Facts About Civil War Medicine

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Civil War medicine did not keep up with weapon technology of the day. This led to a huge amount of casualties during the war.

The North had a small advantage over the South when it came to medical technology, but only slightly. They were both equally bad.

As a soldier you did not ever want to become sick or wounded. Treatments given by doctors to their patients would more often than note create more problems than they fixed.

There were a lot of bad treatments going around during the Civil War. One in particular was Mercury. This was seen as somewhat of a cure all and it was given to patients for virtually any problem they had. The reason this medicine was bad simply was because it was poisonous to people. It is known to cause brain damage, tooth loss, and digestive problems.

One of the few treatments used during the war that actually helped patients was Chloroform. It was simply an anesthetic that was used to put patients to sleep so that surgeons good do their dirty work without a screaming patient fighting them. Luckily for surgeons and their patients there was enough of it to go around on both sides of the line.

The bone saw was used extremely effective during the war. Amputations were so common that piles of arms and legs would often be simply thrown into a corner when casualties were high. This piece of technology must have been a frightening sight for a wounded solider. Getting wounded during the Civil War usually meant a date with the bone saw. It would usually cost you an arm and a leg.

While amputations were gruesome during the war, surgeons really had no other choice. They had no way of stopping infections that would usually lead to death. Simply cutting off the damaged limb was typically the best way to go.

Three quarters of all surgeries performed in the field were amputations.

Fundamental Advice About Natural Remedies and Medicine

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The immune system can be an extremely effective ally or adversary, sometimes. If we pay attention to what our body has to reveal; we will not continue to consume meals that do not agree with us, use cosmetics that irritate our skin, or whatever is causing our body to react in some way. For those with allergy symptoms, life can be a big problem every day. We often need to take on doing our own researching and data gathering, as doctors simply cannot always find the solutions. I have found that alternative treatment experts are very helpful in sorting out the questions and answers you do not fully recognize. Holistic doctors can do allergy testing with various methods, which often work better than the conventional needle method. The accuracy is quite amazing, then they can offer treatments that are natural at the same time.

When we discuss about Blood and Cancers, it is a very large topic to cover. We offer facts on everything from Adenovirus and , B-cells, to Poisoning and Toxicity to Viral hemorrhagic fever. The Cancer section talks about Bladder Cancer to Skin Cancer and many more. Hypoglycemia is a popular blood sugar problem that responds well to diet management and careful tracking throughout the day. The new research shows many people have what is called “Pre-diabetic” conditions or warning signs due to the high sugar ingestion in our diets. These issues can throw the blood insulin ranges out of balance in our body causing in swings in the blood sugar levels. There are some tests obtainable to find out if you are at risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes, just ask your doctor to help you with this. This can be known as impaired glucose tolerance or IGT and is a precursor to diabetes type 2. IGT is classified by increased than normal blood sugar amounts and insulin resistance.

The term Impaired Glucose Tolerance was altered to Pre-Diabetes recently to emphasize the seriousness and inspire people to get suitable remedy. With early intervention and changes in lifestyle, pre-diabetes can be slowed down, prevented or reversed. Keep in mind that sugar can detrimentally influence the immune system which is our first line of attack to deal with invaders and germs. Surf this site for all the information you may require to make healthy lifestyle choices and stay away from all the sugar. We also offer information about Cancers concerning hazard factors, causes, signs and symptoms, analysis, issues, to integrative treatments and even avoidance. You may also find great tips and information in our Nutrition area for foods, herbs and pills, as well as vitamins and enzymes. Do not forget to browse our Lifestyle segment for more ideas on how to be proactive in looking after your own overall health and wellness.

Ear Infections can be a big problem for young children, but they often go along with hidden problems such as a cold, allergies, or upper respiratory infection. Adults may have these ear infections or earaches as well, but crying about the pain and stress is not usually an alternative! You can find lots of information about frequent symptoms, treatment and prevention in this section. We also have sources to inform yourself about Eye Conditions that you may be dealing with. Everything from Cataracts, Glaucoma, Retinopathy, and Retinoblastoma. Pinkeye could be a common youth problem that is very contagious; but adults suffer as well. Since pinkeye can be caused by an allergic response, contact to irritants or chemicals as well as infection; adults are just as very likely to encounter it. When we talk about issues in the Sinuses category, we run into a big one for many adults; Sinusitis. Some adults go through this as pressure around the eyes and cheekbones or even head pain resulting from difficulty in respiration. The many symptoms include: thick sinus drainage, plugged-up nose, cough, continual exhaustion, swollen eyelids, and even neck pain. Some natural remedies have been useful in reducing inflammation such as Bromelain supplements and nasal irrigation.

You can find many pages of helpful data for how to protect or treat issues with the eyes, ears, nasal area and throat in this section. Our data is evidence-based from certified and accredited providers who practice Holistic medicine. All natural medicine treats the whole person; body, mind and spirit. A growing number of people are turning to holistic or integrative remedies; using alternative medicine treatments such as therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and natural remedies.

Find out if natural remedies can work for you. Consult with a physician prior to using any natural medicine to ensure safety and overall wellness to your health.

The Natural Path to Preventative Medicine

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The prohibitive costs associated with health and medical care are one of the main causes of the health care crisis we are experiencing today. Fewer people are able to afford something as basic as a visit to the doctor for a routine checkup, much less a more serious visit that might result in being admitted to the hospital for a length of time. Many Prescription medications are so expensive that elderly patients are forced to ration them and at times even choose which ones they need the most when they cannot afford to pay for everything that is prescribed. This catch-22 creates a boomerang effect that lowers recovery moral and often depletes wellness optimism that is needed for recovery and symptom management.

As I tried to find a way out of this dilemma; for my own good as well as the good of my family, a friend suggested that I acknowledge I was on the traditional heath treadmill and explore other healing avenues. He suggested I check out the DVD series offered by The Center for Healing Arts. Facilitated by healing arts experts who are carefully chosen for their knowledge and experience in their chosen field of study, this DVD series offers you an in-depth look into the world of holistic medicine and helps you unravel its many mysteries.

Preventative Medicine to the Rescue

Over the past 20 years or so, the idea of preventative medicine has gained momentum among people who are -sick and tired of being sick and tired-. The concept makes perfect sense if you think about it – take proper care of yourself before you get sick. If you take steps to prevent illness, your body is much less likely to be susceptible to whatever communicable disease happens to be going around the office at any given time. The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure has found new relevance in today’s economy.

Prevention Takes Action

Preventative medicine can be as simple as increasing your activity level by walking a few times a week or as in-depth as joining a gym. Here are a few other tips that can go a long way toward preventing poor health:

Stop smoking – No excuses; everybody knows it’s bad for health and that it can lead to cancer, heart and lung disease. Smoking affects more than just the person who smokes; it also affects those around you so think about your family, friends and co-workers when you are debating whether to give it up or not.

Cut the Sugar – According to The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates, the average American consumes about 20 teaspoons of sugar every day. Most people take in much of that sugar without even realizing it. If you are one of those who are shaking their heads in doubt, allow me to point out that can of soda on your desk – it contains about 9 teaspoons of sugar in just 12 ounces.

Eat More Color -Have you ever noticed that most comfort foods are brown? One simple way to help your body help itself is by consuming more fruits and vegetables – preferably in their raw state whenever possible. Nature has provided these gems of good health and filled them full of vitamins and nutrients, especially when they aren’t overcooked, over salted or over sweetened.

Wash your hands – It sounds like common sense because it is. We were all raised to wash our hands before meals and after using the restroom and this simple action alone can curb the spread of the viruses that cause colds and flu.

The Bottom Line

Preventative medicine means learning how what you are doing now can affect your health later. Holistic therapy embraces this idea to the fullest. Holism is based on the concept that mind, body and spirit should all work together harmoniously, that when one of the three are out of balance, the whole being suffers. The many therapies that fall under the heading of holism can be confusing to a beginner, but by learning more about these powerful health care practices it is possible to learn to take better care of your whole self before you find yourself in a health crisis.

Medicines And Drugs Used In Amoebiasis

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Amoebiasis is a worldwide disease, particularly common in tropical countries and places where public hygiene and sanitation are poor. Amoebic infection is caused by an organism, Entamoeba histolytica (EH) which usually spreads through contaminated food and water. Since the causative organism of amoebiasis derives its nutrition from the normal bacterial flora of the large intestine, the latter is the chief site of infection. However, in some cases it may spread to other organs of the body, liver being the most susceptible to infection. Based on the site of the infection, the disease has been divided into intestinal and extra-intestinal amoebiasis.

Intestinal Amoebic Infection: During the acute phase of intestinal amoebiasis the patient may have loose motions, with or without mucus and blood, besides griping pain in the abdomen which may be severe at the time of evacuation. In chronic amoebiasis, a patient may complain of a dull pain in the lower abdomen, alternate constipation and diarrhoea, foul smell in the stools, formation of gases, and loss of appetite. Some people with amoebic infection may remain symptom-free or experience little discomfort but they may pass cysts in their stools (free cyst passers) and are potential carriers of the disease which spread it to others.

Extra-intestinal Infection: This amoebiasis infection is usually associated with a previous history of intestinal amoebiasis. When the liver is involved, the patient ‘may have pain in the right upper abdomen, fever, sweating, loss of weight, and anaemia.

Importance of Diet: Successful treatment of amoebiasis depends both on drugs and on proper diet and good hygiene. For quick recovery it is best to eat a protein-rich, low-roughage and lowcarbohydrate diet. Use of clean drinking water and avoidance of contamination are important.

Drugs for Intestinal Amoebiasis

The drugs used in treating amoebiasis can be divided into three categories according to their effectiveness.

Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogyl, Unimezol)

This is a drug of choice in all forms of amoebiasis except in asymptomatic cyst carriers. Since most of it is absorbed in the intestines, another drug which acts in intestinal amoebiasis should be used along with it to avoid relapse and to eradicate the disease. It is given in a dose of 400 to 800 mg, 3 times a day, for 10 days.

Adverse Effects: The incidence of adverse effects is low and include nausea, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth, a furry tongue, ulcers in the mouth, loss of appetite, distress, and pain in the abdomen. Sometimes it may affect nerves and may, in rare cases, cause convulsions. Depression of the bone marrow may lead to a short lasting fall in white blood cell count. A relapse can occur if the full course is not taken.

Precautions

Alcohol consumption should be avoided with this drug as it causes a severe reaction leading to vomiting and flushing. Also avoid its use during initial months of pregnancy.

Those suffering from epilepsy or any other nervous system disorder should avoid it.

It depresses the bone marrow. White blood cell count must be monitored by those taking the drug repeatedly.

The Origins Of Alternative Medicine

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The origins of alternative medicine, also known as holistic medicine, can be traced back thousands of years to the very roots of medicine. Many millennia ago, physicians or healers would assess the sick persons emotional condition in addition to their physical symptoms before beginning treatment. The roots of alternative medicine deal with the symptoms of the whole person, not merely the physical signs of illness. This is radically different from traditional medicine today.

In medicine today, people demand to be cured immediately, and the demand for medicines and treatments that do so is very high. Most physicians today are trained to assess physical symptoms and base treatments on that, without much consideration of the persons emotional or intellectual state.

Since its inception, alternative medicine has survived the ages and stages of the field of medicine. Despite the prevalence of modern medical practices, there are still millions of people worldwide that take advantage of alternative treatments for ailments or well-being. Some of these alternative treatments include massage therapy, herbal remedies, and meditation. Massage is one of the most long-standing forms of alternative treatment, and it is highly popular today as a treatment for aches and pains, and as a means of stress release and relaxation. Most people probably dont even think about massage as a type of alternative medicine.

Through the ages, every society has used their own forms of alternative medicines and treatments. There is over 5000 years of history and many types of treatments that were used far and wide, and many traditional medical treatments can even find their roots in alternative medicine from long ago.

Long ago in Europe, medical issues were treated by one of two types of healers, the physicians or the folk healers. The folk healers appealed to the poorer factions of society, in that they used natural treatments that were more affordable and easier to come by. Folk healers were often highly respected in these underprivileged sections of society. Folk healers often incorporated philosophy and religious faith into their healing practices, which helped to strengthen a sick persons mind and spirit, as well as his body.

Eventually, folk medicine evolved into the traditional medicine we are familiar with in todays world. With each passing century, many great advances have been made in treatments and cures for various diseases and conditions.

Despite the dominance of traditional medicine in the world today, there is still a place for alternative medicine. It is alive and well, and used by many people around the world through massage therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, meditation, and many other forms of alternative treatments. Many physicians now support many of these treatments, making them less alternative.

The origins of alternative medicine were very forward thinking. Alternative medicine has survived through the millennia because it has real validity, despite a great deal of ridicule through the ages. Though they do not have the immediate effect that many drugs and treatments of traditional medicine, they are a feasible option for a person to consider.