Indonesian Herbs Information Centre

Carrots ( Wortel )

2011-07-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

Carrots ( Wortel )
(Daucus carota, Linn.)
Synonyms:
Daucus carota, Linn.
Familia:
Apiaceae
Description:
Carrots (Daucus carota) is a plant grown vegetables year round.Especially in mountainous areas that have cold temperatures and moist, more or less at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.Carrot plants require sunlight and can grow in all seasons. Carrots have a rod in the form of a set of wet leaf midrib (leaf stalks) that arise from the base of the fruit of the top (root), like celery. Carrots prefer a loose, fertile soil. According to botanists, carrot (Daucus carota) can be divided into several types, including: CARROT (Daucus carota, Linn.) - The type of imperator, the carrot that has a root length with tapered ends and taste less sweet. - Chantenang types, namely carrot root having elliptic and sweet. - Type of Mantes, namely the combination of types of carrot carrots and chantenang imperator. Tuber roots typical orange-colored carrots.

Local Name:
Carrot (UK), Carotte (French), carrot (Netherlands); Wortel (Indonesia), Bortol (Sunda), Carrots, Ortel (Madura); Carrots, Wortol, Wertol, Wertel, Bortol (Java);
Composition:
CHEMICAL CONTENT: Carrots (Daucus carota) has the value of a high content of Vitamin A that is equal to 12 000 SI. While the composition of the content of another element is the calories by 42 calories, 1.2 grams protein, 0.3 grams fat, 9.3 grams carbohydrate, 39 milligrams calcium, 37 milligrams phosphorus, 0.8 milligrams iron, vitamin B 1 0, 06 milligrams, and vitamin C 6 milligrams. The above composition is measured per 100 grams.
Curable Disease:
Seizures Heart, Eczema, pinworms, Eye minus;
Utilization:
1. Angina pectoris
    Material: roots of carrots, 2 tablespoons honey, and a piece of palm sugar;
    Method: carrots grated and squeezed with 2 cups of water,
    then is mixed with other ingredients until evenly distributed;
    How to use: drink 1 a day.
2. Eczema
    a. Ingredients: 1 bulb carrot and 1 teaspoon of whiting;
       Method: carrots grated and mixed with whiting
       until evenly distributed;
       How to use: affixed on the sick and
       wrapped with bandages.
    b. Ingredients: 3 carrots tubers;
       Method: grated and brewed with 2 cups cooking water;
       How to use: drink 2 times a day.
3. Pinworms
    Ingredients: 5-7 tubers carrots, coconut milk and salt to taste;
    Method: grated carrots, then added with materials
    other;
    How to use: squeezed and filtered, then taken
    bedtime.

4. Mata Minus
    Ingredients: carrot tubers taste;
    Method: grated and squeezed to take water;
    How to use: drink every morning regularly.

Dangers of Child Obesity

2011-07-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Dangers of Child Obesity
By James Rouse

The child obesity epidemic and the dangers of childhood obesity are at the forefront of many health professionals discussion groups. The reason for this is the long lasting psychological and physical effects that children have to endure.

It's hard enough that they have to deal with the extra weight but not being able to participate in as many activities as the other kids affects them emotionally. What we don't see is their deep seeded pain.

Our first action in dealing with childhood obesity is a physical one. We want to help them look better. It is presumed that if they look better they will naturally feel better. This is true in many cases.

As they start to emotionally feel more accepted by their peers their self esteem improves. The problem is once they do start to look better, and they will if they get proper nutrition and exercise, is it may be too late. Has the physical dangers of childhood obesity been too much for their bodies to handle?

Dealing With An Adult Disease

Type 2 diabetes has for years been an adult disease that in most cases wasn't diagnosed until the later in life. It has become one of the biggest dangers of childhood obesity in recent years.

Type 2 diabetes is a non insulin dependent disease that is difficult to treat. In some cases it can lead to being insulin dependent.

Cardiovascular disease

Overweight and obese children are at a greater risk of contracting Cardiovascular disease later in life. The older the children are, the greater the risk is. In other words an obese teen is more likely to have a cardiovascular disease in adulthood than an obese pre-teen.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder when breathing is interrupted by blocked airway passages resulting in poor sleep quality. Obese children with sleep apnea will experience daytime fatigue, problems in school, and have a tendency to be hyperactive.

Osteoporosis

The development of bone mass during the growing years is essential. Children with a higher body fat percentage may be at risk of developing osteoporosis as adults. The reason for this is children who have more body fat have less bone mass.

Interestingly though is that adults who are heavy and have already built stronger bones from carrying the excess weight are at a lower risk of developing osteoporosis. The opposite is true for children. Their bone development is compromised.

Other dangers of childhood obesity worth noting are cancer, asthma and hypertension. In more severe cases: gall bladder disease, liver disease, and high cholesterol.

Evaluating all the dangers of childhood obesity is a difficult process. There are variables that need to be considered such as environmental and genetic issues which is why it needs to be done on an individual basis.

One of the biggest dangers of childhood obesity is the psychological effects that have occurred. With proper nutrition, exercise, and a diet plan we can treat childhood obesity. We all hope once the weight issue is under control and their self esteem has been restored that they live long, happy, and healthy lives

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes

2011-07-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes
by: Tim Sousa

Did you know that tomatoes were once considered poison? It's true, the tomato is a member of the nightshade family, and was at one time considered to be toxic.

Tomatoes were first eaten in the U.S. in the early 1800's, when a gentleman by the name of Robert Johnson shocked his hometown by eating a basket of tomatoes in the middle of town. When he didn't die, or even get sick from the tomatoes, they became a part of the American diet.

We now know that tomatoes are not toxic, and in fact are quite nutritious. First of all, tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is quite beneficial, as you've probably heard.

Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, an important protein skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage by free radicals.

Tomatoes also contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Studies have shown that men consuming 10 servings of tomatoes a week cut the risk of prostate cancer by 45%. Lycopene also lower the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, and inhibits the growth of other types of cancer cells. Lycopene may also help older folks remain active.

Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acied are also found in tomatoes. These two compounds are thought to block the effects of nitrosamines, which are formed naturally in the body, but are also a strong carcinogen in tobacco smoke.

Tomatoes may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Niacin has been used for years to lower cholesterol. Potassium has been shown to lower high blood pressure. And vitamin B6 and folate are used by the body to convert a dangerous chemical called homocysteine into more benign compounds.
Vitamin K, found in tomatoes helps to maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K1 activates a protein in the bones called osteocalcin, which anchors calcium inside the bone. Without enough vitamin K, bone mineralization is impaired.

When you buy tomatoes, be sure to buy the ones with the brightest red color. This indicates high amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene. Lycopene is found in the cell walls of the tomato, so by cooking it in a bit of oil, more lycopene is fully released.

Also, cooking the tomato in a bit of olive oil helps your body to absorb the lycopene. If all you can find are canned tomatoes, that's fine. Cooking and canning don't cause tomatoes to lose any of their nutritional value. So cooked and processed tomatoes are just as beneficial as fresh tomatoes

SAMBILOTO : NATURE’S GIFT OF HEART ATTACK PREVENTION AND INFLAMMATION ERADICATION

2011-07-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

The Secret to overcoming the Silent Epidemic that’s destroying your Health

What Is It?

Andrographis paniculata is known in Indonesia as Sambiloto which is the name used in Jamu - Indonesian traditional medicine - and will be used throughout this article. It is also known commonly as "King of Bitters," and is a member of the plant family Acanthaceae. The plant is an annual. It is branched, erect growing up to 1 meter in height. The leaves and stems of the plant are used to extract the active phytochemicals. It grows abundantly in southeastern Asia: Indonesia, India (and Sri Lanka), Pakistan and it is cultivated extensively in China and Thailand. It grows best in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world.

It is normally grown from seeds, and is ubiquitous in its native areas: it grows in forest areas, and along roads and in villages. Because of its well-known medicinal properties, in Indonesia it is also commonly cultivated. It grows easily in all types of soil. In fact, it grows in poor soil types where almost no other plant can be cultivated.

Chemical Properties

The primary medicinal component of Andrographis is andrographolide. It has a very bitter taste, is a colorless crystalline in appearance, and is called a "diterpene lactone". The other medicinal chemicals are also bitter principles: diterpenoids viz. deoxyandrographolide, -19ß-D-glucoside, and neo-andrographolide, all of which have been isolated from the leaves. Besides the related bitters mentioned, other active components include 14-deoxy-11,12- didehydroandrographolide (andrographlide D), homoandrographolide, andrographan, andrographon, andrographosterin, and stigmasterol - the last of which was isolated from an Astrographis preparation. The leaves contain the highest amount of andrographolide (2.39%), the most medicinally active phytochemical in the plant, while the seeds contain the lowest.

What Is It Used For?

Sambiloto has been used for centuries in Asia and continues to be used today in Indonesia as a medicinal herb, to treat gastro-intestinal tract and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and a variety of other chronic and infectious diseases. It is found in several different medical traditions including Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

As a preventive of heart attack, the powerful effect of “clot busting” is a significant benefit, especially for people in stressful occupations and those who are overweight, have little exercise, and are generally followers of the “Western Lifestyle”. Some practitioners have suggested a daily dose of aspirin for this purpose, but information is steadily accumulating about the serious negative side effects of such a drug regime. Macular degeneration (blindness), cataracts, gastro intestinal bleeding and even increased incidence of strokes and heart attacks as a result of asprin taking are now documented in authoritative Journals like the British Medical Journal and Opthalmology (reference 30, 31).

In traditional Chinese medicine it is an important "cold property" herb, used to rid the body of heat, as in fevers, and to dispel toxins from the body. This alone is a major benefit in protecting against Western “Lifestyle diseases”. In Scandinavian countries, it is still commonly used to prevent and treat common colds.

Research conducted since the '80's has confirmed that Sambiloto, properly administered, is a broad spectrum herb and has a surprisingly wide range of pharmacological effects, some of them extremely beneficial:

BENEFITS

1) Analgesic: pain killer.

2) Anti-hyperglycaemic: has a blood glucose lowering effect.

3) Anti-inflammatory: reduces swelling and cuts down exudation from capillaries, anti-inflammatory action probably mediated, in part, by adrenal function.

4) Antibacterial: fights bacterial activity, although Sambiloto appears to have weak direct antibacterial action, it has remarkably beneficial effect in reducing diarrhea and symptoms arising from bacterial infections.

5) Antimalarial: prophylactic properties prevent infection and parasite multiplication in the blood stream.

6) Antihepatotoxic: eliminates liver toxins, such as products of alcohol consumption.

7) Antipyretic: fever reducer - both in humans and animals, caused by multiple infections or by toxins.

8) Antithrombotic: blood clot preventative. This is where the prevention of heart attack comes in.

9) Antiviral: inhibits viral activity. Inhibits HIV replication.

10) Antioxidant: operates against free radicals.

11) Cancerolytic: fights, even kills, cancer cells.

12) Cardioprotective: protects heart muscles.

13) Choleretic: alters the properties and increases the flow of bile.

14) Depurative: cleans and purifies the system, particularly the blood.

15) Expectorant: promotes clearance of mucus from the respiratory system.

16) Hepatoprotective: protects the liver and gall bladder.

17) Hypoglycemic: blood sugar reducer, protective against diabetes.

18) Immune Enhancer: increases white cell phagocytosis, inhibits HIV-1 replication, and improves CD4+ and T lymphocyte counts.

19) Thrombolytic: blood clot eliminator.

20) Vermicidal: kills intestinal worms.

But it is primarily for the magnificent heart and cardio vascular protectant properties, and its anti inflammatory qualities that Sambiloto in the cabinet of the five best herbs in the world for followers of the Western Lifestyle. It also shows strong Liver protection and healing properties (hepatoprotective and antihepatotoxic), which adds to the protection given by Curcuma. These liver benefits are particularly valuable for people who consume alcohol on a regular basis.

Cardiovascular Benefits – Prevents Heart Attack and Thrombosis

Hardening of the arteries, a buildup of plaque (made up of calcium and fats) on the blood vessel walls, seems to be a result of the Western lifestyle. It is often associated with high fat diets, high cholesterol, and a variety of other risk factors. Many of these factors, like the stress that many of us experience every day, seem to be unavoidable. Often, a piece of the artery wall plaque breaks off, forms a clot, and this results in an artery being blocked.

As a result, our hospitals are full of patients undergoing surgery for cardiovascular procedures. The standard techniques are angioplasty and bypass surgery. Both of these are often a result of a cardiac emergency, from which many people die. Those who are lucky enough to survive, or who detect the growing blockages before it’s too late may need urgent surgical intervention to save their lives.

Angioplasty is used to clear blocked blood vessels (usually arteries). A balloon is inserted into the artery and then inflated to clear away fatty deposits, widen the artery, and improve blood flow. The second treatment for coronary artery obstructions is bypass surgery. A new vein taken from another part of the body, from an animal, or a synthetic, replaces the obstructed artery. Today, angioplasty and bypass surgery are routine, with about 800,000 such procedures done in the United States each year. But unfortunately these treatments are not a cure-all. With angioplasty, restricted blood flow recurs in 30 percent of patients within six months; 50 percent of patients will require a repeat procedure. Many of these patients eventually require bypass surgery, which is successful in only 50 to 65% of cases.

Clot-dissolving drugs used in the emergency treatment of heart attacks appear to be as effective as angioplasty and may prevent some of the heart attacks or strokes that occur within one month of angioplasty. The process of blood clotting in the body is not yet fully understood. There is a delicate balance between the clotting necessary to achieve healing and processes that will cause abnormal and unwanted clotting.

Some research to understand the signals involved in bleeding and blood vessel development is focused on making use of signal transduction technology, which has been shown to be the mechanism of the active ingredients of Sambiloto. This is the key to its protective mechanism. It has been demonstrated that extracts of Sambiloto can increase the time it takes for blood clots to form, which decreases the risk of subsequent closing of blood vessels seen after angioplasty procedures. This has been shown in studies with laboratory animals (Reference 24).

In 80 to 90% of patients with destroyed heart muscle resulting from an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), clots are found in the heart shortly after the beginning of symptoms. When heart muscle is deprived of its blood supply, and therefore of oxygen, the tissue dies. Physicians believe that the best treatment is to limit the size of the myocardial infarction (the area of tissue damage) in order to preserve the pump function of the heart. Agents that dissolve the clots and increase blood flow through the blocked artery are constantly being sought. Sambiloto is being further researched to confirm its potential to be a part of the conventional medical treatment in such cases.

Researchers in China have demonstrated that Sambiloto extract given to laboratory dogs one hour after development of heart attack decreased the damage that occurred to the heart muscle (Reference 12). This damage occurs after the blood supply is restored to the muscle. This is due to a sudden influx of oxygen (which produces free radicals that damage tissue) and abnormally high amounts of calcium. The researchers also found that further clotting was reduced, damage to heart muscle was reduced, and the healing process was enhanced.

Anti-Hypertensive (High Blood Pressure)

Another way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to correct high blood pressure. Researchers have reported that an extract of Sambiloto produced antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering) effects (reference 26). The extract was given intravenously to hypertensive rats. Noradrenaline, a hormone secreted by the brain, acts to constrict blood vessels and increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Sambiloto extract inhibited the increase in blood pressure that is caused by noradrenaline. Researchers believe that Sambiloto has this antihypertensive effect because it relaxes the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels. This relaxation prevents the blood vessel from constricting and limiting blood flow to the heart, brain, and other organs in the body. Sambiloto keeps blood, and therefore oxygen, flowing to the brain. Diminished blood flow to the brain can cause short-term memory loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, headaches, depression, and impaired mental performance.

Liver & Gallbladder Protection

Sambiloto’s four related medicinal compounds were tested for a protective effect against liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity) produced in mice by giving them carbon tetrachloride (a cleaning solvent), alcohol, or other toxic chemicals (Reference 14, 16). These chemicals damage the liver by causing lipid peroxidation. This is a process whereby free radicals produced by the chemical attack and destroy cellular membranes that surround liver cells. When the Sambiloto compounds were given to animals in two separate trials three days before the toxic chemicals, there was a significant protective effect in the liver. This effect was attributed to the antioxidant ability of the Sambiloto compounds. This is a significant finding for followers of the Western lifestyle, which often involves high consumption of alcohol, which is a liver toxin with serious consequences taken over the long term.

In another study, andrographolide from Sambiloto was shown to produce a significant increase in bile flow (Reference 32) . Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder and aids in digestion. When a chemical, paracetamol, was given to animals pretreated with Sambiloto, the usual decrease in bile production seen with this chemical was prevented. In this case Sambiloto was more potent than Silymarin, another similar but inferior herb.

Infective hepatitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the liver. It is often followed by liver cirrhosis and may progress to a coma and death. In Indonesia, there is much anecdotal evidence to confirm that Sambiloto is an effective cure for Hepatitis, particularly when taken in combination with Curcuma. Other indications of effectiveness of Sambiloto included improvement in liver function tests, and many recorded cases of hepatitis cures in Indonesian literature.

The andrographolides present in Sambiloto are potent stimulators of gallbladder function. In animal experiments, those that received andrographolides for seven consecutive days showed an increase in bile flow, bile salts, and bile acids. These increases are beneficial and result in enhanced gallbladder function. Use of Sambiloto is therefore likely to decrease the probability of gallstone formation and also aid fat digestion. The andrographolides also prevented decreases in the amount of bile that are caused by acetaminophen toxicity (Reference 33).

Immunological Benefits: Cancer

Studies using laboratory animal models have shown that Sambiloto is a potent stimulator of the immune system in two ways: (1) Antigen-specific response: antibodies are made to counteract invading microbes, and (2) Nonspecific immune response: macrophage cells scavenge and destroy invaders. Sambiloto activates both responses - making it effective against a variety of infectious and cancer-causing agents (Reference 35).

The mechanisms of effective treatment from Sambiloto are rooted in its effects in boosting immunity. Cancer results when cells do not respond to signals that are intended to limit growth. When cells develop normally, at each stage of development the cells become more specialized in order to be able to perform the duties of that particular cell. For example, cells that will make insulin will develop the cellular machinery to do so. When cancer upsets normal development, cells do not mature -- they more closely resemble immature body cells. The more they resemble immature cells, the more unfavorable the outcome: the cancer grows and spreads (metastasizes) more rapidly.

Sambiloto has been shown to cause cancer cell maturity or differentiation, thus breaking the cancer proliferation. In addition Sambiloto extracts have also been shown to be cytotoxic (cell-killing) against cancer cells in laboratory work. This cancer cell-killing ability was demonstrated against human epidermoid carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma) of the skin lining of the nasopharynx and against lymphocytic leukemia cells (Reference 13,14). It was the andrographolide component that was found to have the cancer cell-killing ability. This ability to kill cancer cells was superior to the levels of the effectiveness recommended by the National Cancer Institute for a cytotoxic substance.

Effect of Sambiloto on Lyme disease

There are evidences for curing other spirochetal infections such as Leptospirosis through treatment using herbs like Sambiloto. Extract of this herb, in the form of an injection or tablets of the crude extract or of the isolated lactones, was reported to effectively treat leptospirosis. In one evaluation, 31 of 35 cases were said to be cured by the Andrographis lactones. There are people who had used Sambiloto treating the Lyme disease (Sambiloto is the best all around herb for Lyme!).

Anti-Oxidant and Antihyperglycaemic (Blood Sugar) Benefits

Studies conducted in Singapore in 2000 showed Sambiloto to be an effective anti-oxidant in laboratory animal trials (Reference 20). It was also shown by the same work to be anti-hyperglycaemic in diabetic animals, and important sugar regulating effect. More recent research in China (in 2002) has also shown that Sambiloto prevents formation of oxygen radicals in an inflammatory response in laboratory animals (Reference 23). Scavenging of free radicals, the powerful effect we are looking for was confirmed in some research in USA, also in 2002 (Reference 1).

Screening of antihyperglycaemic activity in of several herbs in Malaysia in 2004 showed that Sambiloto produced significant reduction in blood concentrations of sugar, and the most significant results of the herbs screened (Reference 7). This is a magnificent confirmation of the anti-diabetic properties of Sambiloto.

Anti HIV

Work has continued to show strong promise as a treatment for HIV infection. As early as 1991, Sambiloto was shown in some laboratory testing in California, USA to be effective in preventing HIV virus from reproducing (Reference 11). In 2000 work with human volunteers in Washington USA showed that the bodies natural defense mechanisms were enhanced when Sambiloto was administered, in the absence of the retroviral drugs usually used in HIV patients. The patients showed no increase in HIV virus during the trial, indicating that the virus was unable to multiply (Reference 21).

More research is continuing, but we believe, in line with the antiviral benefits that Sambiloto has shown in trials and over hundreds of years in traditional medicine records, that it will prove to be a valuable inclusion in the fight against AIDS.

Anti-fertility

Sambiloto has clear anti-fertility as well as pregnancy-terminating effects in larger amounts. In India, where Sambiloto is used for common ailments such as diarrhea, fever, and other digestive disorders, it is recommended that the herb be used only for short-term treatment. This is due to the content of compounds that are contraceptive in nature.

The authors of the study done on the rats concluded that the observations suggested an antispermatogenic (sperm production blocking) or antiandrogenic (blocking effects of sex hormones known as androgens) ability of the plant. It should be noted that many herbal extracts have effects on reproductive functions and thus should not be used during pregnancy (Reference 10, 29).

Known Mechanisms of Action

Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) has been extensive studied, most of it in the last half of the 20th century, and much of it concentrating on Sambiloto’s pharmacological composition, safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action. A good deal of this research has centered around a screening technique called signal transduction technology - probably best explained in a seminal work by Jean Barilla, M.S.(Reference 34):

”One of the criticisms made by the conventional medical and scientific community regarding dietary supplements is that their development and use have been based on folklore, not science. Using signal transduction technology to investigate the effect on a botanical or other nutrition supplement on the cell-level processes of cells is good science. This approach will legitimize the nutritional approach to the prevention and treatment of disease and speed the process of development of new and more effective supplements. Importantly, this technology avoids the use of animal testing, which often lasts for years before a supplement is approved for human use; not using animals is an additional benefit those who consider animal testing to be inhumane. In addition to saving time and animals, this technology reduces the costs involved in getting a supplement to market - a saving which will be passed on to consumers.

“Using signal transduction technology, extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto) have been found to counteract interference with the cell cycle. Such interference is the basis for the development of cancer or infection with viruses such as HIV. Andrographolides are thought to enhance immune system functions such as production of white blood cells (scavengers of bacteria and other foreign matter), release of interferon, and activity of the lymph system. Interferon is a protein (called a cytokine) made by cells in response to viruses. It is a potent antiviral agent and is also antiproliferative (stops the reproduction of viruses).

The lymph system is an important part of the immune system. Briefly, it is another circulatory system (like the vascular system) that carries a fluid, the lymph. The lymph carries away the by-products of cellular metabolism and also acts as a shuttle for invading bacteria and viruses, taking them to the lymph nodes where the white blood cells (lymphocytes) destroy them. Sambiloto, a superb immune system enhancer, is even more effective when combined with immune stimulators, such as the herb Meniran. The theory behind the mechanism of operation also confirms that Andrographolides are also likely to be useful in conventional cancer therapy after suitable scientific confirmation.

Several studies have looked at the disposition of andrographolide in various organs of the body (Reference 37). Biodistribution experiments have been done in experimental animals. Following injection of radioactively labeled andrographolide, this compound appears to be widely distributed in the body. High concentrations are noted in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and other organs with high blood flow, including the colon, spleen, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Andrographolide appears to have a relatively short half-life of approximately two hours.

The term "half-life" refers to the time when the concentration of the compound in the body is half of what it originally was when it entered the body. This is what is left after the compound has been metabolized (broken down), changed into other forms (called metabolites), and excreted by one of several routes (urine, feces, exhaled air, sweat, or other body excretions). Compounds with short half-lives need to be given often since they do not stay in the body for long. Andrographolides are excreted fairly rapidly from the body via the urine and gastrointestinal tract. In some studies, 80 percent of the administered dose of andrographolide is removed from the body within eight hours, with excretion rates of more than 90 percent of the compound within forty-eight hours. A daily dose is needed for effectiveness.

The wide tissue and organ distribution and the immune-stimulating and regulatory actions of Sambiloto make it an ideal candidate in the prevention and treatment of many diseases and conditions.

Breast cancer

2011-07-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer

Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas.

The size, stage, rate of growth, and other characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment. Treatment may include surgery, drugs (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), radiation and/or immunotherapy. Surgical removal of the tumor provides the single largest benefit, with surgery alone being capable of producing a cure in many cases. To somewhat increase the likelihood of long-term disease-free survival, several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition to surgery. Most forms of chemotherapy kill cells that are dividing rapidly anywhere in the body, and as a result cause temporary hair loss and digestive disturbances. Radiation may be added to kill any cancer cells in the breast that were missed by the surgery, which usually extends survival somewhat, although radiation exposure to the heart may cause heart failure in the future. Some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone, which makes it possible to treat them by blocking the effects of these hormones.

Prognosis and survival rate varies greatly depending on cancer type and staging. With best treatment and dependent on staging, 5-year relative survival varies from 98% to 23, with an overall survival rate of 85%.

Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 22.9% of all non-melanoma skin cancers in women.In 2008, breast cancer caused 458,503 deaths worldwide (13.7% of cancer deaths in women). Breast cancer is more than 100 times more common in women than breast cancer in men, although males tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.

Classification

Breast cancers can be classified by different schemata. Every aspect influences treatment response and prognosis. Description of a breast cancer would optimally include multiple classification aspects, as well as other findings, such as signs found on physical exam. Classification aspects include stage (TNM), pathology, grade, receptor status, and the presence or absence of genes as determined by DNA testing:

Stage. The TNM classification for breast cancer is based on the size of the tumor (T), whether or not the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes (N) in the armpits, and whether the tumor has metastasized (M) (i.e. spread to a more distant part of the body). Larger size, nodal spread, and metastasis have a larger stage number and a worse prognosis.

The main stages are:

Stage 0 is a pre-cancerous or marker condition, either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

Stages 1–3 are defined as 'early' cancer with a good prognosis.

Stage 4 is defined as 'advanced' and/or 'metastatic' cancer with a poor prognosis.

Histopathology. Breast cancer is usually classified primarily by its histological appearance. Most breast cancers are derived from the epithelium lining the ducts or lobules, and these cancers are classified as ductal or lobular carcinoma. Carcinoma in situ is growth of low grade cancerous or precancerous cells in particular tissue compartment such as the mammary duct without invasion of the surrounding tissue. In contrast, invasive carcinoma does not confine itself to the initial tissue compartment and invades the surrounding tissue.

Grade (Bloom-Richardson grade). When cells become differentiated, they take different shapes and forms to function as part of an organ. Cancerous cells lose that differentiation. In cancer grading, tumor cells are generally classified as well differentiated (low grade), moderately differentiated (intermediate grade), and poorly differentiated (high grade). Poorly differentiated cancers have a worse prognosis.

Receptor status. Cells have receptors on their surface and in their cytoplasm and nucleus. Chemical messengers such as hormones bind to these receptors, and this causes changes in the cell. Breast cancer cells may or may not have three important receptors: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu.

ER+ cancer cells depend on estrogen for their growth, so they can be treated with drugs to block estrogen effects (e.g. tamoxifen), and generally have a better prognosis.

HER2+ breast cancer had a worse prognosis, but HER2+ cancer cells respond to drugs such as the monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, (in combination with conventional chemotherapy) and this has improved the prognosis significantly. Cells with none of these receptors are called basal-like or triple negative.

DNA assays of various types including DNA microarrays have compared normal cells to breast cancer cells. The specific changes in a particular breast cancer can be used to classify the cancer in several ways, and may assist in choosing the most effective treatment for that DNA type.

Signs and symptoms

Breast cancer showing an inverted nipple, lump, skin dimpling

The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. The earliest breast cancers are detected by a mammogram. Lumps found in lymph nodes located in the armpits can also indicate breast cancer.

Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge. Pain ("mastodynia") is an unreliable tool in determining the presence or absence of breast cancer, but may be indicative of other breast health issues.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a special type of breast cancer which can pose a substantial diagnostic challenge. Symptoms may resemble a breast inflammation and may include pain, swelling, nipple inversion, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange-peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.

Another reported symptom complex of breast cancer is Paget's disease of the breast. This syndrome presents as eczematoid skin changes such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. As Paget's advances, symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple. Approximately half of women diagnosed with Paget's also have a lump in the breast.

In rare cases, what initially appears as a fibroadenoma (hard movable lump) could in fact be a phyllodes tumor. Phyllodes tumors are formed within the stroma (connective tissue) of the breast and contain glandular as well as stromal tissue. Phyllodes tumors are not staged in the usual sense; they are classified on the basis of their appearance under the microscope as benign, borderline, or malignant.

Occasionally, breast cancer presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Metastatic breast cancer will cause symptoms that depend on the location of metastasis. Common sites of metastasis include bone, liver, lung and brain. Unexplained weight loss can occasionally herald an occult breast cancer, as can symptoms of fevers or chills. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms. These symptoms are "non-specific", meaning they can also be manifestations of many other illnesses.

Most symptoms of breast disorder do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. Benign breast diseases such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms. The appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors, because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer at almost any age.

Risk factors

The primary risk factors for breast cancer are sex, age,lack of childbearing or breastfeeding, higher hormone levels, race, economic status and dietary iodine deficiency.

Most cases of breast cancer cannot be prevented through any action on the part of the affected person. The World Cancer Research Fund estimated that 38% of breast cancer cases in the US are preventable through reducing alcohol intake, increasing physical activity levels and maintaining a healthy weight. It also estimated that 42% of breast cancer cases in the UK could be prevented in this way, as well as 28% in Brazil and 20% in China.

Smoking tobacco also increases the risk of breast cancer with the greater the amount smoking and the earlier in life smoking begins the higher the risk.

In a study of attributable risk and epidemiological factors published in 1995, later age at first birth and not having children accounted for 29.5% of U.S. breast cancer cases, family history of breast cancer accounted for 9.1% and factors correlated with higher income contributed 18.9% of cases. Attempts to explain the increased incidence (but lower mortality) correlated with higher income include epidemiologic observations such as lower birth rates correlated with higher income and better education, possible overdiagnosis and overtreatment because of better access to breast cancer screening, and the postulation of as yet unexplained lifestyle and dietary factors correlated with higher income. One such factor may be past hormone replacement therapy, which was typically more widespread in higher income groups.

The genes associated with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndromes usually increase the risk slightly or moderately; the exception is women and men who are carriers of BRCA mutations. These people have a very high lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancer, depending on the portion of the proteins where the mutation occurs. Instead of a 12 percent lifetime risk of breast cancer, women with one of these genes have a risk of approximately 60 percent.

In more recent years, research has indicated the impact of diet and other behaviors on breast cancer. These additional risk factors include a high-fat diet, alcohol intake, obesity, and environmental factors such as tobacco use, radiation, endocrine disruptors and shiftwork. Although the radiation from mammography is a low dose, the cumulative effect can cause cancer.

In addition to the risk factors specified above, demographic and medical risk factors include:

Personal history of breast cancer: A woman who had breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting a second breast cancer.

Family history: A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer, the risk becomes significant if at least two close relatives had breast or ovarian cancer. The risk is higher if her family member got breast cancer before age 40. An Australian study found that having other relatives with breast cancer (in either her mother's or father's family) may also increase a woman's risk of breast cancer and other forms of cancer, including brain and lung cancers.

Certain breast changes: Atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ found in benign breast conditions such as fibrocystic breast changes are correlated with an increased breast cancer risk.

Those with a normal body mass index at age 20 who gained weight as they aged had nearly double the risk of developing breast cancer after menopause in comparison to women who maintained their weight. The average 60-year-old woman's risk of developing breast cancer by age 65 is about 2 percent; her lifetime risk is 13 percent.

Prevention

Exercise may decrease breast cancer risk. Also avoiding alcohol and obesity. Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy may be considered in patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.A 2007 report concluded that women can somewhat reduce their risk by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, being physically active and breastfeeding their children.

Kidney stones

2011-07-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

Kidney stones
Kidney stones (called renal calculi (from Latin ren, renes, "kidney" and calculi, "pebbles" in medical parlance) are solid concretions or crystal aggregations formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine. Kidney stones are typically classified by their location in the kidney (nephrolithiasis), ureter (ureterolithiasis), or bladder (cystolithiasis), or by their chemical composition (calcium-containing, struvite, uric acid, or other compounds). Kidney stones are a significant source of morbidity. 80% of those with kidney stones are men. Men most commonly experience their first episode between age 30–40 years, while for women the age at first presentation is somewhat later.
Kidney stones typically leave the body by passage in the urine stream, and many stones are formed and passed without causing symptoms. If stones grow to sufficient size (usually at least 2–3 millimeters), they can cause obstruction of the ureter. Ureteral obstruction causes postrenal azotemia and hydronephrosis (distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces), as well as spasm of the ureter. This leads to pain, most commonly felt in the flank, lower abdomen and groin (a condition called renal colic). Renal colic can be associated with nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the urine, pus in the urine, and painful urination. Renal colic typically comes in waves lasting 20 to 60 minutes, beginning in the flank or lower back and often radiating to the groin or genitals. The diagnosis of kidney stones is made on the basis of information obtained from the history, physical examination, urinalysis, and radiographic studies. ultrasound examination and blood tests may also aid in the diagnosis.
When a stone causes no symptoms, watchful waiting is a valid option. For symptomatic stones, pain control is usually the first measure, using medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids. More severe cases may require surgical intervention. For example, some stones can be shattered into smaller fragments using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Some cases require more invasive forms of surgery. Examples of these are cystoscopic procedures such as laser lithotripsy, or percutaneous techniques such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Sometimes, a tube may be placed in the ureter (a ureteral stent) to bypass the obstruction in the ureter and alleviate the symptoms.

Classification
Kidney stones are typically classified by their location or their chemical composition.
Location

Urolithiasis refers to stones originating anywhere in the urinary system, including the kidneys and bladder. Nephrolithiasis (from Greek νεφρός (nephros, "kidney") and λίθoς (lithos, "stone")) refers to the presence of such calculi in the kidneys. Calyceal) calculi refers to aggregations in either the minor or major calyx, parts of the kidney which pass urine into the ureter (the tube connecting the kidneys to the urinary bladder). The condition is called ureterolithiasis when a calculus or calculi are located in the ureter. Stones may also form or pass into the bladder, a condition referred to as cystolithiasis.

Chemical composition
By far the most common type of kidney stones worldwide are those which contain calcium. For example, calcium-containing stones represent about 80% of all cases in the United States; these typically contain calcium oxalate either alone or in combination with calcium phosphate in the form of apatite or brushite. Factors that promote the precipitation of oxalate crystals in the urine, such as primary hyperoxaluria, are associated with the development of calcium oxalate stones. The formation of calcium phosphate stones is associated with conditions such as hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis.
Struvite stones
About 10–15% of urinary calculi are composed of struvite (ammonium magnesium phosphate, NH4MgPO4•6H2O). Struvite stones (also known as "infection stones", urease or triple-phosphate stones), form most often in the presence of infection by urea-splitting bacteria. Using the enzyme urease, these organisms metabolize urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This alkalinizes the urine, resulting in favorable conditions for the formation of struvite stones. Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Morganella morganii are the most common organisms isolated; less common organisms include Ureaplasma urealyticum, and some species of Providencia, Klebsiella, Serratia, and Enterobacter. These infection stones are commonly observed in people who have factors which predispose them to urinary tract infections, such as those with spinal cord injury and other forms of neurogenic bladder, ileal conduit urinary diversion, vesicoureteral reflux, and obstructive uropathies. They are also commonly seen in people with underlying metabolic disorders, such as idiopathic hypercalciuria, hyperparathyroidism, and gout. Infection stones can grow rapidly, forming large calyceal staghorn calculi requiring invasive surgery such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy for definitive treatment.
Uric acid stones
About 5–10% of all stones are formed from uric acid. People with certain metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, may produce uric acid stones. Uric acid stones may form in association with conditions that cause hyperuricosuria (an excessive amount of uric acid in the urine) with or without high hyperuricemia (an excessive amount of uric acid in the serum). They may also form in association with disorders of acid/base metabolism where the urine is excessively acidic (low pH), resulting in precipitation of uric acid crystals. A diagnosis of uric acid urolithiasis is supported by the presence of a radiolucent stone in the face of persistent urine acidity, in conjunction with the finding of uric acid crystals in fresh urine samples.
Other types
People with certain rare inborn errors of metabolism have a propensity to accumulate crystal-forming substances in their urine. For example, those with cystinuria, cystinosis, and Fanconi syndrome may form stones composed of cystine. People afflicted with xanthinuria often produce stones composed of xanthine. People afflicted with adenine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency may produce 2,8-dihydroxyadenine stones, alkaptonurics produce homogentisic acid stones, and iminoglycinurics produce stones of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Urolithiasis has also been noted to occur in the setting of therapeutic drug use, with crystals of drug forming within the renal tract in some patients currently being treated with agents such as indinavir, sulfadiazine and triamterene.

Signs and symptoms
Signs of urolithiasis include oliguria (reduced urinary volume) caused by obstruction of the bladder or urethra by a stone or rarely, simultaneous obstruction of both ureters by two separate stones. Postrenal azotemia and hydronephrosis (distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces)[ can be observed following the obstruction of urine flow through one or both ureters.[
Hallmark symptoms of kidney stones include renal colic, fever, hematuria, pyuria, and dysuria. Pain caused by kidney stones, referred to as renal colic, is often described as one of the strongest pain sensations felt by humans. Renal colic, which typically comes in waves lasting 20 to 60 minutes, is caused by peristaltic contractions of the ureter as it attempts to expel the stone. It typically begins in the flank or lower back, often radiating to the groin or in men, to the testes. The embryological link between the urinary tract, the genital system and the gastrointestinal tract is the basis of the radiation of pain to the gonads, as well as the nausea and vomiting that are also common in nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis.

Causes
Supersaturation of urine
When the urine becomes supersaturated (when the urine solvent contains more solutes than it can hold in solution) with one or more crystal-forming substances, a seed crystal may form through the process of nucleation. Heterogeneous nucleation (where there is a solid surface present on which a crystal can grow) proceeds more rapidly than homogeneous nucleation (where a crystal must grow in liquid medium with no such surface), because it requires less energy. Adhering to cells on the surface of a renal papillae, a seed crystal can grow and aggregate into an organized mass. Depending on the chemical composition of the crystal, the stone-forming process may proceed more rapidly when the urine pH is unusually high or low.
Supersaturation of the urine with respect to a crystal-forming compound is pH-dependent. For example, at a pH of 7.0, the solubility of uric acid in urine is 158 mg/100 mL. Reducing the pH to 5.0 decreases the solubility of uric acid to less than 8 mg/100 mL. One can readily see that the formation of uric acid stones requires a combination of hyperuricosuria (high urine uric acid levels) and low urine pH; hyperuricosuria alone is not associated with uric acid stone formation if the urine pH is alkaline. Supersaturation of the urine is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the development of any urinary calculus. Supersaturation is likely the underlying cause of uric acid and cystine stones, but calcium-based stones (especially calcium oxalate stones) may have a more complex etiology.
Inhibitors of stone formation
Normal urine contains chelating agents such as citrate that inhibit the nucleation, growth, and aggregation of calcium-containing crystals. Other endogenous inhibitors include calgranulin (an S-100 calcium binding protein), Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), glycosaminoglycans, uropontin (a form of osteopontin), nephrocalcin (an acidic glycoprotein), prothrombin F1 peptide, and bikunin (uronic acid-rich protein). The biochemical mechanisms of action of these substances have not yet been thoroughly elucidated. However, when these substances fall below their normal proportions, stones can form out of an aggregation of crystals.
Kidney stones often result from a combination of factors, rather than a single, well-defined cause. Stones are more common in people whose diet is very high in animal protein or vitamin C or who do not consume enough water or calcium. They can result from an underlying metabolic condition, such as renal tubular acidosis, Dent's disease, hyperparathyroidism, primary hyperoxaluria or medullary sponge kidney. Kidney stones are also more common in patients with Crohn's disease.[27] Patients with recurrent kidney stones are often screened for these disorders. This is typically done with a 24–hour urine collection that is chemically analyzed for deficiencies and excesses that promote stone formation.
Calcium
Some studies suggest that people who take supplemental calcium have a higher risk of developing kidney stones, and these findings have been used as the basis for setting the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for calcium in adults. In the Women's Health Initiative, postmenopausal women who consumed 1,000 milligrams of supplemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day for 7 years had a 17% higher risk of developing kidney stones than subjects taking a placebo. The Nurses' Health Study also showed an association between supplemental calcium intake and kidney stone formation.
Unlike supplemental calcium, high intakes of dietary calcium do not appear to cause kidney stones and may actually protect against their development. This is perhaps related to the role of calcium in binding ingested oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract. As the amount of calcium intake decreases, the amount of oxalate available for absorption into the bloodstream increases; this oxalate is then excreted in greater amounts into the urine by the kidneys. In the urine, oxalate is a very strong promoter of calcium oxalate precipitation, about 15 times stronger than calcium. In fact, current evidence suggests that the consumption of diets low in calcium is associated with a higher overall risk for the development of kidney stones. For most individuals however, other risk factors for kidney stones, such as high intakes of oxalates from food and low intakes of fluid, probably play a bigger role than calcium intake.
Role of dietary animal protein
Diets in Western nations typically contain more animal protein than the body needs, and as the excess amino acids are broken down and excreted, the sulfurous amino acids (typically derived from animal rather than vegetarian foods) cause calcium to be excreted in the urine; calcium is one component of the most common type of human kidney stones, calcium oxalate. Red meat also contains acids that need to be excreted and this acidity constitutes another risk factor for kidney stones. High intake of animal protein also presents a greater uric acid load to be excreted by the kidney. This in turn acidifies the urine, increasing the risk of uric acid stones. In either case, the body often balances this acidic urinary pH by leaching calcium from the bones.
Other
There is some evidence that water fluoridation may increase the risk of kidney stone formation. In one study, patients with symptoms of skeletal fluorosis were 4.6 times as likely to develop kidney stones.
Despite a widely-held belief in the medical community that ingestion of vitamin C supplements is associated with an increased incidence of kidney stones, the evidence for a causal relationship between vitamin C supplements and kidney stones is inconclusive.
There are no conclusive data demonstrating a cause and effect relationship between alcohol consumption and kidney stones. However, some have theorized that certain behaviors associated with frequent and binge drinking can lead to systemic dehydration, which can in turn lead to the development of kidney stones.[43]
The American Urological Association has projected that increasing global temperatures will lead to an increased incidence of kidney stones in the United States by expanding the "kidney stone belt" of the southern United States. Astronauts seem to show a higher risk of developing kidney stones during or after space flights of long duration.
Prevention
Specific therapy should be tailored to the type of stones involved. Dietary intake can have a profound influence on the development of kidney stones. Preventive strategies may include dietary modifications and medication with the goal of reducing the excretory load on the kidneys.
A key principle for the prevention of kidney stones is to increase urine volume. The relative probability of kidney stone formation decreases as urinary volume increases. Because of this, maintenance of dilute urine by means of vigorous fluid therapy is beneficial in all forms of nephrolithiasis. Fluid intake should be sufficient to maintain a urine output of 2–3 liters per day. A high fluid intake has been associated with a 40% reduction in recurrence risk.
Available data suggest that the type of fluid ingested is important. For example, orange juice may help prevent calcium oxalate stone formation, blackcurrant juice may help prevent uric acid stones, and cranberry juice may help with struvite stones. Lemons have the highest concentration of citrate of any citrus fruit, and daily consumption of lemonade has been shown to decrease the rate of stone formation. Beer appears to decrease the rate of stone formation, while grapefruit juice appears to increase the risk. One study indicated that intake of caffeinated beverages increases risk of kidney stones. While it may be advised to avoid caffeinated cola beverages because of their high phosphate content, this does not include coffee or tea. In fact, prospective cohort studies of coffee and tea actually indicate that they may prevent kidney stones. Though caffeine does acutely increase urinary calcium excretion, several independent epidemiologic studies have shown that coffee intake overall is protective against the formation of stones.
Calcium binds with available oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. A randomized controlled trial published in 2002 assigned men with hypercalciuria to follow either a diet containing a normal amount of calcium (30 mmol per day) but with restricted intake of animal protein and salt, or a low-calcium (10 mmol per day) diet. At 5 years, the group on the normal calcium, low animal protein and low salt diet had a 51% lower rate of stone recurrence than those following a low-calcium diet. Some nephrologists and urologists recommend chewing calcium tablets during meals containing oxalate foods. Calcium citrate supplements can be taken with meals if dietary calcium cannot be increased by other means. The preferred calcium supplement for people at risk of stone formation is calcium citrate because it helps to increase urinary citrate excretion.
Aside from vigorous oral hydration and consumption of more dietary calcium, prevention strategies include avoidance of large doses of vitamin C and restriction of oxalate-rich foods. Measurements of food oxalate content have been difficult and issues remain about the proportion of oxalate that is bioavailable, versus a proportion that is not absorbed by the intestine. Oxalate-rich foods are usually restricted to some degree, particularly in patients with high urinary oxalate levels, but no randomized controlled trial of oxalate restriction has been performed to test that hypotheses.

Arthritis

2011-07-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

Arthritis

Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. Pain is often a constant and may be localized to the joint affected. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue.

Classification

Primary forms of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Septic arthritis

Gout and pseudo-gout

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Still's disease

Ankylosing spondylitis

Secondary to other diseases:

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Sarcoidosis

Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Psoriatic arthritis

Reactive arthritis

Haemochromatosis

Hepatitis

Wegener's granulomatosis (and many other vasculitis syndromes)

Lyme disease

Familial Mediterranean fever

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with recurrent fever

TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome

Inflammatory bowel disease (Including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

An undifferentiated arthritis is an arthritis that does not fit into well-known clinical disease categories, possibly being an early stage of a definite rheumatic disease.

Differential diagnosis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It can affect both the larger and the smaller joints of the body, including the hands, feet, back, hip or knee. The disease is essentially one acquired from daily wear and tear of the joint, however, osteoarthritis can also occur as a result of injury. Osteoarthritis begins in the cartilage and eventually leads to the two opposing bones eroding into each other. Initially, the condition starts with minor pain while walking but soon the pain can be continuous and even occur at night. The pain can be debilitating and prevent one from doing some activities. Osteoarthritis typically affects the weight bearing joints such as the back, spine, and pelvis. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is most commonly a disease of the elderly. More than 30 percent of females have some degree of osteoarthritis by age 65. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include: prior joint trauma, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoarthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, cannot be cured but one can prevent the condition from worsening. Weight loss is the key to improving symptoms and preventing progression.[citation needed] Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and joints is very helpful. Pain medications are widely required by individuals with osteoarthritis. When the disease is far advanced and the pain is continuous, surgery may be an option. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, joint replacement does help many individuals with osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder in which, for some unknown reason, the body's own immune system starts to attack body tissues. The attack is not only directed at the joint but to many other parts of the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, most damage occurs to the joint lining and cartilage which eventually results in erosion of two opposing bones. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in the fingers, wrists, knees and elbows. The disease is symmetrical and can lead to severe deformity in a few years if not treated. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs mostly in people aged 20 and above. In children, the disorder can present with a skin rash, fever, pain, disability, and limitations in daily activities. No one knows why rheumatoid arthritis occurs and all treatments are focused on easing the symptoms. With earlier diagnosis and aggressive treatment, many individuals can lead a decent quality of life. The drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis range from corticosteroids to monoclonal antibodies given intravenously. The latest drugs like Remicade can significantly improve quality of life in the short term. In rare cases, surgery may be required to replace joints but there is no cure for the illness.

Lupus

This is a common collagen vascular disorder that can be present with severe arthritis. Other features of lupus include a skin rash, extreme photosensitivity, hair loss, kidney problems, emotional lability, lung fibrosis and constant joint pain.

Gout

Gout is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gouty arthritis caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate known as pseudogout. In the early stages, the gouty arthritis usually occur in one joint, but with time, it can occur in many joints and be quite crippling. The joints in gout can often become swollen and lose function

sign and symptoms

Regardless of the type of arthritis, the common symptoms for all arthritis disorders include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness and sometimes a constant ache around the joint(s). Arthritic disorders like lupus and rheumatoid can also affect other organs in the body with a variety of symptoms.

Inability to use the hand or walk

Malaise and a feeling of tiredness

Fever

Weight loss

Poor sleep

Muscle aches and pains

Tenderness

Difficulty moving the joint

It is common in advanced arthritis for significant secondary changes to occur. For example, in someone who has limited their physical activity:

Muscle weakness

Loss of flexibility

Decreased aerobic fitness

These changes can also impact on life and social roles, such as community involvement.

Disability

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the USA. More than 20 million individuals with arthritis have severe limitations in function on a daily basis. Absenteeism and frequent visits to the physician are common in individuals who have arthritis. Arthritis makes it very difficult for individuals to be physically active and soon become home bound.

It is estimated that the total cost of arthritis cases is close to $100 billion of which nearly 50% accounts from lost earnings. Each year, arthritis results in nearly 1 million hospitalizations and close to 45 million outpatient visits to health care centers.

Arthritis makes it very difficult for the individual to remain physically active. Many individuals who have arthritis also suffer from obesity, high cholesterol or have heart disease. Individuals with arthritis also become depressed and have fear of worsening symptoms.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by clinical examination from an appropriate health professional, and may be supported by other tests such as radiology and blood tests, depending on the type of suspected arthritis. All arthritides potentially feature pain. Pain patterns may differ depending on the arthritides and the location. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning and associated with stiffness; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms after a morning shower. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, tends to be worse after exercise. In the aged and children, pain might not be the main presenting feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.

Elements of the history of the disorder guide diagnosis. Important features are speed and time of onset, pattern of joint involvement, symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, tenderness, gelling or locking with inactivity, aggravating and relieving factors, and other systemic symptoms. Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis, or may indicate systemic disease. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or help assess severity.

Prevention

Treatment

There is no cure for either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), orthopedic bracing, medications. Joint replacement surgery may be required in eroding forms of arthritis. Medications can help reduce inflammation in the joint which decreases pain. Moreover, by decreasing inflammation, the joint damage may be slowed.

Physical Therapy

In general, studies have shown that physical exercise of the affected joint can have noticeable improvement in terms of long-term pain relief. Furthermore, exercise of the arthritic joint is encouraged to maintain the health of the particular joint and the overall body of the person.

Individuals with arthritis can benefit from both physical and occupational therapy. In arthritis the joints become stiff and the range of movement can be limited. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain, and delay need for surgical intervention in advanced cases. Exercise prescribed by a physical therapist has been shown to be more effective than medications in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Exercise often focusses on improving muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. In some cases, exercises may be designed to train balance. Occupational therapy can teach you how to reduce stress on your joint from daily living activities. Occupation therapy can also teach you how to modify your home and work environment so that you do reduce movements that may worsen your arthritis. There are also assist devices available that can help you drive, getting a bath, dressing and also in housekeeping labors.

Occupational therapy can help you do everyday activities without worsening pain or causing joint damage. The techniques can help you distribute pressures to minimize stress on any one joint. Ways to accomplish daily living tasks are made easier.

Medications

Treatment typically begins with medications that have the fewest side effects with further medications being added if insufficiently effective.Treatment depends on the type of the arthritis. The first-line treatment for osteoarthritis is acetaminophen while for inflammatory arthritis it involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

Sandalwood ( Cendana )

2011-07-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

Sandalwood ( Cendana )
(Santalum album L)

Synonyms:
Santalum verum L. Santalum myrti folium Roxb. Sirium myrtifolium L

Familia:
Santalaceae.

Description:
Plant a tree, height between 12 and 15 yards. Coarse woody skin, gray. Simple leaf fall. Growing up in a hot and dry soil, on the ground that a lot of chalk. Used Parts Wood.

Local Name:
Candana (Minangkabau) Tindana, Sindana (Dayak); Candana (Sunda); Candana, Candani (Java); Candhana, Candhana lakek (Madura); Candana (BeIitung); Ai nitu; Fund (Sumbawa); Wood ata ( FIores); Sundana (Sangir); Sondana (North Sulawesi); Ayu luhi (Gorontalo); Candana (Napier); Ai nituk (Bread); Hau married, Ai kamelin (East); Kamenir (Wetar); Maoni (ranging)

NAME FOREIGN: NAME simplicia Santali Lignum; Kayu Cendana. SANTALI oleum; Sandalwood Oil.

Composition:
Wood: Essential oils, hars, and tanning substances. Oil: Santalol (seskuiterpenalkohol), santalen (seskuiterpena), Santen, santenon, santalal, santalon, and isovalerilaldehida

Curable Disease:
Efficacy Antipyretics, analgesics, carminative, stomakik, and diuretics.

Utilization:
USEFULNESS
-Wood:
Antiseptic-urinary tract.
-Dysentery.
-Diarrhoea.
-Inflammatory bowel disease.

Leaves:
-Asthma.

Bark / Skin roots:
-Menstruation irregular.

INGREDIENTS AND dosing

Dysentery
Remedy:
Sandalwood Bark 2 grams
Make sure China leaves 5 grams
Gambir slightly
Water 100 ml

How to manufacture:
Created infusion.

How to use:
Taken 2 times a day, morning and evening, every times drinks 100 ml.

Duration of treatment:
Repeated for 14 days.

Enteritis
Remedy:
Wood Sandalwood (powder) 2 teaspoons
100 ml boiling water

How to manufacture:
Brewed.

How to use:
Taken 2 times a day, morning and evening, every times drinks 100 ml.

Duration of treatment:
Repeated for 14 days.

Asthma
Remedy:
Wood Sandalwood (powder) to taste
Tanjung young leaves a few strands

How to manufacture:
Cape of chopped young leaves and then dried. When dry add a little powdered Sandalwood, then made cigarettes.

How to use:
Like smoking cigarettes smoked.

Cardamom ( Kapulaga )

2011-07-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Cardamom
(Amomum compactum Soland ex Maton,)

Synonyms:
Arnornun cardamornum Willd. Arnomlnn capulaga Spangue & Burk.

Familia:
Zingiberaceae.

Description:
Plant shrubs, annual grasses, approximately 1.5 meters high.Pseudo-trunked, rounded, forming tillers, green color. Single leaf, spread, shape lanceolate, pointed tip, flat edge, 25-35 cm long, 10-12 cm wide, pinnate bones, green. Compound interest, a hump at the base of the trunk, crown shape of a tube, approximately 12.5 mm long, white or yellowish white. Fruit square, round, curved, white.

Local Name:

NAME simplicia: Amomi Fructus; Cardamom Fruit.

Composition:
Fruit: Essential oils, fatty oils, starch, sugars, and proteins.

Curable Disease:
Typical properties Bitter, warm, and clean the blood. Efficacy expectorant and carminative. RESEARCH Datten Bangun, Semin Tarigan, Nazaruddin Umar, et al. Section of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Department Farrnasi USU, USU Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Has conducted research on the effects of infusion of rhizomes Cardamom analgesic in mice.From the results of these studies were infusion of 10% with a dose of 10 ml / kg, has shown analgesic effects. The greater the proportion, the greater the extension of reaction time (PWR).

Utilization:
Part Used
Fruit.

Usefulness
Fruit:
1. The smell of herbs.
2. Breath / mouth odor.
3. Flatulence.
4. Sore throat.
5. Hoarseness.

INGREDIENTS AND dosing

Breaths / Mouth Odor
Remedy:
Cardamom Fruit 10 items
1 handful of leaves of Centella asiatica
Sufficient water

How to manufacture:
Crushed.

How to use:
Drink 1 a day, morning 1 / 4 cup.

Duration of treatment:
Repeated for 7 days. For maintenance drink 3 times a week. Try to defecate regularly, and brush your teeth after every meal.

Abdominal bloating and heartburn
Remedy:
Cardamom Fruit (roasted and mashed roughly) 7 points
Teak Dutch seeds (roasted and mashed roughly) 10 points
100 ml boiling water

How to manufacture:
Brewed.

How to use:
Drunk like tea, day 100 ml.

Laryngitis
Remedy:
Cardamom fruit (mashed roughly) 10 points
Turmeric Rhizome (roughly mashed) 6 grams
100 ml boiling water

How to manufacture:
Brewed.

How to use:
Taken 2 times a day, morning and evening, every times drinks 100 ml.

Duration of treatment:
Repeated for 7 days

Antioxidants

2011-06-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are specific organic compounds that are active in the prevention of very rapid harmful chemical chain reactions with oxygen or nitric oxide, that is, oxidation reactions. In the body, oxidation reactions generally involve highly reactive molecules called free radicals. Free radicals reside primarily in the mitochondria of cells. When free radicals are released from the mitochondria in numbers sufficient to overwhelm the protective biochemical systems of the body, they become a threat to some cellular structures such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids in cell membranes. Compromised cellular structure alters cellular function, and may lead to the initiation of the disease process. In severe oxidative stress, cell death may occur. Antioxidants react with the free radicals before they are able to react with other molecules, thus providing protection from oxidation reactions (Cross et al.).

How and Why Cells and Other Molecules Interact

The human body is made up of many different types of cells that are composed of multiple diverse types of molecules. Molecules are put together in such a way that one or more atoms of one or more elements are joined by chemical bonds. Atoms have a nucleus of neutrons and protons which is surrounded by electrons. It is the number of protons (positively charged particles) in the nucleus of the atom that determines the number of orbiting electrons (negatively charged particles). Electrons are involved in chemical reactions and are the substances that bond atoms together to form molecules. Electrons orbit the atom in one or more of the atom's shells. The innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When the first shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the second shell has eight electrons, it is full, and electrons begin to fill the third shell, and so on. The electrons surrounding antioxidants react with the electrons surrounding free radicals, causing them to become much less reactive. Antioxidants may be more effective when one antioxidant is used in combination with another. This synergistic relationship between several antioxidants occurs when, for example, vitamin E donates an electron from its outer shell to a free radical and vitamin C donates an electron to vitamin E, maintaining the ability of vitamin E to continue donating electrons to free radicals. Vitamin C may then receive an electron from glutathione that would enable vitamin C to remain active as an antioxidant. Therefore in this type of situation, an attack on membranes by a free radical results in the participation of three different antioxidants.

In What Forms Are Antioxidants Found and How Are They Metabolized?

Antioxidants are found in many forms. The principal vitamins with antioxidant properties are vitamins E and C, and beta-carotene. Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it is stored in body fat and works within the lipid portion of cell membranes to provide an alternative binding site for free radicals, preventing the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Chow). Vitamin E is a family of eight compounds synthesized by plants in nature: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Each has different levels of bioactivity in the body over quite a wide range, but generally speaking, alphatocopherol has greater bioactivity than beta-tocopherol, which has greater bioactivity than gamma-tocopherol, which has greater bioactivity than delta-tocopherol. Only alpha-tocotrienol has bioactivity of any significant amount, which is slightly less than that of beta-tocopherol. Digestion and absorption of vitamin E is greatly improved when consumption is accompanied with dietary lipids or fats. Absorption of vitamin E ranges from 20 to 50 percent, but may be as high as 80 percent, with absorption decreasing as intake increases (Bender, 1992). Dietary vitamin E absorption requires bile and pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine, where it is incorporated into micelles within the lumen of the small intestine. The micelles carry the vitamin E across the brush border of the small intestine and the vitamin E is then taken up by chylomicrons, which are transported by the lymph system to tissues and the liver. Vitamin E may be stored in the liver, adipose tissues, and skeletal muscle. When needed, vitamin E places itself in cell membranes. Excretion of vitamin E is by way of urine, feces, and bile (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant and is found in the water compartments of the body where it interacts with free radicals. It has been shown that short-term supplementation of vitamin C lasting two to four weeks can significantly reduce the level of free radicals in the body (Naidoo and Lux). Dietary vitamin C is absorbed primarily by active transport in the small intestine, with absorption decreasing as intake increases. Approximately 70 to 90 percent of vitamin C is absorbed when dietary intake is between 30 and 180 mg/day. The kidneys excrete excess dietary vitamin C in urine, but excrete virtually no vitamin C when intake of the vitamin is very low (Wardlaw and Kessel). After absorption in the small intestine, vitamin C is transported in the blood to cells in its reduced form, ascorbic acid or ascorbate. The concentration of vitamin C varies in different tissues in the body. For instance, vitamin C concentrations are highest in the adrenal and pituitary glands, intermediate in the liver, spleen, heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and white blood cells, and lowest in the muscles and red blood cells (Olson and Hodges). This vitamin may also possess some prooxidant properties, meaning it can participate in oxidizing other molecules such as iron in the blood stream (Alhadeff et al.).

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol). Beta-carotene is the most widely known compound in a group known as carotenoids, which are pigment materials in fruits and vegetables that range from yellow to orange to red in color. Carotenoids are also called proformed vitamin A because they can be made into vitamin A by the body when necessary. Carotenoids are pigments that are responsible for the orange color of many fruits and vegetables such as oranges and squash. Other carotenoids present in foods include antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. Dietary retinol is usually found bound to fatty acid esters, which are in turn bound to proteins, and must undergo a process called hydrolysis that frees the retinol from the esters, enabling the retinol to then be absorbed in the small intestine. Proteolytic enzymes in the small intestine, such as pepsin, hydrolyze the retinol from the proteins. Approximately 70 to 90 percent of dietary retinol is absorbed provided there is adequate (10 grams or more) fat in the meal consumed (Olson). Carotenoids are absorbed at much lower levels, sometimes at levels as low as 3 percent, with absorption decreasing as intake increases (Brubacher and Weisler). Retinol and the carotenoids are carried through the absorptive cells of the small intestine by micelles for transport through the lymph system to the liver, which then can "repackage" the vitamins to send to other tissues, or act as the storage facility for the vitamins until needed by the body.

There are also enzymes that possess antioxidant properties. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase are the most well known. Glutathione peroxidase breaks down peroxidized fatty acids, converting them into less harmful substances. Peroxidized fatty acids tend to become free radicals, so the action of glutathione peroxidase serves to protect cells. The activity of glutathione peroxidase is dependent on the mineral selenium, which is the functional part of this enzyme, or the part of the enzyme that makes it have antioxidant activity. Therefore, selenium is considered to have antioxidant properties. Superoxide dismutase and catalase react with free radicals directly, reducing their ability to oxidize molecules and cause cellular damage.

A class of compounds termed isoflavones, which are derived from soy, also have antioxidant activity. Genistein, daidzein, and prunectin are all able to prevent the production of free radicals. Isoflavone activity as an antioxidant plays an important role in the aging process and cancer prevention primarily due to having estrogenrelated biologic activities in humans (Shils et al.).

The polyphenols (epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate) found in jasmine green tea also possess natural antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that these polyphenols are able to protect red blood cells from destruction upon attack by free radicals (Shils et al.). The polyphenols present in red wine have also been found to be protective against the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins, which are very important factors in the prevention of the development of atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease (Ivanov et al.).

A final group of compounds, synthetic antioxidants, are often added to foods to prevent discoloration and delay oxidation of the foods after exposure to oxygen. They also help protect fats from rancidity. Rancidity causes fats to develop an unappealing flavor and odor. Most of the antioxidants used in foods are phenolic compounds. There are four antioxidants that are approved for use in foods, particularly fats. They are propyl gallate (PG), tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (Charley and Weaver). Sulfites, which are sulfur-based chemicals, are also used as antioxidants in foods. However, because some people may be very sensitive to sulfites and have adverse reactions to them in foods, the Food and Drug Administration has required that labels on foods containing sulfites alert the public to their presence.

Dietary Sources of Antioxidants

Vitamin E is found in egg yolks, milk, plant and vegetable oils (including margarine and to a lesser extent butter), nuts, seeds, fortified whole-grain cereals, flatfish, halibut, shrimp, canned tuna in oil, asparagus, peas, tomatoes, apples, canned apricots in light syrup, blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, peaches, and pears. The milling process of whole grains causes most of the dietary vitamin E to be lost. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) as established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture currently is 15 International Units (IU) per day for men and 12 IU/day for women. In order for toxic effects to be produced, the amount of vitamin E consumed from foods would have to be 15 to 100 times the amount recommended for humans and this is extremely unlikely to occur (Wardlaw and Kessel). Symptoms and effects of toxicity are discussed in detail in Signs and Symptoms of Antioxidant Deficiency and Toxicity, below.

Vitamin C is present in large amounts in broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes, apples, applesauce, apricots, bananas, blueberries, cherries, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, peaches, strawberries, kiwi, pineapples, pears, cranberries, and the juices and jams made from these fruits. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C currently is 60 mg/day for both males and females. Vitamin C obtained from foods rarely can be consumed in amounts large enough to be toxic to humans (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Beta-carotene is found in liver (primary storage organ in animals for vitamin A), egg yolk, fortified milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, peaches, mangoes, apricots, papaya, cantaloupes, and fortified breakfast cereals. Because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body, there is no set requirement. However, the RDA for vitamin A is set in Retinol Equivalents (RE) at the level of 625 μg/day RE for men and 500 μg/day RE for women (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Diets High or Low in Antioxidants

Diets that are rich in antioxidants focus on high intakes of a variety of foods, especially large amounts of fruits, vegetables, and foods made from whole grains. Vegetarian diets, especially vegan diets (diets that exclude all foods from animal sources), are made up primarily from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and are an example of the types of diets that incorporate high levels of antioxidants. Another example of a diet that provides optimal levels of antioxidants is the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is based on traditional eating habits in Greece, southern Italy, and Crete. This diet is rich in olive oil, foods from whole grains, and tomatoes, and minimizes the daily intake of poultry, eggs, sweets, and red meat. Red wine often accompanies meals in the Mediterranean diet and possesses some antioxidant activity (Murcia and Martinez-Tome). Furthermore, many of the spices used in Mediterranean cooking also have been observed to have some level of antioxidant properties (Martinez-Tome et al.). Asian-American diets also focus primarily on fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and whole-grain food products, with liberal use of vegetable oils, while a minimum of meat is eaten. The traditional healthy Latin American diet provides beans, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables at every meal, with fish or shellfish, milk products, plant oils, and poultry being optional for daily intake.

Unfortunately, the typical American diet does not involve adequate intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain food products. This is not due to the lack of foods that fall into those categories but rather to the fact that too many Americans prefer fast foods and processed foods that are not rich sources of antioxidants. The Food Guide Pyramid developed by the United States Department of Agriculture recommends that six to eleven servings of bread cereal, rice, and pasta be consumed daily; three to five servings of vegetables per day; two to four servings of fruit per day; two to three servings of milk products per day; two to three servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts per day; and that the use of fats, oils, and sweets be sparse (Wardlaw and Kessel). Most Americans do not adhere to the guidelines of the Food Guide Pyramid and therefore do not receive adequate amounts of foods that provide large quantities of antioxidants.

Certain disease states make it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of fat-soluble vitamins due to an inability to digest foods with fat properly. The digestion and absorption of fat in foods is required for digesting and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A and E. Individuals with cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease absorb fat very poorly, which also means that the fat-soluble vitamins are poorly absorbed. As the unabsorbed fat passes through the small and large intestine, it carries the fat-soluble vitamins along with it, and is eventually excreted in the feces (Wardlaw and Kessel). Chronic alcoholics are also at risk for not obtaining adequate amounts of antioxidants due to a marked decrease in food intake in favor of the consumption of alcohol. Alcoholism may also result in liver disease, which leads to an inability of the liver to store the fat-soluble antioxidants.

Signs and Symptoms of Antioxidant Deficiency and Toxicity

Obtaining dietary intakes of vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A from foods to meet the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid will prevent most healthy individuals from experiencing any deficiencies of these antioxidants. However, in diets that do not provide adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, deficiencies may occur. It takes longer to develop a deficiency of the fat-soluble antioxidants, vitamins E and A, than it does to develop a deficiency of the water-soluble vitamin C.

Failure to obtain adequate vitamin E in the diet may cause certain medical conditions. Hemolytic anemia is caused by vitamin E deficiency, with an increased breakdown of red blood cells or hemolysis. Premature infants are most susceptible to vitamin E deficiency due to very small stores of the vitamin at birth and the frequently required use of oxygen to accommodate immature lungs. Premature infants are also growing very rapidly and need increased intakes of vitamin E. Special formulas are used to provide vitamin E to help prevent deficiency (Wardlaw and Kessel).

The disease caused by vitamin C deficiency is scurvy. The symptoms of scurvy are fatigue and small, purple spots or hemorrhages (petechiae) that appear around hair follicles on the back of the arms and legs. There are also bleeding gums and joints, impaired wound healing, pain in the bones, fractures, and diarrhea. Consuming a vitamin C–free diet for as little as 20 days may cause scurvy, but resuming vitamin C intake for one week can cause the reversal of the disease and accompanying symptoms (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Vitamin E toxicity may result from intakes of more than 1,500 IU/day of vitamin E isolated from natural sources and 1,100 IU/day for synthetic vitamin E for adults nineteen years or older. It is only possible to acquire such high doses of either form of vitamin E via supplementation. Use of supplemental vitamin E at such high doses in persons with a compromised health status may lead to complications such as hemorrhaging in individuals who are taking anticoagulants or are vitamin K-deficient (vitamin K is important in blood coagulation) (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Vitamin C toxicity may occur at intakes of 2 g/day or higher. The symptoms of vitamin C toxicity are nausea, abdominal cramps, and osmotic diarrhea. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, much of excess vitamin C obtained from supplemental megadoses is excreted in urine (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Small children who do not eat enough vegetables are at an increased risk for vitamin A deficiency. In fact, individuals with very low incomes and the elderly are also at risk for deficiency due to an inability to obtain adequate intakes of foods that are good sources of vitamin A and to the decreased gastrointestinal function that may occur with age. Night blindness is a symptom of vitamin A deficiency, causing the rod cells in the eye to take a longer period of time to recover from flashes of light. Another symptom of vitamin A deficiency is dry eyes caused by deterioration of the mucus-forming cells in the body. In an individual with dry eyes, dirt and other contaminants are not washed away, and this may lead to eye infections. If vitamin A deficiency is not corrected, the condition of the eyes worsens, leading to more serious disorders of the eye; eventually irreversible blindness may result. The skin is also affected by a compromised vitamin A status. Primary symptoms are very dry skin and rough and bumpy texture of the skin surface. When vitamin A supplements are taken long-term at three times the RDA a condition called hypervitaminosis A may develop. This condition can cause spontaneous abortions in pregnant women or birth defects in infants and therefore women of child-bearing age wishing to become pregnant should avoid using high doses of vitamin A supplements (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Maintaining Antioxidant Content in the Foods You Eat

Antioxidants in foods are a valuable addition to a healthy diet and steps can be taken to preserve the antioxidant content of foods until they are ready to be ingested. Keeping fruits and vegetables refrigerated or in a cool, dry place helps to slow down the natural breakdown by enzymes that begins to occur as soon as the foods are picked. Fruits and vegetables should not be trimmed or cut until they are ready to be consumed to prevent unnecessary exposure to oxygen. Cooking by steaming, microwaving, or stir-frying in small amounts of fat for short amounts of time also helps to preserve the vitamin content of foods. If liquids are used to cook fruits or vegetables, do not add fat while cooking if you are planning to discard the liquid before eating the fruits or vegetables, to avoid losing the fat-soluble vitamins that may be in the liquids. Finally, it is important to remember that the skin of some fruits and vegetables contains a higher vitamin content than the inner parts, such as the skin of an apple (Wardlaw and Kessel).

Health Benefits Of Coconut

2011-06-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Health Benefits Of Coconut
Coconut cream / milk

Coconut cream is widely used in curries, desserts and cakes. That's because it enhances the aroma and tastes of the dishes and can be obtained easily and cheaply.

It has a thick, paste-like consistency and when diluted, it is called coconut milk.

However, people avoid coconut cream because of its high fat content. Especially those who want to lose weight.

But do you know that it is good saturated fat which can be easily metabolised or turn into energy fast? That means it does not cause blockages in our arteries.

I'm not suggesting you to indulge in coconut cream, but rather than avoid it altogether, it is alright to eat in moderation.

The principle fatty acid in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is the same fat found in abundance in mother's milk.

When converted to monolaurin, it boosts your immune system and protects your body against many viruses, including hepatitis C, herpes and even HIV! It also promotes normal brain development and contribute to healthy bones.

It also has important anti-carcinogenic and anti-pathogenic properties which helps to prevent cancer. More importantly, coconut cream is less likely to cause weight gain than polyunsaturated oils.

Never know coconut cream can be so good right? Canned or packaged coconut cream is available in supermarkets.

It must be refrigerated once opened and does not last more than a week. Also, do not freeze coconut milk as this causes it to curdle when you next use it in cooking.

Try different brands of canned coconut milk to find the one to your liking. Those with thick cream floating on top of the can with the watery milk below it are proofs that they are not artificially homogenized.

Virgin Coconut oil

Extracted from fresh coconut milk and meat, virgin coconut oil has such an aromatic and flavourful taste that it is used in many

Just like coconut cream, coconut oil reduces bad cholesterol unlike polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and safflower oils.

It contains least calorie count among the category of monosaturated oils.

You ladies out there got to know this ! Surprise, surprise ! Coconut oil does speed up metabolism and aids you in shedding off the excess fats !

People of traditional cultures, such as the South Pacific Islands and the Philippines where coconut and palm oils are plentiful, suffer lower rates of obesity and health problems.

Look at our society today - we pile high on our plates food equally high in carbohydrates and polyunsaturated oils which increase our risk of heart diseases and diabetes.

Yet we complain about our weight and poor health. It's a shame ! However, coconut oil is different from other animal oil.

Studies have found that it aids in lowering blood pressure and regulate thyroid dysfunction. Unlike refined oils, it does not turn rancid easily and become toxic to our bodies.

If you have damaged hair, try using coconut oil on your hair and scalp. It has been proven to be a more effective treatment for damaged hair than mineral oil and sunflower oil.

That's because coconut oil is the only oil among the three which effectively reduces protein loss in hair.

Virgin coconut oil is an excellent beauty care product too.
Here are some benefits :

1) it penetrates and moisturises the skin

2) minimise damage from sun exposure that causes sagging, wrinkling and blemishes

3) removes dead skin cells, producing an even texture and glow

4) heals damaged or diseased skin Sometimes, wonderful remedies can be within your reach and in abundance, only if you look hard enough. In this case, it is the Coconut.

by: Laura Ng

Cabbage (Kubis)

2011-06-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Cabbage ( Kubis )

(Brassica oleracea var. Capitata)

Synonyms:

Familia:

cruciferae (Brassicaceae).

Description:

Cabbage family have enough type. Commonly grown in Indonesia, including cabbage, cabbage flowers, broccoli, cabbage sprouts, cabbage rabbis, and kale. This type of cabbage is thought to be from the wild cabbage Brassica oleracea var. sylvestris, which grows along the Mediterranean coast, the coast of England, Denmark, France and North West. The wild cabbage that grew there as a biennial crop and there is also a perennial. Cabbage that has been made into a cultivated annual crops. To obtain seeds, sprouts are allowed to grow as a biennial crop. These vegetables can be planted in lowland and upland with an average rainfall 850-900 mm. The leaves are round, oval, to oblong, forming a large rosette and thick roots, leaves of various colors, including white (forma alba), green, and red-purple (forma rubra). Initially, waxy leaves that grow straight, the leaves grow next bend, covering the young leaves of the latter grew. Leaf growth stops marked with the establishment of the crop or the egg (head) and the crop side of the cabbage buds (Brussels sprouts). Furthermore, the crop will be broken and come out a long-stemmed flower panicles, branched, small leaved, upright crown, yellow. The fruit pods cylindrical, 5-10 cm long, seedy. Seeds 2-4 mm in diameter, brown-gray. Age harvest vary, ranging from 90 days to 150 days. Crunchy fresh cabbage leaves and crisp taste that can be eaten as a salad of raw and cooked, mixed salad, disayur, or made ointment. Cabbage can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.

Local Name:

Kol, kobis, kubis telur, kubis krop. NAME OF FOREIGN Cabbage. NAME simplicia capitatae Folium brassicae (cabbage leaves).

Composition:

Fresh cabbage contains water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamins (A, C, E, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide), calcium, and beta carotene. In addition, also contain compounds sianohidroksibutena (CHB), sulforafan, and iberin that stimulates the formation of glutathione, an enzyme that works by breaking and dispose of toxic substances circulating in the body. The high content of vitamin C in cabbage could prevent scurvy (scurvy). Presence of anthocyanin, a substance can cause the color changed to red cabbage. The content of active substance, sulforafan and histidine can inhibit tumor growth, preventing colon cancer, and rectum, detoxification hazardous chemical compounds, such as cobalt, nickel and copper overload in the body, and increase endurance to fight cancer. In sulfur amino acid content, is also efficacious lowering high cholesterol levels, nerve sedative, and uplifting.

Curable Disease:

Protect the body from radiation hazards, inhibits tumor growth, and laxatives.

Utilization:

PART USED

The part used is the leaves.

INDICATIONS

Cabbage is used for treatment:

- Itching caused by the fungus candida (candidiasis),

- Fungus on the scalp, hands, and feet

- High blood cholesterol levels,

- Inflammation of the joints (arthritis),

- Protect the body from the radiation beam, such as x-ray beams, computers, microwaves, and color television,

- An antidote to the hangover of alcohol (hangover), toxins in the liver,

- Eliminating the complaint PMS (premenstrual syndrome),

- Increase breast milk production,

- Prevent the tumor enlarges,

- Preventing colon and rectal cancer,

- Ulcer (ulcer) in the gastrointestinal tract, and

- Difficult bowel movements (constipation).

HOW TO USE

Provide 25-30 g of cabbage, then eat it raw as a salad or can also be boiled or juiced. Because of cabbage including fiber foods so if someone is eating too much cabbage can cause a feeling of fullness, bloating, and gas in the stomach causing quite a lot. In addition, it can also interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients.

For external use, cabbage juice can be used to wash the itchy vagina intercourse due to the fungus Candida albicans, the disease known as candidosis vaginalis. In addition, this herb can be used to wash wounds, cure fungus on the skin and head (with topically), and compress parts of the body bruised, swollen, or painful joints.

EXAMPLE USAGE IN THE COMMUNITY

Premenstrual syndrome, candidiasis and fungal infections

Drinking fresh cabbage juice daily. Cabbage juice can also be used to wash the genital (vaginal douche).

Constipation

Eating cabbage salad every day, either raw or cooked.

Ulcer in the digestive

Drink 1 / 2 cups fresh cabbage juice, do it twice a day.

Protect the body from the radiation beam

Eat fresh cabbage every day as a salad or drink cabbage juice.

Increasing milk production

Cabbage juice can be given to pregnant mothers shortly before giving birth.

Lowering high blood cholesterol levels

Wash 1 / 4 part fresh cabbage medium to clean, rinse with boiled water, then cut into pieces as needed. Cabbage juice, and drink the juice at once, do it every day.

Note

Poultice of cabbage can cause blisters if used for several hours.

If the cabbage juice is consumed continuously, can reduce the amount of iodine in the body. As a result, the thyroid (thyroid) iodine deficiency. To prevent this, multiply to consume the food sources of iodine, such as seaweed.

Hypogonadism or Low testosterone

2011-06-25T07:12:00.001-07:00

Hypogonadism or Low testosterone

Hypogonadism is a medical term for decreased functional activity of the gonads. Low testosterone is caused by a decline or deficiency in gonadal production of testosterone in males. The gonads, typically called testicles in males, produce hormones (testosterone, estradiol, antimullerian hormone, progesterone, inhibin B, activin) and gametes or sperm.

Symptoms

In men

Effects of low testosterone in men may include: (not all are present in any single individual)

Poor libido (Low sexual desire)

Fatigue (medical) always tired

Muscle loss/atrophy

Erectile Dysfunction

Increasing abdominal fat

Glucose intolerance (early diabetes)

High Cholesterol/Lipid

Poor sleep

Difficulty concentrating

Memory Loss-difficulty in choosing words in language

Shyness

Depression

Anxiety

Psychological and relationship problems

Gynecomastia

Hot flashes

Decrease in growth of, or loss of, beard and body hair

Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Irritability

Infertility

Shrinking of the testicles

Decrease in firmness of testicles

Frequent urination (polyuria) without infection/waking at night to urinate

Achy muscles

Liquid stools

Night sweats

Dry skin and/or cracking nails

In women

Effects of low estrogen levels in women may include: (not all are present in any individual)

Hot flushes

Irritability/Aggressiveness

Poor libido/Anger

Infertility

Loss of, or failure to develop, menstruation

Loss of body hair

Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Heart disease

Sleep disturbances

Symptoms of urinary bladder discomfort like frequency, urgency, frequent infections, lack of lubrication, discharge

Shrinking of breasts

Loss of or nonexistent sense of smell

Diagnosis

In men

Low Testosterone can be identified through a simple blood test performed by a laboratory, ordered by a physician. This test is typically ordered in the morning hours, when levels are highest, as levels can drop by as much as 13% during the day.

Normal total testosterone levels range from 300 - 1000 ng/dl

Treatment is often prescribed for total testosterone levels below 350 ng/dl. If the serum total testosterone level is between 230 and 350 ng/dl, repeating the measurement of total testosterone with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) to calculate free testosterone or free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis may be helpful.

Blood testing

A position statement by The Endocrine Society has expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which most assays for TT (Total Testosterone) and FT (Free Testosterone) are currently performed. In particular, research has questioned the validity of commonly administered assays of FT by RIA. The FAI (Free Androgen Index) has been found to be the worst predictor of Free Testosterone.

Hypogonadism can have many psychological effects, due to low libido, erectile dysfunction, depressed mood, lethargy, diminished physical performance, infertility and/or appearance. Possible treatments include the use of regular injections or the application of gels, patches, or ointments.

In women

Similar to men, the LH and FSH will be used, particularly in women who believe they are in menopause. These levels change during a woman's normal menstrual cycle, so the history of having ceased menstruation coupled with high levels aids the diagnosis of being menopausal. Commonly, the post-menopausal woman is not called hypogonadal if she is of typical menopausal age. Contrast with a young woman or teen, who would have hypogonadism rather than menopause. This is because hypogonadism is an abnormality, whereas menopause is a normal change in hormone levels.

Hypogonadism is often discovered during evaluation of delayed puberty, but ordinary delay, which eventually results in normal pubertal development, wherein reproductive function is termed constitutional delay. It may be discovered during an infertility evaluation in either men or women.

Treatment

Male hypogonadism is most often treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Commonly-used testosterone replacement therapies include transdermal (through the skin) using a patch or gel, injections, or pellets. Oral testosterone is no longer used in the U.S. because it is broken down in the liver and rendered inactive; it also can cause severe liver damage. Like many hormonal therapies, changes take place over time. It may take as long as 2–3 months at optimum level to reduce the symptoms, particularly the wordfinding and cognitive dysfunction. Testosterone levels in the blood should be evaluated to ensure the increase is adequate. Levels between 500-700 ng/dl are considered adequate for young, healthy men from 20 to 40 years of age, but the lower edge of the normal range is poorly defined and single testosterone levels alone cannot be used to make the diagnosis. Modern treatment may start with 200 mg intramuscular testosterone, repeated every 10–14 days. Getting a blood level of testosterone on the 13th day will give a "trough" level, assisting the physician in deciding whether the correct dose is being given.

Recently some have reported using anastrozole (Arimidex), an aromatase inhibitor used in women for breast cancer, to decrease conversion of testosterone to estrogen in men, and increase serum testosterone levels.

While historically men with prostate cancer risk were warned against testosterone therapy, that has

Other side effects can include an elevation of the hematocrit to levels that require blood to be withdrawn (phlebotomy) to prevent complications from it being "too thick". Another is that a man may have some growth in the size of the breasts (gynecomastia), though this is relatively rare. Finally, some physicians worry that Obstructive Sleep Apnea may worsen with testosterone therapy, and should be monitored.

Another feasible treatment alternative is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

For both men and women, an alternative to testosterone replacement is Clomifene treatment which can stimulate the body to naturally increase hormone levels while avoiding infertility and other side effects as a consequence of direct hormone replacement therapy.

For women, estradiol and progesterone are replaced. Some types of fertility defects can be treated, others cannot. Some physicians will also give testosterone to women, mainly to increase libido.

Asthma

2011-06-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

Asthma (from the Greek άσθμα, ásthma, "panting") is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic).

It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Treatment of acute symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (such as salbutamol). Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by inhaling corticosteroids.Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than corticosteroids and thus less preferred.

Its diagnosis is usually made based on the pattern of symptoms and/or response to therapy over time. The prevalence of asthma has increased significantly since the 1970s. As of 2010, 300 million people were affected worldwide. In 2009 asthma caused 250,000 deaths globally. Despite this, with proper control of asthma with step down therapy, prognosis is generally good.

Asthma is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic), based on whether symptoms are precipitated by allergens (atopic) or not (non-atopic).

While asthma is classified based on severity, at the moment there is no clear method for classifying different subgroups of asthma beyond this system. Within the classifications described above, although the cases of asthma respond to the same treatment differs, thus it is clear that the cases within a classification have significant differences. Finding ways to identify subgroups that respond well to different types of treatments is a current critical goal of asthma research.

Although asthma is a chronic obstructive condition, it is not considered as a part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as this term refers specifically to combinations of disease that are irreversible such as bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Unlike these diseases, the airway obstruction in asthma is usually reversible; however, if left untreated, the chronic inflammation of the lungs during asthma can become irreversible obstruction due to airway remodeling. In contrast to emphysema, asthma affects the bronchi, not the alveoli.

Brittle asthma

Brittle asthma is a term used to describe two types of asthma, distinguishable by recurrent, severe attacks. Type 1 brittle asthma refers to disease with wide peak flow variability, despite intense medication. Type 2 brittle asthma describes background well-controlled asthma, with sudden severe exacerbations.

Asthma attack

An acute asthma exacerbation is commonly referred to as an asthma attack. The classic symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. While these are the primary symptoms of asthma, some people present primarily with coughing, and in severe cases, air motion may be significantly impaired such that no wheezing is heard.

Signs which occur during an asthma attack include the use of accessory muscles of respiration (sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles of the neck), there may be a paradoxical pulse (a pulse that is weaker during inhalation and stronger during exhalation), and over-inflation of the chest. A blue color of the skin and nails may occur from lack of oxygen.

In a mild exacerbation the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is ≥200 L/min or ≥50% of the predicted best. Moderate is defined as between 80 and 200 L/min or

Insufficient levels of vitamin D are linked with severe asthma attacks.

Status asthmaticus

Status asthmaticus is an acute exacerbation of asthma that does not respond to standard treatments of bronchodilators and steroids. Nonselective beta blockers (such as Timolol) have caused fatal status asthmaticus.

Exercise induced

A diagnosis of asthma is common among top athletes. One survey of participants in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., showed that 15% had been diagnosed with asthma, and that 10% were on asthma medication.

There appears to be a relatively high incidence of asthma in sports such as cycling, mountain biking, and long-distance running, and a relatively lower incidence in weightlifting and diving. It is unclear how much of these disparities are from the effects of training in the sport.

Exercise induced asthma can be treated with the use of a short-acting beta2 agonist.

Occupational

Asthma as a result of (or worsened by) workplace exposures is a commonly reported occupational respiratory disease. Still most cases of occupational asthma are not reported or are not recognized as such. Estimates by the American Thoracic Society (2004) suggest that 15–23% of new-onset asthma cases in adults are work related. In one study monitoring workplace asthma by occupation, the highest percentage of cases occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers (32.9%), followed by managerial and professional specialists (20.2%), and in technical, sales, and administrative support jobs (19.2%). Most cases were associated with the manufacturing (41.4%) and services (34.2%) industries. Animal proteins, enzymes, flour, natural rubber latex, and certain reactive chemicals are commonly associated with work-related asthma. When recognized, these hazards can be mitigated, dropping the risk of disease.

Signs and symptoms

Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. Symptoms are often worse at night or in the early morning, or in response to exercise or cold air. Some people with asthma only rarely experience symptoms, usually in response to triggers, whereas other may have marked persistent airflow obstruction.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease coexists with asthma in 80% of people with asthma, with similar symptoms. This is due to increased lung pressures, promoting bronchoconstriction, and through chronic aspiration.

Sleep Disorders

Due to altered anatomy of the respiratory tract: increased upper airway adipose deposition, altered pharynx skeletal morphology, and extension of the pharyngeal airway; leading to upper airway collapse.

Cause

Asthma is caused by environmental and genetic factors. These factors influence how severe asthma is and how well it responds to medication. The interaction is complex and not fully understood.

Studying the prevalence of asthma and related diseases such as eczema and hay fever have yielded important clues about some key risk factors. The strongest risk factor for developing asthma is a history of atopic disease; this increases one's risk of hay fever by up to 5x and the risk of asthma by 3-4x. In children between the ages of 3-14, a positive skin test for allergies and an increase in immunoglobulin E increases the chance of having asthma. In adults, the more allergens one reacts positively to in a skin test, the higher the odds of having asthma.

Because much allergic asthma is associated with sensitivity to indoor allergens and because Western styles of housing favor greater exposure to indoor allergens, much attention has focused on increased exposure to these allergens in infancy and early childhood as a primary cause of the rise in asthma. Primary prevention studies aimed at the aggressive reduction of airborne allergens in a home with infants have shown mixed findings. Strict reduction of dust mite allergens, for example, reduces the risk of allergic sensitization to dust mites, and modestly reduces the risk of developing asthma up until the age of 8 years old. However, studies also showed that the effects of exposure to cat and dog allergens worked in the converse fashion; exposure during the first year of life was found to reduce the risk of allergic sensitization and of developing asthma later in life.

The inconsistency of this data has inspired research into other facets of Western society and their impact upon the prevalence of asthma. One subject that appears to show a strong correlation is the development of asthma and obesity. In the United Kingdom and United States, the rise in asthma prevalence has echoed an almost epidemic rise in the prevalence of obesity. In Taiwan, symptoms of allergies and airway hyper-reactivity increased in correlation with each 20% increase in body-mass index. Several factors associated with obesity may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma, including decreased respiratory function due to a buildup of adipose tissue (fat) and the fact that adipose tissue leads to a pro-inflammatory state, which has been associated with non-eosinophilic asthma.

Asthma has been associated with Churg–Strauss syndrome, and individuals with immunologically mediated urticaria may also experience systemic symptoms with generalized urticaria, rhino-conjunctivitis, orolaryngeal and gastrointestinal symptoms, asthma, and, at worst, anaphylaxis. Additionally, adult-onset asthma has been associated with periocular xanthogranulomas.

Cockscomb ( Jengger Ayam )

2011-06-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

Cocks comb (Jengger Ayam)
(Celosia cristata L.) Synonym:
C. argentea L. var cristata (L.) O. Ktze.
Familia:
Amaranthaceae
Description:
Generally, comb chickens in the yard and planted in parks, are rarely found growing wild. This plant can be found from the lowlands to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. Herbaceous plant grows upright this season, high 60-90 cm, thick-trunked and strong, branching, grooved. Single leaves, stemmed, alternate location. Leaf blade until the elongated oval shape with a length of 5-12 cm, a width of 3.5 to 6, 5 cm, tip pointed, base tapering, flat edge, pertulangan pinnate, green color with little red lines in the middle of the leaf. Compound interest-shaped ears, thick, fleshy, the upper widened like a rooster's comb, multiple and branched out at the end of the rod or in the armpit leaves, purple, red, dice, or yellow. Fruit box, oval, greenish red, cracked during cooking, there are two or more small seeds, black.
Propagation by seed.

Local Name:
Sumatra LOCAL NAME: celala (Gayo), banda ulu (Toba), flower straps (Palembang). Java: jawer Hayam, j. kotok (Sunda), spinach cenggeng, cock's comb (Java), jhanghar chicken, rebha mangsor (Madura). Nusa Tenggara: janggar ready (Bali), ana ndae Sina (Bread), Bunak seniors larit (East). Sulawesi: tatara manuk, sapiri manu, sparks, flames (Minahasa), laya (Gorontalo), langgelo (Buol), kaputi chicken, rangrang jangang (Napier), interest taEi manu, puwa ri Sawito (Bugis). Moluccan: wire, compote (Kai), store marerede (Halmahera), sule-sule (Ternate). Melayu: biludu spinach, chicken Rara. NAME OF FOREIGN Ji guan hua (C), coxcomb, cockscomb (I), Hahnenkamm. NAME simplicia Celosiae cristatae Flos (flower cock’s comb
Composition:
Flowers contain fatty oils, kaempferitrin, amaranthin, pinitol, while in the leaves contained saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols.
Curable Disease:
Cock's comb flower sweet, its cool, astringent, with affinity to the liver and kidney meridians. Efficacious anti-inflammatory, stop bleeding (hemostatis), and mencerahan vision.
Utilization:
PART USED
Plant part used as medicine is the flower. Dry by sun-dried for storage.

INDICATIONS
Flowers are used for the treatment of:
- Of bleeding such as nosebleeds (epistaxis), coughing up blood (hemoptysis), vomiting blood (hematemesis), bloody urine (hematuria), bleeding hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding,
- Dysentery, diarrhea,
- Blurred vision, red eye,
- Urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and o whitish (leukorea).

HOW TO USE
For drugs taken, using 10-15 g of dried flowers are boiled or dried flowers are finely ground into powder or pill is made.

For external use only, boiled fresh flowers. Once cool, use water to wash the wound bleeding, bleeding hemorrhoids, itching (pruritus).In addition, it can also use fresh flowers that finely ground, then paste it into a sick place, such as hemorrhoids, insect bites, or wounds.

EXAMPLE USAGE IN THE COMMUNITY
Stop the bleeding, as in coughing up blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, and bleeding hemorrhoids
Boil all the ingredients fresh, like a cock's comb flower, urang-aring (Eclipta prostrata), and the roots of alang alang (Imperata cylindrica) each 15 g with three glasses of water to the remaining one cup. Once cool, strain the water, then drink all at once in the morning before eating. Boil and drink the waste once again in the afternoon.

Uterine bleeding
Dissolve powdered cock’s comb (6 g) in wine (15 g). Drink well before eating rice. Abstaining from eating a fishy-fishy and pork.
Minced cock’s comb flowers dried into powder. Take as much as 5 g, brewed a cup of hot water, then cover. After a cold, drink once. Do it 3-4 times a day.

Dysentery
Prepare the cock’s comb flowers (15 g), bitter (Andrographis paniculata) (15 g), and Ensure the bed and board (Euphorbia hirta) (10 g). Everything is in the form of dry ingredients. Add three cups water and simmer until the water remains one glasses. Once cool, strain and drink well before eating. Boil the pulp once again, drink the water in the afternoon.

Whitish
Prepare the cock’s comb flowers and bitter (Andrographis paniculata) (each as much as 15 g dry matter) and leaf fresh slobber (Coleus scutellarioides) (10 sheets). Add three cups water and simmer until the water remains one glasses. Once cool, strain and drink well before eating. Boil the pulp again and drink the water in the afternoon.

Urinary infection
Prepare the cock’s comb flowers (15 g), spoon leaf herbs (Plantago major) (15 g), leaf cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon spicatus) (30 g), and the bitter leaves (20 g). Everything is in the form of dry ingredients. Wash all the ingredients, then boil with three cups of water until the remaining half. Once cool, strain and drink three times a day, each half a glass. Do it every day until cured.

Aromatic ginger, Sand ginger, Cutcherry, Orresurrection lily (Kencur)

2011-06-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Aromatic ginger, Sand ginger, Cutcherry, Orresurrection lily (Kencur)
(Kaempferia galanga, Linn.)
Synonyms:
Familia:
Zingiberaceae
Description:
Kencur (Kaempferia galanga) including plant Zingiberaceae and is classified as a medicinal plant species that have medicinal, fruit flesh most tender and not fibrous. Kencur is a small plant that grows abundantly in the lowlands or mountains where the land is crumbly and not too much water. Kencur rhizome has a specific aroma. Kencur fruit flesh is white and brown outer skin. The number of strands of leaf kencur no more than 2-3 pages dealing with the arrangement. The flowers are arranged and a half sitting with a crown of flowers amounted to between 4 to 12 pieces, lip lavender flowers with white color is more dominant. Kencur grow and develop in a particular season, ie during the rainy season.Kencur can be planted in pots or in the garden is enough sunlight, not too wet and in the open.

Local Name:
Kencur (Indonesia, Java), Cikur (Sunda), Ceuko (Aceh); Kencor (Madura), Cekuh (Bali), Kencur, Sukung (Minahasa); Asauli, sauleh, soul, umpa (Ambon), Cekir (Sumba);
Composition:
CHEMICAL CONTENT: Rhizome Kencur contains starch (4.14%), minerals (13.73%), and essential oil (0.02%) of sineol, methyl acid penta kanil and independence, cinnamic acid, ethyl asters, sinamic acid, borneol, kamphene, paraeumarin, anisic acid, alkaloids, and gums.
Curable Disease:
Gastric inflammation, inflammation of the ears of children, influenza in infants; Cold, Headache, cough, blood Eliminate dirty; Diarrhea, Streamlining menstruation, sore eyes, sprains, fatigue;
Utilization:
1. Stomach Inflammation
    Ingredients: 2 rhizome kencur of your thumb.
    Method: kencur skinned clean and chewed;
    How to use: the water is swallowed, the waste is disposed of, then
    drink a glass of water, and repeated until it is healed.

2. Child Ear Inflammation
    Ingredients: 2 rhizome kencur of your thumb and ½ nutmeg seed.
    Method: The second material is finely ground and given 2
    tablespoons warm water;
    How to use: applied around the nose.

3. Influenza in infants
    Ingredients: 1 rhizome kencur of your thumb and 2 bay leaves
    cubeb (pepper caudate / Cubeb)
    Method: The second material is finely ground, then
    plus a few tablespoons of warm water.
    How to use: applied around the nose.

4. Catch a cold
    Ingredients: 1 rhizome kencur of your thumb and salt to taste.
    Method: kencur skinned clean.
    How to use: kencur eaten with salt to taste,
    then drink 1 glass of water putih.Dapat done 2 times a day.

5. Headache
    Ingredients: 2-3 pieces of leaves kencur.
    Method: kencur leaves until finely ground.
    How to use: applied (as compress / pilis) on the forehead.

6. Cough
    a. Ingredients: 1 rhizome kencur of your thumb and salt to taste.
        Method: kencur grated, then add 1 cup warm water, squeezed and filtered.
        How to use: drink with added salt to taste.

    b. Ingredients: 1 rhizome kencur of thumb.
        Method: kencur skinned clean and chewed;
        How to use: the water is swallowed, the waste is disposed.Performed routinely every morning.

7. Diarrhea
    a. Ingredients: 2 rhizome kencur of your thumb and salt to taste.
        Method: kencur grated, then add 1 cup warm water, squeezed and filtered.
        How to use: as a Kencur applied to the abdomen.

    b. Ingredients: 2 rhizome kencur of your thumb and salt to taste.
        Method: kencur grated, then add salt to taste.
        How to use: as a Kencur applied to the abdomen.

8. Eliminating Dirty Blood
    Ingredients: 4 rhizome kencur of thumb, trengguli 2 bay leaves, 2 cloves dry beans,
                           pulawaras fennel taste.
    How to make: all the ingredients are boiled together with 1 liter of water until boiling and then
                           filtered.
    How to use: drink 2 times a day regularly.

9. Streamlining the menstrual
    Ingredients: 2 rhizome kencur of thumb, 1 sheet trengguli leaf, 1 clove old fruit seeds,
                          pulawaras fennel taste.
    Method: kencur chopped, then mixed with other ingredients and boil together
                          with 3 cups water to boil down to 2 cups, then filtered.
    How to use: taken once a day 2 cups.

10. Aching eyes
     Ingredients: 1 piece of rhizome
     Method: kencur split into 2 parts.
     How to use: the surface is still wet is used to scrub the eyelid.

11. Sprain
     Ingredients: 1 rhizome kencur and rice soaked in water.
     Method: The second material is crushed and water.
     How to use: smeared on the sprain as a Kencur.

12. Eliminates Tired.
     Ingredients: 1 large rhizome kencur, 2 tablespoons rice fried without oil (couple) and 1 seeds
                            red chili.
     How to make: all the ingredients are boiled together with 2 cups water to boil
                            to 1 cup, and then filtered.
     How to use: drink one time and repeated until healed. For men can
                                   plus 1 piece of ginger and pepper Kencur to taste.

Osteoporosis

2011-06-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

Osteoporosis ("porous bones", from Greek: ὀστέον/osteon meaning "bone" and πόρος/poros meaning "pore") is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a bone mineral density that is 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young, healthy adults) as measured by DXA; the term "established osteoporosis" includes the presence of a fragility fracture. The disease may be classified as primary type 1, primary type 2, or secondary.[1] The form of osteoporosis most common in women after menopause is referred to as primary type 1 or postmenopausal osteoporosis. Primary type 2 osteoporosis or senile osteoporosis occurs after age 75 and is seen in both females and males at a ratio of 2:1. Finally, secondary osteoporosis may arise at any age and affects men and women equally. This form of osteoporosis results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as glucocorticoids, when the disease is called steroid- or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (SIOP or GIOP).

Osteoporosis risks can be reduced with lifestyle changes and sometimes medication; in people with osteoporosis, treatment may involve both. Lifestyle change includes diet and exercise, and preventing falls. Medication includes calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates and several others. Fall-prevention advice includes exercise to tone deambulatory muscles, proprioception-improvement exercises; equilibrium therapies may be included. Exercise with its anabolic effect, may at the same time stop or reverse osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a component of the frailty syndrome.

Signs and symptoms

Osteoporosis itself has no specific symptoms; its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are those that occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone; they are therefore regarded as fragility fractures. Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, rib, hip and wrist.

Fractures

Fractures are the most dangerous aspect of osteoporosis. Debilitating acute and chronic pain in the elderly is often attributed to fractures from osteoporosis and can lead to further disability and early mortality. The fractures from osteoporosis may also be asymptomatic. The symptoms of a vertebral collapse ("compression fracture") are sudden back pain, often with radiculopathic pain (shooting pain due to nerve root compression) and rarely with spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome. Multiple vertebral fractures lead to a stooped posture, loss of height, and chronic pain with resultant reduction in mobility.

Fractures of the long bones acutely impair mobility and may require surgery. Hip fracture, in particular, usually requires prompt surgery, as there are serious risks associated with a hip fracture, such as deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism, and increased mortality.

Fracture Risk Calculators assess the risk of fracture based upon several criteria, including BMD, age, smoking, alcohol usage, weight, and gender. Recognised calculators include FRAX and Dubbo.

Falls risk

The increased risk of falling associated with aging leads to fractures of the wrist, spine and hip. The risk of falling, in turn, is increased by impaired eyesight due to any cause (e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration), balance disorder, movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease), dementia, and sarcopenia (age-related loss of skeletal muscle). Collapse (transient loss of postural tone with or without loss of consciousness) leads to a significant risk of falls; causes of syncope are manifold but may include cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), vasovagal syncope, orthostatic hypotension (abnormal drop in blood pressure on standing up) and seizures. Removal of obstacles and loose carpets in the living environment may substantially reduce falls. Those with previous falls, as well as those with a gait or balance disorder, are most at risk.

Risk factors

Risk factors for osteoporotic fracture can be split between non-modifiable and (potentially) modifiable. In addition, there are specific diseases and disorders in which osteoporosis is a recognized complication. Medication use is theoretically modifiable, although in many cases the use of medication that increases osteoporosis risk is unavoidable. Caffeine is not a risk factor osteoporosis.

Nonmodifiable

The most important risk factors for osteoporosis are advanced age (in both men and women) and female gender; estrogen deficiency following menopause or oophorectomy is correlated with a rapid reduction in bone mineral density, while in men a decrease in testosterone levels has a comparable (but less pronounced) effect. While osteoporosis occurs in people from all ethnic groups, European or Asian ancestry predisposes for osteoporosis. Those with a family history of fracture or osteoporosis are at an increased risk; the heritability of the fracture as well as low bone mineral density are relatively high, ranging from 25 to 80 percent. There are at least 30 genes associated with the development of osteoporosis.Those who have already had a fracture are at least twice as likely to have another fracture compared to someone of the same age and sex. A small stature is also a non-modifiable risk factor associated with the development of osteoporosis.

Potentially modifiable

Excess alcohol—small amounts of alcohol do not increase osteoporosis risk and may even be beneficial, but chronic heavy drinking (alcohol intake greater than 3 units/day), especially at a younger age, increases risk significantly.

Vitamin D deficiency—low circulating Vitamin D is common among the elderly worldwide.[Mild vitamin D insufficiency is associated with increased Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) production. PTH increases bone resorption, leading to bone loss. A positive association exists between serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels and bone mineral density, while PTH is negatively associated with bone mineral density.

Tobacco smoking—tobacco smoking inhibits the activity of osteoblasts, and is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis. Smoking also results in increased breakdown of exogenous estrogen, lower body weight and earlier menopause, all of which contribute to lower bone mineral density.

Malnutrition—nutrition has an important and complex role in maintenance of good bone. Identified risk factors include low dietary calcium and/or phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, boron, iron, fluoride, copper, vitamins A, K, E and C (and D where skin exposure to sunlight provides an inadequate supply). Excess sodium is a risk factor. High blood acidity may be diet-related, and is a known antagonist of bone.[Some have identified low protein intake as associated with lower peak bone mass during adolescence and lower bone mineral density in elderly populations. Conversely, some have identified low protein intake as a positive factor, protein is among the causes of dietary acidity. Imbalance of omega 6 to omega 3 polyunsaturated fats is yet another identified risk factor.

High protein diet—Research has found an association between diets high in animal protein and increased urinary calcium loss from the bones.

Underweight/inactive—bone remodeling occurs in response to physical stress, and weight bearing exercise can increase peak bone mass achieved in adolescence. In adults, physical activity helps maintain bone mass, and can increase it by 1 or 2%.[citation needed] Conversely, physical inactivity can lead to significant bone loss. (Incidence of osteoporosis is lower in overweight people.)

Excess physical activity—excessive exercise can lead to constant damage to the bones which can cause exhaustion of the structures as described above. There are numerous examples of marathon runners who developed severe osteoporosis later in life.[who?] In women, heavy exercise can lead to decreased estrogen levels, which predisposes to osteoporosis. In addition, intensive training without proper compensatory increased nutrition increases the risk.[citation needed]

Heavy metals—a strong association between cadmium, lead and bone disease has been established. Low level exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased loss of bone mineral density readily in both genders, leading to pain and increased risk of fractures, especially in the elderly and in females. Higher cadmium exposure results in osteomalacia (softening of the bone).

Soft drinks—some studies indicate that soft drinks (many of which contain phosphoric acid) may increase risk of osteoporosis; Others suggest soft drinks may displace calcium-containing drinks from the diet rather than directly causing osteoporosis.

Diseases and disorders

Many diseases and disorders have been associated with osteoporosis. For some, the underlying mechanism influencing the bone metabolism is straight-forward, whereas for others the causes are multiple or unknown.

In general, immobilization causes bone loss (following the 'use it or lose it' rule). For example, localized osteoporosis can occur after prolonged immobilization of a fractured limb in a cast. This is also more common in active patients with a high bone turn-over (for example, athletes). Other examples include bone loss during space flight or in people who are bedridden or who use wheelchairs for various reasons.

Hypogonadal states can cause secondary osteoporosis. These include Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, anorexia nervosa, andropause, hypothalamic amenorrhea or hyperprolactinemia. In females, the effect of hypogonadism is mediated by estrogen deficiency. It can appear as early menopause (<45 years) or from prolonged premenopausal amenorrhea (>1 year). A bilateral oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries) or a premature ovarian failure cause deficient estrogen production. In males, testosterone deficiency is the cause (for example, andropause or after surgical removal of the testes).

Endocrine disorders that can induce bone loss include Cushing's syndrome,hyperparathyroidism,thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2,acromegaly and adrenal insufficiency. In pregnancy and lactation, there can be a reversible bone loss.

Malnutrition, parenteral nutrition and malabsorption can lead to osteoporosis. Nutritional and gastrointestinal disorders that can predispose to osteoporosis include coeliac disease,[ Crohn's disease, lactose intolerance, surgery (after gastrectomy, intestinal bypass surgery or bowel resection) and severe liver disease (especially primary biliary cirrhosis). Patients with bulimia can also develop osteoporosis. Those with an otherwise adequate calcium intake can develop osteoporosis due to the inability to absorb calcium and/or vitamin D. Other micro-nutrients such as vitamin K or vitamin B12 deficiency may also contribute.

Patients with rheumatologic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis are at increased risk of osteoporosis, either as part of their disease or because of other risk factors (notably corticosteroid therapy). Systemic diseases such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis can also lead to osteoporosis.

Renal insufficiency can lead to osteodystrophy.

Hematologic disorders linked to osteoporosis are multiple myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies, lymphoma and leukemia, mastocytosis, hemophilia, sickle-cell disease and thalassemia.

Several inherited disorders have been linked to osteoporosis. These include osteogenesis imperfecta, Marfan syndrome, hemochromatosis, hypophosphatasia, glycogen storage diseases, homocystinuria, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, porphyria, Menkes' syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa and Gaucher's disease.

People with scoliosis of unknown cause also have a higher risk of osteoporosis. Bone loss can be a feature of complex regional pain syndrome. It is also more frequent in people with Parkinson's disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Medication

Certain medications have been associated with an increase in osteoporosis risk; only steroids and anticonvulsants are classically associated, but evidence is emerging with regard to other drugs.

Steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIOP) arises due to use of glucocorticoids - analogous to Cushing's syndrome and involving mainly the axial skeleton. The synthetic glucocorticoid prescription drug prednisone is a main candidate after prolonged intake. Some professional guidelines recommend prophylaxis in patients who take the equivalent of more than 30 mg hydrocortisone (7.5 mg of prednisolone), especially when this is in excess of three months. Alternate day use may not prevent this complication.

Barbiturates, phenytoin and some other enzyme-inducing antiepileptics - these probably accelerate the metabolism of vitamin D.

L-Thyroxine over-replacement may contribute to osteoporosis, in a similar fashion as thyrotoxicosis does. This can be relevant in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Several drugs induce hypogonadism, for example aromatase inhibitors used in breast cancer, methotrexate and other anti-metabolite drugs, depot progesterone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.

Anticoagulants - long-term use of heparin is associated with a decrease in bone density, and warfarin (and related coumarins) have been linked with an increased risk in osteoporotic fracture in long-term use.

Proton pump inhibitors - these drugs inhibit the production of stomach acid; it is thought that this interferes with calcium absorption. Chronic phosphate binding may also occur with aluminium-containing antacids.

Thiazolidinediones (used for diabetes) - rosiglitazone and possibly pioglitazone, inhibitors of PPARγ, have been linked with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture.

Chronic lithium therapy has been associated with osteoporosis.

Hepatitis

2011-06-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hepatitis (plural hepatitides) is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The name is from the Greek hepar (ἧπαρ), the root being hepat- (ἡπατ-), meaning liver, and suffix -itis, meaning "inflammation" . The condition can be self-limiting (healing on its own) or can progress to fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis.

Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise. Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists longer. A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of hepatitis worldwide, but it can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants), other infections and autoimmune diseases.

Signs and symptoms

Acute

Initial features are of nonspecific flu-like symptoms, common to almost all acute viral infections and may include malaise, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. More specific symptoms, which can be present in acute hepatitis from any cause, are: profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking among smokers, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes and skin (i.e., jaundice) and abdominal discomfort. Physical findings are usually minimal, apart from jaundice in a third and tender hepatomegaly (swelling of the liver) in about 10%. Some exhibit lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes, in 5%) or splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen, in 5%).

Acute viral hepatitis is more likely to be asymptomatic in younger people. Symptomatic individuals may present after convalescent stage of 7 to 10 days, with the total illness lasting 2 to 6 weeks.

A small proportion of people with acute hepatitis progress to acute liver failure, in which the liver is unable to clear harmful substances from the circulation (leading to confusion and coma due to hepatic encephalopathy) and produce blood proteins (leading to peripheral edema and bleeding). This may become life-threatening and occasionally requires a liver transplant.

Chronic

Chronic hepatitis often leads to nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, tiredness and weakness, and often leads to no symptoms at all. It is commonly identified on blood tests performed either for screening or to evaluate nonspecific symptoms. The occurrence of jaundice indicates advanced liver damage. On physical examination there may be enlargement of the liver.

Extensive damage and scarring of liver (i.e. cirrhosis) leads to weight loss, easy bruising and bleeding tendencies, peripheral edema (swelling of the legs) and accumulation of ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity). Eventually, cirrhosis may lead to various complications: esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the wall of the esophagus that can cause life-threatening bleeding) hepatic encephalopathy (confusion and coma) and hepatorenal syndrome (kidney dysfunction).

Acne, abnormal menstruation, lung scarring, inflammation of the thyroid gland and kidneys may be present in women with autoimmune hepatitis.

Causes

Acute

Viral hepatitis:

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Yellow fever

adenoviruses

Non viral infection

toxoplasma

Leptospira

Q fever

rocky mountain spotted fever

Alcohol

Toxins: Amanita toxin in mushrooms, carbon tetrachloride, asafetida

Drugs: Paracetamol, amoxycillin, antituberculosis medicines, minocycline and many others (see longer list below).

Ischemic hepatitis (circulatory insufficiency)

Pregnancy

Auto immune conditions, e.g., Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Metabolic diseases, e.g., Wilson's disease

Chronic

Viral hepatitis: Hepatitis B with or without hepatitis D, hepatitis C (neither hepatitis A nor hepatitis E causes chronic hepatitis)

Autoimmune

Autoimmune hepatitis

Alcohol

Drugs

methyldopa

nitrofurantoin

isoniazid

ketoconazole

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Heredity

Wilson's disease

alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency

Primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis occasionally mimic chronic hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis

Ethanol, mostly in alcoholic beverages, is a significant cause of hepatitis. Usually alcoholic hepatitis comes after a period of increased alcohol consumption. Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by a variable constellation of symptoms, which may include feeling unwell, enlargement of the liver, development of fluid in the abdomen ascites, and modest elevation of liver blood tests. Alcoholic hepatitis can vary from mild with only liver test elevation to severe liver inflammation with development of jaundice, prolonged prothrombin time, and liver failure. Severe cases are characterized by either obtundation (dulled consciousness) or the combination of elevated bilirubin levels and prolonged prothrombin time; the mortality rate in both categories is 50% within 30 days of onset.

Alcoholic hepatitis is distinct from cirrhosis caused by long term alcohol consumption. Alcoholic hepatitis can occur in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis by itself does not lead to cirrhosis, but cirrhosis is more common in patients with long term alcohol consumption. Patients who drink alcohol to excess are also more often than others found to have hepatitis C.The combination of hepatitis C and alcohol consumption accelerates the development of cirrhosis.

Cats Whisker leaves ( Daun Kumis Kucing )

2011-06-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

Orthosiphon aristatus (Kumis Kucing / Cats Whisker)
(Orthosiphon aristatus (B1) Miq.)

Synonyms:
O. longiflorum, Ham. O. grandiflorum et aristatum, Bl. O. spiralis, Merr.O. stamineus, Benth. O. grandiflorus, Bold. Clerodendranthus spicatus (Thunb.) C.Y. Wu. Trichostemma spiralis, Lour.
Familia:
Labiatae

Description:
I. PLANT DESCRIPTION: herb, growing up, at the bottom of his roots in the field, 1-2 m high, stems slightly ribbed rectangular, short haired or bald. Single leaf, round or rhombus oval eggs, fluffy, rough serrated edge is irregular, both mottled surface because there are essential oil glands. Bunches of flowers that came out at the end of branches, pale purple or white color (the color is blue and white), stamens longer than the flower tube. Fruit dark brown color. Grows in lowland and medium altitude areas.
II. Terms Grows a. Climate 1. Altitude: 500 m - 900 m above sea level 2. Annual rainfall: 3000 mm / year 3. Wet months (above 100 mm / month): 7 months - 9 months 4. Dry months (below 60 mm / month): 3 months - 5 months 5. Air Temperature: 280C - 340C 6. Humidity: medium 7. Irradiation: High b. Soil 1. Type: andosol, latosol 2. Texture: sandy clay 3. Drainage: well 4. Ground water depth: 70 cm above ground level 5. Rooting depth: 30 cm - 60 cm from ground level 6.Acidity (pH): 5-7 7. Fertility: medium - high III. A. Planting GuidelinesSoil Processing 1. Hoeing soil as deep as 30 cm - 40 cm to loose 2.Make a bed width of 100 cm - 120 cm, height 30 cm, the distance between beds 40 cm - 50 cm, and its length adjusted land condition 3.Sprinkle over the beds of manure is b. Preparation of Seed 1. In general, cat whiskers plant propagated by stem cuttings or branch cuttings 2. Select the trunk or branch that is not too old, then cut to a length of cuttings, cuttings of 15 cm - 25 cm or segmented about 2 segment - 3 vertebra c. Planting 1. Cuttings planted directly in the garden as deep as 5 cm, then compact enough soil around the base of the cuttings 2. Spacing 30 cm x 30 cm, 40 cm x 40 cm, 40 cm x 50 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm

Local Name:
Kumis Kucing, Mamang besar (Indonesia); Kutun, mamam, Bunga laba-laba (Java); Mao Xu Cao (China).;

Composition:
NATURE OF CHEMICAL AND pharmacological effects: Sweet little bitter, cool, anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory), Laxativ urine (diuretic), destroying the urinary tract stones. CHEMICAL CONTENT: Orthosiphon glycosides, tannic substances, essential oils, fatty oils, saponins, sapofonin, potassium salts, myoinositol.

Curable Disease:
Kidney infection, bladder infection, urinary stones, gout; laxativ urine, eliminating hot and humid;

Utilization:
PART USED:
The whole plant, wet or dry (leave it first, and then dried in the hot sun.)

USE:
1. Kidney infection (acute and chronic nephritis), bladder infection
(Cystitis).
2. Kidney stone pain.
3. Gout (Gout arthritis).
4. Laxativ urine (Diuretic).
5. Eliminates hot and humid.

PEMAKAINAN:
30-60 gr. (Dry) or 90-120 g (wet), boiled, or a dry / wet brewed as tea.
HOW TO USE:

Nephritis, edema (swelling):
    aristatus (Kumis Kucing) 30 gr, Planto asiatica (leaf vein) 30 gr
    Hedyotis diffusa. (Grass snake tongue) 30 grams, it all boiled.

Urinary tract infections, frequent urination in small increments
   (Anyang-anyangan):
    aritatus, Phyllanthus urinaria (meniran), Commelina communis,
    30 g respectively., boiled.

Painful pee pee: Method I: Brewed and take a pinch of driedleaves of the cat's whiskers, such as tea, may also be given thepalm sugar.

Method II: 1 tablespoon of the crushed leaves of a cat's whiskers, 7 rods meniran, boiled in two cups of water until thewater half. Drink boiled water was as much as 3 times a day.

Kidney stones: Method I: 25 g leaf cat whiskers, 25 g of leavesngokilo, 25 g of leaves with roots meniran, 25 g of leaves nastyshard, washed. Boil 4 cups water to boiling. Drink all the waterboiled it in a day.

Method II: 3 handheld leaf cat whiskers, 5 leavesnasty shard washed, boiled with 2 cups of water. Drinking water 2x a day, morning and afternoon, for 10 days. After 10 days, replace itwith boiled water the young corn, 1 x daily. Avoid eating goat meat,durian and spicy foods.

Rheumatism: a small spoonful of crushed leaves of cat whiskers, 1tablespoon of crushed leaves meniran already as well, with a glass of boiled water until the water stayed 3 / 4. Strain. Then drunk.

Back pain: seven leaves and two pieces of roots washed cat's whiskers. Boil with 1 cup water. Let one night, the new drink.

Inflammation of the kidney: 40 pieces of flower and leaf cat whiskers, 3 starfruit old washed, crushed. Brewed with 2 cups of water. Drink 3 times a day. Do it for 1 week.

Fever: 100 g root of cat's whiskers are washed, boiled in 3 cups of water. After boiling, strain, and take the water. Drink boiled wateris 1 cup per day.

Bitter Grape ( Brotowali )

2011-06-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

Bitter Grape ( Brotowali )
(Tinospora crispa (L.) Miers.hen jin t)
Synonyms:
Tinospora rumphii, Boerl. T. tuberculata Beumee. Cocculus crispus, DC.Menispermum verrucosum. M.crispum, Linn. M.tuberculatum, Lamk.

Familia:
Menispermaceae

Description:
Wild plants in the forests, fields or planted yard near the fence. Usually planted as a medicinal plant. Like a hot place, including shrubs, climbing, stems to 2.5 m. high Trunk of your little finger, bitter taste. Single leaves, stemmed, heart-shaped or oval rather pointy toes, length 7-12 cm, wide 5-10 cm. Flowers small, light green color, pseudo-shaped bunches. Propagated by cuttings.

Local Name:
Antawali, bratawali, putrawali, daun gadel (Java); Andawali (Sunda), Antawali (Bali); Shen jin teng (Chinese).;

Composition:
NATURE OF CHEMICAL AND pharmacological effects: Bitter, cool. Eliminating pain (Analgesic), fever (antipyretic), paved the meridian. CHEMISTRY CONTENT: Alkaloid, soft resin, starch, glycosides pikroretosid, pikroretin bitter substances, Harsha, berberine and palmatin. The root contains the alkaloid berberine and kolumbin.

Curable Disease:
Rheumatism, fever, appetite, Diabetes;
Utilization:
PART USED: stem.

USE:
1. Rheumatic arthritis, rheumatic arthritis hip (sciatica), bruise.
2. Fever, stimulates appetite, yellow fever.
3. Diabetes.

USAGE: 10 - 15 g, boiled, drinking.

EXTERNAL USE: The water used to wash the stem brotowali ulceration, scabies, wounds.

HOW TO USE:
1. Rheumatic:
    1 finger sticks brotowali washed and cut into pieces as needed, boiled
    with 3 cups water to a 1 1 / 2 cup. After cold
    filtered, added honey to taste, drink. One day 3 x 1 / 2 cup.

2. Yellow fever (icteric):
    1 finger sticks brotowali washed and cut into pieces, boiled with 3
    glasses of water to be 1 1 / 2 cup. Taken with honey
    sufficiently. A day 2 x 3 / 4 cup.

3. Fever:
    2 finger sticks brotowali boiled with 2 cups of water, up to 1
    glass. Once cool, drunk with honey to taste. 2x a day
    1 / 2 cup.

4. Diabetes:
    1 / 3 handheld Sambiloto leaf, 1 / 3 handheld Kumis Kucing leaf, 3 / 4
    ± 6 cm stem finger brotowali washed and cut into pieces, boiled
    with 3 cups of water up to 2 cups. Taken after meals,
    day 2 X 1 glass.

5. Scabies (scabies):
    3 fingers stem brotowali, sulfur of pecan, washed and
    finely ground, kneaded with coconut oil as necessary. Used
    to grease the affected skin scabies. Day 2 x.

6. Injuries:
    Brotowali leaves finely ground, put on the wound, replaced 2 x
    per day. To wash wounds, use the cooking water brotowali rod.

Hemorrhoids or haemorrhoids

2011-06-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hemorrhoids (US English) or haemorrhoids (British English; pronounced /ˈhɛmərɔɪdz/), are vascular structures in the anal canal which help with stool control. They become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed. In their physiological state they act as a cushion composed of arterio-venous channels and connective tissue that aid the passage of stool. The symptoms of pathological hemorrhoids depend on the type present. Internal hemorrhoids usually present with painless rectal bleeding while external hemorrhoids present with pain in the area of the anus.

Recommended treatment consists of increasing fiber intake, oral fluids to maintain hydration, NSAID analgesics, sitz baths, and rest. Surgery is reserved for those who fail to improve following these measures.

Classification

There are two types of hemorrhoids, external and internal, which are differentiated via their position with respect to the dentate line.

External

External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside the anal verge (the distal end of the anal canal). Specifically, they are varicosities of the veins draining the territory of the inferior rectal arteries, which are branches of the internal pudendal artery. They are sometimes painful, and often accompanied by swelling and irritation. Itching, although often thought to be a symptom of external hemorrhoids, is more commonly due to skin irritation. External hemorrhoids are prone to thrombosis: if the vein ruptures and/or a blood clot develops, the hemorrhoid becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid.

Internal

Internal hemorrhoids are those that occur inside the rectum. Specifically, they are varicosities of veins draining the territory of branches of the superior rectal arteries. As this area lacks pain receptors, internal hemorrhoids are usually not painful and most people are not aware that they have them. Internal hemorrhoids, however, may bleed when irritated. Untreated internal hemorrhoids can lead to two severe forms of hemorrhoids: prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids. Prolapsed hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids that are so distended that they are pushed outside the anus. If the anal sphincter muscle goes into spasm and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside the anal opening, the supply of blood is cut off, and the hemorrhoid becomes a strangulated hemorrhoid.

Internal hemorrhoids can be further graded by the degree of prolapse.

• Grade I: No prolapse.

• Grade II: Prolapse upon defecation but spontaneously reduce.

• Grade III: Prolapse upon defecation and must be manually reduced.

• Grade IV: Prolapsed and cannot be manually reduced.

Signs and symptoms

Hemorrhoids usually are present with itching, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding. In most cases, symptoms will resolve within a few days. External hemorrhoids are painful, while internal hemorrhoids usually are not unless they become thrombosed or necrotic.

The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, a condition known as hematochezia, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. They may protrude through the anus. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include painful swelling or lump around the anus.

Causes

A number of factors may lead to the formations of hemorrhoids including irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and aging.

Other factors that can increase the rectal vein pressure resulting in hemorrhoids include obesity and sitting for long periods of time.

During pregnancy, pressure from the fetus on the abdomen and hormonal changes cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. Delivery also leads to increased intra-abdominal pressures. Surgical treatment is rarely needed, as symptoms usually resolve post delivery.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily, thus decreasing pressure and straining, and to empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. Exercise, including walking, and increased fiber in the diet help reduce constipation and straining by producing stools that are softer and easier to pass. Spending less time attempting to defecate and avoiding reading while on the toilet have been recommended. Adopting a 'squatting' position to defecate, rather than sitting on a Western-style commode, may also reduce the incidence of piles.

Treatments

Conservative treatment typically consists of increasing dietary fiber, oral fluids to maintain hydration, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)s, sitz baths, and rest. Increased fiber intake has been shown to improve outcomes, and may be achieved by dietary alterations or the consumption of fiber supplements.

While many topical agents and suppositories are available for the treatment of hemorrhoids, there is little evidence to support their use. Preparation H may improve local symptoms, but does not improve the underlying disorder, and long-term use is discouraged due to local irritation of the skin.

Soybean ( Kedelai )

2011-06-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Soybean
(Glycine max (Linn.) Merrill.)
Synonyms:
Glycine Soja, (Linn), Sieb. G. Soja, (Linn), Zucc.
Familia:
Fabaceae

Description:

The soybean (U.S.) or soya bean (UK) (Glycine max)[1] is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. The plant is classed as an oilseed rather than a pulse.[by whom?]

Fat-free (defatted) soybean meal is a primary, low-cost, source of protein for animal feeds and most prepackaged meals[citation needed]; soy vegetable oil is another product of processing the soybean crop. For example, soybean products such as textured vegetable protein (TVP) are ingredients in many meat and dairy analogues.[2] Soybeans produce significantly more protein per acre than most other uses of land.[3]

Traditional nonfermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk, and from the latter tofu and tofu skin. Fermented foods include soy sauce, fermented bean paste, natto, and tempeh, among others. The oil is used in many industrial applications. The main producers of soy are the United States (35%), Brazil (27%), Argentina (19%), China (6%) and India (4%).[4] The beans contain significant amounts of phytic acid, alpha-Linolenic acid, and the isoflavones genistein and daidzein.

Soybean (Glycine max) has been cultivated since 1500 BC and was signed in Indonesia, especially Java, circa 1750. Soy is best planted in fields and rice paddies between the dry season and rainy season. Being the average rainfall per year suitable for soybeans is less than 200 mm with 3-6 months of dry season and rainy days ranging between 95-122 days a year. Soy has a small stature and high trunk can reach 75 cm. Leaves oval shape with both ends forming an acute angle and tiered three spreads (right - left - front) in a single strand that connects the tree branches.Fruiting soybean pods containing seeds. According to its kind there is soy, which is white and black. Both the outer skin of the fruit pod and the trunk has a coarse fur is brown. For soybean cultivation in Java is best to land at an altitude of less than 500 m above sea level.

Local Name:
Soybean (UK), Soybean (Indonesia), Kedhele (Madura); Soybean, Peanut Jepun, Nuts fur (Sunda), Lawui (Bima); Dele, Dangsul, Dekeman (Java), Fractured Menjong (Lampung); Beans Rimang (Minangkabau ), Kadale (Ujung Pandang);

Composition:
Together, oil and protein content account for about 60% of dry soybeans by weight; protein at 40% and oil at 20%. The remainder consists of 35% carbohydrate and about 5% ash. Soybean cultivars comprise approximately 8% seed coat or hull, 90% cotyledons and 2% hypocotyl axis or germ.

Most soy protein is a relatively heat-stable storage protein. This heat stability enables soy food products requiring high temperature cooking, such as tofu, soy milk and textured vegetable protein (soy flour) to be made.

The principal soluble carbohydrates of mature soybeans are the disaccharide sucrose (range 2.5–8.2%), the trisaccharide raffinose (0.1–1.0%) composed of one sucrose molecule connected to one molecule of galactose, and the tetrasaccharide stachyose (1.4 to 4.1%) composed of one sucrose connected to two molecules of galactose. While the oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose protect the viability of the soy bean seed from desiccation (see above section on physical characteristics) they are not digestible sugars and therefore contribute to flatulence and abdominal discomfort in humans and other monogastric animals; compare to the disaccharide trehalose. Undigested oligosaccharides are broken down in the intestine by native microbes producing gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane.

Since soluble soy carbohydrates are found in the whey and are broken down during fermentation, soy concentrate, soy protein isolates, tofu, soy sauce, and sprouted soy beans are without flatus activity. On the other hand, there may be some beneficial effects to ingesting oligosaccharides such as raffinose and stachyose, namely, encouraging indigenous bifidobacteria in the colon against putrefactive bacteria.

The insoluble carbohydrates in soybeans consist of the complex polysaccharides cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. The majority of soybean carbohydrates can be classed as belonging to dietary fiber.

Curable Disease:
Diabetes mellitus, kidney pain, Rheumatic;
Utilization:
1. Diabetes Mellitus
    Ingredients: 1 handful of black soy beans
    Method: boiled in 3 cups water to boil
    1 cup water and filtered to be taken
    How to use: drink one glass a day one and done
    regularly every day.

2. Kidney Pain
    Ingredients: 3 tablespoons soy beans.
    Method: boiled with 2-3 cups water to boil
    1 cup, and then filtered to take water.
    How to use: drunk on the morning after waking up
    and is performed routinely every day.

3. Rheumatic
    Ingredients: 1 tablespoon black soy beans, 1 tablespoon peanut
    green, and 2 tablespoons of peanut.
    How to make: all the ingredients are fried without oil
    (Sangan = Java), then crushed (ground) until smooth.
    How to use: eat 2 times daily 1 teaspoonful, morning and
    afternoon.

Red Bead ( Saga )

2011-06-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Saga
(Abrus precatorius, Linn.)
Synonyms:
Abrus frutex, Rumph.

Familia:
Papilonaceae
Description:
Saga (ABRUS PRECATORIS) including clump plant type with the main stem small and propagate in host-buy twisted to the left. The leaves are compound, egg-shaped and small size. Saga leaves resemble the leaves of Tamarindus indica finned odd and has a somewhat sweet taste (usually called Saga Sweet). Saga has a pod containing the seeds of the red with black dots shiny and slippery. Saga seed contains a toxic substance called abrin, so it can not be used for breeding. Medium purple-colored flowers with a shape resembling a butterfly, in support of bunches of flowers. This plant grows wild in many forests, fields or deliberately kept in the yard. Saga can grow well in low-lying areas up to 1000 meters altitude above sea level.

Local Name:

Saga (Indonesia), Saga telik / manis (Jawa), Thaga (Aceh); Saga areuy, saga leutik (Sunda), Walipopo (Gorontalo); Piling-piling (Bali), Seugeu (Gayo), Ailalu pacar (Ambon); Saga buncik, Saga ketek (Minangkabau), Kaca (Bugis);

Composition:
Leaves and roots of plants abrus pracatorius include protein, vitamins A, B1, B6, C, Calcium Oxalic, glisirizin, flisirizinat, polygalacturomic acid and pentosans.

Curable Disease:
Tonsils, Sore eyes, Sprue;

Utilization:
1. Tonsil
    Ingredients: Saga root to taste, 1 piece of cinnamon and sugar cubes
    sufficiently.
    How to Make: all ingredients are boiled with 5 cups water
    to boil down to half.
    How to use: filtered and taken 2 times a day 1 cup and
    morning, afternoon.

2. Sore Eyes
    Ingredients: 1 handful of leaves Saga
    How to Make: Saga leaves finely ground, then boiled with
    2 cups of water to be taken vapor.
    How to use: water vapor sage leaves are used for drug
    eye drops.

3. Sprue
    Ingredients: Saga of leaves to taste;
    How to Make: fresh sage leaves are plucked dried several
    minutes for slightly wilted.
    How to use: chew-chew until smooth while for
    mouthwash.

Heartburn

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as pyrosis or acid indigestion is a burning sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the epigastrium. The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.

Heartburn is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux) which is the major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It however may also be a symptom of ischemic heart disease so concluding that it is gastroesophageal reflux disease prematurely may lead to misdiagnosis.

Definition

The terms dyspepsia and indigestion are often used interchangeably with heartburn[citation needed], though some sources emphasize a distinction. Dyspepsia is defined as a combination of epigastric pain and heartburn. Heartburn is commonly used interchangeably with gastroesophageal reflux disease rather than just to describe a symptom of burning in one's chest.

Differential diagnosis

Cardiac and esophageal causes may share similar symptoms as these two structures have the same nerve supply.

Cardiac disease is one of the first conditions that must be excluded in patients with unexplained chest pain given that patients with chest pain related to GERD cannot be distinguished from those with chest pain due to cardiac conditions. As many as 30% of chest pain patients undergoing cardiac catheterization have findings which do not account for their chest discomfort, and are often defined as having "atypical chest pain" or chest pain of undetermined origin. According to data recorded in several studies based on ambulatory pH and pressure monitoring, it is estimated that 25% to 50% of these patients have evidence of abnormal GERD.

GERD / Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common cause of heartburn. In this condition acid reflux has led to inflammation of the esophagus.

Functional heartburn

Functional heartburn is heartburn of unknown cause. It is associated with other functional gastrointestinal disorder like irritable bowel syndrome and is the primary cause of lack of improvement post treatment with proton pump inhibitors(PPIs). PPIs are however still the primary treatment with response rates in about 50% of people.

The diagnosis is based upon the Rome III criteria of :

1) burning retrosternal discomfort

2) absence of GERD as the cause

3) no esophageal motility disorders.

Cardiac

Heartburn is recognized as a symptom of an acute myocardial infarction and angina. A description of burning or indigestion like pain non significantly increases the risk of acute coronary syndrome. In a group of people presenting to a hospital with GERD symptoms 0.6% may be due to ischemic heart disease.

Diagnostic approach

Heartburn can be caused by several conditions and a preliminary diagnosis of GERD is based on additional signs and symptoms. The chest pain caused by GERD has a distinct 'burning' sensation, occurs after eating or at night, and worsens when a person lies down or bends over. It also is common in pregnant women, and may be triggered by consuming food in large quantities, or specific foods containing certain spices, high fat content, or high acid content. If the chest pain is suspected to be heartburn, patients may undergo an upper GI series to confirm the presence of acid reflux. Heartburn or chest pain after eating or drinking and combined with difficulty swallowing may indicate esophageal spasms.

Pineapple (Nanas)

2011-06-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Pineapple ( Nanas )
(Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)
Synonyms:
A. Sativus Schult., Ananassa sativa Lindl., Bromelia comosa L.
Familia:
Bromeliaceae.

Description:
Pineapple originated from Brazil. In Indonesia, the pineapple is planted in gardens, yards, and other places that get enough sun at an altitude of 1-1300 m above sea level. Pineapple is a fruit crop that is always available throughout the year. Annual or biennial herb, 50-150 cm tall, there is creeping shoots at their bases. Gathered in a rosette of leaves and roots at their bases widened to midrib. Leaf blade shape, thick and wiry, 80-120 cm long, 2-6 cm wide, taper tip resembling thorns, barbed outboard edges and curved upward, the underside of the flaky white, green or reddish green. Compound interest are arranged in very dense grain, located terminals and long-stemmed. Buni compound fruit fruit, round the long, fleshy, green, the color becomes yellow when ripe.

Pineapple fruit tastes good, sour to sweet. Seeds small, often not so. The fruit is eaten directly in addition, can also preserved by boiling in water and given sugar, made jam, or syrup is made. Pineapple fruit can also be used to provide sweet and sour flavors, as well as a meat tenderizer. Fibrous leaves can be made of yarn or tall. Pineapple plants can be propagated by crown, stem shoots, or axillary bud leaves.

Local Name:
NAME OF REGION: Sumatra: ekahauku (Enggano), Anes (Aceh), nat (Gayo), henas, Kenaz, honas, Annas (Batak), Gona (Nias), ASIT, nasit (Mentawai), Enas, kanas, pineapple (Malay ), weird, naneh (Minangkabau), kanas, kanyas, nas, nyanyas (Lampung). Java: danas, malignant (Sunda), pineapple (Java); lanas, pineapple (Madura): Kalimantan: kanas, samblaka, Malacca, uro usan, usan wood, wood ujan, dozens. Nusa Tenggara: manas (Bali), nanas (Sasak), aruma, Fanda, pandal (Bima), panda (Sumba), nana (MPA), bike, anana, Pedang (Flores), parangena, nanasi (Taluud). Sulawesi: tuis mangandow, na'asi, nanasi, tuis, ne tuis Walanda, Busa, areca (Ut.Alf.), nanati (Gorontalo), lalato (Buol), nanasi (Toraja), view (Makasar, Bugis), crazy, Ekam , hedan (East). esne (Kisar), ngewu (Tanimbar). Maluku: ai rice, baba-ba Than, kai nasi (East Seram), bangkalo, kampora, kanasoi (West Seram), anasu, banggala, bangkala, kai nasu, kambala, Kampala (south Seram), arnasinu, kanasi, kurnasin, Mangala, nanasi (Amb.Alf.), nanasu, anasul (Ulias). Irian Jaya: Manilmap, miniap. FOREIGN NAME: Pineapple (I), ananas (I, B, P, J), Pinya (Tag.). NAME simplicia: Fructus Ananas (pineapple).

Composition:
Fruit contains vitamins (A and C), calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, dextrose, sucrose (sugar cane), and the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain efficacious anti-inflammatory, helps soften the food in the stomach, interfering with the growth of the cancer set, inhibits platelet aggregation and has fibrinolytic activity. Fiber content can facilitate defecation in patients with constipation (constipation). The leaves contain calcium oxalate and pectic substances.

Curable Disease:
The nature and efficacy of its ripe fruit is cool, nutritious reduce the discharge of excessive stomach acid, helps digest food in the stomach, anti-inflammatory, laxative urine (diuretic), clean up of dead skin tissue (skin debridement), disrupt the growth of the cancer set, inhibits platelet clumping (aggregation platelets), and has fibrinolytic activity. Young fruit sour taste, nutritious boost digestive enzymes, antelmintik, diuretic, laxative menstruation (emenagog), abortivum, thinning sputum (Mukolitik), and laxatives. Leaves efficacious antipyretic, antelmintik, laxatives, anti-inflammatory, and normalize the menstrual cycle. Farmakologis effects and results of research studies on the effect of adding pineapple juice for the quality of cow's milk has been done. Apparently, the addition of 3.4 ml pineapple juice obtained the lowest bacterial populations, ie 37.60 x 10 'cells / ml and the highest fat content of 7.594%. On addition of 3.2 ml pineapple juice obtained the highest protein content of 19.138 ° Io (Noah M. Nasution, Biology Department UNAND, 1993). Apparently, the enzymes contained in pineapple a quick nutritious debridement (experiments conducted on mice who had burns). Giving young pineapple extract as much as 0.2 ml in pregnant mice can be lethal embryos of mice when given at ages 2 and 4 days gestation. If given at 6 days of gestation, pregnancy can still take place and normal childbirth (Mulyoto, FB Unsoed, 1986).
Utilization:
Parts Used:
Parts used are the fruit and leaves.

Indications:
Pineapple fruit used for treatment:
- A feeling of fullness in the stomach,
- Constipation,
- Sore throat,
- Lose weight,
- Beri-beri,
- Sprains, swelling stricken,
- Simple blood to clot (blood coagulation),
- Atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels),
- Inhibits tumor growth,
- To increase absorption (absorption) of drugs,
- Missed a period, and
- Worms.

How to use:
For drugs taken, pineapple juice 1/2-2 medium size or can also be shredded, then drink.
To use foreign drugs, peeled pineapple, and scar. Paste the results in a sore body parts, such as cleaning up dead tissue (debridement) of burns, dandruff, ulcers, ulceration, and skin inflammation (dermatitis). Alternatively, pounded leaves of pineapple until smooth, then smeared on burns, ulcers, and itching.

Example Usage:
- Worms
Peel a young pineapple fruit, then rinse thoroughly. Next, rinse with water to cook, and scar. Squeeze fixation and strain the result, then Drinks at a wormy child little by little.

- Sprains, bruises due to hit
Peel a ripe pineapple, cut into pieces, then blended. Drinking water is collected at the same time.

- Sore throat
Peel 2 pieces of pineapple that have been cooked, then rinse thoroughly. Cut into pieces, then juiced or grated. Next, wring it out using a piece of clean cloth. Drinking water collected, daily 3 times, each time just 1 / 3 part.

- Inflammation in the skin (dermatitis), dandruff
Provide 1 / 2 ripe pineapple fruit. Peel the skin, and scar. The results are used to rub the scaly and flaking skin, either in the scalp or other parts of the body. Do it once a day, night before bed. The next morning washed clean. Do it every day.

- Dandruff
Provide 1 / 4 ripe pineapple fruit. Peel the skin, and scar, and filtered. Add the juice 1 orange juice and stir until blended. Use this mixture to rub the scalp of dandruff. Do it the night before bed. The next morning washed hair. Do it 2-3 times a week.

- Losing weight
Peel 1 piece of pineapple that are not too ripe, then rinse thoroughly. Cut into pieces, then juiced or grated. Next, squeeze a piece of clean cloth and use water direct feelings while drunk. Perform 2 times daily.

- Constipation
Peel 3 pieces of pineapple that has not been cooked, then rinse thoroughly. Next, juice or grated, then squeezed. Drinking water after eating feelings, daily 2 times, each quite 1 / 2 cup.

- Beri beri
Peel 2 ripe pineapple fruit, then rinse thoroughly. Next, juice or grated, then squeezed. Drinking water at the same time feelings. Should be drunk in the morning or afternoon after eating.

- Burns, itching and boils
Wash the pineapple leaves thoroughly, then mash until smooth. Smeared on the sick.

- Pain management in the stomach due to disturbed digestion
Drinking pineapple juice 3 times a day each 3 / 4 cups (150 cc). Make 1 / 2 hour before meals.

Note:
- Pregnant women are forbidden to drink juice young pineapple.
- Fruits of pineapple in the gastrointestinal tract is fermented into alcohol that can cause a recurrence of rheumatic gout.
- Patients with diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is recommended to limit the eating pineapple because the ripe fruit sugar content is high enough.