Homeopathic Remedies

Nearly forty million Americans are affected with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis which are two of the most common arthritis types. Arthritis is characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness, deformity and lack of mobility.

Let us throw some light on the two most common types of arthritis rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. We will look in detail as to the reasons and the preventive measures to be taken by patients who are affected.

· Osteoarthritis is damage of the articular cartilage, which is caused due to rubbing of joints against one another. It mostly occurs in the knee, arm, shoulder and spine.

Any previous injury, stress or natural defect in the protein of the cartilage causes osteoarthritis.

· Rheumatoid involves the entire body and the symptoms patients experience are swelling, fever, anemia, weight loss, fatigue, severe pain and stiffness.

The bones fuse together resulting in loss of mobility and stiffness. The causes for this could be malnutrition, rich fat diet, stress or allergies.

Rheumatoid arthritis is supposed to be caused by metabolic disturbance or autoimmune disorder but the exact reason is still been researched and debated.

The usual and widely practiced treatment of arthritis involves nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID such as aspirin has short term benefits. They also cause side effects such as abdominal pain, allergic reactions, dizziness, headache, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, fluid retention, liver and kidney damage.

People are scared to use the conventional medicines and millions of them are turning towards natural and alternative forms of medicine for arthritis treatment.

There are many natural homeopathic remedies that are used to control the pain and swelling. A few of these very popular ones are listed below:

· Arnicais useful for the treatment of rheumatism. The joints become swollen, hard and mobility is affected. Arnica reduces the swelling and pain.

· Bryonia is prescribed when the arthritis condition becomes quite acute and the patient is advised rest and massage to relieve the inflammation.

· Rhus Toxis advised when there is a lot of pain and movement becomes limited.

· Rutais used to treat osteoarthritis and it reduces the soreness of the joints.

· Causticumis prescribed for chronic rheumatoid arthritis which at times even leads to deformity.

· Nux VomicaIn certain cases build -up of toxins in the system causes arthritis and it is treated with this natural arthritis homeopathic medicine.

7 Things You May Not Know About the Sunshine Act

Since the Sunshine Act has not been around for a long while and because there are not too many training courses on this matter out there, this law has caused quite some controversy in the medical world. Listed below are some facts about the Sunshine act which you may not know, but you should.
1. The regulations within the Sunshine Act are applicable to all companies involved in the manufacturing of medical products reimbursed by the United States federal government. However, manufacturers are encouraged to also track information regarding products which are not currently reimbursed, because they may become so in the future.
2. More specifically, all medical product manufacturers covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or a state children's health insurance program are required to submit payment reports to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services which is under the US Department of Health and Human Services.
3. All transfers of value amounting to more than $10 between medical companies manufacturing drugs, biological products, or medical devices and physicians or hospitals have to be reported. Transactions between manufacturers and teaching hospitals also have to be reported, as do any payments made to covered recipients. Covered recipients include entities that receive monies from the manufacturing company at the request of a covered recipient.
4. If the financial transaction takes place between the manufacturer and a physician who is an employee of the former, the payment information does not have to be reported to CMS.Additionally, manufactures do not have to disclose items offered under warranty, samples or educational materials for patients, in-kind items offered for use in charity care, rebates or discounts.
5. The first reports under the Sunshine Act regulations are expected to begin on March 31, 2013 and they will contain information gathered during 2012 and will continue in this way for each following calendar year. The information gathered from these reports will be introduced in a database which will be made publicly available online, for anyone to search or download.
6. The reports will include not only financial details of the transaction, but also information regarding the relationship between the manufacturing company and the physician or the physician's ownership interest in the company. If any of the physician's immediate family members (children, spouse, parents, and siblings) are linked with the manufacturing company, this information will also be revealed in the report.
7. The following forms of payment have to be reported: cash, cash equivalent, services, stocks or stock options, ownership, and dividends.If multiple transactions occur between a manufacturer and a physician, each transfer of value has to be reported in a separate line item.
It is still too early to tell how the Sunshine Act will influence the medical industry, but the information presented above represents the most important characteristics of this law so far and should help you better comprehend what it is all about. Certain regulations within this law may change over time, so keep an eye out for updates or news on the Sunshine Act.

The Anti Aging Ingredients

When it comes to anti aging creams and other products, everyone is looking for a quick fix that will reduce those ugly visible signs of aging like wrinkles or fine lines otherwise known as crow's feet or expression lines. We are aging every day but many of us do not know how to go about rejuvenating our skin, yet there are hundreds of products out there all touting that they can help you to do just that. So where do you begin? Let's look at some of the ingredients found in those products so you can narrow down your search and determine what you need.

Allantoin - It is known to aid in the repair of skin and regeneration of skin cells. It also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties and will help to smooth the skin.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) - It contains Glycolic Acid and it will exfoliate the skin and enhance the repair it while it also enhanced the production of collagen and increases the thickness of the skin. It will improve the elasticity of the skin and its texture as well as the skin tone and it will minimize enlarged pores making it an effective way to treat acne.

Beta Hydroxy Acid or Salicylic Acid - Used often for those with oily skin, it is effective in enhancing the tone and texture of the skin and is often used to treat acne as an alternative to AHA. Concentrations should be 1- 2% to be effective.

Coenzyme Q-10 or Co-Q10 - An antioxidant that will repair skin that has been damaged by the sun and will enhance new skin cell growth. It will increase the firmness of the skin and smooth the texture.

DMAE - It is effective in minimizing wrinkles and fine lines and firming up the skin such as skin that sags. It also enhances hydration and is often used along with other vitamins.

Green Tea - It is used as an antioxidant and to help in healing the skin while it reduces skin that is puffy and minimizes inflammation. It will reduce large pores and wrinkles and fine lines. It is often used in moisturizers.

Hyaluronic Acid - It has been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and with Vitamin C will increase absorption into the skin.

Hydroquinone - It is used as a skin lightener to reduce dark spots and hyper-pigmentation problems on the skin. It will effectively bleach the skin to even out the tones. Concentrations should be 1-2% to be effective.

Kinerase - It is often used for those with sensitive skin to decrease fine lines and wrinkles and enhance the skin tones. It is usually used around the eyes and concentrations should be.1%.

Kojic Acid - It is a clinically proven treatment for lightening the skin for hyper-pigmentation problems or brown spots as it will deter the production of melanin in the skin. It can be an alternative to hydroquinone.

Liposomes - These are effective in reducing wrinkles and fine lines while enhancing the texture of the skin. It is also used to provide nutrients directly to the skin cells.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide or Matrixyl - It will enhance the production of collagen and help to repair skin damaged by the sun. It also reduces wrinkles and improves the elasticity of the skin so it is firmer. It is also an alternative to retinol because it does not irritate the skin.

Retinoic Acid or Retin A or Tretinoin - Although it can irritate the skin it is the strongest form of Vitamin A used to treat skin care issues and as an anti aging treatment. It is known to reduce wrinkles, increase production of collagen, exfoliate and smooth the skin while it improves elasticity and reduces the occurrence of acne.

Retinol - Another form of Vitamin A - It is not as effective as Tretinoin because it does not absorb as well into the skin and it can also cause skin irritation.

Retinyl Palmitate - a Vitamin A Derivative - This has similar effects as Tretinoin without being irritable to the skin as it is milder.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid - It increases production of collagen and heals the skin plus has potent antioxidant properties.

Vitamin E or Tocopherol - An antioxidant that will protect the skin and heal it.

Tips To Avoid Getting Or Spreading The Virus

A cold sore is a horrible virus and learning how to prevent a cold sore can be very beneficial especially for those of you that repeatedly get them, this article can be the help you need to avoid getting them over and over again. There are simple changes and things that you can go on to do which can be very effective when it comes down to this. Please note that not every method works for everyone so if one doesn't work try another, there is bound to be one that does work for you as you try to prevent a cold sore.
· Avoid Touching Your Face
Your hands are very dirty; they are a magnet for germs and viruses, that's why you're meant to wash your hands after you go to the toilet. Unfortunately we can't control all the germs from not getting on our hand but the last place you want to spread them is your face.
If you get these germs on your face you are risking getting the virus or lowering your body's defence system which will then go on to leading to a dormant cold sore awakening at this opportunity.
Washing your hands when you can, avoiding to touch your face and even carrying around anti-bacterial soap can be very effective.
· Avoid Triggering An Attack
It is said that these annoying little viruses pop up when your immune system is at a low so you will want to keep it high.
Obviously you can't make yourself never get sick, there will always be something that slips past you but there are things that you can try to avoid that will beat down your immune system.
- Stress
- Illness and fevers
- Fatigue
- Binge drinking
Avoiding these will keep your immune system up as much as possible which will therefore reduce the chances of you going through an outbreak.
· Keep Your Immune System High
As I said before you can't avoid yourself from getting sick but you can strengthen your immune system with zinc lozenges. These can be brought over the counter and are really effective, these will keep your immune system strong even when you're ill and vulnerable to a cold sore attack!
Taking these little zinc lozenges when you notice the first signs of illness is highly recommended as you get your immune system in shape and to prevent a cold sore.

Easy Ways To Treat The Virus From Your Home

A cold sore virus is a horrible thing, thankfully there are some cold sore home remedy methods that you can look through to fight the battle at home instead of having to go out into public without doing a thing about it. These are just simple changes and things you can do with household items so it does not require you to go out and buy anything such as the over the counter medication as well. The following article will give you some useful cold sore home remedy treatments that you can use to help you get rid of cold sores quickly and effectively from your home.
· Milk
As soon as you start to feel the tingling of a cold sore (if you've had them you know that this is the first sign of the virus becoming active and getting ready to form on the lip). You will want to use the milk technique.
This doesn't mean get a cup of milk and drink it, it is simpler than that, all you have to do is soak a cotton ball in milk and then dab it onto the affected area a couple of times a day.
This method has been said to be very effective and people have also claimed that using it early can stop the virus from breaking out.
· Change Your Toothbrush
Changing your toothbrush is a highly effective technique to slow down the rate of infection.
As you know tooth brushes are great for cleaning your teeth and your mouth of germs and plaque but not all of it comes off of the toothbrush once you're done.
When you have the cold sore virus reusing the same toothbrush is going to speed up the infection so you need to change as soon as possible to stop this from happening. This is very effective and is highly recommended for everyone to do otherwise you will just be aiding the virus.
· Nail Polish
This is a very weird method but one that has had some really good results.
It is said that the skin is permeable so by putting anything on it there is always a high chance it will seep in the skin.
So with nail polish it is said that by applying some to the area and letting it sink in can be very effective in getting rid of the cold sore due to some of the chemicals in the mixture.
However also due to the chemicals some of you may suffer allergic reactions or if you have sensitive skin you may go through other side effects so it is worth researching this cold sore home remedy before going on to applying your sisters nail polish to your face straight away.

Healthy Foods, Healthy Living

Do you know that eating the right foods can improve your health? An average person eats three times a day with 2 snacks in between. However, most of the food that comes in the diet are just fillers- food for the stomach, to relieve hunger. However, what most people do not realize is that what you eat today can have a great impact in your health.
There many healthy foods, those found in the kitchens that are often overlooked, that could boost one's health. One example is turmeric. Besides the fact that it is a good source of Vit. C and magnesium, it is also a good source of fiber. However, its most notable characteristic is its anti-inflammatory effect. In fact, it is even combined with cauliflower to cure prostate cancer and prevent the further growth of cancer cells. It is being used nowadays to heal gastrointestinal diseases and even for the cure of gallbladder stones.
Another food often overlooked for its health benefits is garlic. It is effective in lowering low density lipoprotein, the bad cholesterol. Research shows that it has blood thinning effect, important in hypertension control. Even more important, it is shown to decrease risk of stomach and colon cancer. On the other hand, ginger is also a healthy food. Because it also has anti-anflammatory effects, it can block prostaglandin release known for the development of arthritis and migraine.
Salmon is also a food that should be included in one's diet often. It is considered as one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat can lower the risk of heart disease. Beans are also important to have in one's diet as it is nutritionally packed and good in keeping the blood sugar stable, good for diabetes control. Lemon is also good because it boosts the immune system.
Green tea is also good for one's health as it can increase insulin tolerance and increase the metabolic rate. It is even used by some to lose weight, although researches are still inconclusive. However, what I known is that it contains an antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, that can prevent lung, breast and prostate cancer.
If there are healthy foods for the body, there are also those which have bad effects on one's health. Some examples are carcinogenic foods such as pickled, salted and fermented foods, especially implicated in stomach cancer. High intake of fat and calorie are also not good as it promotes several types of cancer such as breast and endometrial. Low intake of vegetables and fruits are also implicated in diseased of the gastrointestinal tract. Alcohol can also bring about diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, hypercholesterolemia and brain dysfunction. Junk foods are also bad for one's health.
Eating healthy foods does not only affect the current status of a person as it also has a bearing in one's future. Some diseases that are not apparent now may manifest in the future. By starting to eat the right kind of food now, healthy living can be obtained.

Joint Pains No More

Joint pains can be really disturbing. Approximately 1 out of 70 UK adults suffer from gout. In the United State, it is estimated to be 840 out of every 100,000 people. The most debilitating aspect of having gout is its inflammatory effect on joints causing pain that has a significant effect on daily living.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "Be temperate in wine, in eating girls, and sloth; or the Gout will seize you and plague you both." There is truth to that. In fact, eating certain foods can exacerbate joint pains. First of all, gout is caused by increased uric acid in the body, which forms deposits in joints and tissues causing inflammation that leads to painful joints with stiffness. The culprit in this exacerbation of pain is food high in purines, which are chemical compounds that form uric acid once metabolized by the body.
One thing that can make a great impact on the lives of those affected with gout is to know which foods are the ones that should be avoided. This includes organ meats, certain fishes, grain, alcohol, legumes and vegetables.
It is best that patients with gout avoid organ meats namely, hearts, kidneys, testicles and brain which contain high purines that cause increased levels of uric acid. The tongue is particularly high in purines as well a mincemeats, broths, meat extracts and bouillons. Other meats include those of goose, duck, partridge, pheasant and turkey
Aside from meat, seafoods can also cause gout pains. These include anchovies, mackerel, herring, sardines, mussels and scallops. Eating fish eggs can also increase uric levels acid as well as haddock and salmon.
Even vegetables, though known to be healthy for most people, can increase uric acid in the body. The main vegetables to be avoided are peas, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, beans, lentils and mushrooms. It is true that these vegetables are nutritious but for those afflicted with gout, it may just cause exacerbation of signs and symptoms.
Grains are also sources of purines. Whole grain cereals, breads, wheat bran and oatmeal wheat germ should be taken in moderation as these foods are sources of purines. These foods are common in the diet so, one should really think on how they can avoid these as much as possible.
What patients with gout should really avoid is alcohol as it contains high levels of purine that can trigger inflammation and stiffness of joints. Beer in particular is high in purines together with wine and hard liquor. In brewing alcohol, yeast is used which contains significant levels of purines. In fact, it is also used in baking.
It is difficult to cut these foods in the diet, however patients with gout should consider modifying their lives to lessen joint pains. The solution to this is moderation. Of course, one cannot live life normally without eating meat, fish, bread and alcohol. However, for these people, eating only a small portion is enough. It may surprise them as to how it can significantly reduce inflamed and painful joints.