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How to Introduce Holistic Medicine to Your Family

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Holistic therapies are increasingly gaining more and more acceptance around the world as scores of frustrated people seek alternatives to expensive modern medical practices. These people have slowly begun to recognize that the very same modern medical practices that theyve relied on for so long, seek to treat the symptoms rather than cure the disease and avoid seeing the patient as a whole being in need of care not only for their body but their minds and spirits as well.

Interestingly, while individuals are turning to holistic medicine in record numbers, they are often wary of discussing such things with their friends and families out of the fear that they will be misunderstood.

Here are a few suggestions that will help you broach the topic of holistic medicine with your family:

Educate Yourself

Education is your first line of defense when faced with a discussion about an unfamiliar topic. Before you talk to your friends and family, read everything you can find on the subject of holistic health. Your local library branch or an internet search is a place to start, but you will also glean much more by actually seeing and being with holistic health practitioners and those on the holistic path. Reading books and information that are applicable to your own situation will make it much easier to field the unavoidable questions that will no doubt be forthcoming. Having such tools to use as a reference will give you confidence in introducing and discussing other health options with those who may be less supportive or knowledgeable.

Explain about Access to Affordable Health Care

When you first enter into the holistic discussion with others, it is best to approach it from a perspective that they are likely to understand right off the bat. Modern health care is prohibitively expensive and as such is out of reach for millions of people. Health care insurance if it is available at all can cost hundreds of dollars every month and still may not cover all of the costs associated with maintaining the health of you and your family. Regardless, even if you have the best health insurance seeking alternative healing arts modalities may be the best path for you.

Thankfully there are a number of holistic therapy options that are available to people irrespective of their age, current health condition or financial status.

Organize a Family Movie Night

One way to foster family togetherness is to incorporate a family movie night. In this relaxed atmosphere, discussions can take place in a comfortable and familiar environment, leaving many people much more receptive to new concepts. There are DVDs available on nearly any holistic therapy you can imagine and The Center for Healing Arts has made what to watch and share a simple task. Subscribers receive a new DVD every other month to review at their leisure, in the privacy of their own home.

According to founding director Victor Demko, sharing your newfound information is exactly what the Center had in mind. “Members of the center are encouraged to watch and share the DVDs with friends as part of creating a wellness mentality in their community. The DVDs can also be used to support friends and loved ones on their own wellness journey.”

Now You Can Administer Dog Medicine Without Stressing Your Pooch

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Administering medicine to your dog can be tricky. Like many humans, dogs generally do not enjoy taking their medication. Here are a few tips and techniques to help you painlessly administer medicine to your dog.

Like a good physician, adopt a pleasant bedside manner. Administer any medicine properly and positively. Always stay calm and affirming as it’s important for your dog to view this experience as something positive. It’s never safe for you to approach your dog aggressively. This will not result in a good experience for your dog and may even lead to hostility when administering medication in the future.

For oral medications

You can hide and/or crush and mix medication in food, have your dog’s medication compounded into liquid or get medication in ointment form.

To hide a pill in food

Choose a food that strong tasting, malleable (peanut butter, cream cheese). Serve your dog several different tastings of food so that they may not notice which sample holds the medication. With the medication buried and hidden inside the food, make sure to reward your dog for eating his/her treat.

To crush a pill in food

Before ever crushing medication for your pet’s food, consult your veterinarian as some medications should not be crushed.

Getting your dog’s medication in liquid and/or ointment form

Should your dog not accept medication hidden or crushed in food, ask your veterinarian about a flavored liquid alternative. If your pet doesnt accept liquid medications, you can check with your veterinarian to see if medication can be made into a form that is rubbed directly onto the skin, which is called transdermal dog medication.

For eye drops or ointment

Make sure to hold your dog securely and if you can’t do this alone, ask someone to secure your dog while applying medication. It is most beneficial if your dog sits or is lying down. Next, clean your dog’s eye area before applying medication. Open your dog’s eye by gently placing your hand on top of your dog’s head, holding the upper eyelid open. Hold the medication at an angle above the eye and put the appropriate amount of medication into the eye. Be extra careful not to touch the eyeball directly. When finished applying your dog’s eye drops or ointment, allow your dog a moment to shut the eye and then massage gently.

For ear drops

Again be sure you hold your dog securely or seek help if needed. Always communicate with your dog in a stress-free and calming way. Gently clean your dog’s ear passage with cotton and then put the ear dropper slightly outside his or her ear canal. Be sure to not to insert the medication to far into your dog’s ear.

For subcutaneous injections

Subcutaneous injections takes expertise, so be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions after training. You will need a bag of room-temperature solution cooled in warm water, IV tubing and needles, and rubbing alcohol. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly.

Remove the port of the solution bag, usually located towards the bottom of the bag where you will connect the IV line. Next, connect the IV tubing to the bag of solution. Locate the clamp on the IV tubing and fasten the IV line to bag of solution. Now join the tubing to the solution and IV line.

The IV line, which is now connected to the solution bag, will allow you to monitor the flow of fluid. To assure the safe, steady flow of liquid, you can partially fill the tubing reservoir with liquid, which avoids air bubbles. Remove the needle without removing the needle cap. Put the needle on the end of the IV line and secure. Now, uncap the needle and loosen the clamp. Make sure the clamp is secure and recap the needle.

With alcohol, clean at the injection area, usually between the shoulders. Trim the hair around this area if necessary. Take the extra skin, uncap the needle fully into the skin and inject your dog’s medication promptly. Once you have injected your dog’s medication, put your finger on top of the needle, holding it in place where the needle enters the skin. Slowly open the clamp to the IV and let the liquid flow. Hold the needle into place and monitor the flow.

After administering your dog’s prescribed medication, clamp the IV tubing and remove the needle. Apply pressure to the injection area with alcohol to disinfect the area and prevent bleeding. You will notice a pouch of fluid under your dog’ skin and will slowly dissolve. If the bubble does not dissolve to some degree, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Administering medicine can be simple, fast and pain-free when you know how.

Adolescent Medicine in Idaho Falls-Common Problems Among Teens That Should Be Discussed With a Physician

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Puberty experiences in young women will vary. Doctors practicing adolescent medicine advise parents and their daughters to pay close attention to certain issues and as they advance through various stages of puberty.

Painful cramps are one symptom that parents should inquire about. While it is common for the teen to experience cramps during the time of their period, excruciating cramps could indicate a serious condition in teenage women. Severe cramps can indicate dysmenorrhea. One form of dysmenorrhea, the primary spasmodic, can affect 80 percent of young teenage females. Other issues like endometriosis could also be linked to severe cramps. Parents with teens experiencing severe cramps may want to speak with a physician about the problem.

Infrequent periods is another thing that the parents should take note of. Many young women may experience a missed period within the year the menstrual cycle begins. Periods can become irregular among extremely active teens that play sports and exercise often. Irregular periods can also be a symptom of the condition polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition affects ten percent of women. It can cause irregular hair growth, acne and weight gain. Any hormonal balance problems the teen may be experiencing contributing to conditions stemming from irregular periods can be managed by the doctor working in the field of adolescent medicine in Idaho Falls.

Unhealthy weight gain is another problem that parents want to watch for. The excess weight can lead to an imbalance in hormone levels, and if untreated, the teen could have issues as a young adult with weight. Weight issues among teens can develop into a lifestyle, so proper counseling from a physician that specializes in adolescent medicine in Idaho Falls can help address this concern. Physicians in adolescent medicine can help the parents and the teen handle weight issues in a way that helps promote a healthy self-image and a healthy lifestyle.

Delayed puberty is another issue that should be of concern to parents. Breast development, menstruation and other physical changes are tied to a timeline. While not all teenage females develop at the same time, an abnormal delay should be discussed with the physician specializing in adolescent medicine. Such a delay can indicate an endocrine or reproductive problem in teen women.

Adolescent medicine helps parents address the developmental concerns affecting teenage women early on. The earlier these issues are addressed in young women, the easier they are to treat successfully. There are five stages of puberty for young women, and parents can help guide their children through them with the help of a physician specializing in adolescent medicine in Idaho Falls.

Plant Medicine For Molluscum Is Safer Than Chemical Drugs

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Molluscum contagiosum is a very common skin infection that causes small pearly or flesh-colored bumps. The bumps may be clear, and the center often is indented. The bumps may be either clear or red and inflamed. They are often seen in groups in one or two areas. Bumps may develop along with eczema, and you may not notice the bumps as much as the eczema.
Most of the bumps are often found on the trunk, face, eyelids, or genital area in temperate climates and on extremities in the tropics. In children, bumps usually appear on the trunk, face, and arms. In sexually active teens and young adults, the bumps are often located in the genital area. The infection is caused by a virus. The virus is easily spread but is not harmful.
Molluscum contagiosum in people who have an impaired immune system, such as HIV infection, can be more serious. These bumps are hard to treat, and can mimic other serious diseases of people with HIV infection. Conditions that may appear similar to molluscum contagiosum include warts, chickenpox, genital warts, basal cell skin cancer, and lichen planus.
Molluscum contagiosum is usually diagnosed during a physical exam. If you have bumps in genital area, your doctor may check for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes. Some doctors may consider testing for human immunodeficiency virus if you are at risk for the condition and you have bumps on your face or other symptoms of a severe case of molluscum contagiosum. A biopsy may be done if the diagnosis is unclear and other conditions are suspected.
Treatment for molluscum contagiosum is not always needed because most bumps will go away within two to four months, although they may last longer. But if bumps are visible or embarrassing, or in order to prevent their spread, you may want them removed. Removal or other treatment is recommended for bumps in the genital area.
You apply the nonprescription medicine salicylic acid directly to the bumps. It is usually not painful and is often regarded as the first treatment to try. Immunotherapy triggers your immune system to fight the virus causing the skin growth. Small studies have shown that it is successful about eighty percent of the time.
Manual extrusion means that viral material is removed by squeezing bumps with fingers or forceps. This is done by a doctor to avoid scarring and to keep infection from spreading. Curettage means that the viral material in the center of the bump is scraped out. A local or topical anesthetic can be used to numb the area. This procedure may cause scarring.
Your doctor may apply a chemical to the bumps. This destroys the top layers of the skin, allowing a new layer to form. When the chemical is applied, you may feel a burning sensation. Side effect may include mild scarring. How often and how long the chemical is applied will vary. Chemicals used include trichloroacetic acid, podophyllin resin, potassium hydroxide, and cantharidin.
Cryotherapy means that the bump is frozen with liquid nitrogen. A local anesthetic may be used to numb the area. The liquid nitrogen is sprayed or applied with a cotton-tip applicator for five or more seconds. This procedure usually is not too painful, is not as likely as curettage to cause scarring, and usually is effective. Often, more than one treatment is needed.
Treatment varies depending on your age and health and the location of bumps. Although synthetic chemical drugs are effective, they have much side effects with high price. Some ailments could not be treated by synthetic drugs. Plant medicine comes from natural and is safer than synthetic drugs when treating molluscum contagiosum. The efficacy of plant medicine for molluscum is conclusive with scientific pharmacology to illustrate, which enhances the confidence of patients.
Plant medicine has excellent antiviral activity against hulled viruses as it causes their cellular death upon exposure. The antiviral properties of this natural treatment for molluscum have a tremendous therapeutic impact to eradicate viral pathogens, especially those infecting the skin. Plant medicine is a powerful antiviral agent which inhibits the signal transduction pathways of the molluscum viral proteins. As a result, it provides a profound healing effect against the molluscum contagiosum virus. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.

Folk Medicine – The Natural Solution

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Long before orthodox medicine took center stage in the health care practices around the world people who were sick used to visit different kind of doctors. These doctors were not the steth-wielding, tech-savvy, white-coated medical geniuses of today. Mostly, they were bearded, wizened and gnarled humans looking less like physicians and more like witches or wizards. But they were revered, loved and even feared because of one particular skill they possessed the healing touch.

In the early days of civilization, a vast majority of people were cut off from formal’ medical care. Competent physicians were a luxury, to be enjoyed only by the super-rich and royalty. For everyone else, there was the local witch-doctor who was respected for his or her in-depth knowledge of folk medicine. This was the man or woman who treated everything from boils to gangrene, from cesarean to malaria and even small pox.

What is astonishing is that many of these so-called doctors’ effectively cured their patients. What is even more interesting is that these medicines have lost none of their charms with the passage of time and more and more of them are finding their rightful place in mainstream medicines.

Remember how your grandma used to give you wild cherry bark for cough, or boil the twigs and leaves of red cedar to cure your cold? Well, that’s folk medicine! If you were to ask your grandma how she learnt those techniques, she’d draw a blank! These unofficial health-related practices were passed on informally by word of mouth and were developed through observation and experimentation.

Illnesses ranging from the common cold and sore throat to warts, cancer, malaria, impotence and arthritis are said to be treated through folk medicine.

Folk medicine largely depended on the use of natural materials such as herbs, plant roots, trees, barks, fruits, insects and food items. Therefore, these practitioners paid a lot of attention to botany.

But the advent of modern medicine saw a decline in folk medicine as these rustic’ practices were put under the microscope, dissected and then discarded as worthless. One more reason contributed to the decline of folk medicine.

Folk medicine started its downward slide with the advent of magical healing powers. Seedy people on the lookout for a few fast bucks were successful in capitalizing on the trust and faith of large sections of the society. Once their ruse came to light, people began to lose faith in folk medicine. Soon folk medicine was relegated to a gray area between orthodox medicine and quackery.

However, as more and more people have started to realize, there is a wealth of knowledge in traditional folk medicine. As people have started adopting the holistic way of life, there is a struggle to re-invent the precious folk medicine of yore. In recent years, the folk medicine of indigenous people is becoming more popular.

Some examples of folk medicines that we use in our daily life are:

Garlic – to reduce blood cholesterol levels
Chinese acupuncture – to treat blood clotting and migraine
The juice of neem leaves – to treat malaria
Poultice – to treat infected wounds

Turmeric – to treat bee or wasp stings

Today, amazingly more than two-thirds of the world’s population rely on the healing powers of folk medicine at some point of their lives. For many nothing else is available or affordable. For some, nothing else is acceptable. And for a very few, nothing else works.