Premenstrual Syndrome

Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a term used to describe a varied group of physical and psychological symptoms that occurs few days or week before the menstruation or any time after ovulation and disappear almost as soon as menstrual flow starts or shortly thereafter.

Sometimes the symptoms are so severe that they interfere with their day-to-day lives. This type of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

Premenstrual syndrome involves a combination of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms. PMS is a complex health concern. Up to 70-80% of women experience some symptoms of PMS during their childbearing years.

ETIOLOGY OF PMS:

Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is not known, but several factors may contribute to the condition. It is often linked with genetic factors because twins often suffer with it.

Current theory suggests that central nervous system neurotransmitter's interaction with sex hormones may be responsible for PMS. It is also linked with activity of serotonin. Research points to the changes that occur in hormone levels before menstruation begins; when the ovaries are working to make both estrogen and progesterone. Women who do not ovulate do not have PMS. It is believed that change in progesterone level is responsible for woman’s mood, behavior, and physical changes during the luteal phase (or second half) of the menstrual cycle.

All women have both female and male hormones within the natural balance of the body. However, increased levels of male hormones as well as increased levels of prolactin can result in a delayed ovulation and low levels of progesterone, leading to PMS. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause.

Low levels of serotonin, an important chemical produced by the brain, may in fact be the major cause of PMS responses. Serotonin helps to regulate sleep cycles and carbohydrate metabolism and influences the regulation of estrogen and progesterone. There is a theory that the common PMS response of increased appetite with cravings for carbohydrates may be caused by low serotonin levels. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to other symptoms of PMS, such as depression, fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.

According to another theory PMS involves inflammatory substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in the breast, brain, reproductive tract, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract where PMS symptoms originate; which is responsible to problems such as cramping, breast tenderness, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

Another theory explaining PMS also linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances.

Endorphin levels drop during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle; which may lead to nausea, jumpiness, and various types of pain in some women. Normal levels of this hormone lead to cheerful, happy moods and also make people less sensitive to pain.

However, it may be related to social, cultural, biological, and psychological factors.

SYMPTOMS OF PMS:

There are a number of symptoms that comes under this heading, the exact symptoms and severity may vary in different cases and with every menstrual period. The most common symptoms include:

Mood swings
Anxiety and stress
Irritability
Dizziness
Breast tenderness and swelling
Acne
Abdominal Bloating
Tiredness/ fatigue
Sex drive changes, loss of sex drive or disinterest in sex
Lack of control or impulsivity
Feel temporarily antisocial, avoiding friends and rejecting invitations
Low self-esteem, tend to have negative, sad thoughts and experience a transitory lack of enthusiasm and energy
Stiff neck
Headaches/migraines
Depression
Crying Spells
Sadness, feelings of "fogginess"
Difficulty concentrating
Indecisiveness
Forgetfulness
Weight gain from Water retention
Appetite changes and food cravings for carbohydrates and sweets
Insomnia or difficulty in falling asleep
Muscular and joint pain
Unable to concentrate
Mild fever
Social withdrawal
Allergic and infection problem may worse
Irregular heart beats, palpitations
Chest pains
Swelling of ankles, feet, and hands
Backache
Abdominal pain
Recurrent cold sores
Nausea
Constipation or diarrhea
Decreased coordination
Less tolerance for noises and lights
Painful menstruation
Confusion
Poor judgment
hostility, or aggressive behavior
Increased guilt feelings
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Decreased self-image
Paranoia or increased fears
Low self-esteem
Although the list of potential signs and symptoms is long, most women with premenstrual syndrome experience only a few of these problems.

DIAGNOSIS OF PMS:

There is no special test to point out PMS. The following may help in making the diagnosis:

Complete history of the patient
Physical examination
Psychiatric evaluation in some cases
Mineral Analysis Test
Blood tests to rule out other illnesses

FEW TIPS FOR PREVENTION OF PMS:
You can manage the PMS symptoms or sometimes changes in the regular diet and lifestyle may reduce the symptoms. This plan is usually recommended first.

DIET

o Eat a well-balanced diet with increased whole grains, vegetables, fruit,

o Eat smaller, more frequent meals each day to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness. It may help you to keep blood sugar at a steady level and reduce cravings.

o Avoid candy, sodas, and sugary foods during the week before your period which helps to decrease bloating and swelling.

o Limit salt and salty foods to reduce bloating and fluid retention.

o Limit caffeine it can make breast tenderness worse and increase headaches.

o Avoiding caffeine, sugar, nicotine, and alcohol eases irritability and improves sleep patterns.

o Take the foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains

o Take diet rich in of vitamins and minerals

o Choose foods rich in calcium

EXERCISE

o Keeping a consistent exercise program may also improve your well-being throughout the menstrual cycle.

o Regular daily exercise like brisk walking, cycling and swimming can help to improve overall health and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and a depressed mood.

o Regular aerobic exercise also reduces stress and promotes regular sleep patterns. Regular aerobic exercise is beneficial and may reduce PMS responses because it increases production of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), which in turn may raise the serotonin level.

o Physical exercise increases sympathetic tone, a condition that lowers heart rate and reduces anxiety sensations.

REDUCE STRESS

o Get plenty of sleep. The body may have different sleep requirements at different times during a woman's menstrual cycle, so it is important to get adequate rest.

o Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety and trouble sleeping or insomnia.

o Yoga may help.

Keep a record to identify the triggers and timing of your symptoms. This will allow you to intervene with strategies that may help to lessen them.

A warm bath, listening to music, massage therapy may help.

Homeopathy for Travel Sickness

Its summer time and I bet everyone must have planned to visit different places.Some get scared to travel because of the squeaky feeling and butterflies they get during travel,spoiling the vacation mood.Now you need not have to worry about,just keep some homeopathic medicines handy in your purse.
Many people get sickness when travelling by car,boat or plane.There are probably two factors which may be responsible for this particularly disagreeable form of malaise.One is oxygen-lack resulting from lack of fresh air in the closed car,cabin,or railway compartment,possibly associated with pollution of the atmosphere by fumes.The other factor is the adverse effect on the organ of equilibrium in the ear of unusual motion.This tends to produce giddiness,headache,nausea and other symptoms.

Some Home Remedies for Travel Sickness:
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita) tea, sipped frequently, may also help; add a little ginger to it for extra benefit.
• Cover you nose from any kind of odor that may cause this nauseating feeling. It can be engines fume, smell of dead fish or even the odor coming from the person sitting next to you.
• Try traveling at night as you may avoid the motion of vehicles.
• Get fresh air by opening the window of your car. Get down from the bus when it stops. Reach the deck and smell the ocean or sea when you are on a boat or a ship. Turn on the vent when in plane.
• While traveling avoid drinking too much alcohol as it makes your head twirl. If you are planning to drink, have it in less quantity.
• Sleep well before you travel lack of sleep makes you tired and gives one more reason to suffer from motion sickness.
• Be seated and keep your head still this would help in alleviating the motion problem.
• If in a car sit in the front seat and focus on the road helping you to have a proper balance of your body and eye.
• Motion sickness is partially psychological so try to be more positive when you are traveling. Be stress-free and think of things which can make you happy.
• Avoid reading as it is one of the major causes for motion sickness no matter which mode of transport it is.
• Look at something stationery as it helps to keep the balance.
• Avoid eating too much before you travel as it increases your chances of triggering a motion sickness.
• You can try sucking on crystallized ginger candy or make ginger tea by pouring hot boiling water over chopped ginger and also add brown sugar to it.
• Ginger works great against motion sickness as it absorbs acids and blocks the nausea in your gastrointestinal tract.
• Eating couple of olives on the first suggestion of nausea would surely help. As olive contains tannins to make your mouth dry and it does not trickle into your stomach which can make you nauseated.
• You can also suck of lemon to prevent this problem.

There are several remedies which,used homeopathically,have proved of value.
Borax: with its fear of downward motion,should be of value in air travel.
Cocculus: nausea associated with loathing, or even thought,of food,increased at sight or smell of food; inclination to vomit is accompanied by copious salivation,giddiness and unsteady gait,feels better on lying down.

Nux Vomica: horrible queasy nausea,associated with splitting headache,often at back and loathing for food,tobacco,coffee,bloated feeling,much gagging,retching and rather ineffectual vomiting,wants warmth.

Petroleum: persistent nausea with accumulation of water in mouth,pain in stomach with feeling of great emptiness and relief if something can be eaten,vomiting and giddiness which is worse from light or noise or on attempting to sit up.Severe pain at back of head with stiffness of neck muscles.

Rhustox: especially of value in air sickness,nausea and vomiting accompanied by complete loss of appetite,extreme giddiness on attempting to rise,several frontal headache with unquenchable thirst.

Tabacum: Nausea,giddiness,death like pallor,vomiting,icy coldness,sweats, utter prostration,terrible faint sinking feeling, worse by smell of tobacco smoke.

Enjoy your Vacation!
NOTE: Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homoeopath and take the treatment under his /her proper guidance and advice.

Seasonal Allergies and Homeopathy

Hay fever? Itchy eyes, runny nose, rashes? It must be Spring!
Homeopathy is a practice that involves giving you, the patient, minute doses of treatments that produce the same symptoms as the ones that you are trying to relieve. Doing so helps to stimulate your body's own natural immune system to help fight off the allergy and resulting symptoms.


Did you know that homeopathic remedies are a prominent choice for allergy sufferers? They are effective for all ages without negative side effects. Homeopathic medicines for allergies are targeted to specific concerns, from pollen to pet dander, and they address underlying causes of symptoms. Nasal & throat sprays, fast dissolving tablets, and eye drops are all effective. They work by exposing the body to a highly-diluted dose of an allergen, which helps the immune system recognize the substance as harmless. There are many homeopathic medicines used different types of allergies.Lets understand in short what allergy is and what Homeopathy has instore for all the possible allergies.

What is an allergy?
An allergy is a catch-all word for a wide variety of reactions to substances that the body determines to be foreign. Anything that it does not recognize as itself can be considered an allergen. When the body encounters a foreign substance, it reacts by making antibodies or releasing certain chemicals called histamines. When histamines and other substances are released into the system, they cause an inflammatory reaction we call an allergy.

Symptoms commonly produced include itching and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, sneezing, respiratory symptoms, headache, skin reactions and rapid heart beat. Other symptoms may include fatigue, intestinal gas or pain, abdominal bloating and mood changes.

Natural environmental substances: Mold, spores, pollen from trees, flowers and grasses, dust (actually dust mites), animal hairs and insects are common substances that normally produce upper respiratory symptoms (allergies ) in sensitive individuals. These allergy producing substances may cause itching, redness and fluid (water & mucous) may affect the eyes, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

Foods: Any food may be an allergen. The most common are wheat, milk, eggs, com, yeast coffee and chocolate. These may affect most body systems, with the gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory and skin areas affected the most when allergies occur.

Chemicals: Both environmental chemicals and food additives can cause allergy reactions, such as pesticides, chemical sprays, hydrocarbons, and hundreds of others. Tobacco also contains many allergens

Other factors that may lead to allergies

Eating habits during the first year of life may impact a baby's allergy sensitivities.
* Feeding babies solid food too early
* Lack of breast feeding
* Gluten allergies from too early of feeding grains such as corn, wheat and oats

Poor digestion increases allergies.
* Improper chewing
* Poor hydrochloric acid in the stomach
* Lack of pancreatic enzymes and bile
* Excessive fluid intake around meals

The presence of parasites, worms, candida albicans, and other bacteria may increase allergies.
Stress
* Emotional & mental anxiety and fatigue all increase the susceptibility to allergies.
* Menstrual stress (hormone changes) also seem to increase allergic reactions.

Environmental Toxicity
* Food additives, certain food colors, sulfates, MSG, etc., may contribute to allergies.

Low nutritional levels
* Particularly Vitamins C, A, and E, and many minerals help reduce allergies.

Excess or repeated contact with particular foods and substances
* Eating the same food over and over again may indicate the presence of an allergy.
* Eating foods that are "craved" - these may be the ones that cause the most allergies.


What to eat to eliminate some allergies

Lots of water
Fruit juices, except citrus
All vegetables except corn & tomatoes
Brown or white rice
Turkey
White Fish: halibut, sole, swordfish (no shellfish)
Almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds


Nutritional help for allergies

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, Vitamins A & E, and Zinc
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
Enzymes
Intestinal detoxification: good colon cleansing products that contain high fiber
Garlic, as fresh as possible
Cayenne pepper


Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies:-

Sanquinaria Canadesis (Blood Root) 6X Blood root can be helpful in treating allergy symptoms as chronic runny nose, headache, facial pain, coughing, or a dry throat.

Sabadilla (cevadilla seed) 6X. Sabadilla seed is excellent or sneezing, dry nose, red eyes, pressure, dry coughs, and a sore throat.

Euphrasia (eyebright) 6XThis homeopathic remedy is a great treatment for the symptoms of a watery nasal discharge and watering eyes. Patients who experience their most severe symptoms while lying down, in the morning, or while they are outside in the air will be aided the most by this remedy.

Selenium. Selenium helps to stimulate the immune system responds and protect cellular membranes.

Green Tea Extract. Green tea is helpful in fighting off the allergy symptoms.

Histaminum. Histaminum is usually given in small amounts to help the body fight off the allergies and the associated symptoms.

Thuja occidentatis (Arbor Vitae) 6X.Arbor vitae is helpful in treating a green nasal discharge, headache, runny nose, and sinusitis that is associated with allergies.


NOTE: Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homoeopath and take the treatment under his /her proper guidance and advice.

Dr. Oz recommending homeopathy for treating headaches in O Magazine

In the November 2009 issue of O (The Oprah Magazine), Dr. Oz analyses four approaches for treating headaches: Neurology, Acupuncture, Nutrition and HOMEOPATHY! Dana Ullman is quoted in the section on homeopathy-Dana has been very active promoting homeopathy in the US media, Huffington Post Online as well.

Under MY RECOMMENDATION Dr. Oz says: “Acupuncture and homeopathy are worth considering as adjunct therapies once you are sure that the headache is not a sign of serious disorder.”

YAY!!

TOP TEN REASONS TO USE HOMEOPATHY

“Spirit is the life.
Mind is the builder.
Physical is the result.”
–Edgar Cayce

1. NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS
A special preparation process called potentization refines the medicines to remove any toxic side-effects. It is safe for babies and during pregnancy and menopause. However it is advised to be under the care of a qualified homeopathic practitioner if you are pregnant.

2. GENTLE
Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own natural defense mechanism to heal itself. Although gentle the results may be powerful and long lasting.

3. HOLISTIC
Homeopathy takes into account the whole person. Often only one remedy may address all your complaints.

4. INEXPENSIVE
Homeopathic medicines cost surprisingly less than allopathic prescription medication. The homeopathic medicines are intended to boost the immune system, making you stronger and less likely to get sick.

5. PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT
By boosting the body’s immune system, homeopathy can help improve a person’s resistance to illness and infections.

6. NO ANIMAL TESTING*
Humans respond differently to medication than animals do. All homeopathic medication is tested on healthy humans. The symptoms that a substance taken over time elicits in a healthy person, are shown to be exactly those that can be cured in a sick person suffering from those symptoms.

7. EASY TO TAKE
Homeopathic medicines are given either as small pleasant tasting tablets which dissolve in the mouth, or in liquid form. Granules, powders or drops are available for babies and children.

8. PATIENT INVOLVEMENT
The homeopath will ask many questions, not only about the symptoms which are bothering an individual, but how they react to the condition, as well as wanting to know about general health and lifestyle.

9. INVALUABLE FOR FIRST AID
Homeopathic medicines can be safely used in the home or workplace to treat simple problems-such as bruises, minor burns, sprains, insect bites and gastric upsets. However more serious or chronic complaints should be treated by a qualified practitioner.

10. THE MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE
With over 6000 homeopathic medicines in existence and new homeopathic medicines being discovered all the time, Homeopathy is a growing art. However unlike allopathic medicine that takes drugs off the market every year as new side-effects are discovered, homeopaths still use the same medicines they were using 200 years ago with new medicines to broaden their scope. Scientists are only now discovering breakthroughs in quantum physics that helps us to develop a deeper understanding of homeopathy, as it was used 200 years ago.

Osteoporosis and Homeopathy

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones. It means you have bones that are thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge. This makes them easy to break. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones (fractures) in the hip, spine, and wrist. These fractures can be disabling and may make it hard for you to live on your own.

Osteoporosis affects millions of older adults. It usually strikes after age 60. It’s most common in women, but men can get it too.

Osteoporosis is caused by a lack of bone strength or bone density. As you age, your bones get thinner naturally. But some things can make you more likely to have the severe bone thinning of osteoporosis. These things are called risk factors. Some risk factors you can change. Others you can't change.

Risk factors you can't change include:

Your age. Your risk for osteoporosis goes up as you get older.
Being a woman who has gone through menopause. After menopause, the body makes less estrogen. Estrogen protects the body from bone loss.
Your family background. Osteoporosis tends to run in families.
Having a slender body frame.
Your race. People of European and Asian background are most likely to get osteoporosis.

Risk factors you can change include:
Smoking.
Not getting enough exercise.
Drinking too much alcohol.
Not getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus in the things you eat or from supplements.
Osteoporosis can be very far along before you notice it. Sometimes the first sign is a broken bone in your hip, spine, or wrist after a bump or fall.

As the disease gets worse, you may have other signs, such as pain in your back. You might notice that you are not as tall as you used to be and that you have a curved backbone
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may also have a test that measures your bone thickness (bone density test) and your risk for a fracture.

If the test finds that your bone thickness is less than normal but is not osteoporosis, you may have osteopenia, a less severe type of bone thinning.

What Homeopathy has for Osteoporosis.
Calcarea carbonica: This remedy is often helpful to individuals who are easily tired by exertion and tend to feel anxious and overwhelmed from work or stress. The person may be chilly, flabby or overweight, and feel worse from cold and dampness. Back pain, swollen joints, and a sweaty head at night are often seen. People who need this remedy often have strong cravings for both eggs and sweets.

Calcarea phosphorica: Stiffness, soreness, and weakness of the bones and joints often are experienced by those who need this remedy. Aching in the bones of the neck, upper back, and hips can be distressing. Deep tiredness frequently is felt, especially after exercise. Calcium deposits and bone-spurs may develop, even while general bone-loss is taking place, and fractures may be slow to heal. A feeling of dissatisfaction and a strong desire for travel or a change of circumstances are often seen in people who need Calcarea phosphorica.

Phosphorus: This remedy is often helpful to people who are sensitive, suggestible, imaginative, but easily tired or weakened physically. Bones may be less strong than normal, or be slow to heal after fractures. Weakness is often felt in the spine, with burning pain between the shoulder blades. People who need this remedy are often tall and thin with an easily-flushing face. A desire for refreshing foods (especially ice cream) and strong thirst for cold or carbonated drinks are other indications for Phosphorus.

Silicea (also called Silica): People who need this remedy are often nervous, easily tired, very chilly, and tend to sweat at night. They have a refined or delicate appearance, and often have weakness in the spine. Their injuries are slow to heal, and they tend to have a low resistance to infection. Moderate exercise often warms the person up and improves energy.

Symphytum: When osteoporosis is a problem, fractures often occur from mild trauma. This remedy can be useful for strengthening and healing bones when new fractures occur, and also helpful when pain persists in old, healed fractures.