medicine is magnetic therapy. Although it has been used for centuries throughout Asia, India, Greece and Egypt, it has just recently begun to gain popularity in Europe and North America and is still regarded as experimental. Magnetic therapy provides effective relief for a wide variety of ailments and common health problems.

The idea that a person might be able to use alternative medicine for hair loss is an appealing idea. After all most of us love the idea of a natural solution. But is there any evidence suggesting that alternative medicine for hair loss might actually work and more importantly will it work for me? To better understand whether or not alternative medicine for hair loss could be a viable alternative to reverse balding first we must look at the process.

Every day on your scalp there a silent battle brewing between hair loss and hair replacement with approximately 100 hairs being lost and replaced. Generally, this struggle goes unnoticed due to the large number of scalp hairs, approximately 100,000. That is unless the number of hairs lost accelerates dramatically or the hair replacement cycle is interrupted or a combination of the two.

There are a myriad of causes for the hair replacement cycle to become unbalanced including genetics, hormones, surgery, stress, severe anxiety, disease, chemotherapy drugs, pregnancy, blood pressure medication, hormones, autoimmune disorders, crash diets or malnutrition.

Maybe your doctor recently broke the news that you have diabetes. Or you have learnt that you are at risk of getting diabetes. And so now you are worried – scared of what diabetes will do to you. Worried about the drugs you have to take and their side effects. Its not just you who alone is worrying. There are about 21 million American adults and children who suffer from some form of diabetes. Though insulin and other anti diabetic drugs are available, many are now resorting to alternative medicine.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is condition in which the glucose in your blood is higher than normal either because the hormone insulin is not secreted at all or whatever insulin is secreted does not work properly. This increased blood glucose affects almost all the important organs in our body including the heart and kidney. It is said that diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death. Insulin and oral anti diabetic drugs are routinely prescribed to treat diabetes.

Alternative medicine – the new trend

Why would anyone consider an alternative to conventional prescription medications when either a single medication or a combination of medicines will decrease or eliminate depressive symptoms over 80% of the time? This is a question many doctors and people who have experienced good results would ask anyone who is considering an alternative depression medication. While a compelling argument there are at least four reasons why a person might choose an alternative medicine for depression over a convention SSRI.
 
*Side effects - This is the 600 pound ill tempered gorilla hidden in the closet of many of the most popular antidepressant medications. Sure you may be able to teach the gorilla to count to 50 but if he has a bad attitude you might be in for a rough time. Some people get the counting gorillas and others get the one with the bad attitude. Are you willing to take the chance?
 
*Long term commitment -   If your doctor placed you on an SSRI or other antidepressant medication and it failed to work as successfully as anticipated your physician might recommend a lifelong regime of treatment combined with a new and larger dose of medication. If done correctly long term treatment appears to be, for the most part, safe if monitored by your doctor, nevertheless currently researchers don’t have a clear picture as to the long term risks.
 
*Just not for me - Some people would rather try behavioral modification techniques such as behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, or interpersonal therapy before jumping headlong into the world of prescription medications for depression.
 
*Pregnancy or breastfeeding - There is anecdotal evidence and animal studies that suggest antidepressant medications may have a negative effect on the fetus. Until this area is better understood many mothers to be, expecting mothers and nursing moms are opting on side of caution.
 
In conclusion there are many reasons why an alternative medicine for depression, a psychological self help therapy, or a natural herbal depression remedy might be a better option for some. For others conventional prescription anti-depressant medications are the best option. In the end it has a lot to do with each person’s specific situation and the way their unique body chemistry reacts to whatever type of treatment is selected.

By: Robert D Hawkins