Excruciating Stories of Women Whose Diseases Were Misdiagnosed
When an illness manifests itself with mystifying symptoms, the first hurdle is figuring out exactly what’s going on. And as the following women explain, sometimes persistence is key to taking that initial step on the path to wellness.
Cheryl L., Went 7 Years Before Being Diagnosed with Lyme Disease
“Originally, the Lyme attacked my bladder nerves, so the best doctors could come up with was the catch-all of interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition where you experience bladder pressure and pain. Then, they thought I had multiple sclerosis because of the misfiring nerves and severe brain fog. Finally, they decided to toss me in the hypochondriac basket and be done with me.
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"The whole time, I had Lyme disease. I missed out on stopping the disease early on and being treated for seven years. Ah, the beauty of the medical runaround to get a correct diagnosis. Once my insurance company wrote me off as a hypochondriac, I was completely adrift. I could not get my original health insurance to even consider a Lyme diagnosis, so they provided no testing or treatment. But when I changed to a new plan seven years after I started experiencing symptoms, I Googled 'joint pain' and got the suggestion of Lyme disease. I asked a doctor I had previously visited if I could get a blood test for it. Voila! There was the answer, after seven years of misdiagnoses.
"From there, I discovered a top specialist in Kansas City, Missouri, who blended holistic and medical protocols to help me kick the Lyme disease into remission. On the holistic side of things, diet was a major factor. My doctor said Lyme disease loves to munch on sugar and starches, so I had to starve it out. I fully eliminated table sugar. On the rare occasion, I had a bit of honey, a piece of gluten-free bread, or small amounts of something like sweet potatoes or part of a banana. When the Lyme disease did go in search of food, I had heavy antibiotics waiting in my system to kill it.
"If it had been caught early, I might have had the option of battling it with just the holistic diet and supplements. But after being misdiagnosed for seven years, by the time I got proper treatment, the test extrapolated that I had millions of Lyme bacterias in my system. I know that if my Lyme had been caught in the first month or even year, my nerve damage would have been minimal. Instead, the Lyme flourished unabated, sending my nerves into a misfiring spiral of pain.”
Nikki M., Went 15 Years Before Being Diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
“Around 15 years ago, I started experiencing allergic reactions with symptoms like hives and trouble breathing. However, about 18 months ago, they got to such a level that they would require ER visits and hospitalizations. I was also having consistent skin flushing, nausea, vomiting, fainting, anaphylaxis, my throat swelling shut, and tachycardia, which is when your heart beats too fast. In July 2014, I found out I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Most people don’t know about my disease, so I had some discouraging and disheartening experiences trying to get diagnosed. Doctors would treat the symptoms and discharge me, or they’d run some tests that we now know would not have given the needed information. One doctor went as far as to imply that perhaps I was giving myself something to cause the reactions, which was a low point for me. I was lucky someone stepped in and got me into the Mayo Clinic and the people threre knew exactly what they were looking at. Mast cell activation syndrome/disease (MCAS/MCAD) is a condition affecting the skin, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic systems. Most individuals have symptoms that impact all of these body systems with a myriad of symptoms that can be significant and debilitating in nature.
"I missed out on seven years of being treated and stopping the disease early on."
"Some doctors were comforting and wonderful but at a loss as to what was causing the life-threatening reactions. That is understandable, as most have not heard of my disease. Some doctors treated me as a nuisance in the ER, even though I was following instructions to go there if I was having certain symptoms. My life has changed dramatically due to my illness. I am a psychologist who had a thriving and busy practice. I now work remotely, as I have to control my environment. I miss out on many of life events due to flares, and I grapple with intense fatigue. I am on a significant protocol of medications and have a very restricted low-histamine and gluten-free diet.”
Katie V., Went 3 Years Before Being Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus and Herpes-6
“My symptoms started when I was in seventh grade, mid-February 2007. I was in the mountains skiing with my family when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t stand up. I had a fever of around 105 degrees. When I got back home, I was frequently ill with many things, like a sore throat, a sick stomach, or a cold. More than anything, I was tired. Most of the time, I was in a fog. I couldn't think. I couldn't learn. I couldn't do things with my friends. I could no longer play competitive soccer. I lost so many of the aspects of life that made me happy.
"If I hadn't been persistent or if I had had lesser medical coverage, I fully believe I'd have had a stroke or be dead."
"My journey to a proper diagnosis was long and involved a lot of doctors, a lot of waiting, and a lot of disappointment. For several months, no one could find anything wrong with me. At the end of 2007, I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus, which is a herpes virus that can make you tired all the time. My general practitioner didn’t know what else to do, so we looked into other options, like Eastern medicine practitioners, and psychiatrists. The doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, and some of them would try to treat the symptoms, not the cause. Then, in my sophomore year of high school (three years after I had first started experiencing symptoms), I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, now referred to as systemic exertion intolerance disease. Neither of these diagnoses was entirely accurate.
"During my sophomore year of high school, I couldn’t attend school enough to keep up. I had to take a semester off and continue the next fall by taking online classes. At one point during my search for a diagnosis, I saw a psychiatrist who said I might have an anxiety disorder. That made me feel like it was all in my head and like I could’ve been better years ago if I had just learned how to calm myself down. But I knew it wasn’t in my head—I knew it was more than she thought, and the medication she gave me didn’t work.
"I ended up going to see Theodore A. Henderson, M.D., Ph.D., who specializes in the diagnosis of complex psychiatric cases and biological causes of disrupted brain function. It changed everything. Henderson explained that he was working with people with conditions similar to mine, with similar symptoms and similar diagnoses. He’d found that these conditions were caused by viruses, and he’d found success in treatment with an antivirus regimen. My family and I were hopeful, and I was tested for the viruses. I came back positive for Epstein-Barr and Herpes-6. I started treatment soon afterward with an antiviral medication, and it worked. I began feeling better and getting sick less often. I was able to take a class at a normal high school along with my online classes. I am still on the antiviral now, and it is still working for me, three and a half years later. Now I am a junior in college studying biology and chemistry. I hope to go on to get my masters and Ph.D. in biomedical science and study virology.
"If you are dealing with a misdiagnosis, hold on and keep searching. Your diagnosis is out there. A lot of people told me to keep fighting, but you don’t always have to fight in order to keep going. Being sick for so long, especially without knowing why, is exhausting. Worse yet, fighting it all the time is exhausting. Hold on, and take it day by day.”
Tag: fitness news., health news, health tips, Women Diseases Misdiagnosed., women health tips,
Hair Care Tips
Hair Care Tips, Hair Treatment and Natural Hair fall Remedies
Given below are links to articles on hair care and hair treatment. Know about natural treatment for hair fall and hair greying. Get effective tips for hair care and dandruff treatment naturally.
Natural Hair Fall Treatment & Home Remedy for Hair Fall
It is normal to lose hair because hair fall is backed up naturally by
hair growth. Hair fall relates to a process of abnormality when loss
exceeds the frequency of natural re-growth. Hair fall effecting
individuals irrespective of their age and
sex is indicative of serious physical malfunctioning. While a part of it
may be genetic and directly proportional to ageing; illness such as
Diabetes, Lupus and Cancer are also some of the responsible factors.
Amongst other associated causes,
hormonal changes triggered by menopause, pregnancy and malfunctioning
thyroid glands; absence of healthy diet, medications catering to
arthritis, hypertension and depression can also be included.
It is normal to lose hair because hair fall is backed up naturally by hair growth. Hair fall relates to a process of abnormality when loss exceeds the frequency of natural re-growth. Hair fall effecting individuals irrespective of their age and sex is indicative of serious physical malfunctioning. While a part of it may be genetic and directly proportional to ageing; illness such as Diabetes, Lupus and Cancer are also some of the responsible factors. Amongst other associated causes, hormonal changes triggered by menopause, pregnancy and malfunctioning thyroid glands; absence of healthy diet, medications catering to arthritis, hypertension and depression can also be included.
Related Articles
Hair care - Treatment for hair fall and premature graying
Hair Care with Ayurveda
Besides the medically maneuvered ways to cater to hair loss, certain home made ways involving the adoption of bare minimum fundamental regime may be outlined
Related Article → Hair Care Tips - Vitamins & Nutrients for Hair Care
Home Remedies for Hair Fall Treatment
First and foremost balanced diet with proper emphasis on vitamin calcium and iron may go a long way in preventing hair fall, because deficiency of protein and iron intake also contributes to hair loss. Thus a balanced diet comprising of all the essential nutrients should be insisted on.
Hair should be washed and brushed properly. Similar importance should be given to trimming to prevent tearing of hair. Combs with wide tooth should be made use of. Split ends should be got rid of as part of trimming. Blow drying should be avoided because the heat generated is found to be damaging from the point of view of hair.
Gentle massaging of scalp regularly, preferably with drops of warm oil contributes against hair fall.
Washing of head with a homemade concoction consisting of vodka/ alcohol, pepper and worm water will work well to combat hair loss.
Adding a few drops of tobacco sauce to the regularly used lather producing shampoo can also be an effective remedy for preventing hair loss.
Some of the herbal extracts used directly in forms of juice or paste can prove to be more beneficial than their medically encapsulated forms. Paste or juice of “Bhongra” may be massaged gently on to the scalp to counteract hair falling. Paste consisting of Shana seeds with coconut or castor oil turn out as an effective option.
In cases of baldness in patches or ‘alopecia areata’; a paste of lime seeds and black pepper may be massaged on affected areas. Scrubbing the affected areas with onion cut into half followed by application of honey may also help out.
Related Articles
Hair care - Treatment for hair fall and premature graying
Hair Care with Ayurveda
Besides the medically maneuvered ways to cater to hair loss, certain home made ways involving the adoption of bare minimum fundamental regime may be outlined
Related Article → Hair Care Tips - Vitamins & Nutrients for Hair Care
Home Remedies for Hair Fall Treatment
First and foremost balanced diet with proper emphasis on vitamin calcium and iron may go a long way in preventing hair fall, because deficiency of protein and iron intake also contributes to hair loss. Thus a balanced diet comprising of all the essential nutrients should be insisted on.
Hair should be washed and brushed properly. Similar importance should be given to trimming to prevent tearing of hair. Combs with wide tooth should be made use of. Split ends should be got rid of as part of trimming. Blow drying should be avoided because the heat generated is found to be damaging from the point of view of hair.
Gentle massaging of scalp regularly, preferably with drops of warm oil contributes against hair fall.
Washing of head with a homemade concoction consisting of vodka/ alcohol, pepper and worm water will work well to combat hair loss.
Adding a few drops of tobacco sauce to the regularly used lather producing shampoo can also be an effective remedy for preventing hair loss.
Some of the herbal extracts used directly in forms of juice or paste can prove to be more beneficial than their medically encapsulated forms. Paste or juice of “Bhongra” may be massaged gently on to the scalp to counteract hair falling. Paste consisting of Shana seeds with coconut or castor oil turn out as an effective option.
In cases of baldness in patches or ‘alopecia areata’; a paste of lime seeds and black pepper may be massaged on affected areas. Scrubbing the affected areas with onion cut into half followed by application of honey may also help out.
Tag: facial skin care, fitness news, hair fall tips, health news, health tips, skin care., winter skin care, Women fitness news,Hear Care Tips,
Facial Skin Care
For Facial Skin
Glowingly spotless facial skin is an asset to look forward to. With the epidermal layer subject to regular wear and tear, it is something to be nurtured and cultivated. This in turn calls for the necessary employment of facial skin care regimen. Irrespective of one's skin type, it is of utmost importance that skin and more particularly, the facial skin is cared for.
Facial Skin Care Tips
It is important to know the nature or type of your facial skin which falls into into four categories of a) oily b) dry c) combination and d) sensitive types; generally the type determines the exact skin care regimen.
Irrespective of your skin type, washing it with lukewarm water is of paramount importance as it helps to remove dirt clogging the pores.
However, over washing should be avoided as it may dry out your skin. Bedtime washing before pushing off to bed, followed by washing early in the morning with splashes of lukewarm water is good enough.
Cleansing is also required following the use of high doses of cosmetics such as foundation, rouge or blushers.
As far as the use of cleanser is concerned, it should be selected keeping in mind ones skin type.
Oil free cleanser of the mild variety should be used for those with oily and sensitive skin type, susceptible to acne, sunburns and rashes.
On the other hand, those with dry skin should cleanse using an oily cream based cleanser and those enriched with natural oils.
The use of detergent based bar soap should be strictly avoided.
Cleansing followed by scrubbing is an important constituent of the facial skin care regimen, as it serves to bring about the removal of the outermost layer of dead cells.
Scrubbing or exfoliating which can be carried out weekly with the help of facial scrubs or peels serves to revitalize &enhance the glow of one's complexion.
It makes sense to go for a mildly gentle scrub or peel enriched with the natural goodness of herbs.
Homemade scrubs with the purpose of getting rid of the dull and unevenly appearing dead skin layer is one of the best possible options.
Scrub consisting of ground oat meal in addition to honey can be easily prepared at home; for the weekly application of the same.
The applied scrub may be removed subsequently by splashes of water.
In course of cleansing or scrubbing, gentle massaging with insistence on circular movement should be resorted to.
It is better to avoid the use of chemical peels, except under the due supervision of medical practitioners or specialists dealing particularly with it.
Weekly scrubbing or exfoliation is to be followed by toning and moisturizing. Moisturizing serves to rejuvenate the skin.
While it is a must for those with dry skin, the ones having oily skin should also moisturize occasionally. But moisturizing should be avoided by those susceptible to pimples and acne.
Different herbal based toners are available for dry and oily skins. Toner consisting of 'jojoba oil' may prove to be effective for the ones having oily skin, while the ones with dry skin may fall back upon the one based on witch hazel.
Monthly use of facial pack based on mud and other herbal content is also good for toning the skin.
Combination of water and rose extracts is also good for adding zeal to aging skin.
Protection of skin from the damaging ultra violet rays of sun is also of paramount importance. So application of sun protective formula, with the minimum content of 'spf-15' is also necessary.
Balanced diet with an emphasis on fresh leafy vegetables &fruits, adequate consumption of water for the due removal of toxic wastes and moderate amount of facial exercises should also count amongst facial skin care tips as they play an effective role in contributing to the glow of your facial skin.
Irrespective of your skin type, washing it with lukewarm water is of paramount importance as it helps to remove dirt clogging the pores.
However, over washing should be avoided as it may dry out your skin. Bedtime washing before pushing off to bed, followed by washing early in the morning with splashes of lukewarm water is good enough.
Cleansing is also required following the use of high doses of cosmetics such as foundation, rouge or blushers.
As far as the use of cleanser is concerned, it should be selected keeping in mind ones skin type.
Oil free cleanser of the mild variety should be used for those with oily and sensitive skin type, susceptible to acne, sunburns and rashes.
On the other hand, those with dry skin should cleanse using an oily cream based cleanser and those enriched with natural oils.
The use of detergent based bar soap should be strictly avoided.
Cleansing followed by scrubbing is an important constituent of the facial skin care regimen, as it serves to bring about the removal of the outermost layer of dead cells.
Scrubbing or exfoliating which can be carried out weekly with the help of facial scrubs or peels serves to revitalize &enhance the glow of one's complexion.
It makes sense to go for a mildly gentle scrub or peel enriched with the natural goodness of herbs.
Homemade scrubs with the purpose of getting rid of the dull and unevenly appearing dead skin layer is one of the best possible options.
Scrub consisting of ground oat meal in addition to honey can be easily prepared at home; for the weekly application of the same.
The applied scrub may be removed subsequently by splashes of water.
In course of cleansing or scrubbing, gentle massaging with insistence on circular movement should be resorted to.
It is better to avoid the use of chemical peels, except under the due supervision of medical practitioners or specialists dealing particularly with it.
Weekly scrubbing or exfoliation is to be followed by toning and moisturizing. Moisturizing serves to rejuvenate the skin.
While it is a must for those with dry skin, the ones having oily skin should also moisturize occasionally. But moisturizing should be avoided by those susceptible to pimples and acne.
Different herbal based toners are available for dry and oily skins. Toner consisting of 'jojoba oil' may prove to be effective for the ones having oily skin, while the ones with dry skin may fall back upon the one based on witch hazel.
Monthly use of facial pack based on mud and other herbal content is also good for toning the skin.
Combination of water and rose extracts is also good for adding zeal to aging skin.
Protection of skin from the damaging ultra violet rays of sun is also of paramount importance. So application of sun protective formula, with the minimum content of 'spf-15' is also necessary.
Balanced diet with an emphasis on fresh leafy vegetables &fruits, adequate consumption of water for the due removal of toxic wastes and moderate amount of facial exercises should also count amongst facial skin care tips as they play an effective role in contributing to the glow of your facial skin.
Tag: health news, health tips, skin care, winter skin care, Women Diseases Misdiagnosed, Women fitness news,women health tips,facial skin care,
Winter Skin Care & Skin Protection
Winter Skin Care & Skin Protection During Winter
To overcome the conditions of dryness caused by the solidification of skin's oily content during winter, there are some ways whereby you can rejuvenate your skin by adding to its softness and suppleness besides boosting its collagen content.
To do away with the conditions of hardness harnessed during winter, consumption of juicy fruits and vegetable with the particular inclusion of olive oil and primrose juice will prove to be a healthy alternative.
In order to get rid of external dryness and chaps, application of coconut oil prior to bathing can be another helpful option.
As far as application of oil is concerned, it is better to opt for ones which do not clog the dermal pores.
Non clogging oils such as avocado oil, primrose oil and almond oil should be preferred over those causing to block skin pores.
Application of petroleum jelly on areas particularly affected with chaps and dryness happens to be one of the most effective options.
Instead of using soap high in their alkaline content, it is better to have your skin washed with paste of ground gram and yogurt.
In case you prefer using soap, make sure to use one with adequate moisturizing content. Soaps based on natural oils and glycerin may turn out to be a healthy alternative.
Avoid using hot water for bathing; instead go for lukewarm water enriched with drops of glycerin or herbal oil such as tea tree oil to make up for the loss of moisture.
Skin may be similarly hydrated with cold creams and moisturizer oily in content. In place of water based moisturizers opted for during summer, go for the oily ones.
Moisturizing lotions based on glycerin and alpha-hydroxyl content can contribute to the smoothening feel of the skin.
Skin toner containing essential oils or the rejuvenating elements of Vitamin E can prove to be similarly effective.
However if the facial skin is naturally oily, avoid using the same on face.
While going for manicure and pedicure, make sure to have your limbs soaked in lukewarm water enriched with drops of natural oils.
To prevent brittleness in nails, make sure to pamper your finger and toe nails with sufficient touches of oil, glycerin or moisturizers.
In order to overcome flaking, chapping and itchy cracks caused during winter, use cotton socks & gloves to have yourself adequately covered from the pinching chill of winter.
Avoid using facial packs and masks which suck out the natural oil content of the skin. Facial pack containing mud should be avoided for this reason. Rather go for cleansing milk and oil based pack.
Facial masks containing avocado extracts in addition to olive oil is helpful during winter.
Similarly a blend of yogurt, buttermilk and sour cream or the creamy layer of milk with respective ingredients being combined in small measure is helpful for activating the skin's collagen content.
To overcome conditions of dryness and chap formation on lips, opt for a lip balm enriched with Vitamin E.
Likewise, to get rid of ugly cracks on feet, go for a therapeutic ointment or lotion containing Vitamin E. In extreme cases of cracks, one needs to use ointment containing necessary anti bionic.
A vital skin care tip for winter involves bare minimum use of water. After a wash or shower, make sure to pat yourself completely dry.
In case your work demands recurrent exposure to water, make sure to use gloves to have the hands well protected.
Use humidifiers to have the indoor environment well hydrated and moisturized. With the help of a humidifier, winter harnessed dryness and conditions of cracks can be overcome.
One need not avoid using sun's cream during winter, but it is always preferable using one with an increased moisturizing content.
To do away with the conditions of hardness harnessed during winter, consumption of juicy fruits and vegetable with the particular inclusion of olive oil and primrose juice will prove to be a healthy alternative.
In order to get rid of external dryness and chaps, application of coconut oil prior to bathing can be another helpful option.
As far as application of oil is concerned, it is better to opt for ones which do not clog the dermal pores.
Non clogging oils such as avocado oil, primrose oil and almond oil should be preferred over those causing to block skin pores.
Application of petroleum jelly on areas particularly affected with chaps and dryness happens to be one of the most effective options.
Instead of using soap high in their alkaline content, it is better to have your skin washed with paste of ground gram and yogurt.
In case you prefer using soap, make sure to use one with adequate moisturizing content. Soaps based on natural oils and glycerin may turn out to be a healthy alternative.
Avoid using hot water for bathing; instead go for lukewarm water enriched with drops of glycerin or herbal oil such as tea tree oil to make up for the loss of moisture.
Skin may be similarly hydrated with cold creams and moisturizer oily in content. In place of water based moisturizers opted for during summer, go for the oily ones.
Moisturizing lotions based on glycerin and alpha-hydroxyl content can contribute to the smoothening feel of the skin.
Skin toner containing essential oils or the rejuvenating elements of Vitamin E can prove to be similarly effective.
However if the facial skin is naturally oily, avoid using the same on face.
While going for manicure and pedicure, make sure to have your limbs soaked in lukewarm water enriched with drops of natural oils.
To prevent brittleness in nails, make sure to pamper your finger and toe nails with sufficient touches of oil, glycerin or moisturizers.
In order to overcome flaking, chapping and itchy cracks caused during winter, use cotton socks & gloves to have yourself adequately covered from the pinching chill of winter.
Avoid using facial packs and masks which suck out the natural oil content of the skin. Facial pack containing mud should be avoided for this reason. Rather go for cleansing milk and oil based pack.
Facial masks containing avocado extracts in addition to olive oil is helpful during winter.
Similarly a blend of yogurt, buttermilk and sour cream or the creamy layer of milk with respective ingredients being combined in small measure is helpful for activating the skin's collagen content.
To overcome conditions of dryness and chap formation on lips, opt for a lip balm enriched with Vitamin E.
Likewise, to get rid of ugly cracks on feet, go for a therapeutic ointment or lotion containing Vitamin E. In extreme cases of cracks, one needs to use ointment containing necessary anti bionic.
A vital skin care tip for winter involves bare minimum use of water. After a wash or shower, make sure to pat yourself completely dry.
In case your work demands recurrent exposure to water, make sure to use gloves to have the hands well protected.
Use humidifiers to have the indoor environment well hydrated and moisturized. With the help of a humidifier, winter harnessed dryness and conditions of cracks can be overcome.
One need not avoid using sun's cream during winter, but it is always preferable using one with an increased moisturizing content.
Tag: health news, health tips, skin care, winter skin care, Women Diseases Misdiagnosed, women health tips,fitness news, winter skin care,
Eye Care for Computer Users
Eyes are one of the most important organ in the human body and vision is one of the most wonderful gift. But often many people neglect the importance of eye care and do not pay proper attention towards eye care.
Tips for Eye Beauty, Vision Care and Eye Health Care
Given Below Are Some Eye Care Tips For Beautiful And Attractive Eyes
Dip a cotton pad in a cup of water overnight. Strain this in the morning and add 1 cup of plain water to this. Splash the eyes with this water or wash them with the help of an eyecup.
Dip a pad of cotton wool in rose water to which 2-3 drops of Castor oil is mixed. Place these soaked pads on the eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Eye burns and other problems will be reduced.
Splash the eyes with a weak n very liter tea solution, thoroughly strained and cooled for 2 to 3 minutes.
Place Cotton pads dipped in a cold tea solution for an hour on the eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes and relax.
Eye Care Tips Based On Age Group
Home remedies for puffy eyes
Dark Circles - Natural Eye Care, Removing Dark Circles
Grate 3 pieces of cucumber and squeeze them through a muslin cloth and extract the juice. Dip cotton pads in this juice for 2 minutes and place on eyelids and darkened areas. Relax for 15 minutes for best results continue for 2 to3 days.
Take 1 teaspoon of Tomato pulp,1 pinch of Turmeric powder, half teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of gram flour. Make a paste of the above ingredients and apply gently on the eye lids and the darkened areas and let it remain for half an hour. Remove gently with moist cotton pads after half an hour. Repeat this for a week.
Deep Sunken Eyes - Herbal treatment
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with half teaspoon of almond oil. Apply the above mixture gently on the eyes at bedtime. Repeat this for a week.
Soak 5 Almonds overnight. Peel them and mix it with a glass of milk eat the almonds by chewing well. Repeat this in the morning for 21 days should definitely help.
Take 1 teaspoon of Tomato pulp,1 pinch of Turmeric powder, half teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of gram flour. Make a paste of the above ingredients and apply gently on the eye lids and the darkened areas and let it remain for half an hour. Remove gently with moist cotton pads after half an hour. Repeat this for a week.
Deep Sunken Eyes - Herbal treatment
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with half teaspoon of almond oil. Apply the above mixture gently on the eyes at bedtime. Repeat this for a week.
Soak 5 Almonds overnight. Peel them and mix it with a glass of milk eat the almonds by chewing well. Repeat this in the morning for 21 days should definitely help.
Puffy Eyes
Slice a raw Potato and circle the closed eyes with these halves. Or else grate a raw Potato and place on Muslin cloth and squeeze. Place these on the eyes and relax for 15-20 minutes.
Place cotton pads dipped in chilled milk before boiling on the eye lids while relaxing for 10-15 minutes.
In a small bowl of chilled water add few drops of Vitamin E oil. Dip cotton pads for 5 minutes in this and place on the eyes while relaxing for 20 minutes everyday.
Eye care Instructions for people using computers and computer professionals.
Spending long hours in front of television or computers is part of peoples life today. Especially if you are a computer professional, there is usually no escape from it. This causes many eyes and vision related problems in future. Here are some useful eye care tips for computer users.
Slice a raw Potato and circle the closed eyes with these halves. Or else grate a raw Potato and place on Muslin cloth and squeeze. Place these on the eyes and relax for 15-20 minutes.
Place cotton pads dipped in chilled milk before boiling on the eye lids while relaxing for 10-15 minutes.
In a small bowl of chilled water add few drops of Vitamin E oil. Dip cotton pads for 5 minutes in this and place on the eyes while relaxing for 20 minutes everyday.
Eye care Instructions for people using computers and computer professionals.
Spending long hours in front of television or computers is part of peoples life today. Especially if you are a computer professional, there is usually no escape from it. This causes many eyes and vision related problems in future. Here are some useful eye care tips for computer users.
Tag: acne problem, acne solution, acne treatment, and many more skin, beauty full skin, beauty skin, beauty skin, better skin, acne, eye care.
Skin CareTips & Anti Aging Treatment
Anti Aging Skin Care Tips & Anti Aging Treatment
The
reasons why skin gets aged can be divided as internal and external
factors. Internal factors include inability of the skin to retain
moisture, decrease in Elastin production, less turnover of new skin
cells etc... External factors include the lifestyle and environment of
the individual like smoking, exposure to sun, exposure to cold, poor
diet, too much stress, lack of exercise etc...
Some anti aging treatment, home remedies and herbal treatment for premature skin aging are:
Massaging face with ghee, almond oil or coconut oil before going to bed.
Applying fresh aloe Vera gel to the skin
Using grated cucumber in a face pack.
Some anti aging treatment, home remedies and herbal treatment for premature skin aging are:
Massaging face with ghee, almond oil or coconut oil before going to bed.
Applying fresh aloe Vera gel to the skin
Using grated cucumber in a face pack.
Ayurvedic Dry Skin Care - Dry Skin Treatment and Remedies
Dryness of skin is a clear evidence that the skin has lost most of its essential protective functions. Dry skins are mostly affected by sun, hard water, and wind. The skin losses its softness, dries up, and after every wash the skin get unusually rough and hard.
Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps can also cause dry skin. Conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea also are the cause of the dry skin.
According to Ayurveda dryness of skin is a predominant trait of a Vata constitution. Even in normal people, Vita causes dryness of the skin when it is vitiated due to seasonal influences.
Honey, is a good remedy for dry skin.
Add half tablespoon of honey to 1-2 tablespoon of rose water. Apply on face, neck, and other dry skin area. This is natural and safe. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturizes and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use. This mixture cleans the skin, tones it, and makes it glowing.
Egg yolk and honey is another best solutions for dry skin care.
Make a paste using egg yolk (one teaspoon), milk powder (1-2 teaspoon), and honey (one teaspoon). Apply this paste on face, neck and other dry skin area and let it dry for 10-15 minutes then wash your face using cold water.
Apply natural mayonnaise, either homemade or from natural foods store. Massage into skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Eating food rich in minerals and proteins and vitamins is very much helpful in overcoming dry skin.
An oil massage is a simple yet well-known remedy to treat dry skin. Adding a few drops of glycerine to the oil just before application will give better result.
An oil massage is a simple yet well-known remedy to treat dry skin. Adding a few drops of glycerine to the oil just before application will make it more effective.
Applying clarified butter or milk cream for a couple of days before going to bed is very effective for curing cracked lips.
Dryness of skin is a clear evidence that the skin has lost most of its essential protective functions. Dry skins are mostly affected by sun, hard water, and wind. The skin losses its softness, dries up, and after every wash the skin get unusually rough and hard.
Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps can also cause dry skin. Conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea also are the cause of the dry skin.
According to Ayurveda dryness of skin is a predominant trait of a Vata constitution. Even in normal people, Vita causes dryness of the skin when it is vitiated due to seasonal influences.
Honey, is a good remedy for dry skin.
Add half tablespoon of honey to 1-2 tablespoon of rose water. Apply on face, neck, and other dry skin area. This is natural and safe. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturizes and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use. This mixture cleans the skin, tones it, and makes it glowing.
Egg yolk and honey is another best solutions for dry skin care.
Make a paste using egg yolk (one teaspoon), milk powder (1-2 teaspoon), and honey (one teaspoon). Apply this paste on face, neck and other dry skin area and let it dry for 10-15 minutes then wash your face using cold water.
Apply natural mayonnaise, either homemade or from natural foods store. Massage into skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Eating food rich in minerals and proteins and vitamins is very much helpful in overcoming dry skin.
An oil massage is a simple yet well-known remedy to treat dry skin. Adding a few drops of glycerine to the oil just before application will give better result.
An oil massage is a simple yet well-known remedy to treat dry skin. Adding a few drops of glycerine to the oil just before application will make it more effective.
Applying clarified butter or milk cream for a couple of days before going to bed is very effective for curing cracked lips.
Tag: Skin Care Tips & Anti Aging Treatment,beauty skin, facial skin care, health news, skin care,
Based on the Evidence-Cardiac and Orthopedic Procedures To Avoid
Here are the latest conclusions from the 2015 Road to Rightcare by the doctor-driven Lown Institute, which aims to prevent unnecessary and ineffective procedures and enhance patient health. To quote one of the conference speakers, America Bracho, M.D., "Health is more than the absence of disease." Become a more powerful practitioner and patient by signing-up for the Rightcare newsletter and to learn more about the practices this multi-disciplinary group is promoting.
Cardiac Care
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Angioplasty
As incredible as it may seem there are thousands of unnecessary and non-beneficial cardiac procedures performed each year in the U.S. Here are the summary notes from the Lown Conference Cardiac Care presentation by Dr. William Boden, FACC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine, Albany Medical College and Chief of Medicine at Stratton VA Medical Center. For patients with chronic and stable angina, the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention, which involves working a balloon up through the femoral artery to unblock the clogs in the heart, are unclear. In the past, PCI was done for patients who had high risk of death due to a heart attack. Because angioplasty is less invasive than coronary artery bypass graft or CABG, it has become more popular. A randomized trial of 1,018 patients comparing PCI or angioplasty to treatment with medication, was conducted in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Of the 504 patients whom underwent PCI, 11 died, compared to the 7 of the 514 randomized patients, whom were treated with medication. Additionally, 21 of the PCI patients had heart attacks compared to 10 of those on medication. These results are quite astounding, because the benefits of not having the surgery are almost twice (1.92 in relative risk variance) what the surgical intervention produced.
Cardiac Care
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Angioplasty
As incredible as it may seem there are thousands of unnecessary and non-beneficial cardiac procedures performed each year in the U.S. Here are the summary notes from the Lown Conference Cardiac Care presentation by Dr. William Boden, FACC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine, Albany Medical College and Chief of Medicine at Stratton VA Medical Center. For patients with chronic and stable angina, the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention, which involves working a balloon up through the femoral artery to unblock the clogs in the heart, are unclear. In the past, PCI was done for patients who had high risk of death due to a heart attack. Because angioplasty is less invasive than coronary artery bypass graft or CABG, it has become more popular. A randomized trial of 1,018 patients comparing PCI or angioplasty to treatment with medication, was conducted in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Of the 504 patients whom underwent PCI, 11 died, compared to the 7 of the 514 randomized patients, whom were treated with medication. Additionally, 21 of the PCI patients had heart attacks compared to 10 of those on medication. These results are quite astounding, because the benefits of not having the surgery are almost twice (1.92 in relative risk variance) what the surgical intervention produced.
Orthopedic Surgery
There are 800,000 joint replacements done in the U.S. every year by the 20,000 orthopedic surgeons, who are the highest income earners of all clinicians, averaging $413,000 annually, as cited by Dr. Boniface, Clinical Professor and Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Northeastern Ohio Medical University. Here is the alphabetized list of commonly performed unnecessary and often ineffective orthopedic procedures as identified by James Rickert, M.D. President of The Society for Patient-Centered Orthopedics, Thomas J. Grogan, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon, Thomas Boniface, M.D., NEOMED, and Rob Rutherford, M.D. Clinical Instructor, University of Washington:
Adolescent Clavicle Fractures and Surgical Repair
Traditionally family practitioners, which would be pediatricians for adolescents, treated clavicle fractures by deploying a sling to prevent stress on the bone while it healed. Why is surgery being done on so many clavicles which heal on their own?
Anterior Cruciate Ligament or ACL Tear Surgery
Most of us have heard of the "ACL injury" as it is the de rigueur for weekend warriors. However, clinically, many more people are having this surgery than for whom it was intended to treat. In 2008, there were 100,000 ACL surgical repairs and now there are 200,000. In Unraveling U.S. Healthcare-A Personal Guide, I devote a chapter to surgical tips for consumers and why I chose non-surgical treatment for my ACL tear. In fact, a 2013 article published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrates that patients who opted for a nonsurgical treatment had the same rate of return to sports activities. The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports published a study in 2009, which found that 51% of the patients which did not have the ACL repair operation performed better on two of the four, single-legged hop tests. And for those of you who need more evidence, the British Journal of Medicine also published a study in 2013, which showed that ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation did not produce better results than initial rehabilitation and postponement of surgery, after five years of observation.
There are 800,000 joint replacements done in the U.S. every year by the 20,000 orthopedic surgeons, who are the highest income earners of all clinicians, averaging $413,000 annually, as cited by Dr. Boniface, Clinical Professor and Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Northeastern Ohio Medical University. Here is the alphabetized list of commonly performed unnecessary and often ineffective orthopedic procedures as identified by James Rickert, M.D. President of The Society for Patient-Centered Orthopedics, Thomas J. Grogan, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon, Thomas Boniface, M.D., NEOMED, and Rob Rutherford, M.D. Clinical Instructor, University of Washington:
Adolescent Clavicle Fractures and Surgical Repair
Traditionally family practitioners, which would be pediatricians for adolescents, treated clavicle fractures by deploying a sling to prevent stress on the bone while it healed. Why is surgery being done on so many clavicles which heal on their own?
Anterior Cruciate Ligament or ACL Tear Surgery
Most of us have heard of the "ACL injury" as it is the de rigueur for weekend warriors. However, clinically, many more people are having this surgery than for whom it was intended to treat. In 2008, there were 100,000 ACL surgical repairs and now there are 200,000. In Unraveling U.S. Healthcare-A Personal Guide, I devote a chapter to surgical tips for consumers and why I chose non-surgical treatment for my ACL tear. In fact, a 2013 article published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrates that patients who opted for a nonsurgical treatment had the same rate of return to sports activities. The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports published a study in 2009, which found that 51% of the patients which did not have the ACL repair operation performed better on two of the four, single-legged hop tests. And for those of you who need more evidence, the British Journal of Medicine also published a study in 2013, which showed that ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation did not produce better results than initial rehabilitation and postponement of surgery, after five years of observation.
Partial Meniscectomy for Arthritic Knees
Meniscectomy was studied in a randomized controlled trial of 351 patients, where physical therapy was compared to the surgical repair technique of the meniscectomy and found equal results for pain relief and functional status were achieved with physical therapy. The randomized controlled trial means that patients were chosen at random and followed for the same period of time, using the same measures to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusion-if you have arthritis this procedure won't help you.
Rotator Cuff Tears and Surgical Intervention
Rotator cuff tears are often asymptomatic, which means the patient is not aware there is a problem and is not experiencing any restrictions. A 2010 article in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that 20.7% of the general population had rotator cuff tears and asymtomatic tears were twice as common as those in patients with symptoms. This condition, which is an aspect of normal aging is found via the ubiquitous MRI. Despite this evidence, there are 600,000 of these surgeries in the U.S. each year. To put it bluntly, medical evidence shows that physical therapy can be just as effective to treat this problem, and should only be provided to patients who actually have symptoms.Risks of a surgical repair to the rotator cuff include; bleeding, infection, stiffness, re-rupture of the tear, neurovascular injury, and unrelieved pain. For patients whom are 60+ years, a non invasive treatment is preferential to a surgical repair. As the gold-standard randomized controlled trial showed, the results are the same with our without surgery.
Vertebroplasty-A Spinal Treatment
Vertebroplasty is a heavily marketed orthopedic procedure which involves injecting cement into the center of a fractured vertebra. It is used for compression fractures of the spine. The British Medical Journal did a large randomized controlled trial and found there was no evidence this procedure provided any medical benefit. One fourth of women over age 50 have one or more fractures. The rate of vertebroplasty has increased from 45 to 87 cases per 100,000 patients in the Medicare population. Though this treatment is marketed as providing quick pain relief, scientific studies show there is a risk of increased compression fracture, dural tears, infections, cement migration, and the need for additional surgery due to radiculopathy. In a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, pain cessation for patients treated with vertebroplasty were similar to those in the control group who did not have the surgery. No commercial entity paid for any of the materials in this study and the costs of the surgery were billed to insurance companies. In the industry funded studies, the cementing procedures is typically compared to sham procedures and not to nonsurgical interventions.Conclusion-This is yet another back surgery which has elusive results-Medicare needs to review this.
Meniscectomy was studied in a randomized controlled trial of 351 patients, where physical therapy was compared to the surgical repair technique of the meniscectomy and found equal results for pain relief and functional status were achieved with physical therapy. The randomized controlled trial means that patients were chosen at random and followed for the same period of time, using the same measures to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusion-if you have arthritis this procedure won't help you.
Rotator Cuff Tears and Surgical Intervention
Rotator cuff tears are often asymptomatic, which means the patient is not aware there is a problem and is not experiencing any restrictions. A 2010 article in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that 20.7% of the general population had rotator cuff tears and asymtomatic tears were twice as common as those in patients with symptoms. This condition, which is an aspect of normal aging is found via the ubiquitous MRI. Despite this evidence, there are 600,000 of these surgeries in the U.S. each year. To put it bluntly, medical evidence shows that physical therapy can be just as effective to treat this problem, and should only be provided to patients who actually have symptoms.Risks of a surgical repair to the rotator cuff include; bleeding, infection, stiffness, re-rupture of the tear, neurovascular injury, and unrelieved pain. For patients whom are 60+ years, a non invasive treatment is preferential to a surgical repair. As the gold-standard randomized controlled trial showed, the results are the same with our without surgery.
Vertebroplasty-A Spinal Treatment
Vertebroplasty is a heavily marketed orthopedic procedure which involves injecting cement into the center of a fractured vertebra. It is used for compression fractures of the spine. The British Medical Journal did a large randomized controlled trial and found there was no evidence this procedure provided any medical benefit. One fourth of women over age 50 have one or more fractures. The rate of vertebroplasty has increased from 45 to 87 cases per 100,000 patients in the Medicare population. Though this treatment is marketed as providing quick pain relief, scientific studies show there is a risk of increased compression fracture, dural tears, infections, cement migration, and the need for additional surgery due to radiculopathy. In a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, pain cessation for patients treated with vertebroplasty were similar to those in the control group who did not have the surgery. No commercial entity paid for any of the materials in this study and the costs of the surgery were billed to insurance companies. In the industry funded studies, the cementing procedures is typically compared to sham procedures and not to nonsurgical interventions.Conclusion-This is yet another back surgery which has elusive results-Medicare needs to review this.
How Changes in Health Policy at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Can Improve Care
In the three days I spent at the Lown Care Conference it was obvious the physicians all had ideas on how changes in our national health care policy could drive health care practices and result in better patient care and a reduction in ineffective treatments. Here are their observations on ways to improve health care quality in the nation:
* United States healthcare is being pushed toward a "risk-based" model which means identifying the most efficacious treatments and creating cost savings is critical. One way to achieve this is through bundling payments or reimbursements for clinicians and health care facilities. This would create less of a financial impetus to perform the highest reimbursement surgery as opposed to the treatment most appropriate for the patient.
*CMS needs to make coding changes for cardiac procedures which would not punish the doctor for doing the cost-effective treatment. For example, a doctor's fee should not be linked to the cost of the cardiac catheter.
*We build over capacity at the medical school level by encouraging more specialists and increasing the supply of highly trained surgeons, which also means we have to generate demand for services through scope creep, marketing directly to patients, and the ever expansion of facilities to be filled with patients who have the money to pay for the procedures.
*Consumer or patient-driven health care is not the same as market driven medicine because patients are not commodities, hospitals are not factories, and money should not be the driving force of health care decisions. Education of patients is the key to providing the right care for each patient, with a much stronger emphasis on prevention. We need to collaborate more effectively so that patients can make informed decisions. Health outcomes need to be patient based, not based on Relative Value Units. We need to figure out the health treatments with the most impact and CMS needs to reward those. Patients need to be informed and accountable.
*Nonoperative treatment needs to be valued more by CMS and insurance companies, because the Journal of Patient Safety cites 440,000 patients are still harmed in U.S. hospitals annually. If doctors are paid for providing preventive care they will do more of it. But as it stands right now, primary care clinicians make the least amount of money in the medical field. More procedures does not necessarily mean more health.
State Initiatives
Rhode Island has sparked a unique health effort to meet community needs in under-served areas by creating community centers which incorporate fitness centers, achieve critical mass in community enrollment through representation of community members, provide urgent care services at the center, offer home health visits, and deploy school-based health programs. They plan to fund it through taxation of health services. University of Minnesota professor, Bill Doherty has co-authored the Citizen Health Care Initiative, which aims to engage communities, families, and individual patients to participate and generate health improvements. This community model attempts to instill healthier perspectives and behaviors instead of waiting for major medical interventions at the hospital. Washington State has Healthier Washington, a grant funded project, which is exploring everything from reimbursement and design changes to the state Medicaid plan, to community assessment, and resourcing of health care needs.The real question is whether any of these ambitious programs will be able to improve health. My money is on the Rhode Island community center model.
Have I met all of my health goals since I returned from the conference-no, but I am making progress and just remember Winston Churchill's quote, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else." And this is the healthpolicymaven signing off encouraging you to think about your health and ask questions before you pursue health treatments.
In the three days I spent at the Lown Care Conference it was obvious the physicians all had ideas on how changes in our national health care policy could drive health care practices and result in better patient care and a reduction in ineffective treatments. Here are their observations on ways to improve health care quality in the nation:
* United States healthcare is being pushed toward a "risk-based" model which means identifying the most efficacious treatments and creating cost savings is critical. One way to achieve this is through bundling payments or reimbursements for clinicians and health care facilities. This would create less of a financial impetus to perform the highest reimbursement surgery as opposed to the treatment most appropriate for the patient.
*CMS needs to make coding changes for cardiac procedures which would not punish the doctor for doing the cost-effective treatment. For example, a doctor's fee should not be linked to the cost of the cardiac catheter.
*We build over capacity at the medical school level by encouraging more specialists and increasing the supply of highly trained surgeons, which also means we have to generate demand for services through scope creep, marketing directly to patients, and the ever expansion of facilities to be filled with patients who have the money to pay for the procedures.
*Consumer or patient-driven health care is not the same as market driven medicine because patients are not commodities, hospitals are not factories, and money should not be the driving force of health care decisions. Education of patients is the key to providing the right care for each patient, with a much stronger emphasis on prevention. We need to collaborate more effectively so that patients can make informed decisions. Health outcomes need to be patient based, not based on Relative Value Units. We need to figure out the health treatments with the most impact and CMS needs to reward those. Patients need to be informed and accountable.
*Nonoperative treatment needs to be valued more by CMS and insurance companies, because the Journal of Patient Safety cites 440,000 patients are still harmed in U.S. hospitals annually. If doctors are paid for providing preventive care they will do more of it. But as it stands right now, primary care clinicians make the least amount of money in the medical field. More procedures does not necessarily mean more health.
State Initiatives
Rhode Island has sparked a unique health effort to meet community needs in under-served areas by creating community centers which incorporate fitness centers, achieve critical mass in community enrollment through representation of community members, provide urgent care services at the center, offer home health visits, and deploy school-based health programs. They plan to fund it through taxation of health services. University of Minnesota professor, Bill Doherty has co-authored the Citizen Health Care Initiative, which aims to engage communities, families, and individual patients to participate and generate health improvements. This community model attempts to instill healthier perspectives and behaviors instead of waiting for major medical interventions at the hospital. Washington State has Healthier Washington, a grant funded project, which is exploring everything from reimbursement and design changes to the state Medicaid plan, to community assessment, and resourcing of health care needs.The real question is whether any of these ambitious programs will be able to improve health. My money is on the Rhode Island community center model.
Have I met all of my health goals since I returned from the conference-no, but I am making progress and just remember Winston Churchill's quote, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else." And this is the healthpolicymaven signing off encouraging you to think about your health and ask questions before you pursue health treatments.
Tag: avoidable cardiac and orthopedic surgeries, health care, patient information, what the evidence shows,
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