Health News and Information

About 15 percent of people with RA develop sicca syndrome, which causes them to have a dry mouth, dry eyes, or both. This syndrome produces inflammation in the tear glands, which in turn causes the eyes to become uncomfortably dry. Eyes that are not being bathed by sufficient quantities of tears can feel itchy or gritty or it may feel as if there ii something in them. Occasionally, the eyelids become red and irritated.
A dry, windy climate or exposure to air conditioning can aggravate the symptoms, as can medications; certain kinds of cold medications, sleep inducing medications, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants can all increase eye dryness. If you are experiencing a problem with dry eyes, you ma) want to review your medications with your doctor. To help reduce the irritation of dry eyes, we also recommend the use of one of the many kind: of eye lubricants, or artificial tears, which are available both over the counter and by prescription.
Any other symptoms involving the eyes, such as pain, redness, or a change of vision, should immediately be brought to the attention of a physician. An ophthalmologist can examine the eyes to rule out the presence of either of the two other conditions that can affect the eyes in RA. These are the rare conditions called scleritis and episcleritis, which may require treatment with topical corticosteroids or occasionally with medications taken by mouth. These serious complications of RA need to be monitored closely by an ophthalmologist.
Dry mouth is another possible consequence of RA and is thought to be caused by inflammation of the salivary glands. Any of the medications mentioned above can exacerbate the problem of dry mouth, too.
For people who have a dry mouth, excellent oral hygiene is crucial because a decrease in saliva can prompt tooth decay. Flossing the teeth and then gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash followed by thorough brushing with a tartar control toothpaste several times a day will help provide protection against decay. Ask your dentist about what products are right for you, and find out from your dentist whether fluoride treatments might be a good idea. It is also important to avoid lozenges and candies that contain sugar. Anyone who has a severe problem with mouth dryness or who experiences recurring swollen salivary glands should ask to be tested for primary Sjogren’s syndrome, a condition that resembles RA.
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The rudimentary biological measure considered fundamental by most clinics successfully applying biological principles in the treatment of arthritis is fasting.

Although fasting is one of the oldest therapeutic methods known to man and has been a dependable curative measure throughout medical history, the present drug-oriented, orthodox medical doctor has little understanding, and even less appreciation, of its remarkable benefits.

Biologically oriented doctors, however, consider fasting to be singularly the most important curative measure in treatment of arthritis. Some of them disagree as to the length of fasting, but all of them, without exception, use fasts in their program of treatments.

Dr. Otto Buchinger, Jr., M.D., of Fasten-Sanatorium am Bombey, Bad Pyrmont, Germany, is perhaps the world s foremost authority on fasting. He has experience with over 50,000 fasts which he and his father, Dr. Otto Buchinger, Sr., directed and supervised at their clinics. At present his sanatorium accepts 85 patients ranging from afflictions of arthritis to high blood pressure; cancer; liver, kidney, and bladder diseases; and practically any other kind of known disease. Of these, 90 per cent are treated by fasts, ranging from one week to 60 days.

Similarly, all Swedish clinics use fasts in their programs. Dr. Lars-Erik Essen, M.D. of the Vita Nova Clinic in Molle, Sweden, is one who takes exception to the long fasting for arthritis. He recommends repeated short fasts—three to five days at a time-followed by a special cleansing diet. The other Swedish clinics—Brandals, Bjorkagarden, Dr. Jern Hamberg’s Alfta Clinic, Kiholms, and others—use fasts of One to six weeks’ duration.

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This lung disorder also goes by the name of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It reduces the lung’s capacity to assimilate oxygen. The ailment is usually associated with smoking, but it can also be caused by prolonged exposure to smog, vapours, dust, or other contaminants in the air of environmental or work conditions.

The expansion and compression of gasses by persons who are professional scuba or commercial divers can also lead to this disorder. If you’re in it just for the sport, don’t worry. You’re probably not diving frequently enough to develop the problem

It’s not an ailment that receives a lot of attention publicly, but it’s a killer. It ranks fifth in the cause of death in the US, and even higher in countries where smoking is even more common.

She got off oxygen in just five days after needing it 24 hours a day for two years. Then just a week later she was out driving around shopping again. Very dramatic yes, but it’s not unique. Most emphysema victims we encounter are not so severely affected, but we’ve heard of many, many cases and virtually all of them have responded exceptionally well.

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