I want to learn more about natural remedies to help with allergies to dust, mold, and alternatives to asthma and allergie medications.
I’m currently on loritidine, singulair, albuterol, advair.
how do you best talk to your doctor about these alternative treatments
as they usually don’t know and it probably isn’t best to just not tell them..
thank you.
Ive been thinking about alternative flower remadies, like bach rescue remedy (after reading heartland books) and I was wondering if they are safe to use on pets?
I have no hesitation about using rock rose, lavender etc on my pets to help cool them and adjust them to new environments. Im thinking mainly cats and guinea pigs.
I know they work on humans, so are they safe for animals, and should the dose be half??
Thanks!
It’s becoming more and more common for people suffering from many medical conditions to turn to alternative therapies for treatment. Before trying these therapies, it’s always best to seek the advice of a health care professional, but alternative therapies can often complement or even replace traditional treatments.
It is often thought that structural problems that cause restricted airflow are the underlying cause of sleep apnea. While this is right, it’s not always a physical problem requiring corrective surgery. In some cases it can be as simple as losing weight.
By losing weight, it helps to keep the airways open, making breathing simpler. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a difference in some people – as small as 10 to 15 pounds.
Homeopathic practitioners have a theory that sleep apnea is due to a lack of energy. Thus, diet is an vital factor for people suffering with apnea. Reducing the amount of sugar can help, as can a reduction in foods that cause an allergic reaction.
Herbal medications are often recommended for dealing with sleep apnea. There are two common ones – lachesis and homeopathic opium. Lachesis is considered to be the best for people who are extroverted & charismatic, with a tendency to rage easily.
Another alternative therapy for sleep apnea is flower remedy or essence therapy. This uses a flower called Vervain, which helps to cool and relax people. These alternative remedies are usually available at health food stores as well as many websites.
It has been shown that sleep apnea is sometimes cause by too small serotonin in the body. The nerves that control our breathing need a certain amount, and without enough it can interrupt breathing.
It is thought that by using a serotonin precursor such as 5-HTP, it can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea. It has helped many patients get a more restful night’s sleep, with fewer breaks from waking up in the middle of the night.
As with any treatments, you should always consult with your doctor before trying anything to be sure there will be no negative effects.
Herbs and other alternative therapies were the original medicine. Ancient cultures used herbs and plants to stay healthy and cure illness. But, for years after the pharmaceutical world took over treatment, the Western world lost interest in alternative therapies.
Today, but, interest in alternative therapies is renewed. Many people are choosing to treat some conditions naturally before trying medicines. For example, many people recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are choosing to increase their exercise, change their diet and lose excess weight before resorting to high blood pressure and cholesterol medications. In many cases, patients can reverse their blood pressure and cholesterol problems without ever needing medication.
Other patients are using alternative therapies as adjuncts to traditional medicine. For example, green tea has been shown to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in some forms of cancer. Drinking large amounts of tea while undergoing chemotherapy treatments can increase the concentration of the chemo drugs in the cancerous cells, making it more effective.
A large number of people are also using alternative therapies for preventative purposes. Take green tea, for example. It has been shown to prevent many types of illness, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s and some forms of cancer. Others use yoga to relieve stress and massage to manage muscle and joint pain.
But, what if you’re pursuing alternative therapies at the same time that you’re using conventional drug therapies? Is there a chance that there could be interaction between the two?
Well, the answer is, possibly. There are thousands of drugs being prescribed for hundreds of different conditions today, and no doubt some of the drugs will interact with some of the alternative therapies.
Since alternative therapies have become so well loved, some research has been performed to determine how, and if, some of the most well loved alternative therapies interact with drugs.
One study, in particular, reported by the UK Tea Council studied the effects of flavonoids on drug therapies. Flavonoids were chosen for study because they are contained in so many substances that we many of us consume regularly, and because flavonoids are generally thought to be very healthy.
Flavonoids are a type of anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants are extremely vital to our health because they combat free radicals. Free radicals are made in our bodies as a by product of converting our food to energy. Free radicals hurt our cells and DNA. Over time, this leads to premature aging and disease. Anti-oxidants combat these free radicals, preventing them from causing hurt. Research has shown that a diet rich in anti-oxidants, including flavonoids prevents many forms of disease, such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids, as does beverages made from plants, such as tea and wine. But, doctors wondered, could these healthy flavonoids interfere with drugs that we may be taking for medical conditions?
The research mentioned above found that flavonoids can, in some cases, interfere with the transport of certain drugs. Transport refers to how drugs reach the organs or body systems they’re designed to affect.
In some cases, this could cause interactions between your medications and alternative therapies such as Gingko Biloba, Milk Thistle, green tea, and soy isoflavones. It’s not likely that the flavonoids found in your food would interact, as they are not typically consumed in highly concentrated quantities as is found in herbal supplements.
So, for example, if you’re drinking three or four cups of green tea each day to help protect your health, it’s unlikely that there would be any interaction. But, if you’re taking 10-12 capsules of green tea extract each day, your concentration of flavonoids would be significantly higher, and might cause some interaction.
This information is not designed to influence you to stop using flavonoids to protect your health. Research has shown time and again that they’re very effective at keeping you young and healthy. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, green tea and other anti-oxidant sources can help you keep your weight in check, lower your cholesterol and even regulate insulin.
But, as with any alternative therapy you’re considering, it’s vital to keep your doctor in the loop. Inform him of any alternative therapies you’d like to try, and find out how they might interact with any particular medicines you’re taking. This way you can ensure that you’re treating your particular health concerns in the best way possible, whether that means traditional medicines alone – or in combination with alternative treatments.
It’s nearly impossible for researchers to list every possible medication and every alternative therapy that it might interact with. But, working closely with your doctor, who knows your medical history, health concerns and treatments can ensure that you’re pursuing the healthiest route for treatment.
We’re all concerned about our health. And, many of us are also concerned about using natural, healthy remedies whenever possible, as well as taking advantage of all we’ve learned about how substances like anti-oxidants can prevent disease. Alternative remedies can be a fantastic way to stay healthy, but it’s vital to always consult your doctor before you start something new.
Mainstream medicine tends to dismiss alternative remedies for arthritis in favour of drug therapy and established treatments. This article discusses some of the alternative therapies available. Do they work or not?
There are many forms of arthritis and it can affect sufferers in different ways and to greater or lesser degrees. One factor is common, but: pain – usually joint pain that can be unremitting and at times severe.
Conventional drug therapy can and does provide a fantastic deal of relief from the joint pain associated with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis but these drugs can also have unwanted side-effects. Too, many people are wary or uncomfortable at the thought of taking significant amounts of synthetic drugs and turn to what, for want of a better phrase, are termed ‘alternative medicines’.
These alternatives cover a whole spectrum of ingredients and regimes, from acupuncture to Yoga. Here are some details on just a few of them:
Acupuncture. This ancient practice often calls images to the mind of a person riddled with hundreds of needles like a pincushion, yet normally no more than a dozen are used at any one time. How acupuncture works to alleviate pain is not fully understood, though many theories on the subject are based on sound scientific facts.
Bee Venom Therapy. Also known as Apitherapy, BVT concerns the application of honeybee through live bee stings. It is thought that the healing potency of this method relies on the stimulation of the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.
Cortisol is a natural human hormone that has anti-inflammatory properties and in addition jump-starts the immune system to produce a healing response. It also spurs the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
Magnetic Therapy. The debate about the effectiveness of magnetic therapy for the treatment of arthritic pain rages on and shows no signs of abating. There seems to be small or no scientific evidence that either confirms or denies, in an absolute sense, the effectiveness of magnetic therapy.
Magnetic therapy is not new – far from it. The Ancient Greeks knew of the lodestone and claimed it had healing properties. The Chinese have used magnetic therapies for literally thousands of years. It would seem that if the magnet is indeed of no use in pain relief it is a most enduring medical myth!
Glucosamine. This substance is found in high concentrations in the joints and the theory is that it stimulates essential cartilage formation for joint repair. It has been seen to have beneficial effects on inflammation and arthritic conditions, whilst medical studies indicate that Glucosamine is effective in relieving pain and increasing joint mobility. It is now classed as a dietary supplement.
Yoga. Although to date only a handful of scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of Yoga to arthritis sufferers (despite any rumour or hearsay), it looks like more are either currently underway or about to start. Existing studies do indicate an improvement of physical function and reduction in joint pain. But, the most positive aspect of Yoga therapy appears, according to the reports, to be the improvement to the quality of life of the sufferer.
So what should an arthritis sufferer do? On the one hand – accepted medical treatment. On the other – alternative treatment that may or may not be effective. It unfortunately falls to the individual to choose, though it should be remembered that a life spent in nearly constant pain can cloud judgement. This author advises that before making any change, small or radical, to any medical regime, the advice of a medical professional or arthritis specialist should be sought.
Steve Dempster writes articles for the web and is also a ghostwriter. For more helpful information on arthritis treatment and mobility issues, see the Electric Mobility World website.
Many of us these days like to supplement our traditional medication with alternative therapies. It seems that for every medication you read about, there is some horrible side effect that is possible, and some of us have been unfortunate enough to suffer from some of these side effects, so it is only natural for us to look for alternatives to filling our bodies with yet more chemicals. Many people delight in a fantastic deal of success with these alternative therapies, and it seems to be rare for someone not to be able to find at least one that helps them to some degree. But what of man’s best friend? If we are going the extra mile to ensure our own natural excellent health, shouldn’t we be doing the same for our dogs? Thankfully there are a whole host of alternative therapies available for dogs these days, some of them quite surprising! In fact it seems for every alternative therapy for humans, there is one for canines.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture as a discipline is, as we all now, thousands of years ancient and originates from China. Needles, finger pressure and heat sources are used to restore the body’s natural energy balance. It is said to help dogs with arthritis, allergies, organ conditions and for other pain relief. Many claim significant pain relief from acupuncture, although quite how they get the dog to sit still through that kind of thing is beyond me. You know how a dog seems to know when it’s going to the vet’s? Imagine a repeat visit to the acupuncture clinic!
Chiropractic
This involves the manipulation of the spine to restore normal condition and function to the spinal column and surrounding tissues. Can be effective for arthritis and other pain disorders. Herbology The use of herbal treatments is a well loved and effective treatment for many conditions, including skin conditions, parasites, arthritis and pain relief.
Homeopathy
A branch of alternative medicine which believes a conditions symptoms are part of the body’s defence mechanism, and that therefore tiny quantities of substances that produce similar symptoms can relieve them . In simple terms, that like cures like. My father always told me to fight fire with fire- that’s probably why he got kicked out of the fire brigade. A well loved remedy for car sickness, arthritis, ear and bowel problems.
Magnotherapy
Similar to the well loved magnetic bracelets used by people, magnetic collars for dogs can relieve suffering and pain. A correctly aligned series of strong magnetic fields replicates the pulsing of electromagnetic machines used for pain relief in hospitals, and is well loved for its low maintenance as well as its low evasiveness. This is believed to work through a restoration of the body’s natural ph through affecting the electromagnetic processes between cells. An effective remedy for arthritis, circulation problems and general pain relief.
Massage
Can be practiced at home without the danger of side effects, it is also a excellent way of bonding with your dog. Can help with recovery from injury, mobility and circulation.
As with alternative remedies for people, it is worth trying a few to see what works for you and your dog. Never attempt to diagnose and treat conditions yourself, but consult a qualified practitioner. Hopefully you can soon have a healthier, more pleased dog in a natural way, and a more pleased dog means a more pleased you!
For more information on magnetic bracelets and magnotherapy, visit BrodPod – Advanced Magnotherapy For more articles relating to magnetic bracelets and magnotherapy, visit magnetic arthritis bracelets.co.uk Or magnetic bracelets 4 pain.co.uk
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