Diseases Talk

A.I.D.S. - four letters which have become the infamous abbreviation for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Those four letters spell more than AIDS to countless people. They spell fear. They spell anguish. They spell senseless fate. But most of all, they spell "why?"

To uncover the bleeding emotions that lie below the human surface, we must first examine the sources from which these feelings originate. Let's concentrate on one such origin - society's paranoia. Group paranoia. What exactly is paranoia and where does it begin? How is a societal aberration born? And what sustains mass hysteria?

"Paranoia. Noun. {Gk., paranous demented (madness)}... A tendency on the part of individuals or of groups toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others."

Excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness. Paranoia feeds on lack of education and understanding. It regenerates itself with gullibility. And it thrives on oppression and tragedy. Paranoia can develop from individual ideas and become universal misconceptions. But if you become paranoid, you should also be able to seek a solution to the problem. Paranoia is not a pleasant characteristic for a person or a people.

In these "modern times", it is truly sad that we cannot educate ourselves adequately in order to avoid this group illness. I say "illness" because I believe that, with proper guidance, the world will be able to be "cured" - to acquire more compassion for the persons with AIDS - and to learn how to cope realistically and rationally with a friend or relative who has been stricken with this deadly disease. Because that's really what AIDS is. A still incurable disease, just like cancer and muscular dystrophy, except that it has different symptoms and afflictions.

Will someone ever fight so passionately to find a cure for AIDS as Jerry Lewis fights for muscular dystrophy? Present tendencies of society make it appear highly doubtful, and that makes it unfortunate for persons with AIDS. Why don't we fight just as hard for their lives? It's not fair to them that we don't.

"Aberration: Noun (1) The act of being aberrant, especially from a moral standard or normal state - (2) Failure of a mirror, refracting surface or lens to produce exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image - (3) Unsoundness or disorder of the mind - (4) A small periodic change of apparent position in heavenly bodies due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer - (5) An aberrant organ or individual."

A societal aberration is the act of being aberrant by the majority of people. An unsoundness touring the civilized world. Again, we as a people should not exist in a state of paranoid delusion. Rumors of what AIDS is and what it might do have wrongfully become international beliefs. Can we - should we - go on living lies merely because we do not possess the courage to face the truth? To look directly at reality? There is still time to help ourselves. And to teach ourselves how to help the people who need it the most - the people with AIDS. They cannot afford to be patient and wait for us to "come around". They need our help right now.

If "loving your fellow man" is taught to us as youngsters, why then do we turn away from and punish the ones who have done just that? Who are we to judge? Society must remember that AIDS is not a disease exclusive to the gay community. But homosexuals are still the ones being unjustly harassed and discriminated against. Again, it's just not fair.

Unlike paranoia, mass hysteria cannot be considered an illness. It is not a sickness. It cannot be cured. It is a group state of mind. An irrational one at that. Mass hysteria is self-inflicted by society itself; therefore must be treated by society. Treated with understanding, dedication and compassion. And patience. Mass hysteria cannot be expected to disappear overnight. But it can be dissolved.

These issues raise vital questions which should be addressed immediately. What steps can we take to reverse the disorder? What can we do to restore faith and trust in our fellow man? Can we really pave new avenues of hope? Indeed we can. We, as a society, must nurture ourselves into a healthy state of mind. And then maybe we can make a difference. Maybe we can provide care and love for people with AIDS. I'm sure we can even find a cure someday. Because love is a four-letter word, too.

Most of us love to travel a lot without knowing what the consequences might be. We are not very aware of certain diseases that we can pick up from different countries that we travel to. So what are traveler's diseases anyway? These are diseases that we contract when traveling away from home, most especially when we travel from a highly developed country to a less developed one. These diseases can be acquired by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, from animal droppings, from soil, close encounter with infected animals, and if bitten by vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Some can even be derived from walking and swimming on the beach barefooted. Simple things that we ignore can actually be the cause of a dreadful disease.

Let me give you some of the most popular diseases that we can contract while on a travel, and I will be giving pointers on how to prevent from getting these diseases.

• African Sleeping Sickness

As the name implies, this disease can be contracted from the Eastern and Central Africa. It is also called the African trypanosomiasis. It is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by a tsetse fly causing a systemic disease. This is most abundant in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. The disease would occur within the period of four weeks, with initial symptoms of fever, rash, skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and edema. And this can actually progress to meningoencephalitis, which is a very serious disease. Once meningoencephalitis has occurred, personality changes, progressive confusion, irritability, weight loss, slurred speech, seizures, insomnia, and difficulty in walking and talking will then follow.

There are no drugs or vaccine that can prevent this disease. But here are some tips to prevent insect bites.

1. Wear long-sleeved shirt and pants for protection, and it should be thick because tsetse fly can bite through clothing materials.

2. Tsetse flies are attracted to bright and dark colors, so it is better to wear something khaki or neutral-colored clothes.

3. Bed nets are best recommended while napping.

4. Avoid riding open vehicles like jeeps or pickup trucks. Tsetse flies are fond of dust created by moving vehicles.

5. Tsetse fly usually rest in the bushes during hot days, but they bite once disturbed. So avoid walking thru the bushes.

• Mad Cow Disease

This is a bovine spongiform encephalopathy that affects the cattle but with the new variant, the disease was passed to humans. Both diseases cause fatal brain injuries and diseases. Most of the cases are found in Great Britain, the disease resulted from feeding cattle with scrapie-containing sheep meat and bone. This disease can be passed to humans by eating an infected beef, causing the humans to have mental retardation and dementia. Travelers can reduce the risk of exposure by avoiding beef, or selecting beef products, instead of eating ground beef and sausages, it is better to eat solid pieces of beef.

• Cholera

It is an infectious, acute disease from consuming contaminated water and food. The bacteria Vibrio cholera is to blame for this disease. It is mostly found in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America like Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, and Columbia. The unsanitary disposal of excrement is the cause of an impure water supply attracting Vibrio cholera.

How can we prevent Cholera? As the center of disease control says "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it". Here are some preventive measures that we should remember.

1. Use and drink only boiled or chemically disinfected water. Use disinfected water for brushing teeth, washing your face and hands, washing fruits and vegetables, utensils, bottles, glasses.

2. Refrain from eating food and drinking beverages with unknown sources like unpasteurized milk or milk products, raw meats, shellfish, and any fish from tropical reefs.

Like what I always say, it's better to be safe than sorry!

So, you have HIV, or maybe you know someone who does. I know this was not on your "To Do" List. You didn't pencil in a life altering event. You now find yourself looking up at a cliff stretching a mile high, holding the rope for someone climbing the side or, perhaps, you're climbing the cliff yourself. Your mind is racing, with one thought pulling up to the finish line; "I don't think I can handle this..."

With a firm slap on the bottom we have been given the keys to the fine piece of organic machinery we like to call the human body, along with a license to accessories. We can pierce, tone, tan, and tattoo. Add grills, apply oils and wax rogue hairs in one ripping motion. All this at the push of a brain button. However, first we have to go through a series of decisions to get the right look and feel for ourselves.

I like to think of making these decisions as building a computer program. We'll use a fun computer language to illustrate my point. We'll use Java (because I like coffee) for our computer programming endeavour. We'll call this endeavour the "Decathlon" program. The Decathlon Program is unique in that it requires a high level of user self-awareness and expertise to achieve optimal results, as the program is incompatible with the majority of anti-virus software. Although there is some tech support available, outright misuse can result in a full system shut down. Awareness is always the newest version of our software. The beauty of this program is that it is customized to fit your needs, and all it takes is a little bit of discipline and a few more minutes of your time.

Now then, what steps can you take to get yourself on the road to climbing this cliff? There are approximately six steps that anyone facing this cliff should take into consideration. You may choose to add additional steps, or take out a step or two depending on what works for you, but the original six are as follows.

Step One: "Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept it..."

The first step towards having a positive attitude about this "cliff" is to have the wildest tantrum that you can muster up. You are entitled to this, so go for it! Forget about your dignity and don't bottle anything up. Punch every single sofa cushion you can find, kick your carpet, and vandalize your bicycle. If you have pieces of clothing you loath this is the day to rip them up. Pretend your eyes are sprinklers, and let it rip. Whatever you do exhaust your rage, and make it something Diana Ross would be proud off. When you're done, take a moment. Take in a few deep breaths. Repeat the whole process as necessary.

Step Two: The War Room

Clear off your dinning room table. Wallpaper the living room with blank paper and find a big marker. You are going to create a layout of the battlefield and take inventory of your supplies. Do you know what the secondary response of your immune system is to a foreign substance? Why your lymph nodes are located where they are? For that matter, can you describe what HIV is? If you answered no to any of these questions, you need to procure information, STAT! You have to know what you're dealing with, and you have to know what your resources are. This is non-negotiable. You cannot be in a fight without sizing up your opponent, and yourself while you're at it, so get to work. Go to the library, surf the net. Ask your doctor about where you can get more information and if there are any groups you can join to share ideas. Be pro-active, find out what you need to know.

Step Three: The Committee

Shortly after becoming an "expert" on the topic the next step is to structure your Social Committee. This is not to be mistaken with a Sympathy Committee. No, the Social Committee consist of those people that you associate with late night phone calls because so and so cheated and now it's time to exact a clever and whimsical revenge. A herd of goats on the front lawn perhaps. So take out your little black book, agenda, PDA, or what have you and compile a list of people who will help you laugh, cry and love your life again.

Step Four: Build A Champion

I begin the next leg of our journey with a man. His name is Ihab. Sure, it's not a very sexy name but allow me to describe. He is about 5'11", has auburn skin and the most gorgeous body you will ever see. Beautifully toned. He's a body building champion in my province, and works out every day, only drinks milk and fears junk foods like most people fear the apocalypse.

I bring up Ihab to illustrate a point. Ihab has a goal, and while his methods of going about this goal may seem drastic to some people, he knows what it takes to succeed and has come to enjoy his methods for reaching those goals. It doesn't matter how many times I've tried to get him drunk, he has always responded with a melodic "No". Who would willingly turn down the smooth taste of a cold beer on a hot summer day? Who would do that? Ihab would, that's who. His methods may seem masochistic for those of us who have avoided the nutritional food guide like the plague, but now they are second nature to him, and the rewards are that people like me will swoon over him...and he's not lacking in calcium intake either. Your body is going to become your most important ally in your new challenge, and so it should be treated with respect. This means that making the right nutritional choices will be a major part of your strategy, and the intensity of your commitment will be reflected all over your body.

"You have to be uncompromised in your level of commitment to whatever you are doing, or it can disappear as fast as it appeared." -Michael Jordan

Now let's get clear on this. I'm not saying turn into a bodybuilding milk drinker, or get a nice tan. What I am saying is that you have a choice to make. You have to choose whether you will have your body work with you, or will you be working to repair the damage. Two very different mentalities. Working with your body implies having a team-mate, someone that listens to your thoughts and whom you have to listen to in order to make this program work. Working to repair damages puts you on the defensive. You're waiting for something to happen so you can react to it.

You've been put into a unique position. The potential you have within you is untapped. People can accomplish marvellous things if they put their minds to it.

Step Five: Clean Up The Place

On a trip to Peru I drove along the coast to a small town called Marcona where my uncle and his family live. Along the way my uncle's mother, and I saw some very tiny houses. The people who owned them were obviously poor, but nonetheless, they took the time to paint their homes and some even had potted plants. As we were driving by the houses my aunt turns to me and says "You see, even though they live out here they still paint their homes and buy their stuff." Her point: Just because your life isn't ideal there is no reason to live in a pigsty.

Living in a well-kept environment free of clutter is beneficial not only to your physical health, but also to your mental wellbeing. Clean out the fish tank, balance your chequebook, and sweep behind the stove. Make your living environment a place where you, and your guests, actually want to spend some time in.

Step Six: Become A Member Again

Contribute to the community. As a person facing this challenge you see things from a different perspective, and that puts you at an advantage. Continue to gather information from people who've been there, and see what works for them. At the same time, share your perspective. You are in an interesting place in life, and will probably have a great impact if you use your resourcefulness wisely.

Pick the stuff that works for you and make up your own program. Have fun with it just as long as the prime beneficiary is you.

Think of it this way...you are a self-aware decathlete now. It's all about you!

As you know hemorrhoids can arise in two ways. They can affect you internally or externally. In some cases you can get them both at the same time. This if it happens can be very painful. One of the main causes of hemorrhoids is because of straining during bowel movements. Straining can occur because of poor diet which leads to constipation. To help sooth the initial pain there is nothing like a good old soak in a warm bath. This will help relieve some of the pain.

The nest step to take is to start to regulate your bowel movements. As we know poor bowel movements can create all sorts of problems and the main objective at this point is to get this back on the right path.

You're smart enough to know that while you can treat hemorrhoids short term with various different treatments if you don't tackle the root of the problem you will find yourself right back where you started in the not too distant future.

So you will need to address your diet. I know this can be inconvenient as we are creatures of habit, but let's face it if you keep doing what you are currently doing how better off will you be in a year from now? Habits can be hard to break but that does not mean that they cannot be broken. After all this is your health we are talking about.

Small simple incremental changes can bring about significant results. Start to eat more fresh food such as fruit and fresh salads. It may also be wise to visit a dietician or nutritionist to help lay out the best approach for dealing with this problem.

You can also add herbal supplements to your diet to tackle this problem long term.

To conclude understand that conditions arise because our bodies are reacting to something. Our goal as intelligent human beings is to understand why and address the issue in a holistic manner that will benefit our health as a whole.

Candidiasis is an infection caused by an excess of a normally occurring yeast-like fungus, Candida albicans, that tends to mostly affect the mouth (thrush), skin (rash, itching, fungal infections, etc.) and vagina (vaginitis, yeast infection, discharge). It is often caused by poor diet, antibiotics, infection and or age, infirmity. Candidiasis is often misdiagnosed as it is linked to many additional symptoms, diseases, that can also be caused by poor diet:

Toenail or fingernail fungus, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, rectal itching, abdominal pain, heartburn, bad breath, congestion, cough, sore throat, clogged sinuses, white spots on tongue, inside the mouth, cheeks, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, numbness, tingling in the extremities, arthritis, kidney and bladder infections, prostatitis, severe itching, headaches, impotence, memory, memory loss, mood swings, night sweats, PMS, depression and or hyperactivity, making is a somewhat confusing disease, which is why it is most often misdiagnosed.

Candidiasis, like most fungal infections requires a host, medium in which to grow. Most fungi and bacteria prefer dampness, which is why symptoms tend to worsen in damp or moldy places, after eating foods containing sugar and or yeast. Thrush, diaper, groin rash, fungus, yeast infection, gooey discharge are watery, damp in nature, which is why they tend to attack women, children, those that eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate, especially raw and or live in a cold climate.

Women tend to run cold, colder than men. Women menstruate, lose blood three to seven day ever month after menarche (first) for the next thirty plus years until menopause, cessation of the menses. Blood loss via any hemorrhage of this magnitude or greater weakens, cools, the body, leading to the formation of excess dampness.

The body is like the planet earth. It reacts to change in temperature, energy, sunshine. Colder temperatures (less energy) tend to slow, cool and condense. In nature, cold temperatures cool gas into rain into snow into ice. In the body, cooler temperatures (internal or external) increase the formation of fluids, water, mucous, phlegm, cysts, discharges, etc; which in turn, increases the formation of bacteria, fungi, Candida albicans, thrush, nail or toenail fungus, yeast infections, etc. Cold condenses and slows, stagnates the movement of all fluids, leading to bacterial and fungal infection.

The body's temperature, energy is controlled primarily by diet and environment. Diet, food provides nutrients that body uses to build up and break down. Protein and fat build and fuel all structures and function. Water, sugar, minerals, etc. reduce, cleanse. cool and moisten.

Low protein and low fat diets, foods (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, nuts and seeds) in the extreme, do not provide enough energy, substance to keep the body properly fueled, energized in a four season or colder climate. These foods are more or less twigs (burn quickly, provide very little energy, heat), in comparison to meat, eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, etc, which are logs, that burn long and strong. The body tends to cool on low protein, low fat.

The body further cools on a high carbohydrate (grain, pasta, bread, salads, raw vegetables, fruits, especially tropical, juices, etc.) diet. Fruits and vegetables, in excess, and or eaten at the beginning of the meal, tend to dilute, weaken and cool digestion, acid, enzymes and bile, which in turn, cools, weakens and dilutes the body.

Digestion is like an engine in a car. It gives off a lot of heat, that is used to heat the rest if the car, including its occupants. The body is no different. The digestive system, organs, especially the stomach, pancreas and small intestines, heat the body, above and below. Heat from digestion, rises up into the lungs, which it heats and dries. Weak, cold digestion fails to heat the lungs and overtime causes not only a temperature drop but also condensation in the form of excess fluids, water, mucous (thick), phlegm (thicker), etc.

Excess mucous in the lungs (includes throat, nose and sinuses) can cause coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, asthma, clogged sinuses, sinusitis and or sleep apnea.

Dairy products, especially milk, yogurt and ice cream, in excess, also cool the body, digestion. Milk is best drunk alone, as it does not digest well with other foods, especially cereal, which is why spices (cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, etc.) are recommended, to increase digestion.

Cold drinks, including ice water, sodas, smoothies, shakes and tropical fruits are also very cooling.

The combination of low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate (raw, tropical, etc.) in excess, tends to decrease energy, heat while increasing cold, dampness, especially in women (menstruation, low protein, low fat diet, in the extreme) and children (underdeveloped).

Cold and damp foods (milk, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, juices, cold drinks, etc.) in excess tend to dilute, weaken and cool the digestive system, organs producing the following symptoms: abdominal bloating, pain, gas, burping, heartburn, bad breath, flatulence, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, rectal itching, colitis, kidney and or bladder infections.

Low protein, low fat and cold foods decrease digestion, nutrient absorption and blood while increasing waste, as whatever food, nutrients not digested, absorbed becomes waste that is sent to the large intestines for temporary storage and eventual elimination.

Weak digestion and low protein, low fat weaken, thin the blood, which in turn, thins and weakens all structure and function, especially locomotion. Blood deficiency (quality and quantity) tends to attack the extremities, head, arms and legs first before any other organ as it is (a) harder to pump blood up and out than down and in, and (b) in times of deficiency, coldness and or rest, blood is concentrated in the center of the body, abdomen and chest, where the vital organs are located, not in the arms and legs.

Blood deficiency tends to produce arthritic type symptoms (pain, inflammation, numbness, tingling sensations in the joints, extremities, bones, ligaments, muscles, etc.) in addition to fatigue, anemia, pallor, coldness, night sweats, PMS, memory loss, depression, mood swings, etc.

Antibiotics, in excess, also tend to cause cold and damp, yeast infections, thrush, white spots on the tongue, cheeks of the moth, etc. Antibiotics are cold, bitter in nature as are golden seal, gentian and aloe vera, but to a lesser extent. The bitter taste is cooling and drying. Biter herbs (golden seal, gentian, aloe vera, etc.) are generally used to drain excess fire, breakdown excess protein and fat (cholesterol). Their use requires strong digestion as their coolness can quickly overwhelm weak digestion.

For more information about diet and disease, please visit the author's website and or read Hot and Cold Health. Know the whole before you attempt to diagnose and or treat the part (symptom, disease, structure, function, etc.)

Undergoing an HIV test can be quite an overwhelming experience for many people. Owing to the social stigma associated with this disease, undergoing a test is an emotionally disturbing experience. Depending on their mental strengths and confidence levels, people can experience a wide range of emotions such as depression, frustration, fear, anger, hopelessness, despair, panic or even plain denial to accept the truth about their status.

Therefore, just before the test is conducted, the person must be given psychological counseling, also referred to as 'Pre-Test Counseling' to strengthen him or her from within and enable him or her to face the test with full confidence, irrespective of what the result may be.

The pre-test counseling is very important to control the emotional trauma and the fear of the impending dangers and consequences associated with the positive result of a test.

If the person is found to be HIV negative, then the person can be sent away after advising him some prevention measures for the future. However, if the person is found to be HIV positive, then the person should be told about this only after another round of psychological counseling, referred to as 'Post-Test Counseling'.

The objective of post-test counseling is to ease the worry and tension in the patient's mind and to support him or her emotionally when their status is disclosed to them. The counseling is necessary to prevent suicidal tendency in the patient and to keep his emotions in control. The counselor should project the situation in a positive light and emphasize that it is actually good that the patient has learnt about his or her positive status early because this will make treatment easier and enable him or her to handle the future complications associated with this disease better. The counselor should also help the individual regain his confidence, infuse a determination to live his remaining life better.

From the time that HIV/AIDS was identified (during the early 1980s) till date, there is no definite treatment that can completely cure a person of an HIV infection. The medicines usually prescribed by the doctors only offer symptomatic relief from the opportunistic infections associated with the disease.

All over the globe, medical research is in progress to develop that 'wonder drug' which can treat both HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections at the same time. However, such a wonder drug has not been developed as yet. Therefore, doctors continue to prescribe medicines to treat the opportunistic infections and to extend the life of the patient by improving the quality of their life.

The drawback with these medicines is that not only are they unable to cure HIV/AIDS, but they are very expensive and beyond the reach of a common man. Additional drawback is that these medicines have many severe side effects. Prolonged use of these medicines makes a person resistant to it and the body no longer responds to the treatment involving the use of these medicines.

However, medical researchers have come up with an effective drug called anti-retroviral drugs, to check the uncontrolled multiplication of the virus in the host's body. If these anti-retroviral drugs (which are available in three classes) are used in proper combinations and under strict medical supervision, then they have the capacity to significantly reduce the viral load in the blood of an HIV positive person. This method of treatment is known as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Although this method has been successful in reducing the large number of HIV/AIDS related deaths across the globe, its drawback is that it is very expensive and can cause a lot of severe side effects. The worst part is that the anti-retroviral drugs used in the treatment cannot cure a person of HIV/AIDS.

According to medical experts, HIV/AIDS can be the cause of the most dreadful epidemic mankind has ever witnessed. Human immunodeficiency virus is a sexually transmitted infection that does not have any cure till date. All the available treatment options for this disease are capable of suppressing the symptoms. Best among these treatment options is the one that suppresses AIDS-related symptoms for as long as possible. As per the recommendations made by a panel of leading AIDS specialists, highly active retroviral therapy or HAART is one such treatment option.

The basic objective of HAART method is to improve the life expectancy of a HIV-infected person by reducing the amount of virus present in the blood to very low or almost undetectable levels. This objective is achieved by means of administrating more than 2 different kinds of anti-retroviral drugs as a combination therapy. These anti-retroviral drugs are medications used for the treatment of infections caused by retroviruses like HIV. There are six different classes of antiretroviral drugs available in the market whose function is to act as potent inhibitors at different stages of HIV lifecycle and prevent the growth, replication and proliferation of the virus.

Combination of antiretroviral drugs belonging to different classes helps in creating multiple obstacles for the virus at each stage of its lifecycle thus reducing the ability of the virus to replicate. This strategy has also been effective against drug-resistant strains of HIV. Drug-resistant strains arise as a result of mutations occurring in the viral genome. The most favored combination of antiretroviral drugs in a HAART method is the triple-cocktail approach where two nucleoside-analogue RTIs and one non-nucleoside-analogue RTI or a protease inhibitor are used.

There are six different classes of anti-retroviral drugs that are currently being used in the treatment of infections caused due to retroviruses like HIV.

1. Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs inhibit the replication of HIV by blocking the enzyme called reverse transcriptase. These drugs get incorporated into the newly synthesized viral genome and function as indirect inhibitors of the enzyme. Some examples include zidovudine (Retrovir), lamivudine (Epivir) didanosine (Videx), zalcitabine (Hivid), stavudine (Zerit) and abacavir (Ziagen).

2. Protease inhibitors (PIs): These drugs function by inhibiting the viral assembly mechanism by blocking an enzyme called Protease. Important among this class include saquinavir (Invirase), ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), amprenavir (Agenerase), lopinavir, atazanavir (Reyataz) and tipranavir (Aptivus). Darunavir (Prezista)

3. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): These are another important class of retroviral drugs whose function is to bind directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and inhibit its function. Reverse transcriptase is important for the replication of viral DNA in HIV. Prominent members among this class include nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva) and etravirine (Intelence). These drugs have been approved by FDA for treating HIV infected patients.

4. Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs): Mode of action of this class of drugs is quite similar to that of nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. NtRTIs get incorporated into the viral genome and prevent its replication by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme. However, these drugs are more potent than NRTIs. The only approved drug in this class, tenofovir (Viread), inhibits both HIV and hepatitis B and appears to be effective in people who are resistant to NRTIs.

5. Fusion inhibitors or Entry inhibitors: This class of drugs is currently the most effective solution against drug-resistant strains of HIV. Fusion inhibitors interfere with the binding, fusion and entry of the viral particle into the host cell. Maraviroc and Enfuvirtide are currently the only available drugs in this class.

6. Integrase inhibitors: These drugs interfere with the activity of a special enzyme called integrase that helps in the integration of viral genome into the DNA of the infected cells. Raltegravir (Isentress) is the only drug in this class to have received FDA approval.

Prevention is always better than cure. This principle holds a phenomenal significance when it comes to HIV/AIDS. AIDS is one such disease that does not have any permanent cure. Available treatment options are only effective in reducing the symptoms associated with the disease. In such scenario, it is important to have adequate protection so that you do not get the infection.

Preventive measures for persons who are HIV-negative

1. It is important to understand all details pertaining to HIV and the way it is transmitted from person to person. One should also have an idea about various symptoms associated with AIDS.

2. Creating public awareness regarding HIV and AIDS by means of educational programs

3. Having a sexual pleasure with a stranger can be dangerous. One should never enter into any such an act. Make sure your partner is not infected with HIV.

4. One should never engage in unprotected sex. One should always use condoms. Latex condoms are more useful than those made of polyurethane.

5. A circumcision performed under a medical supervision can reduce the risk of an HIV infection.

6. HIV can also get transmitted through infected needles and other sharp instruments. Hence, it is always good to use a clean and sterilized needle while injecting drugs. New razor blades should be used while shaving.

7. Blood transfusion is another important mode of HIV transmission. Hence, it is always better to have blood that has been screened and is negative for HIV and other STIs.

Preventive measures for persons infected with HIV

1. The best preventive measure is to completely abstain from having sex. Always follow safe sex practices such as use of condoms and avoiding any oral or anal intercourse. Sexual devices used by HIV positive individuals should not be shared with others. By this way, one can prevent the spread of this disease to others.

2. One should never shares needles, syringes, razors, toothbrushes or blades with others. These items can become a potential source of transmission.

3. An HIV-positive individual should never donate blood or organs. Any such donation can cause the disease to spread to other individuals.

4. If the partner with whom an HIV-positive individual had sex is pregnant, it is always better to share with her the fact about your condition. An early treatment can help in preventing the disease within the woman as well as the child.

There are some foods that have proven to be "herpes friendly" and some that seem to trigger outbreaks. So by knowing the "good" food and which ones to avoid, you could significantly lower the occurrence, severity and duration of your herpes outbreaks.

The reason some food is good and some bad is mainly because of two amino acids, namely Lysine and Arginine. Both these amino acids are found naturally in food. A Lysine-high and Arginine low diet is highly recommended for the treatment of herpes symptoms.

Why Lysine

Herpes needs Arginine to replicate itself. That is the reason why a Arginine Rich diet will result is more frequent, severe and longer outbreaks. Lysine on the other hand has an exact opposite effect.

Extensive Research has proven that Lysine hinders the absorption of Arginine; therefore limiting the replication of the herpes virus. This will result in less frequent and less severe herpes outbreaks.

Even though a high Lysine herpes diet alone may not be enough to stop herpes outbreaks, it is highly recommended that you include it as part of your herpes prevention program.

One more thing to keep in mind is that the effects of Lysine on herpes are stronger on Oral herpes than Genital Herpes.

With that said, here is a list of food that is high in lysine and should be included in your herpes diet:

• Cheese
• Meat
• Legumes
• Dairy products
• Chicken
• Potatoes
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Vegetables
• Fish
• Avocado
• Beef
• Milk
• Soy Products (not Soya products, there is a difference)

Other foods that are highly recommended:

• Broccoli
• Cranberry
• White and green tea

And here are some foods that are Arginine Rich. The following should be kept at a minimum in your herpes diet:

• Chocolate
• Coconut
• Nuts
• Oats
• Soya beans
• Raisins
• Whole wheat bread
• Cereal grains

In addition to a high Lysine and low Arginine diet, You could also take Lysine Supplements on a regular basis. The best supplement I know is "HERP-EEZE ™". This is a Lysine supplement made specially to fight the herpes virus.

For other supplements I would suggest you ask your doctor or dietician. Keep in mind though that lysine supplements are not recommended during pregnancy.

Herpes Diet conclusion: Try to create a balance in your herpes diet , there is no reason totally exclude Arginine Rich Foods in your diet. However try by all means to keep the ratio of Lysine Rich foods higher than that of the Arginine Rich Foods. If this is not possible you could try out some Lysine supplements as they will have the same effect.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an eye condition that refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent membrane that lines the eyelids and the eyeball.

This disorder is generally caused by a contagious viral or bacterial infection, or either by an allergic reaction in the eye. Babies that are born with blocked tear ducts sometimes develop this condition, and regardless of the cause, the symptoms for this disease are basically the same.

Conjunctivitis Is A Highly Infections Disease

If the disorder is either caused by a bacterial or viral infection, this one is a very highly infectious one can easily spread, for example, if an infected person touches a door-knob, keyboard, telephone, or any other surface after rubbing her eye, then the virus or bacteria is easily transmitted to that surface. When another individual touches the infected surface then later rubs his eye, he may also develop the disease. The symptoms usually appear after two days after contact with the bacteria or virus.

Alternative, Herbal treatments For Conjunctivitis

- Indian gooseberry, when mixed with honey, is helpful in treating this eye disease. Mix a cup of this juice, and take it mixed with two teaspoons of honey twice daily.

- Chamomile tea. When this mixture cools, you may use it as an eyewash twice a day until the pain and inflammation is gone, or reduced.

- Gooseberry juice. Mix the juice along with 2 teaspoons of honey, and drink twice a day. Honey is usually a standard ingredient in many herbal mixtures, as this aids in purifying the blood and killing bacteria that cause or aggravate the disease.

- Mixing a poultice of grated apple or grated raw red potato and placing this mix on the closed eye. Let the mixture stay in place for a half hour, and within two or three days, the disease should completely clear up.

- Make it a habit to drink plenty of water and fresh vegetable juices. The most potent vegetable juices are spinach and carrot, and mixing 200 ml of fresh spinach juice and 300 ml of fresh carrot juice a day helps to relieve pink eye symptoms.

- Coriander tea. Boiling two cups of water, and add one cup of dried coriander and allow this to steep for five minutes. Strain the herbs from the liquid and allow to cool, and afterwards, use this as an herbal eye wash three times a day to help ease pain and inflammation..

Conjunctivitis, as mentioned above, is a very contagious viral infection. If the disease shows no signs of improvement within a day or two, it would be best to consult with an ophthalmologist or health professional. If you are prone to this condition, the herbal treatments mentioned earlier can be of great help during inflammation. One sound advice is to always protect yourself from repeat episodes in the future, by frequently changing your pillowcases and eye cosmetics.

In addition, always maintain proper care of your contact lenses, as the bacteria build-up here may cause pink eye. If you are frequently suffering from this ailment, don't use your contacts in either the normal or affected eye until the symptoms subside. Lastly, frequently wash your hand and keep them away from your face and eyes if possible.

http://primeherbal.com - Prime Herbal

Crohn's disease is an inflammation in the digestive tract. This can involve your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, bowel, large intestine and anus. Your digestive tract is the body's lifeline. It helps to breakdown your food, absorb the nutrients in your body and also eliminate the waste. With the presence of this disease, these functions are largely affected. The disease is largely seen in the age group of 15 years-30 years. It is however even found in younger children as pediatric Crohn's disease.

The symptoms found are...

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation (in some cases)
• Anemia
• Fevers
• Chills
• Malabsorption
• Weight loss

Environmental factors have been implicated in Crohn's disease. It is seen more in temperate areas of developed countries like North America and Australia. Genetic factors are also found to play a role in the incidence of this disease. About 10% to 15% of patients have a family history of Crohn's disease. Another 5%-7% suffer from ulcerative colitis. There is a high prevalence of this disease seen among siblings.

Risk Factors

Crohn's disease affects both men and women. The risk factors are as follows...

Age- It can strike at any age. The condition is likely to develop when you are young. The highly affected age group is between the ages of 20-30. Ethnicity- Whites have the highest risk of the disease. It can even affect Jews and Europeans.

Family History- You are at a higher risk if you have a close relative such as parent or a sibling with the disease. Your risk is higher (about 30%) if your sibling is suffering from this condition.

Area where you live- It is more common in urban and industrialized areas. This can be because people in such areas are likely to consume diet rich in fats or take more refined foods. People in Northern climates are also prone to this disease condition.

Smoking- You are more likely to develop Crohn's disease if you smoke. If you continue to smoke even after diagnosis, your treatment can be less effective and your illness can worsen.

Complications

The following is a list of possible complications that can result from Crohn's disease...

• Perforation of the colon
• Abscess in the colon, abdomen
• Narrowing of the colon causing obstruction
• Toxic swollen colon
• Fistulas- can lead to recurrent infections of the urinary genital tracts
• Infection of the blood (sepsis)
• Osteoporosis
• Gallstones
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Colon cancer
• Nutritional problems like weight loss and reduced muscle mass
• Eye inflammations or infections
• Mouth ulcers, gum inflammation and dental cavities
• Anemia
• Liver damage
• Depression and anxiety
• Blood clots
• Skin rashes and ulcers

Crohn's disease sufferers have high levels of fluid loss due to diarrhea. This chronic dehydration can affect their kidney functions. So it is important for these patients to given attention to their fluid intake especially during warmer times of the year. They need to carefully evaluate their diet and select foods which help in reducing the symptoms and promote an environment for healing the GI tract.

Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that can recur at different times during your lifetime. You need to ensure you give proper management and treatment to help you deal with the disease condition. You need to try and improve your quality of life by accepting the situation and learn to cope with the condition in a better manner.

This is an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture producing glands. The syndrome strikes as many as 4,000,000 Americans and is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders, primarily women, although it occurs in both women and men. The late 40s is an average age of onset, although the syndrome occurs in all age groups.

Sjogren's syndrome occurs alone about 50% of the time, and occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease about 50% of the time. There are four common diagnoses that co-exist with Sjogren's syndrome, they are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic Lupus
• Systemic sclerosis
• Polymyositis/dermatomyositis

Sjogren's syndrome affects the entire body in all instances. The hallmark symptoms are:

• Dry eyes
• And dry mouth

This syndrome may also cause dryness of other organs such as the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system Debilitating fatigue and joint pain is also experienced. Some people may experience mild symptoms, while other people suffer debilitating symptoms. Symptoms are known to plateau, get worse, and even go into remission.

To prevent complications, early diagnosis and treatment are very important. The symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are the same as those of other diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Dry eyes and mouth can also occur for other reasons, such as a side effect of medicines like anti-depressants or high blood pressure medicine.

All the symptoms are not always present at the same time. Sjogren's syndrome involves several body systems that physicians and dentists sometimes treat each symptom individually and do not recognize that a systemic disease is present.

What is the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis?

• Over six year

What specialist primarily has the responsibility for diagnosing and managing Sjogren's syndrome?

• The rheumatologist

If Sjogren's syndrome is suspected, what kind of test is ordered?

• ANA blood test (about 70% of Sjogren's patients have a positive ANA test result)
• SSA and SSB (70% of patients are positive for SSA and 40% are positive for SSB)
• ESR blood test (measures inflammation) An elevated ESR can indicate an inflammatory disorder that includes Sjogren's syndrome
• IGs: These are normal blood proteins that are usually elevated in Sjogren's syndrome

The patient may likely be referred to an ophthalmologist and an oral pathologist or dentist for additional procedures.

An ophthalmologist may order:

• A Schirmer Test (measures tear production
• Rose Bengal and Lissamine Green: Uses dyes to observe abnormal cells on the surface of the eye
• A slit-lamp exam: Indicates the volume of tears by magnifying the eye and viewing it in its resting state

A dentist may order:

• Parotid Gland Flow: Measures the amount of saliva produced over a certain period of time • Salivary Scintigraphy: Measures salivary gland function • Sialography: Is an x-ray of the salivary-duct system • Lip Biopsy: Is used to confirm lymphocytic infiltration of the minor salivary glands.

It is extremely important to obtain an early diagnosis and high quality professional dental and eye care.

Many of the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome can be treated with over-the-counter drugs as well as non-medication procedures such as use of a humidifier and protective devices like goggles.

Some over-the-counter products include:

• Preservative-free artificial tears
• Artificial salivas
• Unscented skin lotions
• Saline nasal sprays
• Vaginal lubricants

There are prescription products such as Lacriserts to alleviate dry eyes and Salagen to treat dry mouth.

Sjogren's syndrome is serious but generally not fatal. There is no cure.

Source: Sjogren's syndrome Foundation

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Because Tai Chi improves flexibility and builds muscle strength gradually, doctors and physical therapists recommend it for people with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The fluid-as-silk movements of this gentle Chinese practice are tailor-made for easing sore joints and muscles.

"There's no doubt that Tai Chi, done properly, can be a beneficial exercise for people with arthritis," says Paul Lam, M.D., a Sydney-based family practitioner and Tai Chi master who designed the Australian arthritis program. "Tai Chi is an exercise almost anyone who can walk can do safely." Dr. Lam began doing Tai Chi nearly 30 years ago for his own osteoarthritis. "Tai Chi takes the joints gently through their range of motion while the emphasis on breathing and inner stillness relieves stress and anxiety."

Peter Stein, M.D., a Greenbrae, Calif., rheumatologist, says he finds Tai Chi especially good for people with fibromyalgia and those with a high level of muscle pain. "People in pain often can't even do yoga," he says. "They need something milder and more soothing, and Tai Chi is very good for relieving pain."

A 10-week study from 1991 that evaluated Tai Chi's safety for rheumatoid arthritis patients concluded that the weight-bearing aspects of this exercise have the potential to stimulate bone growth and strengthen connective tissue.

A 1999 study that looked at people with multiple sclerosis who practiced Tai Chi found that it contributed to an overall improvement in quality of life for people with chronic, disabling conditions.

Given its low impact and evidence that it tends to increase muscle strength and balance, and gives general pain relief, it's a great option for those who experience symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and MS.

This is a most important subject for me, so I like to be thorough. Before writing this article I wanted to know exactly how "prevention" is defined. My Webster Dictionary tells me this: "'prevention' is to keep something from happening, or to make something impossible to happen by prior action." That's pretty forthcoming and suggests that pro-action is required to achieve a desired result.

With that in mind, let's talk about prevention in the arena of health and wellness. That's my passion and that's what I want to communicate to you. The question you may ask is "you mean I can prevent, say, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer or any other ailment in spite of the fact that we live in a polluted environment and often practice unhealthy eating habits?"

The answer lies in your understanding of how our bodies work and in your motivation to be proactive in maintaining your health. Think about this: what would you like better, checking into the best and plushest hospital to be treated for a disease, or walk the beaches of this world and play with your grandchildren and loved ones? If you choose the way I do, the answer is yes, you can; you can act now to prevent damage later! Qualifying that, I would have to admit there are no guarantees, but you definitely can reduce your risks considerably!

You no doubt have heard the saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Many a sick person would attest to that and wish they had exercised their responsibility and taken better care of their health before disease manifested.

When, then, is the best time to focus on prevention? Anytime is a good time, but the earlier, the better. Starting in the womb would be ideal, but for most of us it's too late for that now. Actually, the best time is when you are well, active and feeling just fine. That's when you are probably least inspired to be thinking about your health. Yet, when you understand the 4 phases of the disease progression, the logic of it will be evident.

• In phase #1 the disease process begins silently in your body while you don't notice, say, the arteriosclerotic build-up that can later lead to heart attack or stroke, or the cancer cells that are replicating with the wrong DNA formula.
• During phase #2 the disease can be diagnosed if your doctor is looking for it; whereas in
• phase #3 you may begin to feel the symptoms of a disease. Up to then you may have thought yourself to be healthy, because you felt fine. By the time you feel the symptoms, it's already too late for prevention; then you need to focus on treatment, and that's much harder to do.
• Finally in phase 4 the disease is severe and potentially fatal.

  Get the picture?

  How hard is prevention? Well, that depends on you - how hard do you want to make it? There are many things you can do and some things you better forget about. You pretty much know the drill: smoking is out, heavy drinking you better forget about as well. Much is written about how you can improve your lifestyle to support prevention of unwanted disease. You pretty much know about nutrition which includes thoughtful nutritional supplementation, of course, but also how you deal with stress, the quality of sleep you are getting, your exercise, your emotional outlook on life.

  This and many other aspects matter. Again, life doesn't give us guarantees, but if you set your mind on prevention NOW, chances are very good that you end up on the playgrounds of your Golden Years with your grandchildren or your golf buddies instead of some fine hospital.

© 2007 Britt Mittemeijer

Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes virus. This article will not get into the details of this sickness in terms of pain and appearance, but instead will concentrate on finding its natural cure.

There are many advantages to using natural cure, instead of using chemicals. I will not go through all of them but let me just mention that you avoid chemicals which poison your body. Moreover these chemicals eliminate the symptoms, which keep coming back, instead of curing the root of the problem. Natural cure avoids poisons and solves the problem and not its symptoms. (e.g. - Balance your diet to cure medical problem).

The basic natural treatment has two important elements: changing your diet and using healing plants. The aim of changing your diet should be strengthening your immunity system, and the plants should increase the time between herpes attacks.

Stress is a very important aspect of herpes. It works as catalyzed on the herpes. It is very important to try and avoid any sort of stress. This should be done by working from the inside out. First try to lower self stress which comes from your inside, accept yourself. Then try to control anger and stress from the outside world. Proportions and balance are key words not only in life but for better health as well.

Melissa Officinalis

It should be used at the beginning of the outbreak of herpes. Use leafs to make tea out of it. Avoid aluminum, instead use stainless steel cocking pot. Fill about ¾ Liter and use lots of leafs. Boil it and wait about 20 minutes then drink it while it's still warm. Drink it about 3-5 times daily.

Echinacea Angustifolia

It is very important that the root from this plant will be used, it is best to consume about 50cc every month for six months. This should give you more time between outbreaks.

Combination Of: mint, hyssop, oregano, melissa, salvia, and thyme. Use them same as with the Melissa Officinalis.

Essential Oil

Some oils such as: lemon and geranium, eucalyptus, roses, and melissa, can be used as well especially if they are pure.

Herpes is caused by the herpes virus. There are many different variations of the herpes virus. The most common being hsv1 (herpes simplex virus 1) ; and hsv2 (herpes simplex virus 1) .

Hsv1 causes what is commonly known as "Oral herpes" . The most common physical form of hsv1 is colds sores. Statistics indicate that 90 % of adults have hsv1.

Hsv2 is the most common STD (sexually transmitted disease) among adults in the world. Commonly known as Genital Herpes, this disease is believed to be incurable; however there are treatment options available that can suppress the herpes outbreaks .Even though herpes is incurable, with proper medication all herpes symptoms (outbreaks etc) can be cured. This is why some people only experience outbreaks once every several years. And in some cases the herpes symptoms are cured for life.

Home Treatment: Herpes

Conventional herpes medical treatment (I.e. antiviral, OTC Medication) can cost a fortune especially if you do not have medical aid. A much cheaper and at times safer option is Home treatment for herpes.

Home treatment herpes can be sub categorized into food, herbs and others like hygiene.

These are discussed in greater detail below:

Home Treatment herpes: Food

Research has proven that there are certain foods that minimize the re-occurrence of herpes outbreaks. Food high in lysine is one recommendation.

Below are some examples of "lysine rich" foods:

1. Avocado
2. Plain yogurt
3. Milk
4. Fish
5. Potatoes
6. Eggs
7. Cheese
8. Beef
9. Chicken
10. Broccoli

1. Nuts
2. Raisins
3. Chocolate
4. Coconut
5. Peanuts

All the food listed above are high in Arginine, which is an amino acid required for the replication of the herpes virus. Now the reason a "lysine rich" diet may prevent outbreaks is because Lysine slows down the metabolism of Arginine. Resulting in a "slower replication rate" of the herpes virus and which causes fewer outbreaks!

Home Treatment herpes: Herbs

Herbal treatment is another great alternative to OTC medication. Below are some examples of herbal herpes treatment:

Green and white tea - Frequent consumption of tea has proven to speed up the healing process of herpes outbreaks.

Eleutherococcus or Siberian ginseng - Though it has no known effect on hsv1, siberian ginseng has been proven to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms of herpes hsv2.

Other herbal remedies include thyme and lemon balm.

Home Treatment herpes: Other treatment alternatives include the following: .

Warm Baths: Warm baths have helped many and might just work for you. But make sure that you do not use a towel to dry your genital or any other affected areas. Rather use a hair blow dryer to avoid spreading of the sores.

Lose Clothes and underwear: Avoid tight clothes and underwear as these can cause a lot of discomfort and friction against the infected area.

Ice: Placing ice packs on the affected area cause also numb the pain a bit

Cold tea bags - when applied to infected area have proven to have an antiviral effect on herpes symptoms. This method is most effective when used during the early stages of an outbreak.

Each of the above Home Treatment for herpes has been proven to be effective. However not all will be as effective on everybody. The best way is to try them out and discover what works best for you. Consulting your doctor would also be a great idea before trying out any of the above.

Overall Home Treatment for herpes has helped thousands (if not millions) of people living happily with herpes. Remember, herpes is not a death sentence. You can live a normal healthy and happy life with herpes.