Very Useful Description Of Neuropathy

You can never have enough good explanations and descriptions of what neuropathy is (especially for people new to the condition) and today's post from www.symptomfind.com (see link below) is a very useful general information article. Clear and easy to understand information will always be valued by this blog and for that reason this article is worth a read for everybody coming in contact with neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 
By Tina M. St. John, MD Medically Reviewed:Tom Iarocci, MD Published:May 15, 2014

Neuropathies are a diverse group of chronic nerve conditions that may cause painful cramps, loss of muscle and the odd sensations of pins and needles.

You know the feeling. You cross your legs or sit back on your heels for too long and they fall asleep. The numbness, tingling and pain you briefly feel are nearly identical to some of the symptoms people with peripheral neuropathy might experience.

Peripheral neuropathy, often referred to as neuropathy or nerve damage, is a catch-all term that encompasses a broad group of medical conditions involving damage or malfunction of one or more peripheral nerves.

What Are the Peripheral Nerves?

Your peripheral nerves are those outside your brain and spinal cord, and they form a complex signaling network that carries messages between your body and brain. They help your brain manage many functions, from movement to breathing.
There are three kinds of peripheral nerves: sensory, motor and autonomic.

Sensory Nerves affect how well you detect sensations, such as pain, heat, cold or touch. For example, they are what tell your brain that a pot of boiling water is hot.
Motor Nerves control your muscles and movement. Say your nose itches. Messages from your brain tell your body to scratch your nose, and those actions are carried out instantly by your motor nerves.
Autonomic Nerves control the automatic functions of your internal organs and body systems, such as digestion, heart rate and blood pressure.

Peripheral neuropathy can affect either one, a few or many nerves. In fact, many types of neuropathy involve damage to both the sensory and motor nerves.

Symptoms of Neuropathy

There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, and the primary functions of the damaged nerves determine what symptoms you experience. Symptoms can develop suddenly and progress quickly or, more commonly, evolve gradually.
Sensory Nerve Damage:
Tingling or prickling sensations, which often develop first;
Burning sensations; and
Loss of sensitivity to touch and temperature.
Motor Nerve Damage
Muscle weakness, which may occur suddenly or gradually;
Muscle cramps;
Muscle twitching; and
Difficulty moving body parts, such as your arms or legs. Running, walking and other tasks like carrying groceries or turning a doorknob become challenging
Autonomic Nerve Damage
Feeling full long after a meal;
Diarrhea or chronic constipation;
Sweating more or less than usual;
Dizziness when you stand up;
Cool feet and hands;
Difficulty emptying your bladder; and
Erectile dysfunction

The specific symptoms you experience, the timing of them and their location all help your doctor determine the type of peripheral neuropathy you have and possible causes.
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

There are many possible causes of neuropathy, from sports injuries to certain conditions or diseases. Two of the biggest risk factors include diabetes and alcoholism. The different neuropathy causes are grouped into broader categories:
  Nerve compression or injury, such as,
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Infection-related causes, such as:
HIV/AIDS
Lyme disease
Hepatitis B and C
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Immune system disorders, such as:
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Celiac disease
Cancerous conditions, such as:
Multiple myeloma
Lymphoma
Paraneoplastic syndrome
Systemic or metabolic diseases, such as:
Diabetes
Kidney failure
Hypothyroidism
Inherited disorders, such as:
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Toxins, such as:
Alcohol
Inhaled intoxicants (e.g., glue)
Heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic, mercury)
Organophosphate pesticides
Drugs and medications, such as:
Some chemotherapy drugs
Some HIV medications
Some heart and/or cholesterol medicines
Some psychiatric medications
Some antibiotics
Heroin
Nutritional deficiencies, such as:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing the cause of peripheral neuropathy can be challenging. The location of your symptoms is one of the first things your doctor will consider if you’re being evaluated for neuropathy. Your doctor will begin by taking your medical history including what symptoms you’re experiencing, where and when they began, any ongoing medical conditions you have, and all medications or supplements you take. A thorough physical examination — which involves testing your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination and sensitivity to touch — is the next step.
To help narrow the list of possible causes, blood tests are often used to check for abnormalities. Your doctor may recommend electrodiagnostic tests, such as a nerve conduction study or an electromyogram (EMG), to determine how well specific nerves are functioning. Other tests, such as imaging studies, may be needed. Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist if the diagnosis is unclear or your symptoms are severe. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause but often involves strategies to both manage the underlying cause and relieve your symptoms.

Next Steps

For Patients

If you are feeling any new or persistent nerve-related symptoms, see your doctor, even if the symptoms come and go. Additionally:
Report all medications, herbs and supplements you take to your doctor. People commonly omit this information, but this information is important when determining the cause of peripheral neuropathy.
Don’t stop taking any prescribed medication without first checking with your doctor, even if you feel that medication might be the cause of your symptoms.
Seek immediate medical care if you experience sudden muscle weakness or have any difficulty breathing.

For Family Caregivers

If you suspect a loved one might have neuropathy, be vigilant if or when symptoms arise in your loved one. Be sure to:
Schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as you notice symptoms.
Keep careful notes before and during the medical appointment to help the doctor determine how many nerves (or nerve groups) may be involved.

sources
Azhary H., MD, Farooq M., MD, Bhanushali M., MD, et al. “Peripheral Neuropathy: Differential Diagnosis and Management.” American Family Physician. 2010; 81 (7); pages 887-92. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0401/p887.html. Accessed May 2014.
Shields R., Jr., MD. Cleveland Clinic. “Peripheral Neuropathy.” http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/neurology/peripheral-neuropathy/. Accessed May 2014.
Patient.Co.UK. “Polyneuropathies.” http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Polyneuropathies.htm. Accessed May 2014.
World Federation of Neurology. “Peripheral Neuropathies.” http://www.wfneurology.org/cache/downloads/abspzqgpdgws0gkokg8kgsk84/Munsat_chapter7.pdf. Accessed May 2014.
Patient.Co.UK. “Mononeuropathies.” http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Mononeuropathies.htm. Accessed May 2014.
Rowland L., MD, Pedley T., MD. “Merritt's Neurology,” 12th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2010. Accessed May 2014.

http://www.symptomfind.com/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy-symptoms-causes-and-treatments/

PEANUT CONSUMPTION IN INFANCY PREVENTS PEANUT ALLERGY

Introduction of peanut products into the diets of infants at high risk of developing peanut allergy was safe and led to an 81 percent reduction in the subsequent development of the allergy, a clinical trial has found. The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and was conducted by the NIAID-funded Immune Tolerance Network (ITN).

The results appear in the current online issue of theNew England Journal of Medicine and were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Researchers led by Gideon Lack, M.D., of King's College London, designed a study called Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP), based on observations that Israeli children have lower rates of peanut allergy compared to Jewish children of similar ancestry residing in the United Kingdom. Unlike children in the UK, Israeli children begin consuming peanut-containing foods early in life. The study tested the hypothesis that the very low rates of peanut allergy in Israeli children were a result of high levels of peanut consumption beginning in infancy.

"Food allergies are a growing concern, not just in the United States but around the world," said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "For a study to show a benefit of this magnitude in the prevention of peanut allergy is without precedent. The results have the potential to transform how we approach food allergy prevention."

LEAP compared two strategies to prevent peanut allergy--consumption or avoidance of dietary peanut--in infants who were at high risk of developing peanut allergy because they already had egg allergy and/or severe eczema, an inflammatory skin disorder.

"The study also excluded infants showing early strong signs of having already developed peanut allergy. The safety and effectiveness of early peanut consumption in this group remains unknown and requires further study," said Dr. Lack. "Parents of infants and young children with eczema or egg allergy should consult with an allergist, pediatrician, or their general practitioner prior to feeding them peanut products."

More than 600 high-risk infants between 4 and 11 months of age were assigned randomly either to avoid peanut entirely or to regularly include at least 6 grams of peanut protein per week in their diets. The avoidance and consumption regimens were continued until 5 years of age. Participants were monitored throughout this period with recurring visits with health care professionals, in addition to completing dietary surveys by telephone.

The researchers assessed peanut allergy at 5 years of age with a supervised, oral food challenge with peanut. They found an overall 81 percent reduction of peanut allergy in children who began early, continuous consumption of peanut compared to those who avoided peanut.

"Prior to 2008, clinical practice guidelines recommended avoidance of potentially allergenic foods in the diets of young children at heightened risk for development of food allergies," said Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., director of NIAID's Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation. "While recent studies showed no benefit from allergen avoidance, the LEAP study is the first to show that early introduction of dietary peanut is actually beneficial and identifies an effective approach to manage a serious public health problem."

A follow-up study called LEAP-On will ask all LEAP study participants to avoid peanut consumption for one year. These results will determine whether continuous peanut consumption is required to maintain a child's tolerance to peanut.

Management of Rotator cuff tendonitis

Treating rotator cuff tendonitis may include
Modified rest
Ice application
Immobilization if required
Pain medication
Physiotherapy
it might recommend surgery to correct a severely torn tendon. After your surgery, your physician may recommend that you undergo physiotherapy that will help you improve your muscle strength and help return you to definitely your original work or game as fast and safely possible.

Allies to the development of rotator cuff tendonitis

There are many factors which can predispose patients to developing this problem. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from the physiotherapist. Some of these factors include:
• shoulder instability
• muscle weakness (particularly the scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff muscles)
• muscle tightness
• joint stiffness (shoulder, AC joint, neck or shoulders)
• muscle imbalances
• poor posture
• excessive or inappropriate training or activity
• inadequate recovery periods from sport or activity
• abnormal biomechanics (eg. poor throwing technique or stroke technique with swimming)
• inadequate warm-up
• past good reputation for shoulder injury
• certain bone anatomy, or degenerative bony spurring, around the acromion

Physiotherapy for rotator cuff tendonitis

Physiotherapy strategy to patients with this condition is essential to hasten the recovery process, ensure an optimal outcome and lower the likelihood of injury recurrence. Treatment may comprise:
• soft tissue massage
• electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound)
• joint mobilization (shoulder, AC joint, neck and shoulders)
• dry needling
• ice or heat treatment
• the utilization of a sling
• progressive exercises to enhance flexibility and strength (specially the scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff muscles)
• education
• training and activity modification advice
• technique correction
• postural correction
• anti-inflammatory advice
• devising and monitoring coming back to sport or activity plan

Exercises for rotator cuff tendonitis

The next exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with this particular condition. You should discuss the suitability of those exercises with your physiotherapist just before beginning them. Generally, they must be performed 2 - 3 times a day and only provided they don't cause or increase symptoms.
Your physiotherapist can advise when it's appropriate to begin the first exercises and eventually progress towards the intermediate, advanced along with other exercises. As a general rule, addition of exercises or progression to more complex exercises should take place provided there isn't any increase in symptoms.

Initial Exercis :

Shoulder Blade Squeezes
Begin this exercise sitting or standing with your back straight. Your chin ought to be tucked in slightly as well as your shoulders should be back slightly. Slowly squeeze your neck together as hard and as possible provided it doesn't cause or increase symptoms. Hold for five seconds and repeat Ten times.

Pendular Exercises
Begin leaning forwards together with your uninjured forearm supported on the table or bench. Keeping your back straight as well as your shoulder relaxed, gently swing your injured arm forwards and backwards so far as you can go pain free and provided you are feeling either nothing, or, a maximum of a mild to moderate stretch. Repeat Ten times provided the exercise doesn't cause or increase symptoms. Repeat the exercise swinging your arm sideways provided it is painless.

Pendular Circles
Begin leaning forwards together with your uninjured forearm supported on the table or bench. Keeping your back straight as well as your shoulder relaxed, gently swing your arm in circles clockwise so far as you can go pain free and provided you are feeling either nothing, or, a maximum of a mild to moderate stretch. Repeat the exercise swinging your arm counter clockwise. Repeat Ten times in each direction provided the exercise doesn't cause or increase symptoms.

Foam Roller Stretch
Place a foam roller beneath your upper back as demonstrated. Breathe normally keeping your neck and back relaxed. Hold it for 15 - 90 seconds provided it's comfortable and does not hurt.

Physiotherapy products for rotator cuff tendonitis

Probably the most commonly recommended products by physiotherapists to hasten healing and speed recovery in patients with this particular condition include:
1. Slings
2. Shoulder Supports
3. Ice Packs or Heat Packs
4. Sports Tape (for protective taping)
5. Resistance Band (for strengthening exercises)
6. Foam Rollers
7. Spikey Massage Balls (for self massage)
8. TENS Machines (to decrease your pain)
9. Therapeutic Pillows

Acid Reflux Drugs And Neuropathy

Today's post from blogs.naturalnews.com (see link below) takes a look at one of the possible causes of nerve damage and neuropathy and that is excessive use of acid reflux drugs (such as nexium, prevacid, omeprazole and prilosec plus many others). Neuropathy forums have long featured this problem but so many people now take acid reflux drugs as a matter of course, they have come to be seen as harmless and a daily necessity needed to balance our diets. You should also be aware of the fact that these drugs can prevent proper absorption of other drugs prescribed for other problems, which need to be broken down in the stomach in order for them to start working. You should certainly have a constructive discussion with your doctor as to whether these drugs are absolutely necessary because altering your diet to help your digestive system may be a far better option.

Acid Reflux Drugs May Cause Dementia and Neuropathy   
By Dr. Brent Hunter Posted Thursday, December 12, 2013 
 
Has your memory been slipping lately? Have you experienced unexplained pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms of legs? Have you also been taking an acid reflux drug like Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec for a couple years? If so, then you may be the latest victim of the pharmaceutical industry’s medical model of healthcare.

After that first paragraph, you may have expected to see an attorney’s phone number to call and join a class action lawsuit! Well, I am sure that it won’t be long before that actually happens. New research, published Monday in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that certain acid reflux drugs are “significantly associated” with vitamin B12 deficiency. In turn, vitamin B12 deficiency causes serious health consequences including anemia, osteoporosis, depression, memory loss, dementia, neuropathy and cardiovascular disease.

If you have acid reflux, you need to understand what is causing it. Find the cause and correct the cause. Simply popping pills to block the natural production of stomach acid has proven to only cause even more serious health conditions. Read on to learn how to restore your health without these dangerous drugs!

Acid Reflux Drugs Linked to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Acid reflux drugs, like Nexium, have long been known to cause some very serious side effects. Among them are problems such as anemia, heart problems, hypertension, osteoporosis and further digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In fact, drugs used to treat acid reflux do not treat the condition itself but only the symptoms. They are not designed to correct the cause of the problem. As a result, the problem continues to worsen over the years. Drug treatment is continued and the drug side effects continue to worsen as well.

This new research(1) sheds further light on this problem. It showed that people taking certain acid reflux drugs are far more likely to suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. The study implicated proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec – and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) – Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac. Proton pump inhibitors proved to be the worst.

Unfortunately, the study’s senior author, Dr. Douglas Corley, stated(2) that patient’s should not stop taking the drugs but should get their B12 levels checked. If your levels are deficient, then presumably, you should treat that as another symptom as well. All the while, the underlying causes are left unaddressed. Vitamin B12 deficiency cannot be corrected unless the cause of the deficiency is addressed. In this case, the cause may be your acid reflux pill.

Left uncorrected, this leads to fatigue, anemia, irritable bowel syndrome, increased risk of bone fracture, hypertension, dementia, depression and neuropathy. It is dangerous, costly, and simply ridiculous to continue treating symptoms of any condition rather than addressing the cause. Wouldn’t it be much better to find what is causing the acid reflux and correct the cause? 

Why Do You Have Stomach Acid?

Stomach acid has been unjustly vilified as the cause of acid reflux and GERD. In a similar fashion, cholesterol was incorrectly pegged as the cause of deadly heart disease. Just as pharmaceutically lowering cholesterol increases the heart attack death rate, blocking stomach acid with drugs only makes the problem of reflux and GERD even worse!

You have acid in your stomach for a reason. The cells that line your stomach produce it. In fact, your stomach is specifically designed with a layer of cells that protect it from the otherwise damaging effects of the acid. This stomach acid is required by your body for:

proper digestion of food, especially carbohydrates
Absorption of nutrients (such as vitamin B12)
Killing harmful bacteria and limiting bacterial overgrowth

Without this acid in your stomach, you cannot properly digest carbohydrates or effectively absorb certain nutrients. Blocking this acid production also allows for overgrowth of bacteria and opens the door for H. pylori infections. Simply having the stomach acid is not the problem. In fact, most people suffering from acid reflux actually have too little stomach acid rather than too much.

What Causes Acid Reflux and GERD?

The problem is when the acid leaks (refluxes) into the esophagus. Your esophagus does not have the protective lining that your stomach has. When stomach acid gets into the esophagus, the burning pain of acid reflux results.

Your body has a very strong valve – called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) - between the stomach and esophagus that is designed to prevent the reflux of acid. The cause of the acid reflux is a dysfunctioning LES muscle which allows the acid to reflux into the esophagus.

It is not a problem of having too much acid. Again, most cases of acid reflux actually occur with low levels of stomach acid. The acid is just in the wrong place. Lowering acid levels or blocking its production does not fix the problem with the LES. As a result, the acid reflux continues and you are prescribed acid blocking drugs for the rest of your life.

So, the real question is what is causing the dysfunction with the LES muscle and how can your correct this cause of acid reflux? 

Correcting the Cause of Acid Reflux

Your Nerve System and Chiropractic Care. The LES is an autonomic muscle. That means that it is automatically controlled by your autonomic nervous system. Stress on the nerves that control this muscle can cause it to malfunction. Additionally, production and secretion of stomach acid is controlled by your nerve system. Ensuring proper nerve system function is the first step to healing acid reflux and GERD naturally. Chiropractic physicians are trained to find and correct nerve interference such as this. As a result, many people experience significant relief simply from including regular chiropractic care in their wellness lifestyle.

Eliminating Drug Effects. It is also important to consider other prescription drugs that you are taking that may be causing the problem. Common culprits include steroid drugs, NSAIDS (such as Advil and Aleve), and aspirin. These drugs are commonly prescribed for various pain syndromes. However, there are many natural, safe, and more effective methods for correcting these conditions as well.

Excessive Carbohydrates. Consuming excessive carbohydrates – especially simple carbs like sugars, breads, pastas, pastries, etc. – create an inflammatory environment in your body. This can prevent normal production of stomach acid and allow bacterial overgrowth. This leads to gas production and increased intra-abdominal pressure. As a result the LES muscle becomes inhibited and acid reflux occurs. Simply switching to a low carbohydrate, anti-inflammatory diet naturally corrects this cause of acid reflux.

Balancing Bacteria. Low stomach acid allows for bacterial overgrowth and disrupts the balance of healthy gut bacteria. Consuming foods rich in probiotics (healthy bacteria), such as raw fermented foods, restores this balance. Taking a probiotic supplement may be necessary as well. Restoring the normal, healthy bacteria in your gut helps to correct many digestive disorders, including acid reflux. 

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

Using these methods addresses the actual cause of acid reflux and GERD and allows your body to heal itself naturally. While you are healing, you may need to use some natural remedies as well to help with the symptoms. As mentioned earlier, the problem is most often a result of not enough stomach acid production in order to digest food, absorb nutrients and kill harmful bacteria.

Bitter herbs can be used to increase production of stomach acid. These include herbs such as barberry bark, caraway, dandelion, fennel, ginger, goldenseal root, peppermint, and wormwood. They are typically taken in very small doses and made in a tincture of water. Consult an well-trained herbalist for best results.

While you are reconditioning your body to produce the proper amount of stomach acid, you may benefit from natural digestive enzyme supplements as well. Without proper levels of stomach acid, the pH is too high to stimulate the release of these enzymes naturally. These supplements can help provide your body with the support it needs to break down carbohydrates and proteins more effectively. 

As with all health conditions, dangerous drugs are not the only option. It may seem easy to simply pop a pill and ignore the problem. However, your body and your long-term health will ultimately suffer the consequences. You can live a radiant and vibrantly healthy life! Simple lifestyle changes make a huge difference in your vitality and they will help you heal acid reflux naturally!

http://blogs.naturalnews.com/acid-reflux-drugs-may-cause-dementia-and-neuropathy/

Transdermal Buprenorphine A Safe Option For Nerve Pain

Today's post from diabetes.co.uk (see link below) is once again aimed at diabetics with neuropathy but applies to all those suffering from neuropathic pain. At first it seems promising, in these days of opioid hysteria. It suggests that a new opiate medication called transdermal buprenorphine, (a patch for the skin) can reduce neuropathic pain. However, if you look carefully at the study results, the numbers are so small as to hardly prove anything. It's good to see someone sensibly promoting the benefits of opioids to those living with chronic pain, especially when the rest of the media seems set on dismissing them as threats to the moral fibre of all nations but in this case, it may be advisable to wait until many more study results are released, over much wider and larger study groups, before getting too excited. Certainly worth remembering for the future and maybe later discussing with your neurologist.

Opioid medication shown to be effective on painful diabetic neuropathy
 Benedict Jephcote Fri, 22 Jul 2016

A type of opioid medication can ease the effects of pain as a result of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), a study has found.

A research team in Australia say the opioid pain medication, can help people who have moderate to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).

DPNP is the name given to nerve damage which is caused by high blood sugar over a number of years and is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes. If left untreated it can lead to numbness, loss of sensation, and sometimes pain in feet, legs, or hands.

The study involved 186 people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and stable glycemic control, who had been experiencing DPNP for at least six months.

They were split into two groups and were randomly given buprenorphine or placebo patches. Their pain levels and other symptoms of DPNP were logged in a daily patient diary and during clinic visits.

A high number of participants did not complete the trial, with 56 in the buprenorphine group dropping out and 69 people who were using the placebos.

Researchers said nausea and vomiting were the main reasons for early withdrawal in those who were testing the medication.

For those who remained, 86.3 per cent of the buprenorphine group experienced a 30 per cent reduction in pain after 12 weeks. By comparison, 56.6 per cent of the placebo group experienced this level of pain reduction.

The researchers wrote: "Transdermal buprenorphine, when tolerated, is an effective therapy for DPNP and provides another option to manage this challenging painful condition.

"Nausea and constipation need to be managed proactively to optimise treatment outcomes."

The study was led by Dr Richard W Simpson from Box Hill Hospital and Dr John H Wlodarczyk from Consulting Services in New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia. The study was published in the Diabetes Care journal and was supported by the manufacturers of the buprenorphine patch, Mundipharma.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/News/2016/Jul/Opioid-medication-shown-to-be-effective-on-painful-diabetic-neuropathy-94646857.html

Cute Ways To Announce Pregnancy

Cute Way To Tie A Scarf

With so many hilarious and adorable pregnancy announcement photos floating around Facebook and Pinterest these days, it could be a challenge to create something new .Got a bun in the oven? Congratulations! Here are some funny, cute, and totally creative ways to break the news to your family and friends when you're ready to .The Bump users share their tips for announcing a pregnancy to family members. Looking for some inspiration when it comes to fun ways to break the baby news? We put .My husband and I made our pregnancy announcement to our family at 8 weeks. We tried to be creative with the announcement so we did it two different ways:.So I asked you all if you had announced your pregnancies in fun and unique ways and it turns out, you did. Ya'll are crafty and smart and that's why I love ya .Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy Can't find the right words to tell your loved ones and friends your good news? Try one of these 15 unique pregnancy .While you might not be able to announce your pregnancy like Beyonce or Chrissy Teigen, there are still a ton of creative ways to share your pregnancy with .I think I've decided to go ahead and announce our pregnancy on Facebook this week but I don't have any cute or unique ideas!! Can anyone help?? I want to think of .There are some totally cute ways and it's even more fun now that there is the whole social media aspect. When I was pregnant with my other children social .When the pregnancy test results are positive, the anticipation is almost more than an expecting woman can bear. But how to tell your husband you're pregnant?.

Cute Way To Tie A Scarf

Cute Ways To Decorate Envelopes

Got a bun in the oven? Congratulations! Here are some funny, cute, and totally creative ways to break the news to your family and friends when you're ready to . I think I've decided to go ahead and announce our pregnancy on Facebook this week but I don't have any cute or unique ideas!! Can anyone help?? I .My husband and I made our pregnancy announcement to our family at 8 weeks. We tried to be creative with the announcement so we did it two different ways:.When the pregnancy test results are positive, the anticipation is almost more than an expecting woman can bear. But how to tell your husband you're pregnant?.Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy Can't find the right words to tell your loved ones and friends your good news? Try one of these 15 unique pregnancy . While you might not be able to announce your pregnancy like Beyonc or Chrissy Teigen, there are still a ton of creative ways to share your pregnancy with .With so many hilarious and adorable pregnancy announcement photos floating around Facebook and Pinterest these days, it could be a challenge to create something new .There are some totally cute ways and it's even more fun now that there is the whole social media aspect. When I was pregnant with my other children social media wasn .So I asked you all if you had announced your pregnancies in fun and unique ways and it turns out, you did. Ya'll are crafty and smart and that's why I love ya .The Bump users share their tips for announcing a pregnancy to family members. Looking for some inspiration when it comes to fun ways to break the baby news? We .

A Better Understanding Of Both Doctors And Patients Situations

Today's post from health.com (see link below) is pretty much a plea to give doctors a break. As neuropathic patients often in chronic pain and discomfort, we can get frustrated at our doctors' apparent lack of answers; especially if their bedside manner is also somewhat lacking. This article points out a few of the reasons why doctors need to be let off the hook now and then because of the stresses they're under from time management and a results culture. That's not to say that we shouldn't stand our ground now and then and refuse to accept shoddy medical attention but understanding a doctor's predicament will gain their appreciation and lead to better treatment anyway.

How to Get Your Doctor to Take Your Pain Seriously. How to get the treatment you need 

Last Updated: February 29, 2016

 

Good chronic pain treatment can be hard to find. A chronic pain patient has every right to believe that his or her doctor will listen sympathetically and prescribe the appropriate treatment, but that is not always the reality. Truth is, many doctors have not been trained to deal with the complex, changing area of chronic pain treatment. One 2001 survey of primary care physicians' attitudes toward prescribing certain medications found that only 15% said they enjoyed working with patients who have chronic pain.
This can lead to frustrating encounters at the primary-care level, especially if your doctor is rushed.

Pressures on doctors

"Doctors don't want patients to suffer, they want people to get better," says Bill McCarberg, MD, founder of the Chronic Pain Management Program at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. "But they feel stress, they feel time constraints, they have to deal with pre-authorizations, it's not the kind of practice they wanted. They're stressed, and that leads to moving patients along."

"As a doctor in today's medical system, it's difficult to deal with chronic pain conditions," agrees S. Sam Lim, MD, a rheumatologist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. "Most practices are forced to see a certain number of patients in a limited amount of time. [With chronic pain] it's not so simple as five minutes, a few questions, and handing out a pill. It takes some time. And our system isn't set up for that."

"The patient needs to realize that the doctor may not be able to discern what's going on in the first visit. Often it takes a few visits," says Dr. Lim.

Doctors are frustrated by what they can't "fix"

In 25 years of caring for her chronically sick husband, who was injured in an industrial accident, Ann Jacobs, 62, of Laramie, Wyo., has watched physicians struggle with the trial-and-error progress of his treatment. "Doctors are programmed for success stories," she says.

Meanwhile, because of its complexity, pain treatment has emerged as a separate, multidisciplinary specialty. That's good, but pain patients often need to get to a pain specialist through their primary care physicians.

Emotions can cloud the diagnosis

The emotional effects of chronic pain may also make diagnosis more difficult. Maggie Buckley, 46, from Walnut Creek, Calif., learned this the hard way. She suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare genetic tissue disorder that leaves her with chronically painful joints.

"If you say 'it's really depressing and upsetting me, I'm in so much pain,'" Buckley says, "doctors will see it in terms of emotion and treat it as an emotional problem, referring you to psychiatric care or antidepressants." That is sometimes the appropriate treatment route, because antidepressants can treat chronic pain and there is a link between pain and depression, but you need to stand your ground and make sure any treatment is addressing your specific problems.

Be gentle about your pain, but be firm

It's important to be clear about your pain and explain the way it impacts your life when you're talking to your doctor. Don't be intimidated. Stand your ground, calmly.

"Patients really need to be persistent about their complaints in a way that is constructive to get across to the physician that this is something real," says Dr. Lim. "There are some physicians who are more open to listening than others. It may take a few doctors to find a marriage."

"You have to go very gently to start with," advises Ann Jacobs. "Listen to what the doctor has to say first." Then, if you're not satisfied, press harder. But remember that the most important thing is to create a relationship with your doctor in which you're a team, both looking for the best way to alleviate your pain. After he or she has assessed your needs, you can consider seeing a pain specialist.

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188093,00.html

Sassy Brew cont

So here is the gorgeous red brew that resulted from the sassafras roots. OH the smell .... unreal!

And the whey ..... dripped down overnight from the greek yogurt I found at the store. Kiva recommends Piima cheese but I couldn't find any. From two containers of the "Fage" I rendered one cup of whey.
In in goes..... with the honey and sugar and a little fizzy blessing.
And while we wait we can stuff our faces with this creamy cheese leftover! It's perfect on cornbread.
Hope it works!

Ageing with HIV

You have survived the onslaught; the virus is undetectable; your immune system seems to be working well with a high T-cell count and you're getting older much like the rest of the population...but are you ageing just like everyone else? The answer may be no...you may be ageing differently and if you're suffering from neuropathy, you're already noticing one of the many possible differences. This informative article from The New York Buyers Club blog (see link below) doesn't make easy reading and true, they are a commercial organisation selling supplements and promoting alternative therapies but they've proved themselves to be serious researchers regarding HIV and have a genuine interest in the wellbeing of HIV patients as a whole. In the end 'caveat emptor' (let the buyer beware) always applies and you must make your own decisions but although this blog makes a point of never advertising on behalf of others, serious articles from the New York Buyers Club can be seen as exceptions.

Aging With HIV
Posted on April 24, 2011 by admin


Unique Health Concerns Can Arise – Even When Meds Keep the Virus “Undetectable”

When effective antiretroviral therapy (ARV) came on the scene in the mid-90s, it brought up a new topic for people with HIV: growing old. By now it is generally agreed that ARV therapy offers the opportunity for a “normal” life span. Yet no one denies that unique health concerns can arise for people with HIV as they age, even when the meds keep the virus “undetectable.”

Start with the gut. In the gastrointestinal tract, HIV infection results in malabsorption (poor digestion of nutrients) while also damaging the gut lining and allowing inflammatory products to spill into the bloodstream, spreading both virus and inflammatory responses.

Then there’s the lymph system and the immune system in general. Here, HIV damages lymph nodes and accelerates shrinking of the thymus gland, which you can think of as the training center for the immune system’s T cells. Some types of T cells begin to disappear, while others behave abnormally in a 30-, 40-, or 50-something HIV+ individual, responding to disease more as one would expect in an 80- or 90-year old.

Still other types of HIV-motivated aging affect the heart, veins, and arteries (cardiovascular system), and the brain and nerves (central and peripheral nervous systems).

The effects of these changes may include: increased risk of heart attack and stroke, neuropathy, cognitive problems (like forgetfulness), bone, kidney and liver disease, and increased risk for certain kinds of cancer (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, rectal and cervical cancer, and liver cancer).

Furthermore, while ARV drives down peripheral blood levels of HIV, it is accompanied by toxicities that do particular harm to the energy factories of cells, the mitochondria. Mitochondrial toxicity (which NYBC and its predecessor, DAAIR, have long been concerned with) underlies a number of clinical issues, including gut damage, muscle, liver and bone damage, as well as peripheral neuropathy and pancreatitis.

Add to that, infections may now cause bigger problems. This is starkly evident with the human papilloma viruses (HPV), leading culprits in rectal and cervical cancer. Similarly, pre-existing chronic hepatitis B or C infection makes the liver even more vulnerable, and can also increase risk of autoimmune disease, in which the body’s defenses attack its own tissues. The family of herpes viruses that can cause CMV or KS also contribute to the inflammatory milieu

Testing to stay ahead of problems…

Your blood work looks not only at the prime suspect, HIV, but also scans a whole array of markers, indicators of a range of potential problems. That’s why we recomend you should always take home a copy for yourself. Often, physicians will see that some markers are out of normal range, but have limited tools in their drug arsenal to manage them; they may be ignored. Still, some obvious signs of trouble crop up with routine testing.

Bad cholesterol (LDL) that’s high and good cholesterol (HDL) that’s low, together with rising triglycerides, point to risks to the heart. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is another, more recently developed, test for cardiovascular trouble in the making. Liver enzymes and markers of liver function such as ALT, AST and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) may be elevated, indicating need for attention to that organ. CPK when elevated can indicate kidney damage, an effect that may arise from tenofovir-containing regimens or from statin drugs. Elevated glucose suggests insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Some good news—plus, ways to keep the news good

The good news is that not everyone suffers these problems. Indeed, some stay healthy or have only minor issues. But we don’t advise resting on your laurels — any more than we suggest ignoring warning signs on the horizon.

One of the best ways to thwart HIV and medication side effects is to change your life: exercise, aerobic and resistance, not only sustains health but yields a stronger body to bear insults. You can also make better food choices, minimizing your intake of the toxic sludge peddled to us by Big Agribiz in the form of processed foods, fast foods, sodas and other products that aren’t really food. It is up to us to live our lives the way we want and to make the best choices we can, moment to moment. (Be here now, as the great meditators say!)

And there are specific ways to combat the ravages of time, HIV, and meds. Start with the gut: along with good food and drink, a multivitamin is essential. Probiotics like acidophilus, bifidus, and S. boulardii have shown their benefits. Consider a small amount (1-3 g) of glutamine daily to help gut turnover. If needed, use digestive enzymes.

For the heart, muscles, lungs, liver—and to help cells themselves function well–evidence of the benefit of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) keeps growing. By replenishing the body’s vital antioxidant glutathione, NAC offsets harm caused by all sorts of inflammation.

Do consult NYBC’s past SUPPLEMENT features on liver and cardiovascular health. Many underlying issues around these organs can be addressed with alpha lipoic acid (as in our lipoic-NAC combo, ThiolNAC), milk thistle, CoQ10, vitamin D3, fish oil (as found in Max DHA or Pro-Omega), as well as niacin for reducing LDL and increasing HDL. Chinese herbal formulations may help with anemia, neutropenia and liver health. Extra vitamin C and fiber can reduce hsCRP levels (worth a try before the problematic and costly statins).

While some supplements are supported by robust amounts of data (fish oil, niacin, and to a certain extent, NAC), our understanding of the benefits of others is more limited. Still, these constituents, such as curcumin, green tea extracts, resveratrol, and other plant flavonoids, have intriguing clinical data for people with HIV, and deserve consideration (and further research!). As ever, we serve as our own experts in our individual studies to evaluate these supplements.

http://newyorkbuyersclub.org/nybcblog/?p=1269

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Pain Quiz

If you're not sure whether the pain you have is 'chronic pain' then the following questions and answers from WebMD.com (see link below) should help you decide. It's a general post and doesn't go into the sort of pain you have or its causes. There is that grey area with neuropathy, between tingling and numbness which you don't consider to be chronic and the burning pain and muscular aches that can wake you up at night, so looking at some of these questions and answers may help.

Pain Management Health Center

Health Quiz

Is Pain Interfering With Your Life?

Assess the impact of chronic pain.

1) Has your pain lasted three months or longer?

If your pain lasts three months or more, it may be chronic pain. Chronic pain lasts longer than doctors would reasonably expect after an illness or injury has healed. In fact, pain signals may continue to fire in the nervous system for months or even years. Chronic pain can stem from low back problems, arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, and nervous system disorders, as well as other causes. Some scientist believe that chronic pain itself represents an illness, which can be made worse by both the environment and emotions.

2) Does pain cause you to feel depressed, anxious, angry, or fatigued?

Chronic pain strikes many areas of life, including your emotions. Left untreated, constant pain can leave you feeling depressed, anxious, angry, and frustrated. You may also have a sense of fatigue, lowered motivation, and reduced libido.

3) Does being in pain hurt your relationships with family and friends?

If you have a broken arm, people will sympathize. But that's not always true with an "invisible" condition like chronic pain. Often, people with chronic pain withdraw socially because they feel alone and misunderstood. They may decline invitations, and their pain-related problems can strain family relationships and damage careers.

4) Do you limit your activities because of pain?

If you avoid certain activities because of pain, you may lose mobility, flexibility, and strength. As a result, even minor activities can prompt pain. People with chronic pain often have trouble with daily activities and become dependent on others.

5) Does pain affect your appetite?

In some cases, chronic pain can cause poor appetite, often as a symptom of depression

6) Does pain keep you awake at night?

About two-thirds of people with chronic pain report getting poor sleep. Pain and insomnia are linked. While sharp pain can rouse you from slumber, even mild pain can cause several "microarousals" that leave you feeling tired when you wake up. Also, some pain drugs can disrupt sleep.

7) Do you use alcohol to cope with pain or sleeplessness?

Some people use alcohol to cope with chronic pain or help them fall asleep. But alcohol shouldn't be used with pain medicines. Also, alcohol is not a good sleep aid -- it actually disrupts sleep. Talk to your health care provider if you are using or feel like using alcohol to self-medicate. Your health care provider can offer safer treatment options.

8) Have you discussed your pain with your doctor?

If chronic pain interferes with your quality of life, consider talking to your doctor about treatments that can offer relief. These include medications, acupuncture, surgery, local electrical stimulation, brain stimulation, nerve blocks, psychotherapy, biofeedback, behavior modification, and relaxation techniques. Ask, too, about outpatient pain rehabilitation programs that offer effective treatments for chronic pain.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/quiz-chronic-pain-10-results?q2=a&q3=a&q4=a&q5=a&q6=a&q7=b&q8=a&cobrand=mywebmd