Painkillers Health Dictionary

Nutritional Profile Energy value (calories per serving): Low Protein: Trace Fat: Trace Saturated fat: None Cholesterol: None Carbohydrates: Trace Fiber: Trace Sodium: Low Major vitamin contribution: None Major mineral contribution: None

About the Nutrients in This Food Coffee beans are roasted seeds from the fruit of the evergreen coffee tree. Like other nuts and seeds, they are high in proteins (11 percent), sucrose and other sugars (8 percent), oils (10 to 15 percent), assorted organic acids (6 percent), B vitamins, iron, and the central nervous system stimulant caffeine (1 to 2 percent). With the exceptions of caffeine, none of these nutrients is found in coffee. Like spinach, rhubarb, and tea, coffee contains oxalic acid (which binds calcium ions into insoluble compounds your body cannot absorb), but this is of no nutritional consequence as long as your diet contains adequate amounts of calcium-rich foods. Coffee’s best known constituent is the methylxanthine central ner- vous system stimulant caffeine. How much caffeine you get in a cup of coffee depends on how the coffee was processed and brewed. Caffeine is Caffeine Content/Coffee Servings Brewed coffee 60 mg/five-ounce cup Brewed/decaffeinated 5 mg/five-ounce cup Espresso  64 mg/one-ounce serving Instant  47 mg/rounded teaspoon

The Most Nutritious Way to Serve This Food In moderation, with high-calcium foods. Like spinach, rhubarb, and tea, coffee has oxalic acid, which binds calcium into insoluble compounds. This will have no important effect as long as you keep your consumption moderate (two to four cups of coffee a day) and your calcium consumption high.

Diets That May Restrict or Exclude This Food Bland diet Gout diet Diet for people with heart disease (regular coffee)

Buying This Food Look for: Ground coffee and coffee beans in tightly sealed, air- and moisture-proof containers. Avoid: Bulk coffees or coffee beans stored in open bins. When coffee is exposed to air, the volatile molecules that give it its distinctive flavor and richness escape, leaving the coffee flavorless and/or bitter.

Storing This Food Store unopened vacuum-packed cans of ground coffee or coffee beans in a cool, dark cabinet—where they will stay fresh for six months to a year. They will lose some flavor in storage, though, because it is impossible to can coffee without trapping some flavor- destroying air inside the can. Once the can or paper sack has been opened, the coffee or beans should be sealed as tight as possible and stored in the refrigerator. Tightly wrapped, refrigerated ground coffee will hold its freshness and flavor for about a week, whole beans for about three weeks. For longer storage, freeze the coffee or beans in an air- and moistureproof container. ( You can brew coffee directly from frozen ground coffee and you can grind frozen beans without thawing them.)

Preparing This Food If you make your coffee with tap water, let the water run for a while to add oxygen. Soft water makes “cleaner”-tasting coffee than mineral-rich hard water. Coffee made with chlorinated water will taste better if you refrigerate the water overnight in a glass (not plastic) bottle so that the chlorine evaporates. Never make coffee with hot tap water or water that has been boiled. Both lack oxygen, which means that your coffee will taste flat. Always brew coffee in a scrupulously clean pot. Each time you make coffee, oils are left on the inside of the pot. If you don’t scrub them off, they will turn rancid and the next pot of coffee you brew will taste bitter. To clean a coffee pot, wash it with detergent, rinse it with water in which you have dissolved a few teaspoons of baking soda, then rinse one more time with boiling water.

What Happens When You Cook This Food In making coffee, your aim is to extract flavorful solids (including coffee oils and sucrose and other sugars) from the ground beans without pulling bitter, astringent tannins along with them. How long you brew the coffee determines how much solid material you extract and how the coffee tastes. The longer the brewing time, the greater the amount of solids extracted. If you brew the coffee long enough to extract more than 30 percent of its solids, you will get bitter compounds along with the flavorful ones. (These will also develop by let- ting coffee sit for a long time after brewing it.) Ordinarily, drip coffee tastes less bitter than percolator coffee because the water in a drip coffeemaker goes through the coffee only once, while the water in the percolator pot is circulated through the coffee several times. To make strong but not bitter coffee, increase the amount of coffee—not the brewing time.

How Other Kinds of Processing Affect This Food Drying. Soluble coffees (freeze-dried, instant) are made by dehydrating concentrated brewed coffee. These coffees are often lower in caffeine than regular ground coffees because caffeine, which dissolves in water, is lost when the coffee is dehydrated. Decaffeinating. Decaffeinated coffee is made with beans from which the caffeine has been extracted, either with an organic solvent (methylene chloride) or with water. How the coffee is decaffeinated has no effect on its taste, but many people prefer water-processed decaf- feinated coffee because it is not a chemically treated food. (Methylene chloride is an animal carcinogen, but the amounts that remain in coffees decaffeinated with methylene chloride are so small that the FDA does not consider them hazardous. The carcinogenic organic sol- vent trichloroethylene [TCE], a chemical that causes liver cancer in laboratory animals, is no longer used to decaffeinate coffee.)

Medical Uses and/or Benefits As a stimulant and mood elevator. Caffeine is a stimulant. It increases alertness and concentra- tion, intensifies muscle responses, quickens heartbeat, and elevates mood. Its effects derive from the fact that its molecular structure is similar to that of adenosine, a natural chemical by-product of normal cell activity. Adenosine is a regular chemical that keeps nerve cell activ- ity within safe limits. When caffeine molecules hook up to sites in the brain when adenosine molecules normally dock, nerve cells continue to fire indiscriminately, producing the jangly feeling sometimes associated with drinking coffee, tea, and other caffeine products. As a rule, it takes five to six hours to metabolize and excrete caffeine from the body. During that time, its effects may vary widely from person to person. Some find its stimu- lation pleasant, even relaxing; others experience restlessness, nervousness, hyperactivity, insomnia, flushing, and upset stomach after as little as one cup a day. It is possible to develop a tolerance for caffeine, so people who drink coffee every day are likely to find it less imme- diately stimulating than those who drink it only once in a while. Changes in blood vessels. Caffeine’s effects on blood vessels depend on site: It dilates coronary and gastrointestinal vessels but constricts blood vessels in your head and may relieve headache, such as migraine, which symptoms include swollen cranial blood vessels. It may also increase pain-free exercise time in patients with angina. However, because it speeds up heartbeat, doc- tors often advise patients with heart disease to avoid caffeinated beverages entirely. As a diuretic. Caffeine is a mild diuretic sometimes included in over-the-counter remedies for premenstrual tension or menstrual discomfort.

Adverse Effects Associated with This Food Stimulation of acid secretion in the stomach. Both regular and decaffeinated coffees increase the secretion of stomach acid, which suggests that the culprit is the oil in coffee, not its caffeine. Elevated blood levels of cholesterol and homocysteine. In the mid-1990s, several studies in the Netherlands and Norway suggested that drinking even moderate amounts of coffee (five cups a day or less) might raise blood levels of cholesterol and homocysteine (by-product of protein metabolism considered an independent risk factor for heart disease), thus increas- ing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Follow-up studies, however, showed the risk limited to drinking unfiltered coffees such as coffee made in a coffee press, or boiled coffees such as Greek, Turkish, or espresso coffee. The unfiltered coffees contain problematic amounts of cafestol and kahweol, two members of a chemical family called diterpenes, which are believed to affect cholesterol and homocysteine levels. Diterpenes are removed by filtering coffee, as in a drip-brew pot. Possible increased risk of miscarriage. Two studies released in 2008 arrived at different conclusions regarding a link between coffee consumption and an increased risk of miscar- riage. The first, at Kaiser Permanente (California), found a higher risk of miscarriage among women consuming even two eight-ounce cups of coffee a day. The second, at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine (New York), found no such link. However, although the authors of the Kaiser Permanente study described it as a “prospective study” (a study in which the research- ers report results that occur after the study begins), in fact nearly two-thirds of the women who suffered a miscarriage miscarried before the study began, thus confusing the results. Increased risk of heartburn /acid reflux. The natural oils in both regular and decaffeinated coffees loosen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve between the esopha- gus and the stomach. When food is swallowed, the valve opens to let food into the stomach, then closes tightly to keep acidic stomach contents from refluxing (flowing backwards) into the esophagus. If the LES does not close efficiently, the stomach contents reflux and cause heartburn, a burning sensation. Repeated reflux is a risk factor for esophageal cancer. Masking of sleep disorders. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem associated not only with automobile accidents but also with health conditions such as depression and high blood pres- sure. People who rely on the caffeine in a morning cup of coffee to compensate for lack of sleep may put themselves at risk for these disorders. Withdrawal symptoms. Caffeine is a drug for which you develop a tolerance; the more often you use it, the more likely you are to require a larger dose to produce the same effects and the more likely you are to experience withdrawal symptoms (headache, irritation) if you stop using it. The symptoms of coffee-withdrawal can be relieved immediately by drinking a cup of coffee.

Food/Drug Interactions Drugs that make it harder to metabolize caffeine. Some medical drugs slow the body’s metabolism of caffeine, thus increasing its stimulating effect. The list of such drugs includes cimetidine (Tagamet), disulfiram (Antabuse), estrogens, fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin), fluconazole (Diflucan), fluvoxamine (Luvox), mexi- letine (Mexitil), riluzole (R ilutek), terbinafine (Lamisil), and verapamil (Calan). If you are taking one of these medicines, check with your doctor regarding your consumption of caf- feinated beverages. Drugs whose adverse effects increase due to consumption of large amounts of caffeine. This list includes such drugs as metaproterenol (Alupent), clozapine (Clozaril), ephedrine, epinephrine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, phenylpropanolamine, and theophylline. In addition, suddenly decreasing your caffeine intake may increase blood levels of lithium, a drug used to control mood swings. If you are taking one of these medicines, check with your doctor regarding your consumption of caffeinated beverages. Allopurinol. Coffee and other beverages containing methylxanthine stimulants (caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine) reduce the effectiveness of the antigout drug allopurinol, which is designed to inhibit xanthines. Analgesics. Caffeine strengthens over-the-counter painkillers (acetaminophen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories [NSAIDS] such as ibuprofen and naproxen). But it also makes it more likely that NSAIDS will irritate your stomach lining. Antibiotics. Coffee increases stomach acidity, which reduces the rate at which ampicillin, erythromycin, griseofulvin, penicillin, and tetracyclines are absorbed when they are taken by mouth. (There is no effect when the drugs are administered by injection.) Antiulcer medication. Coffee increases stomach acidity and reduces the effectiveness of nor- mal doses of cimetidine and other antiulcer medication. False-positive test for pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal glands, secretes adrenalin, which is converted to VM A (vanillylmandelic acid) by the body and excreted in the urine. Until recently, the test for this tumor measured the levels of VM A in the patient’s urine and coffee, which contains VM A, was eliminated from patients’ diets lest it elevate the level of VM A in the urine, producing a false-positive test result. Today, more finely drawn tests make this unnecessary. Iron supplements. Caffeine binds with iron to form insoluble compounds your body cannot absorb. Ideally, iron supplements and coffee should be taken at least two hours apart. Birth control pills. Using oral contraceptives appears to double the time it takes to eliminate caffeine from the body. Instead of five to six hours, the stimulation of one cup of coffee may last as long as 12 hours. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are drugs used to treat depression. They inactivate naturally occurring enzymes in your body that metabolize tyra- mine, a substance found in many fermented or aged foods. Tyramine constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure. Caffeine is a substance similar to tyramine. If you consume excessive amounts of a caffeinated beverage such as coffee while you are taking an M AO inhibitor, the result may be a hypertensive crisis. Nonprescription drugs containing caffeine. The caffeine in coffee may add to the stimulant effects of the caffeine in over-the-counter cold remedies, diuretics, pain relievers, stimulants, and weight-control products containing caffeine. Some cold pills contain 30 mg caffeine, some pain relievers 130 mg, and some weight-control products as much as 280 mg caffeine. There are 110 –150 mg caffeine in a five-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee. Sedatives. The caffeine in coffee may counteract the drowsiness caused by sedative drugs; this may be a boon to people who get sleepy when they take antihistamines. Coffee will not, however, “sober up” people who are experiencing the inebriating effects of alcoholic beverages. Theophylline. Caffeine relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchi and may intensif y the effects (and/or increase the risk of side effects) of this antiasthmatic drug.... coffee

Encephalitis means in?ammation or infection of the brain, usually caused by a virus; it may also be the result of bacterial infection. It occurs throughout the world and affects all racial groups and ages. Rarely it occurs as a complication of common viral disease such as measles, mumps, glandular fever, or chickenpox. It may occur with no evidence of infection elsewhere, such as in HERPES SIMPLEX encephalitis, the most common form seen in Europe and America. RABIES is another form of viral encephalitis, and the HIV virus which causes AIDS invades the brain to cause another form of encephalitis (see AIDS/HIV). In some countries – North and South America, Japan and east Asia and Russia

– there may be epidemics spread by the bite of mosquitoes or ticks.

The clinical features begin with in?uenza-like symptoms – aches, temperature and wretchedness; then the patient develops a headache with drowsiness, confusion and neck sti?ness. Severely ill patients develop changes in behaviour, abnormalities of speech, and deterioration, sometimes with epileptic seizures. Some develop paralysis and memory loss. CT (see COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY) and MRI brain scans show brain swelling, and damage to the temporal lobes if the herpes virus is involved. ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG), which records the brainwaves, is abnormal. Diagnosis is possible by an examination of the blood or other body ?uids for antibody reaction to the virus, and modern laboratory techniques are very speci?c.

In general, drugs are not e?ective against viruses – antibiotics are of no use. Herpes encephalitis does respond to treatment with the antiviral agent, aciclovir. Treatment is supportive: patients should be given painkillers, and ?uid replacement drugs to reduce brain swelling and counter epilepsy if it occurs. Fortunately, most sufferers from encephalitis make a complete recovery, but some are left severely disabled with physical defects, personality and memory disturbance, and epileptic ?ts. Rabies is always fatal and the changes found in patients with AIDS are almost always progressive. Except in very speci?c circumstances, it is not possible to be immunised against encephalitis.

Encephalitis lethargica is one, now rare, variety that reached epidemic levels after World War I. It was characterised by drowsiness and headache leading on to COMA. The disease occasionally occurs as a complication after mumps and sometimes affected individuals subsequently develop postencephalitic PARKINSONISM.... encephalitis

Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, is an infectious disease characterised by in?ammatory swelling of the PAROTID GLAND and other SALIVARY GLANDS – often occurring as an EPIDEMIC and affecting mostly young people. Its name comes from the old verb, ‘mump’, meaning to mope or assume a disconsolate appearance – an apt description of the victim of the disease at its height.

Causes Mumps is due to infection with a virus and is highly infectious from person to person. It is predominantly a disease of childhood and early adult life, but it can occur at any age. Epidemics usually occur in the winter and spring. It is infectious for two or three days before the swelling of the glands appears. A vaccine is now available that gives a high degree of protection against the disease, the incidence of which is falling sharply. The vaccine is combined with those for MEASLES and RUBELLA – see MMR VACCINE; IMMUNISATION.

Symptoms There is an incubation period of 2–3 weeks after infection before the glands begin to swell. The gland ?rst affected is generally the parotid, situated in front of and below the ear. The swelling usually spreads to the submaxillary and sublingual glands lying beneath the jaw. The patient is feverish and the gland is tender. The swelling disappears after about ?ve days. In 15–30 per cent of males, in?ammation of the testicles (orchitis) develops. This usually occurs during the second week of the illness, but may not occur until 2–3 weeks later; it may result in partial ATROPHY of the testicles, but practically never in INFERTILITY. In a much smaller proportion of females with mumps, in?ammation of the OVARIES or BREASTS may occur. In?ammation of the PANCREAS, accompanied by tenderness in the upper part of the abdomen and digestive disturbances, sometimes results, and MENINGITIS is also an occasional complication. The various complications are found much more often when the disease affects adults than when it occurs in childhood.

Treatment There is no speci?c treatment but ANALGESICS and plenty of ?uid should be available. The child may need to be in bed for a few days and should not return to school until the symptoms have settled. Adults with orchitis may need strong painkillers, and CORTICOSTEROIDS may be required to reduce the painful swelling.... mumps

An uncommon disease that develops after a scratch or bite by a cat. Three quarters of cases occur in children. The fever is due to infection with a small bacterium called

ROCHALIMAEA HENDELAE.

The main symptom, appearing after 3–10 days, is a swollen lymph node near the bite or scratch.

The node may become painful and tender, and an infected blister may develop at the site of the injury.

A fever, rash, and headache may occur.

Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy of the swollen lymph node and a skin test.

Analgesic drugs (painkillers) may be used to relieve the fever and headache.... cat-scratch fever

n. a complementary therapy in which fine sterile needles are inserted into the skin at specific points on the body. It was developed by Eastern physicians, who recognize pathways (meridians) and flows of energy (called qi) within the body. It may work by allowing the body to release its own natural painkillers (*endorphins). Acupuncture is used to relieve the symptoms of many physical and psychological conditions, including chronic pain.... acupuncture

n. 1. the slow injection of a substance, usually into a vein (intravenous (IV) infusion). This is a common method for replacing water, electrolytes, and blood products and is also used for the continuous administration of drugs (e.g. antibiotics, painkillers) or *nutrition. See also drip. 2. the process whereby the active principles are extracted from plant material by steeping it in water that has been heated to boiling point (as in the making of tea). 3. the solution produced by this process.... infusion

Ulcers are a medical condition, characterized by an inflammation on the lining of the digestive tract. The disease is associated with a constant upper abdominal pain, which may disappear after eating. Hunger is more intensively felt by a person with ulcers, because the protective mucus is destroyed and the stomach is not protected enough against its acids. There are different types of ulcers, depending on what part of the digestive tract is affected: peptic, gastric and duodenal ulcers. The external factors leading to ulcers are still the subject of studies. However, it has been scientifically proven that excessive smoking and drinking, a wrong diet and a stressful lifestyle, together with the abuse of painkillers may cause this disease. There were instances when a bacteria had led to the occurance of ulcers. Family history could also be responsible for developing this medical condition. Efficient Teas for treating Ulcers In case of ulcers, patients should look for teas with anti-inflammatory properties, which calm the sore and soothe the digestive tract. Chamomile tea , Calamus tea and Slippery elm bark tea are natural remedies which alleviate the unpleasant feeling caused by ulcers. Chamomile is a medicinal plant, successfully used to treat a large array of health issues. Due to its efficiency, the plant is known as a “cure-all” treatment. Chamomile tea has a long curative history, being used by ancient Egyptians and modern people as well. It is best known as a treatment for muscle and menstrual cramps, back pain and rheumatism. It acts as an immunity enhancer, boosting the body’s ability to fight against viruses and bacteria. Also, patients suffering from less severe ailments of the liver claim its beneficial effects for improving the function of this organ. To prepare Chamomile tea as Tea for Ulcers, add 2 tablespoons of the dried plant in a cup of hot water. Steep it for 8 to 10 minutes and strain it. Drink it warm, with no sugar (sweets may cause a feeling of burning in a stomach affected by ulcers). Calamus was used by ancient Chinese to restrain stress and to melt phlegm. Nowadays, due to this plant’s scent, it is an important ingredient in the perfume industry. Calamus tea may reduce the pain caused by ulcers, soothing the digestive tract. Also, it may relieve flatulence as well as chest congestion. When trying to give up smoking, Calamus brewing can help the process, by reducing the need for tobacco. To prepare Calamus tea, add a cup of boiling water on 2 tablespoons of the plant’s roots and leaves. Steep it for 15 minutes, strain it. Drink it before you eat. Slippery elmis a plant originating from the Unites States and Canada, used at first by Native Americans as a wound bandage. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help in the treatment of the urinary tract, the skin and the digestive system. It soothes the stomach and counters its acidity. To prepare Slippery elm bark tea, add 2 tablespoons of ground slippery elm bark in a mug of hot water. Steep it for 11-12 minutes and strain it. Drink it before eating. Tea for Ulcers: possible side effects Before consuming Tea for Ulcers, bear in mind to ask your doctor about its safe use for your medical condition. Rarely, when taken in large doses, Tea for Ulcers may lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Tea for Ulcers is a natural way to mitigate or even to treat the painful symptoms of this disease. Also, it is important that people reconsider their diet and bad habits to prevent ulcers.... tea for ulcers

Pain affecting the back, often restricting movement. The pain usually lasts for only a week or so but can recur in some people. Rarely, persistent back pain causes long-term disability.

Back pain is usually caused by minor damage to the ligaments and muscles in the back. The lower back is especially vulnerable to these problems because it supports most of the body’s weight and is under continual stress from movements such as bending, twisting, and stretching. Less commonly, lower back pain may result from an underlying disorder such as a prolapsed intervertebral disc (see disc prolapse) in the spine.

In most cases, back pain can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers (see analgesic drugs) such as aspirin and related drugs, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or muscle-relaxant drugs. If the pain persists, a heat pad, a wrapped hot-water bottle or, sometimes, an ice-pack, may provide additional relief. Generally, it is advisable to remain as active as the pain permits. People whose pain worsens or is still too severe to allow normal movement after several days should consult a doctor for medical tests.

Investigations for back pain, such as X-rays, CT scanning, or MRI, sometimes reveal abnormalities, such as disc prolapse, that require surgical treatment and can be treated by a microdiscectomy.

Other treatments for back pain include acupuncture, spinal injection, exercise, or spinal manipulation.... back pain

Valerian Tea has been known for centuries as a very good remedy when it comes to calming and tranquilizing the affected areas of the human body. Although the first ones to use its wonderful benefits were the Chinese, Valerian Tea became soon popular around the globe. Many painkillers found today in drug stores contain Valerian extract. Valerian is a plant with green pin-like leaves and pink flowers that grows mainly in Asia and Northern Europe. Although the entire plant can be used for medical purposes, the alternative medicine has a cult for its roots that can be used freshly picked, dried or turned into powder. Valerian Tea Properties The best thing about Valerian Tea is that it contains a lot of active ingredients that are able to treat external damages, such as localized pains. Also, a treatment based on Valerian Tea can bring relief in case of internal problems as well. Valerian Tea has a peculiar taste that is both spicy and sweet, so you can add honey and lemon in order to make it more adequate. However, if you can handle the taste, you’ll have to deal with the smell. There have been many complaints about the strong and rather unpleasant smell. Valerian Tea Benefits Valerian Tea may come in hand in many health problems, thanks to a great alkaline level and to the ability to treat affections in almost no time. Unlike other teas, Valerian Tea has a very rapid effect on your health system. This tea could be a great help if you are suffering from one of the following conditions: - Chronic insomnia and sleeplessness, by allowing endomorphins in your body to be released easier. - Affections of the nervous system such as hysteria and restlessness. - Menstrual pains, by calming the affected areas and increasing the blood flow. Also, Valerian Tea can bring relief to abdominal muscles - Irritable bowel movement, by soothing the intestine pains and preventing stomach cramps. - Convulsions and muscle spasms, by lowering the blood pressure and enhancing the muscular elasticity. - Valerian Tea is a good tumor growth inhibitor. How to make Valerian Tea Infusion When preparing Valerian Tea you need to make sure that the roots you are using are from a trusted provider. There are many roots of unknown provenience sold as Valerian on the market, so pay attention to that. If you have the good ingredients, use about a teaspoon of herbs for every cup of tea you want to make. Add boiling water and wait for 10 or 15 minutes. If the roots are dried, wait another 5 minutes for the health benefits to be released. Drink it hot or cold, but don’t drink more than 2 cups per day. Remember this is a medical treatment and Valerian Tea cannot replace coffee! Valerian Tea Side Effects When taken properly, Valerian Tea has almost no side effects at all. However, high dosages may lead to a number of complications such as severe headaches or upset stomach. Also, if you’ve been taking a treatment based on Valerian Tea and you’re experiencing vomiting episodes, talk to your doctor as soon as possible! Valerian Tea Contraindications Do not take Valerian Tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The same advice if you are suffering from a severe disease and need to take blood thinners. In this case, Valerian Tea may lead to coronary problems due to cell walls damaging. Also, if you have a decreased liver function or preparing for a major surgery, avoid this tea at all costs! If you have a doubt concerning Valerian Tea, talk to a specialist before making any move. Other than that, there’s no reason not to try Valerian Tea and enjoy its wonderful health benefits responsibly! Follow our instructions and give it a try next time you’re in a teashop.... valerian tea - insomnia treatment

One of the most common types of pain. A headache is only rarely a symptom of a serious underlying disorder. The pain arises from tension in the meninges, and in the blood vessels and muscles of the scalp.

Many headaches are simply a response to some adverse stimulus, such as hunger. Such headaches usually clear up quickly. Tension headaches, caused by tightening in the face, neck, and scalp muscles as a result of stress or poor posture, are also common, and may last for days or weeks. Migraine is a severe, incapacitating headache preceded or accompanied by visual and/or stomach disturbances. Cluster headaches cause intense pain behind 1 eye.

Common causes of headache include hangover and noisy or stuffy environments. Food additives may also be a cause. Some headaches are due to overuse of painkillers (see analgesic drugs). Other possible causes include sinusitis, toothache, cervical osteoarthritis, and head injury. Among the rare causes of headache are a brain tumour, hypertension, temporal arteritis, an aneurysm, and increased pressure within the skull.

Most headaches can be relieved by painkillers and rest. If a neurological cause is suspected, CT scanning or MRI may be performed.... headache

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix – a small worm-like offshoot from the gut at the junction of the colon and small intestine, in the low right fossa of the abdomen. Blockage leads to stasis and infection. Pain starts from the centre of the abdomen and moves down towards the low right groin focusing on a sensitive spot known as McBurney’s point (midway between the naval and the right groin). Possible history of constipation.

Symptoms. Attack may be sudden, with acute low right abdominal pain. Lost appetite. Vomiting occurs usually only once. Nausea. Temperature slightly raised (102°). Muscles rigid and boardlike. The sufferer tries to find relief by lying on his back with right leg drawn up. Rapid heartbeat.

May lapse into abscess, perforation or peritonitis. If neglected, gangrene is a possibility, therefore a modern hospital is the safest place. In any case surgical excision may be necessary to prevent a burst when pus would discharge into the surrounding cavity causing peritonitis.

Differential diagnosis. Inflammation of the right ovary, gall bladder or kidney, ileitis, diverticulitis, perforated peptic ulcer.

Skin temperature aids diagnosis. Application of Feverscan thermometer detects local skin temperature over the right iliac fossa and records at least 1°C warmer than that on the left.

An added aid to diagnosis is the facial expression which predominantly conveys an aura of malaise with an obvious upward curving of the upper lip. This is not a wince or grimace but a slower reaction, and occurs on gentle pressure over the appendix. Rectal tenderness may indicate peritonitis.

A practitioner’s prescription would be raised according to the individual requirements of each case; some calling for support of nervous system (Skullcap, Lady’s Slipper) or for the heart (Hawthorn, Motherwort), etc.

To be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner.

Treatment. Acute stage – immediate hospitalisation.

Tea. Formula. For non-acute stage: equal parts – German Chamomile, Yarrow, Black Horehound. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Tea: children. Agrimony.

Tablets/capsules. (non-acute stage), Goldenseal, Blue Flag root, Calamus, Cranesbill, Wild Yam. Juice: Aloe Vera.

Chinese medicine. Fenugreek seeds: 2 teaspoons to each cup water simmer 5 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily, consuming the seeds.

Powders. Formula. Echinacea 2; Myrrh half; Wild Yam half; trace of Cayenne. Dose: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon) thrice daily. Every 2 hours for acute cases.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 2; Wild Yam half; Elderflowers 1; few drops Tincture Capsicum (cayenne). Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water or herb tea thrice daily or every 2 hours for acute cases.

Finlay Ellingwood MD. Equal parts, Liquid Extract Bryonia and Echinacea. Dose: 20 drops in water, hourly. For prevention of sepsis and pus formation.

Eric F.W. Powell, MNIMH. 1 teaspoon Tincture Echinacea; 10 drops Tincture Myrrh; 2 drops Tincture

Capsicum; in wineglassful hot water. Each wineglass taken in sips; dose repeated hourly until pain eases; then less frequently.

Frank Roberts, MNIMH. Liquid extracts: Equal parts, Wild Yam, Echinacea, Lobelia. Mix. 30-60 drops in wineglassful water, sipped 4 times daily.

John Cooper MD, Waldron, Arkansas, USA. 20 grains Epsom’s salts in hot water every 2 hours until pain ceases, then continue half that quantity. To control pain: Tincture Belladonna, 8 drops in water, when necessary.

Enema. Large enemas are not indicated. Warm strong infusion of German Chamomile proves helpful (50 flowers to 1 pint boiling water). Inject with 1 tablespoon warm olive oil.

Topical. Castor oil packs. Chamomile, Catnep, or Linseed poultices. In France, cases of acute appendicitis are treated with Tea Tree oil by abdominal massage as an alternative to surgery; good results reported.

Diet. No solid food taken as long as raised temperature persists. Herb tea and fruit-juice fast.

Remission of fever or after surgery: Slippery Elm gruel. Convalescent stage requires extra protein to make good muscle wastage and loss of weight. Low fibre.

Supplements. Daily. Beta-carotene 300,000iu. Vitamin C 2-3g. Vitamin E 400-800iu. Child: quarter of adult dose.

Acute stage: until the doctor comes. Do not eat or drink, take laxatives or painkillers. Go to bed. Hot water bottle to ease pain. ... appendicitis

A viral infection of the respiratory tract (air passages), typically causing fever, headache, muscle ache, and weakness. Popularly known as “flu”, it is spread by infected droplets from coughs or sneezes. Influenza usually occurs in small outbreaks or every few years in epidemics. There are 3 main types of influenza virus: A, B, and C. A person who has had an attack caused by the type C virus acquires antibodies that provide immunity against type C for life. Infection with a strain of type A or B virus produces immunity to that particular strain. However, type A and B viruses are capable of altering to produce new

strains: type A has been the cause of pandemics in the last century.

Types A and B produce classic flu symptoms; type C causes a mild illness that is indistinguishable from a common cold. The illness usually clears up completely within 7–10 days. Rarely, flu takes a severe form, causing acute pneumonia that may be fatal within a day or 2 even in healthy young adults. Type B infections in children sometimes mimic appendicitis, and they have been implicated in Reye’s syndrome. In the elderly and those with lung or heart disease, influenza may be followed by a bacterial infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Analgesic drugs (painkillers) help to relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. The antiviral drug amantadine may be given if the person is elderly or has another lung condition. Antibiotic drugs may be used to combat secondary bacterial infection.

Flu vaccines, containing killed strains of the types A and B virus currently in circulation, are available, but have only a 60–70 per cent success rate.

Immunity is short-lived, and vaccination (recommended for older people and anyone suffering from respiratory or circulatory disease) must be repeated annually.... influenza

Pain caused by irritation of, or damage to, a nerve. The pain usually occurs in brief bouts and may be severe.Some types of neuralgia are features of a specific disorder. Migraine sufferers commonly experience a form of neuralgia consisting of attacks of intense, radiating pain around the eye. Postherpetic neuralgia is a burning pain that may recur at the site of an attack of herpes zoster (shingles) for months or even years after the illness.

Other types of neuralgia result from disturbance of a particular nerve. In glossopharyngeal neuralgia, intense pain is felt at the back of the tongue and in the throat and ear, all of which are areas supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve. The cause of the pain is generally unknown. The same is true of trigeminal neuralgia, a severe paroxysm of pain affecting one side of the face supplied by the trigeminal nerve.

Neuralgia is sometimes relieved by analgesic drugs (painkillers) such as paracetamol. Glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, and postherpetic neuralgia may respond to treatment with carbamazepine or other anticonvulsant drugs, or to tricyclic antidepressant drugs.... neuralgia

Inflammation of the pancreas, which may be acute or chronic. The main causes of acute pancreatitis are alcohol abuse and gallstones. Less common causes are injury, viral infections, surgery on the biliary system, or certain drugs. Chronic pancreatitis is usually due to alcohol abuse. Rarer causes include hyperlipidaemias, haemochromatosis, and severe acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis leads to permanent damage. Acute pancreatitis is less damaging but there may be recurrences.Symptoms of acute pancreatitis are a sudden attack of severe upper abdominal pain, which may spread to the back, often with nausea and vomiting. Movement often makes the pain worse. The attack usually lasts about 48 hours. Chronic pancreatitis usually has the same symptoms, although the pain may last from a few hours to several days, and attacks become more frequent. If there is no pain, the principal signs may be malabsorption or diabetes mellitus.

Severe acute pancreatitis may lead to hypotension, heart failure, kidney failure, respiratory failure, cysts, and ascites. Chronic pancreatitis may also lead to the development of ascites and cysts, as well as bile duct obstruction and diabetes mellitus.

A diagnosis may be made by blood tests, abdominal X-rays, ultrasound scanning, CT scanning, MRI, or ERCP. Acute pancreatitis is treated with intravenous infusion of fluids and salts and opioid analgesic drugs. In some cases, the gut may be washed out with sterile fluid, or a pancreatectomy may be performed and any gallstones that are present removed. Treatment for the chronic form is with painkillers, insulin, pancreatin, and, in some cases, pancreatectomy.... pancreatitis