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SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): CHEST AND LUNGS

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:31:48 +0000

RA can prod-ice breathing discomfort in two ways. The first occurs when the joints between the collar bones (clavicles) and chest bone (sternum) develop arthritis. In this situation, which about 30 percent of people with RA develops, pain can occur when deep breaths are taken or when the shoulders are moved. The condition improves with treatment of the arthritis.
Between 10 and 20 percent of people develop breathing discomfort from the other source at some point while they have RA. The origin of this breathing discomfort is pleurisy, which causes discomfort deep in the chest and results from inflammation in the lining of the lungs (pleura). A complication of this inflammation is pleural effusion, or fluid around the lungs, which less than 5 percent of people with RA develop. This fluid generally produces few symptoms, and its presence is determined only by x-ray. Pleurisy and pleural effusion frequently improve with effective treatment of RA. If significant symptoms appear from pleural effusion, drainage of the fluid with a needle can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Temporary treatment with oral corticosteroids may be required.
Rarely, rheumatoid nodules develop in the lungs; these nodules are similar to those on the skin. They generally cause no symptoms and are diagnosed only by x-ray. The greatest difficulty is determining whether the nodule is a result of RA or another, unrelated, condition. A biopsy of the nodule may be required to determine its cause.
In only 1 or 2 percent of individuals with RA, a more serious lung problem known as pneumonitis arises. Cough and shortness of breath are indications that this problem may exist. Because the lung tissue is inflamed in pneumonitis, anti-inflammatory medications are administered promptly to decrease inflammation and prevent scarring (fibrosis).
Sometimes, but rarely, RA causes severe breathing difficulty, and the person requires hospitalization and urgent treatment to recover. If you ever experience difficulty breathing, be sure to consult your physician.
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THE PROGRAM OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS OF ARTHRITIS: DIET

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:03:08 +0000

Fresh Juices

Although the classic form of fasting is the so-called pure water fast (abstinence from all foods and drinks with the exception of pure water), all the practitioners I interviewed in European clinics, including the champion of therapeutic fasting in modern times, Dr. Otto Buchinger, Jr., use fresh juices, vegetable broths, and herb teas during fasting.

Biologically oriented doctors feel that freshly pressed vegetable and fruit juices, given to the patient during fast, will speed his recovery. This is attributed to the fact that raw vegetable and fruit juices, as well as freshly made vegetable broth, are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and trace elements, which help to normalize the bodily processes and speed up recovery. At the same time, they are very easily assimilated directly into the bloodstream without putting a strain on the digestive organs.

Juices most frequently used in Sweden are: carrot juice, apple juice, black currant juice, and tomato juice.

Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth is made by boiling all kinds of available vegetables, but predominantly potatoes, carrots, and celery, chopped to about half-inch pieces, for 30 minutes in a pot of water. (Use only stainless steel, glass, or earthenware utensils.)

Then it is strained and the vegetables are thrown away. The remaining liquid is a highly alkaline, mineral-packed broth, which is considered to be of extraordinary importance in biological arthritis therapy. It combats acidosis or a tendency toward a high acidity in the bloodstream and tissues. It helps to normalize the mineral balance in the tissues, which, according to Dr. Lars-Erik Essen, is of utmost importance for the effectiveness of the fast.

Both vegetable broth and fresh vegetable and fruit juices are concentrated nutrition. Perhaps, it would be more appropriate to call such therapy a liquid diet, rather than a fast.

Herb Teas

AH biological clinics use various herb teas, both during fasting and while on a diet.

The medicinal value of herbs is well known. Herb medicines are the oldest remedy known to man.

The herb teas used in Swedish clinics are usually made from native herbs: rose hips (very rich in vitamin C), peppermint, milfoil, etc. Swedish health food stores are well stocked with dozens of herb teas, many of them combinations of different herbs mixed for specific diseases.

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ARTHRITIS BEATEN TODAY: CMO AND OTHER AILMENTS-PROSTATE INFLAMMATION

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:16:43 +0000

When there’s no infection or cancer involved, it’s called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The swollen prostate gland puts a lot of pressure on the urinary bladder and reduces its ability to hold normal amounts of urine. The first sign of BPH is the need to urinate very frequently. Often, urinary incontinence follows. BPH may also cause discomfort during sexual activity, reducing the sex drive. The pressure on the seminal vesicles may also block the flow of sperm to the seminal fluid causing the ejaculate to be infertile. Often there are feelings of pressure in the lower abdomen, sometimes accompanied by pain.

Surgery is one option. Medicinal and nutritional therapies can help somewhat, but nothing seems to achieve the simple and dramatic results we often see with CMO. We’ve seen patients’ symptoms disappear in less than a week. And it all happens without the dangers and negative side effects of prescription medications.

Some patients take longer, of course, but once the inflammation is relieved, interest in sexual activity normally returns. This is in such sharp contrast to the impotence which so frequently occurs after surgery. The prostate plays an important role in sexual function. Sexuality is frequently altered or completely destroyed by prostate removal. By contrast, CMO leaves the prostate intact, and there have been many reports that it actually stimulates the sexual drive. A few patients swear that it’s an aphrodisiac and that it has improved their performance as well as their desire. A few doctors have also confirmed such reports.

One man reported relief of his swollen prostate symptoms within a week and that his sexual activity increased from near zero to twice daily. His medical exam confirmed the reduction of prostate inflammation and his cheerful attitude confirmed the other. Those results are quite common with CMO.

Another man who found relief from his prostate inflammation also reported finding sex to be a totally new and pleasurably exciting experience. He wants to explore the possibility of using CMO in small doses on a continuing basis to see if his heightened pleasures persist. So far, so good — but we must await the long term results before reaching any conclusions.

Sometimes prostate inflammation is caused by bacterial or viral infections. That’s called prostatitis and should not be treated with CMO alone. Antibiotics or antivirals should be used as well to defeat the infecting organisms. CMO can help with the inflammation, but the medicines are necessary for infections.

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