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Aloe vera is a beautiful plant that graces many bathroom vanity tops, and its skin-soothing benefits make it a popular addition to the body creams and lotions found in virtually every bathroom cabinet. But aloe vera's countless attributes have earned this powerful plant the right to bust out of the bath.
The aloe vera plant is said to have originated in Africa, where there are several names for it. In North America, aloe vera is also called "medicine plant", "lily of the desert", and the "plant of immortality". The bitter liquid found within the leaves of the plant lead some to believe that the world "aloe" is likely derived from the Arabic term "alloeh", meaning "bitter".
There are five hundred known species of aloe vera grown in climates around the world. The plant has been used for centuries, and can be traced to ancient Greek, Spanish, and Arabian cultures. African hunters still use the gel contained in aloe vera leaves to reduce perspiration and enhance body scent.
The gel and latex are the two main products derived from aloe vera plants. Within the leaves of the aloe plant is the leaf pulp. A thin, clear jelly-like substance is extracted from the parenchymal tissues that make up the inner parts of the aloe leaf. The gel is composed of several organic and inorganic compounds including carbohydrate polymers, glucomannans and peptic acid. The latex taken from aloe vera is commonly known as the "aloe juice", a bitter yellow substance that comes from the pericyclic tubules found just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. Aloe vera consumers readily use both latex and gel.
Since ancient times, aloe vera has been highly respected for its many medicinal benefits. Researchers have shown that the clear gel held within the leaves has the capability to heal wounds, ulcers, and serious burns. A thin amount applied to the affected area can create a protective coating and increase the rate of healing. Many people create soothing sunburn and skin irritation remedies by removing the thin outer skin of the leaves and processing the pulp in a blender. Add 500 units of vitamin C to the mixture and keep it stored in the refrigerator.
Given all of the health benefits of aloe vera, it's surprising that ninety-six percent of the plant is composed of water. The remaining four percent is a goldmine of active ingredients including amino acids, minerals, essential oils, enzymes, vitamins and glycoproteins. Since the 1930s, contemporary doctors have used aloe vera to treat wounds, burns and ulcers. Many medicinal lotions, ointments and tonics include aloe juice combined with other herbs and plant derivatives. Aloe vera juice is also used to calm peptic ulcers, colitis and other digestive tract irritations.
Aloe vera has a place in the kitchen as well. Extract is taken as a food supplement to facilitate digestion, help with gall bladder and kidney function, and aid in blood and lymphatic circulation.
Soothing relief, powerful healing properties and lasting beauty. With so many benefits, the ancient aloe vera just might be nature's perfect plant. |
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome # Is Surgery Really Necessary? |
Carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently defined as a condition involving numbness, weakness, tingling, pain and/or muscle wasting of the hand along the distribution of the median nerve. This relates to the thenar or thumb-side of the hand.
Although surgery is often recommended as the choice of treatment, it is the most invasive form of treatment and is not the only treatment available. To better understand this, one needs to better understand the different causes of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The carpal tunnel is made of two rows of four bones, called carpal bones, which sit in a semi-circle at the back of the wrist. This forms one side of the tunnel. The opposite side of the tunnel is formed by a strong ligament, the flexor retinaculum, which completes the carpal tunnel.
Through this tunnel pass a number of crucial structures, including the tendons that bend the fingers, and the median nerve. With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, this nerve gets squeezed and compressed. The result is a decrease in its conductivity, meaning the nerve does not function as it should.
The palm of the hand, complete with the thumb, first three and a half fingers, and also the backs of the same fingertips are all supplied by the median nerve. The rest of the hand is covered by the ulnar nerve. Therefore Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause symptoms only in the thumb-side of the hand. Any symptoms on the other side are NOT Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually done by EMG (electromyelogram) which measures the conductivity of nerves. If the median nerve is compressed (as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) then this will show up on the EMG test.
The EMG is done by putting a probe on the nerve in the forearm and again in the hand. A small current is then passed between the two of them to see how good the conduction is. A decrease in conduction means Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
The treatment most commonly recommended is the surgical cutting of the flexor retinaculum so as to provide more room for the nerve in the tunnel. This often works very well # but it is by no means the only solution.
So what causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? The first common cause is a deterioration of the joints between the carpal bones. This causes the tunnel to collapse and, in turn, compresses the median nerve. The second cause is a swelling of the tendons. The enlarged tendons take up more space, and so put pressure on the nerve.
Unfortunately, an EMG cannot tell you which of these two causes is the problem. And that, in turn, can result in unnecessary surgery.
If the problem is arising from tendonitis, I believe it is much better to treat the tendonitis. The way tendonitis occurs is from having too much strain or tension placed on the tendon for too long of a time.
Too much repetitive use of the muscles in the forearm cause them to tighten up. This then makes the tendons tight too, and that can cause them to become inflamed and swollen # a all too common cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
If the symptoms are due to tendonitis in the wrist flexor tendons, the treatment may include stretching, the use of physiotherapy modalities, nutritional support, ergonomics, soft tissue manipulation, and/or adjusting the arm and wrist. These protocols are much less invasive and may have fewer side-effects than surgery.
This does not mean that surgery is not a viable option. My preferred method, of course, is to begin with the least invasive form of therapy. If these options do not bring relief of symptoms, then surgery can be looked at.
##Tired of suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome? Check out other articles by Dr. Steven Trembecki, D.C. on this and other chiropractor treatments. Get your own completely unique version of this article at http://www.uberarticles.com/articles/?id=831 |
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Better Vision Through LASIK Eye Surgery |
For people suffering from common vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, there is a fast, effective and virtually pain-free method of eye correction available.
Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, more commonly known as LASIK eye surgery, is today's most common type of laser vision correction procedure. It is an extremely effective outpatient procedure that can be used to treat low, moderate, and higher prescription eyesight problems.
Before undergoing LASIK vision correction, you'll need to make some necessary preparations for the procedure. What you should expect before, during and after the surgery will depend to a large extent on your doctor, but the following points will help you to prepare:
Before Surgery
* The first step to preparing for LASIK surgery is making sure that it's actually the right procedure for you. Ask your doctor to answer all of your questions, and give serious consideration to any doubts. Before signing any waiver, your eye doctor should conduct a full evaluation to ensure that you're a good candidate for LASIK vision correction.
* If you normally wear contact lenses, you'll need to take them out at least two weeks before your scheduled LASIK procedure. For the surgery to be successful your cornea must be in its natural shape, and contact lenses can actually change the shape of the cornea. Therefore, you should remove your contacts and wear glasses for two to four weeks before surgery. This will allow your cornea to return to normal. If the cornea is not in its natural shape, consequences might include inaccurate measurements and a poor surgical plan, ultimately resulting in poor vision after surgery.
* Your doctor will take measurements of your eye to determine how much corneal tissue to remove. These measurements may need to be repeated at least a week after your initial evaluation, and once again before your LASIK vision surgery. This series of measurements is required to be sure that the numbers haven't changed, particularly if you wear RGP or hard lenses.
During Surgery
* While your LASIK vision correction procedure is underway, you'll be asked to lie down in a reclining chair.
* Your eye doctor will perform the surgery using a few instruments including the laser. The entire process will take less than an hour.
* When surgery is complete, the doctor will place a shield over the eye. This will help your eye to heal, and will keep foreign elements away from the surgery area.
After Surgery
* You may feel some discomfort for a few days following the procedure. It's important that you refrain from rubbing your eye, as this could dislodge the flap covering the cornea.
* Any discomfort should improve after a few days. If you experience severe pain, however, you should contact your doctor immediately.
* Make an appointment to see your doctor within 24 to 48 hours after your LASIK vision correction. He or she will remove the eye shield, test your vision and examine the eye.
* Your doctor may prescribe medicated drops to prevent infection, and artificial tears to lubricate the eye.
* Do not wear contact lenses, even if your vision is hazy.
If you suffer from astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia, you can achieve better vision through LASIK eye surgery. Talk to your eye doctor to see if this type of procedure can be your best choice. |
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