The fact is that more and more people are living to be a ripe old age and we are not all that healthy.

Playing tennis at 90? Golf at 95? I don’t think so. For every one healthy individual over 75 there are many who are in need of assistance with their activities of daily living.. their washing, bedding, eating, and mobilization.

Medicare has changed the way it pays for home health care since the passing of the Balanced Budget Act by President Clinton. Now, agencies are paid on an aggregate and not on a per visit episode. This creates an atmosphere of holding back visits whenever possible. It was designed to cut back on wasteful spending. Assisting a 95 year old that cannot get out of bed himself with no other acute needs was considered wasteful by Medicare standards. The home healthcare benefit was initially set up for acute needs. The impeding needs of our elders has changed. The home health care benefit under Medicare was accommodating the needs in some ways until the law took affect in 1999.

What do we do with all of the chronically ill patients out there? How do we administer custodial care when the patient does not have a skilled need (that REQUIRES the service of a registered nurse or therapist)(the only way Medicare will pay for home health care for a limited amount of time)? What about younger patients not on Medicare? Other insurances, especially HMO’s are very frugal with home health care allowances.

For many, it is a matter of paying for the services themselves. At $14-$21 dollars an hour the weekly bill for a patient receiving just 4 hours of serves a day, 5 days a week at $16./hr. = $320.00. That’s $1280.00 a month. Many elders can afford this and many cannot. There are also those that need many more than 4 hours a day. There are a few solutions.

First, you MUST plan. Your children &/or caretakers are going to decide on your long term care if you have not planned for it. This can be overly stressful for them and for you.

Your choices consist of (1) private pay home health aide care in you home, (2) long term care insurance (very fair and generous)paid home health care services, (3) nursing home services (both privately paid and paid by Medicaid)(care varies widely and admission is sometimes delayed for months creating a home health care need during this lag time), (4) assistance from city/county aging corporations (in Philadelphia there is Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging that has programs for those that are financially needy (or not, at times) but the waiting list can be up to 4 years long….PLAN AHEAD! CALL AS SOON AS THE NEED IS ARISING. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE).

The other issue with care in your home is finding the right caregiver. Home health aides vary. There are many who are excellent and then there are those who are not so good. There are agencies that are more experienced with a certain type of patient (pediatrics, cancer/hospice , Alzheimer’s disease). This is a matter of trial and error and can be very frustrating. Be patient. Call the agency to discuss your concerns early on and remember even the best situations aren’t perfect. Try to be flexible. Your foremost concern should be safety. I think the second concern is the quality of care provided (not if the aide has a nose ring, long nails or has the wrong color hair)(unless their is a health concern). Is the patient safe at home when there is no caregiver there? Address issues. Medic-alert bracelets/necklaces are a help, neighbors, frequent visits by family & friends, meal-on-wheels and even sitters to fill in between aide services all help.

TAKE A MINUTE FOR YOU

SOME TIME FOR YOU

In the middle of all this stress, we have to find ways for life after…We have daily responsibilities. With fragmented focus, broken hearts, and tangled thoughts, we still have to work, our families need attention, and the laundry must be done.

Often in such confusing, continuous stress we forget to pay attention to our own needs. Each of us, for our own reasons, is afraid. Our body and mind stay alert and ready for the next episode of stress.

Many times we believe we are uncaring if we do our daily routines: How can we think of cooking when awful things have happened to someone else, especially thousands of someone else’s. Day to day activities may have less meaning than they did a week ago. We just can’t stay focused, and time slips away.

Last of all, some part of us gets used to the adrenaline and intensity of feelings. Primary emotions like fear, anger, and sadness are more acute. Feelings like hunger, thirst, and fatigue are numbed. We forget to take care of ourselves, and the usual signals are dulled.

This means we have to remember ourselves. Strange as it might sound, write yourself a note for your desk or refrigerator or mirror. Set a timer to ring each hour. Remind yourself to check about your needs. Do we need water, food, a shower, fresh air, exercise, rest, a friend?

During times when we cannot change or lessen the external stresses, we can create a balance inside by adding more peace to our lives. Did you know one of the fastest ways to add peace is to focus on something of beauty?

As they say, beauty is in the beholder. So, maybe take a minute right now. What is beautiful to you? windchimes, a guitar chord, a slice of star fruit,someone’s eyes, a new tennis racket,your nail polish, river water, the silence of your child in bed. What is beautiful to you?

If you are willing, you can take this time of stress, uncertainty, and grief and use it any way you want. You can create a space for peace, hope, and compassion. Let this space begin with you. Treat yourself to some kindness.

Take a news break. Take a walk: in the woods, at the beach, to a Japanese garden, under a tree in your backyard; somewhere you can regain the presence of peace. Encourage yourself to find one small, simple part of this space and focus on it. Maybe a leaf, a pelican, an orange koi fish, a dog running, the shadow of a branch, the center of a flower, a rock on the ground, a bird calling. Breathe and sink into that simple touch, sight, or feel.

A FEW MINUTES MORE

Here is something else you can do to ease some of the stress and take care of yourself:

1. Turn off the radio, television, and telephone. (All the news will be repeated and callers will leave a message.)

2. Drink a glass of cool water, maybe add lemon or lime.

3. If you have music that you have found relaxing in the past, please play that now. (Let it be music without words.).

4. Find a place that is quiet. This is just for you. There is no where you have to go. Nothing you have to do. These minutes are your appreciation to yourself for someone who cares about others.

You may notice feeling anxious, that you can’t sit still, and maybe your mind races all over the place. Those are sign of the stress inside. Notice these feelings and let it is okay to sit even if you aren’t 100% willing.

5. Now comes the breathing part. (You expected that, right?) Well, did you know that the only way to let your body know that you are okay is by relaxed breathing? Breathing will help your body be more willing to sit still. Although breathing is automatic in the survival sense, we can practice for using it as a tool for more peace.

During stress our bodies increase adrenaline so we are prepared to run or stay and fight. By asking you to sit still and breathe, I am asking you to find a quiet and peace in the center of the stress. At first this may seem impossible. The key is to lightly notice the stress symptoms and stay sitting and breathing.

After some time you will notice a shift. You may feel yourself give one really deep, slow inhalation and a deep, slow exhalation— involuntarily. It will simply happen. This is your signal that you have released the tension of your stress. You’ll really like that part.

Ready?

6. If you feel comfortable to close your eyes, then please do. If not, open eyes are fine. The most important thing is let your self breathe.

7. Okay, now. Slowly…inhale. Gently hold the breath in. Then slowly, slowly…exhale. Again, slowly inhale; very slowly exhale. Feel the air come into your body. Let the fresh oxygen relax and replenish your body. Again, inhale…and exhale.

If at some point your mind wanders to a peaceful place, then enjoy and keep breathing. If your mind does not go to a peaceful place, that is okay. The important part is breathing.

Now if you are willing, keep breathing. At some time during your breathing, you will feel your body release the tension. Continue breathing until you do.

Congratulations for taking time to honor and care for yourself. You deserve special attention. You are valuable to the world.

Tapeworm egg infestation occurs from consuming inadequately prepared meats like beef, pork or fish. The eggs move through the digestive system ultimately reaching the intestinal tract. After their eggs are hatched, the offspring consume the food taken in by their host and become larger.

Different treatments can be tried for a tapeworm infestation, varying from prescription medications to alternative remedies. But these remedies are not advised to be combined, since there could be a risk of interaction.

Prescription Medication

With prescription medications, it is possible to treat tapeworms in people successfully. You can’t buy OTC drugs, because tapeworms are treated differently based on the species. Medication is administered by mouth since it must directly contact tapeworms inside the intestinal tract. A tapeworm has a protective coating which is destroyed when these drugs are used, then the intestine digests it and gets rid of it through elimination. But, this method is missing something, since it only destroys the adult worm, and not the larvae or eggs. Once the next batch of eggs is hatched, the victim can suffer with a re-infestation.

Always keep in mind that since tapeworms aren’t bacterial in nature, antibiotics are ineffective. Antibiotics can hurt you more than they can help you by diminishing the good bacteria in the intestine, which assists your immune system to shield infections.

Diets Changes

A restricted diet may prevent a tapeworm from receiving the nutrients it requires to live, however this is challenging and should be used at the same time as another treatment. Make sure that you eat lots of uncooked carrots along with pumpkin seeds with your meals when possible. The tapeworm won’t receive any nutrients and the outside skin will be damaged and weakened because these foods are anti-parasitic.

Consuming leafy green veggie items is helpful too. Eliminate processed sugar, flour and other foodstuffs altogether, since tapeworms flourish when they are consumed. Eat fruit items sparingly, since their natural glucose is something tapeworms thrive on. Something else to do — avoid frosty drinks and don’t eat cold foods, since this will make the intestines contract, which is painful and withholds toxins.

Herbal Treatments

There are a number of herbs which will help get rid of tapeworms. Wormwood is the most widely known and is actually named for its worm-fighting property. The common methods of using wormwood are tinctures, and it is simple to make tea using wormwood leaves. You make this with a couple of tablespoons fresh or a single spoon of dry wormwood for every cup of boiled water. Wait 5 or 10 minutes while it sits there. You can try blending additional herbs like cinnamon and ginger to improve the taste.

There are additional herbs that might be useful like garlic, oregano, thyme, cloves or grapefruit seed. They can be combined with meals of any type, but garlic needs to be uncooked in order to work as a medicine. Combining these herbal substances aids in eliminating these creatures and their offspring from the body.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic methods can be used in some cases, for instance when tapeworms originate in certain meats. When you continue to itch, throw up, experience delirium and have hallucinations along with imaginary symptoms, Sabadilla is good for this. To expel tapeworms when you have stomach discomfort, you can use Granatum, and if you have a decreased uneven pulse you can use Kuosso. More homeopathic remedies might help tapeworms, but a thorough examination by a homeopath is needed to use these remedies the right way.

Surgery

Operations are seldom performed for tapeworms but the worst cases might require it. Tapeworms can attain sufficient size to obstruct intestines or even harm internal organs. This could lead to grave complications or even fatality. Physicians often consider surgical procedures as only a last resort.

Finally, most of the time tapeworms usually won’t kill you or put your life in danger. After they are detected, it is possible in many cases to treat them yourself rather easily. But, don’t presume that you have eliminated them completely with a home treatment, particularly when a child is involved. Be reassured that the infestation is gone, either by a doctor’s examination or help from a licensed naturopath.

Colds

The most widespread infection in the United States is the common cold. When a virus attacks the lining of your nasal passages or throat, cold symptoms are triggered. If your immune system is functioning properly, it will react by attacking the germ with white blood cells called neutrophils.

When your immune system cannot identify the virus, it will have a “nonspecific” response. This means that your body will produce more neutrophils, than are needed. This circulates them to infected areas. The attack will not affect the 200 or more viruses that cause colds. All the extra neutrophils clump together in infected areas, which is the cause of inflammation and the achiness you feel during a cold. It is also accompanied by large amounts mucus in the nose and throat.

It takes between one to four days for cold symptoms to settle in. Even though at this stage, the worst is over, you still may be congested for a week or so. You are in the contagious stage, during the first three days of symptoms, so you should take precautions, to avoid infecting others.

Children catch colds more often than adults. During cold season is when cold infections are most common. In the Unites States, cold season begins in late fall through the spring. Closer contact with others, especially during this time, puts you at greater risk of contracting contagious viruses. Hot and dry air also contributes to viral infection. Colds are not considered to be a dangerous health threat, unless it is in a newborn. You should be fine in a week or so, even if you use no special medicine.

Taking an herbal approach to cold symptoms just may be your answer to preventing it from becoming a full-fledged infection. At the first sign of cold symptoms, taking enchinacea reduces the colds intensity and strengthens the immune system. You may take it in capsules or a tea.

To prepare the tea, add two teaspoons, of enchinacea root to one cup of water. Simmer for approximately 15 minutes and drink it three times a day.

To help clear the mucus from the throat, goldenseal is a great herbal remedy. It contains a natural antibiotic, called berberine, which helps to prevent bacterial infections, associated with colds.

To prepare in a tea, steep a half-teaspoon to one teaspoon of goldenseal in one cup of boiling water, for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink this three times a day. If you prefer cold tea, mix equal parts elder (Sambacus nigra), peppermint (mentha piperita) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Steep one or two teaspoons of this mixture in one cup of hot water, chill and drink three times a days.

To shorten the duration or severity of a cold, garlic is an excellent choice. Any form of garlic should work fine. You may take the tablets, capsules, oil rubbed on the skin or whole garlic roasted or cooked in food. If you prefer capsules, take three, three times a day, until the symptoms disappear.

Flu’s

Unlike the common cold, the flu is much more severe. It is a highly contagious, viral disease and it usually attacks in the early spring and winter. Influenza, better known as the “flu” for short, can be potentially dangerous to your health. It spreads through the upper respiratory tract and can go into your lungs. This disease can spread through huge groups of people, who share indoor space. Although the flu usually occurs in school-age children, it is most severe in the elderly, people with chronic ailments and infants.

Even though there has been advancement in treatment for this disease, the flu and its complications is still fatal to around 20,000 people in the United States annually. Injecting an antibody contained in flu vaccine can prevent strains of the illness, but if this viral infection has already started, it cannot be cured and it will have to run its course.

When droplets in the air are inhaled, that contain the flu virus or if items are handled, contaminated by an infected person, the flu symptoms will begin developing in one to four days afterward.

The influenza virus is divided up into three categories, type A, B and C. All three types can mutate, but type A mutates constantly, which can yield new strains of the virus every few years. In this case, you can never build a total immunity to the flu. This means, even if you develop antibodies against the flu one year, that does not guarantee protection against the virus in the next.

Types B and C result in local outbreaks. These two types are milder and less common. Type B of the virus has been linked to developing Reye’s Syndrome, which is a potentially fatal complication. Influenza in humans seems to originate from Asia.

The symptoms of the flu are basically the same as in the common cold, headache and cough. Your doctor will usually do a blood test or take a throat culture, to identify the illness.

No matter how you treat the flu, it will still run its course. If you are in good health, the virus will most likely pass without complications. A week or so of bed rest and self-care should do the trick.

An herbal approach to this would be to stimulate your immune system. To do this try taking a half-teaspoon of tincture of goldenseal (Hydrates canadensis) and echinacea (Echinacea spp.) two times a day. If flu symptoms appear, chew a clove of raw garlic (Allium sativum), because it contains anti-viral properties, but do not eat it on an empty stomach.

Taking an infusion of boneset (Eupatoruim peroliatum) may relieve fever, aches and clear up congestion. To prepare this mixture at home, simmer one cup of boiling water with two teaspoons of the herb, for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink a cup full every hour as hot as you can take it. Do this up to four to six hours.

Remember, you can only have one body, why not do it good!

…As mentioned earlier, herbal medicine is mostly used to treat mild or chronic ailments and illnesses. So, in this article I will focus on five illnesses that can be remedied by using herbal medicines. These are migraine headaches, high blood pressure, obesity, colds and flu.

Migraines

Have you ever had a throbbing pain on one side of the head? Was the pain so intense that it also made you nauseated? Did you experience visual disturbances, like flickering points of light? Then chances are you were experiencing one of those debilitating, migraine headaches. They are the worse of all headaches, because you can become completely incapacitated.

More mysterious than others, in migraines evidence shows that constricting and swelling of the blood vessels is involved. The belief of some researchers is that these types of headaches are neurological in origin. It is also believed that genetics play a role in the migraine sufferer, because they often run in families.

There are a variety of reasons why people suffer migraine headaches. Some of these reasons are, the excessive intake of caffeine, dry winds, scents, seasons, changes in altitude, birth control pills, hormonal changes, certain foods, stuffy rooms, excitement, anger or even missing a meal. Sexual activity, strenuous exercise can also trigger a migraine.

The most widely recommended herbal remedy for migraine headaches is feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium). Researchers believe this herb works by blocking excessive secretions of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. When a migraine is in its initial stage, blood vessels constrict and serotonin is released. To help counteract, feverfew may help by dilating the blood vessels involved. Chewing a leaf or two on a daily basis is one approach to this ailment. Because the leaves of this herb can occasionally cause ulcers in the mouth, an alternative to the leaves is 125 mg. capsules. If you need to offset an acute attack, take three or four capsules right away and continue the dosage every four hours, but do not exceed 12 capsules per day.

If a migraine is triggered by stress, you may obtain relief from combining equal parts of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), wood betony (Pedicalaris canadensis), linden (Tilia spp.), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and cramp bark (Viburnam opulus). This should be taken three times a day as a tincture or tea.

Sometimes migraines can become so severe, that they are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In this case, at the onset of the warning stage, you may try taking 500 mg. of dried ginger (Zingibar officinale) with water. You may repeat this dosage every two hours if needed.

High Blood Pressure

The worst of all cardiovascular diseases, is hypertension or high blood pressure. If your blood pressure were taken right after a brisk walk or a five-mile hike, your reading would definitely seem high. This is no call for alarm. It is perfectly normal for your blood pressure to go up and down, when there is a change in your emotional state or physical activity.

High blood pressure or hypertension is the leading cause of stroke and heart attack in the Unites States alone. Approximately 40 million people suffer with this illness. This includes over half of all Americans the age of 60 and 64% of individuals are over 70.

Blood pressure means, the force of blood that pushes against your arteries walls. The arteries are supposed to be filled to a certain capacity. Too much pressure will eventually damage good healthy arteries.

There are two numbers in a blood pressure reading. The first number is always the highest. This is called the systolic pressure measurement. This means the peak force of your blood, as the heart is pumping it. The second number is your diastolic pressure.

At birth, a normal blood pressure steadily rises, from around 90/60 to around 120/80 in adults that are healthy. An individual that has a blood pressure reading as high as 140/90 on more than one occasion would be considered to have hypertension. In this case, your doctor will most likely begin treatment. A person with a reading of 200/120 should seek medical attention immediately.

When your blood pressure is consistently high, it puts more strain on the heart and causes it to work beyond its capacity. Not only does this damage the blood vessels, but it can also damage the eyes, kidneys and even the brain. Because so many people with hypertension do not realize they have this condition, it has been labeled as the “silent killer.” If this illness is left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the body and is potentially fatal.

In many cases, there are no warning signs of this illness, but if symptoms occur they may be headaches, chest pains or tightness, numbness or tingling. A person with high blood pressure may also perspire excessively, have muscle cramps, weakness and palpitations. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call your doctor.

Hypertension is broken down into three categories. In about 95 percent of hypertension cases reported in the United States, no underlying cause can be found. This is called essential hypertension. When a person suffers organ damage, caused by high blood pressure, this is called malignant hypertension. Pressure readings in this category are usually over 130. This is a very dangerous stage and requires immediate medical attention. The last type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension. This is when the cause of this condition is known. Among all the causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease is No. 1. Other causes may be tumors or abnormalities that cause adrenal glands to secrete excess hormones, that heighten the blood pressure.

Essential hypertension is still a mystery, but it has been linked to certain risk factors. High blood pressure has been associated genetically, because in many cases, it runs in the family. Unfortunately, race and age play a role in developing this condition. Statistics show, here in the United States, that African Americans are twice as likely to develop hypertension than Caucasians. Even though this separation starts to narrow around the age of 44, after 65, African American women rank the highest in high blood pressure cases.

People, who do not use salt in their food, show no virtual traces of essential hypertension. In addition to these factors, diabetes, stress, obesity, insufficient intake of calcium, magnesium, potassium, excessive alcohol intake and insufficient physical activity can contribute to the onset of this condition.

There is no cure for essential hypertension, but it can be effectively treated.

Secondary hypertension can usually be cured, by concentrating on the cause. There are many things that can control your blood pressure. Your doctor will decide on a treatment plan. Since the focus is on herbal remedies, I will address this type of preventive plan.

First of all, watch what you eat. Eliminate the salt and fat in your diet. Include foods that are high in magnesium, calcium and fiber. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quit! Exercise regularly. This keeps your blood vessels dilated, so that they can function properly. It also conditions the heart. If you are obese, lose weight.

The best herbal medicine to take for correcting or preventing hypertension is Hawthorn Tea (Crataegus laevigata). This herb has been used to treat many circulatory disorders. When used over a period of time, Hawthorn Tea can help reduce heart rate and dilate blood vessels. You may prepare this at home, by steeping the berries and dry flowers in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Research shows that you can also reduce your blood pressure by consuming an ample amount of onion and garlic.

Obesity

Obesity is one of the contributors of hypertension. A woman is considered to be obese, when her body fat percentage is over 30 percent and over 25 percent for men. Because some people metabolize food differently, the person with the lower metabolism will gain weight at a faster rate. Obesity puts the overweight person, at a much higher risk not only for hypertension, but also heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory problems.

Even though there are reasons why some individuals can eat as much as they want, without gaining weight, if you are obese, you need to make every effort to lose the weight. You should especially be concerned, if you tend to carry a lot of weight around the abdominal area. This is more typical in men, than in women. There are a variety of reasons why a person can become overweight. Some of these include poor diet, lack of exercise, thyroid and heredity.

Programs to lose weight are a billion dollar business in the United States. But, many weight-loss enterprises still look at obesity from a cultural point of view, that obesity is a result of inadequate exercise or some moral deficiency. Research has proved that it is not nearly that simple. Genetic, as well as, biochemical forces are involved each time we eat. Unfortunately, having will power does not have much to do with how our body will process the food we consume, or how our bodies will respond when we are full.

As research brings us more knowledge about the causes of obesity, better treatment plans will be created. But, presently conventional and alternative therapies are focused on exercise, diet and in some cases psychological complications.

Herbal therapy is one approach that can be tried. Kelp (Fucus spp.) in tablet form three to four times a day can be used to stimulate your metabolic rate. It has been reported to be especially good for obesity related to thyroid disorders. It helps to offset the cravings for sweets that are full of those extra calories.

You may take Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), to boost your metabolism and flush out the kidneys. You may eat the raw leaves in a salad or drink it in a tea, by boiling two to three teaspoons of the root in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink this tea three times a day.

One of the complications associated with obesity is constipation. In this case, a tea made from rhubarb may eliminate this problem.

To be continued with colds and flu.

Herbs are used for medicine, aromatherapy and in the preparation of many food dishes. Although there are many herbs that can be used for all these purposes, each has a main purpose and the others are secondary.

Did you know that no less than 37 percent of prescription medicines manufactured in the United States, contain herbs? How many of you like mustard or use onions, as an additive in so many different food dishes? They are herbs. Parsley, thyme, garlic are used to wake up the flavor in a number of recipes. They are also herbs. So no matter how you look at it, herbs are already a part of our lives.

In ancient history, man had only nature to depend upon. Now, in modern times, man once again realizes the healing power of herbs. Many have chosen nature’s healers, rather than man-made medicinal products.

In the preparation of herbal medicines, the roots, stem, leaves and bark are used. The fruit, flowers, seeds, twigs and even exudates, which is the sap like material is also used.

The active biological ingredients in these plants are mostly used for treating mild or chronic ailments. But, occasionally they have also been used in supportive therapy, for acute and even severe disease.

The history of herbal medicine began, 5,000 years before the poet Virgil recorded the use of the herb Dittany. While hunting, if an animal wounded a man, Dittany was applied to the wound as an antiseptic.

Chinese medicine and Western herbology were different, because of the way diseases were diagnosed and herbal remedies were prescribed. A number of cultures utilize the wondrous healing power of herbs.

A book was written in 2700 B.C. by the Chinese, which listed 365 medicinal plants and their uses. The Summerians of Mesopotamia used and described the herbs Thyme, Caraway and Laurel. The Romans made medicines, food seasoning and cosmetics from herbs. Garlic, Castor Oil and Coriander were just a few of the herbs used by Egyptians.

When England was under the rule of Henry VIII, law protected herbal medicine. That protection was reaffirmed in 1968. Patients and physicians plagued by impatience, rely on chemical drugs to get faster results. At times, pharmaceutical drugs do have the ability to relieve the symptoms of an illness and can be life saving.

But, in a lot of cases, the cause of the illness is not treated. Because of this, the symptoms will emerge elsewhere. Side effects are another big issue when using synthetic drugs and in many cases are quite dangerous.

Today, in the United States, the use of herbal medicine is not regulated and herbs can come in a variety of strengths. Some herbs can sometimes be toxic; therefore it is very important that they are used under the guidance of a healthcare practioner, who has knowledge of herbal medicine.

There is varied use in alternative medicine. There is traditional Chinese medicine, Naturopathic medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. As mentioned earlier, these differ by the way an illness is diagnosed and treated.

The Naturopathic medicine approach is considered holistic of whole body healthcare. This form of natural medicine began in the early 20th century. There are approximately three principles in the use of naturopathy. First, the physician should allow the body to heal naturally. Second, the focus should be on the cause of the illness and not on the symptoms. Most of all, any other therapies that may cause harm, such as surgeries or toxic drugs, should be avoided, if possible.

A physician who practices naturopathic medicine has to train at an accredited four-year Naturopathic School of Medicine. The main science classes, as in regular medical school, are taken the first two years. For the remaining two years, the student trains in natural healing therapies. Presently, naturopathic doctors are licensed to practice in nine states. Other states do allow these doctors to practice, but in limited ways. There are also some insurance plans that will cover this form of healthcare.

The beliefs of the naturopathic doctor, is that psychological, physical and spiritual elements, play an enormous role in contributing to illnesses and diseases. A naturopathic doctor may use herbal remedies, homeopathy, massage, Chinese medicine, nutrition, exercise and hydrotherapy. In choosing an alternative practitioner, you may get a referral from your regular doctor.

see next part..

Chlamydia is a fairly typical STI, passed along through vaginal, anal or oral intimacy.

What Role Does Sexual Intimacy Play in Chlamydia Infection?
While it is fairly widespread, generally it affects sexually active individuals. On the other hand, if a mother is infected with Chlamydia, her baby can catch it through childbirth.

The more people you sleep with, the more risk you have of being infected with Chlamydia. Because Chlamydia can be spread orally or anally, men who have sex with other men also have a possibility for getting a Chlamydia infection.

What are symptoms of the ailment Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is often called a silent killer since more than 3/4 of all those infected show no signs. If symptoms manifest, they usually pop up during one to three weeks after being infected.

In a female, the bacterium starts with an infection occurring in the cervix and urethra. Women who experience symptoms may notice an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning feeling during urination. When an infection develops from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, they might show any evidence; but other people feel stomach pain, lower back pain, upset stomach, an elevated temperature, painful intercourse, or spotting between periods. It is actually possible for this kind of symptom to affect the buttocks area.

Symptoms that are noticed in men who have related issues consist of penis discharge or they feel burning when they pee. Men may burn and itch near the penis opening also. But it is not uncommon to have swelling and pain in the testicles. In men, the symptoms move around the throat.

What are the long-range effects from this infection?

If you don’t cure it, Chlamydia infections can end up damaging your reproductive health permanently.

Similar to the ailment, the destruction that happens with Chlamydia is usually “silent”.  With women, an infection that is not helped can travel to the uterus or fallopian tubes and make a lot of problems which they are not aware of. This occurs in as many as 3 out of 8 females whose Chlamydia is not treated. Moreover, this infection causes “silent” lasting injury to the impacted area of the pelvis, etc. This physical injury may give rise to recurring pelvic discomfort, and eventually sterility. Females who present with Chlamydia are as much as five times more susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection upon exposure.

Complications are seldom seen in males. The infection may be transmitted to the sperm-carrying tubes, resulting in discomfort, fever and infertility.

What can be done to remedy Chlamydia infection?

For preventing the bad effects of Chlamydia, an annual Chlamydia screening is advised for all women less than 28 years old who are participating in sexual activity. In addition, yearly screening is advised for older females who possess risk factors for infection. Thus, every pregnant female needs to be screened for the presence of Chlamydia.

And, it is possible to treat and eliminate Chlamydia using prescription antibiotics that may be obtained through online pharmacy. The typical treatment is a one-time dose of generic Zithromax (Azithromycin prescription drug), or Doxycycline taken over the course of a week.

What are the methods of Chlamydia Prevention?

A verified method for avoiding Chlamydia is to remain abstinent, or keep the same mate for a long time, who has been examined and reported to be uninfected.

The odds of transmission of Chlamydia may be lowered if men wear latex condoms regularly and properly.

If you don’t want Chlamydia to spread, another way to prevent this is to see your physician on a regular basis precisely when you are involved in sexual activity.