* Protect your hands from prolonged soaking in water.

* Trim nails regularly with a good pair of nail clippers.

* Use a cuticle stick to push cuticles down or use the thumbnail of the opposite hand.

* Nail polish remover can make nails weak and brittle, but if you use nail polishes and polish removers with added calcium and other vitamins, you can make your nails healthier.

Nail Disorders

Paronychia
A paronychia is an infection of the skin bordering a nail. The infection occurs in either the cuticle at the base of the nail, or the fold at the side of the nail. It seems to appear more in people whose hands spend a lot of time in water. Bacteria or fungi may cause the infection. Bacteria usually causes acute infections while fungi particularly Candida, is usually responsible for chronic infections. These infections tend to develop slowly and are less painful.

Symptoms
In acute paronychia, your cuticle or nail fold becomes red, swollen and quite painful. The swollen cuticle may lift away from the base of your nail, and by pressing on it you can release some of the pus that has built up. It will be painful, but if you squeeze it rather hard, the infection will be released and you will be free of the pain. When a blister of pus forms on the nail fold it is called a whitlow.

Chronic infections produce similar symptoms but are less painful. Often the skin around several nails will be affected. The cuticles become damaged and can no longer protect the nail roots. The result is deformed or discolored nails. On occasion the nails themselves are attacked by the fungi and become thick, white in color and gritty.

Treatment
Wear rubber gloves with a dusting of talcum powder whenever your hands are immersed in water. If you think you have an acute bacterial infection, go to your physician right away before the infection gets worse. You may need to take a treatment of antibiotics to clear up the problem. If pus has accumulated, the doctor may puncture the blister to allow pus to drain and relieve pain. If the infection is chronic, your doctor may have to prescribe an antifungal cream to apply to the affected nails. After several months of treatment, swelling and redness usually lessen and any affected cuticles return to normal.

Discolored Nails
Nails usually become deformed or discolored either by injury or illness. Poorly fitted shoes causing a continuous pressure to the nail forming area beneath the cuticle can cause ingrown toenail or other conditions. A decrease in circulation due to arteriosclerosis can lead to thickening of the whole nail.

Disorders that can produce nail deformities:

* Psoriasis
* Iron deficiency anemia
* Chronic liver disease
* Lung cancer
* Systemic lupus erythematosus
* Heart valve infections

Small white patches appearing in the nail could indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency. The patches move out with the nail as it grows.

Ingrown Toenail
Sometimes the nail of the big toe curves under at the sides, hooks itself into the flesh and grows, causing severe pain. If you have an ingrown toenail, make sure you wear loose-fitting shoes, and keep the area clean. Cut the toenail straight across the top, cutting away as much as you can.

By taking a few simple steps, we can keep our nails clean and disease free. Following a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water each day makes a big difference in the appearance of our nails.

If animals could talk, what would they say? We look to our furry friends as a part of our life and we cherish every moment with them. They give us unconditional love and are there for us whenever we need them. In fact, some people even go to the extent of having therapy sessions with their animals instead of human therapists. I think it’s wonderful when a human feels enough kinship and compassion toward their critter that they feel inclined to look to them for comfort. It touches my heart knowing that at the time this article is being written there are hundreds and thousands of individuals sacrificing their time and energy to care for those who don’t have a voice.

Today, countless cats and dogs suffer from negligence and abandonment of people who lack the responsibility and accountability necessary to care for their critters. A lot of people are still under the misconception that humans take precedence and deserve more respect than animals. To me this is the most absurd sentiment. It makes me feel very angry and saddened when I hear the way some people treat and care for their animals. If I could I would round up all the abandoned animals left in the cold and rescue and take them in, caring for them as my own. There are many people in the world who spend more than half their life rescuing abandoned animals and caring for them. Often what they’ll do is care for them while trying to find a good home for them. After some time goes by they end up adopting and making them a part of their family. There are several people in my neighborhood who do this. Every time I walk by their house I meet another adorable critter whose face I don’t recognize. I am always delighted that someone with compassion and generosity has picked them up. If more people rescued abandoned animals and gave them a home, there would be far less homeless animals and the no-kill commitment would be easier to achieve.

. When you love your critter the love you feel for them is no different than the love for your human children. You care for them and do everything in your power to keep them happy, warm, healthy, and comfortable. There is nothing more rewarding that fills your heart with joy than having a loving playful animal in your company who gives you unconditional love and lifts your spirits when you feel under the weather. Words can’t describe the elation, bliss, and relief I feel when I’m spending time with my furry children and they nuzzle and love me. Regardless of the way I’m feeling they have the uncanny knack of making me feel loved and wonderful. This is one of the reasons that your animals should be treated as well as your human children. Part of caring for them includes what you feed them.

Around the same that I decided to give up all animal products and maintain a complete plant-based diet, I learned something just awful. It took a lot of time for me to believe and accept the fact that commercial pet food is not as good and worthy as consumers are lead to believe. After spending time with a young couple who provided us priceless information on the dangers of dairy products, we learned some painful gruesome truths. First of all, it’s a no brainer that the commercials you see on television do not serve any benefit and are only there to brainwash and bombard you with stupidity. If you were to count the numerous commercials you’re bombarded with in one hour you’d be amazed how few of them actually benefit and serve your life. I’d have to say that the Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) are about the only advertisements worth watching. The others should be tuned out.

If you were to pick up one package of common pet food you wouldn’t be able to pronounce a third of the ingredients. Compare this same package to a similar one for humans. Notice the similarities. These chemicals are harmful to you and your pet’s health and are better off staying in the laboratory that created them. Why would you feed yourself or your pet something you can’t even pronounce?

After spending time with the young couple we did some research on our own. The information we discovered shocked and mortified us. We discovered a web site written by a natural living vegetarian veterinarian by the name of James Peden, DVM, who reveals some very dark and sinister data that would make your hair stand on end. Nothing anyone could have said could have prepared me for what I was about to learn. Commercial pet food is not even fit for human consumption. Granted, most people will use the argument that pets don’t have the same needs that humans do. Nevertheless, that doesn’t justify feeding something filled with poisonous ingredients to the critter you cherish. I’m going to spare you the horror stories I heard because I’m squeamish and I don’t want anyone reading this to come away feeling like they watched a horror film. However, take it from me. Take my word that the commercial pet food industry is heinous and doesn’t have the same regulations as the human food industry. As far fetched as all this sounds, it’s all true and should not be overlooked.

There are several companies in business that make wonderful natural healthy foods and products that will keep your pets well. Go to any natural health food store and pick up any package of pet food. The difference is astounding. When you compare a package of natural pet food to that of a commercial one, you’ll never want to waste one more dime on food that is filled with poison. If you maintain a natural living lifestyle and have a holistic consciousness than your furry critter should receive the same treatment. Since I have a natural food plant-based diet I will only feed my animal natural plant-based food. A lot of people will argue and say that animals need to eat meat, but this is incorrect. I have been with many people who eat a plant-based diet and feed their animals the same nutrient-rich food and their animals are healthier and happier than any other animals I have seen. In addition to the poisonous chemicals in the commercial pet food you should investigate the source of the animal products. Again, the truth is painful and will astound you. If you truly care about and love your animals you will want to feed them only the healthiest and the best!

Be a conscious consumer and vote with your dollar in everything you do. Contribute to those companies that care for the betterment of all and aren’t merely interested in higher profit margin. Leave the rest behind and please learn to be a label reader and empower yourself with education and learn!

Nutrient content It contains phosphorous, iron, vitamin A and C, protein and carbohydrate.

Peak season: Available year round with the peak season being summer to early fall.

Selection: Look for firm smooth-skinned zucchini and free of blemishes.

Storage: Can store zucchini for up to three weeks in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. Do not keep below 50° and separate from fruit and tomatoes since zucchini is sensitive to ethylene given off by fruit and tomatoes.

Preparation: Can be braised, roasted, steamed and fried. Also, it is good in quiches or salads.

Herbal medicine is the best way to help clear the problem quickly. Don’t use over-the-counter astringents, as they can cause sensitivity to the skin and make matters worse. Try using Blue Flag root, echinacea and Burdock root. These natural herbs claim the best results. The healthier you eat, the better your skin will look.

Part II: Essential Fatty Acids and Swedish Bitters

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA’S)
Many people are misinformed when it comes to fats. Fats are essential to the body! However, they must be the right kinds of fats. Animal foods, like dairy, red meat, and Crisco! Are not considered good fats, even though the FDA through the four food groups seems to think so and has done a good job over the past several decades convincing people of this falsity! Don’t get me wrong dairy and meat can be beneficial for people if they are eaten in moderation, and I do not use that word lightly! Perhaps one or two servings a week. And it is important you know where your meat and dairy source is coming from. I cannot express how important it is to eat meats that are free-range and organic! Our mainstream meat and dairy industries are filthy and the products are polluted. Trying to process and feed the countries overwhelming obsession with consuming these foods, leaves the environment in our health in a very unbalanced state of being. It is an urgent health and ethical issue that everyone needs to be aware of. (Look to upcoming article for more concise information). Health food stores are where you can find meat and dairy from animals that have been ethically treated, and have been fed a wholesome diet!

Essential Fatty acids are necessary for the body and are supplied only through the diet, our body does not manufacture them on it’s own. They are essential for rebuilding and producing new cells. These new cells help to improve the quality of the skin and hair, and help ease and heal many disorders; including psoriasis, eczema, arthritis, candida, and the regulation of blood pressure. The Brain is where these EFA’S are stored and therefore they are known to be essential for normal brain functioning and development.

There are two categories of essential fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6. The source of omega-3 EFA’s come from raw nuts, seeds, and legumes as well as unsaturated vegetable oils like evening primrose, grapeseed and borage.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in fresh deepwater fish, fish oils and vegetable oils like flaxseed and walnut oil. Please note that these oils must be consumed in pure liquid form or supplemental capsules that have not been subjected to heat processing, or cooking. The generic oils that you find in the supermarket like name brand vegetable oils are NOT good for you, It doesn’t matter if there canola, sunflower or otherwise. They have been processed by being subjected to high heat temperatures. This heating process destroys the value of the oils, turns them into trans fatty acids, and even renders them into dangerous free radicals (free radicals are an altered molecular structure that damages tissues and cells), otherwise known as hydrogenation, which is how margarine is made. Anything with hydrogenated oils as well as margarine is a DETRIMENT to the body. All oils should be preferably organic, and definitely cold-pressed. When an oil is cold-pressed it is just that, processed with the use of heat, therefore all the vital nutrients remain and the molecular structure is not rendered into something foreign or bad.

As mentioned above there are several good ways to obtain essential fatty acids. Eat fish! Especially fish that has high oil content like salmon, mackaral, herring, and sardines. The most popular capsule is cod liver oil caps, however, cod is low in fat and contains 300 mg’s of omega-3 fatty acid in a 4oz serving. In comparison Salmon has 3,600 mg of omega-3 in a 4 oz serving. Quite a difference! For a good source of salmon oil, Carlson laboratories make an excellent Norwegian salmon oil capsule. In addition, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds have a pleasant nutty flavor and are wonderful on salads, in baked goods, soups or cereals. Cold pressed flaxseed oil is great on salads or lightly drizzled on cooked meats, fish or potatoes. Among the essential fatty acids grapeseed oil is one that is highest in linoleic acid and one of the lowest in saturated fats. Grapeseed oil can be heated up to 485 degrees fariegnheit without producing carcinogenic free radicals; therefore, it is an excellent choice for cooking and saute’ing. Again, be sure to look for cold pressed, organic and preservative free oil. Another wonderful essential oil is evening primrose as it contains the highest amount of gamma linoleic acid of any food source. Gamma-linoleic acids or GLA’s are known to prevent heart disease (which incidentally is the number one killer in both men and woman), high blood pressure, and involved in extensive research for dis-eases like multiple sclerosis, and cirrhosis or the liver. In addition, to all these wonderful attributes, GLA’S help to release and regulate both estrogen and testosterone and is therefore beneficial for balancing the hormonal system, and symptoms of menopause. Please note that anyone with a dis-ease that is marked by high estrogen levels should really be cautious and take this supplement sparingly, and consult your physician. Administering a combination of both these omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids is ideal. A product called natures secret contains a combination of both and can be found in health food stores. If not I’m sure any good health food store would be happy to try and order it for you.

SWEEDISH BITTERS… THE EXTRAORDINARY ELIXER!
This super elixir is a wonderful combination of feisty, bitter herbs that have miraculous healing powers. Although this should perhaps be included in an article on herbs I couldn’t resist adding it to the super supplement list because it has such enormous healing actions that have been revered and prized since the middle ages. In fact, I personally am NEVER without a bottle on hand!

Swedish bitters made it’s way in popularity in modern day herbalism through the testimonies of Maria Treben, the master herbalist extolled the many virtues of bitters in such wonderful books like, “Health through god’s pharmacy”.

The beauty of sweetish bitter is it’s endless uses. These bitter herbs are formulated into a synergistic combination giving profound benefits internally and externally. Over the years there have been many variations and you can still be creative using your instinct and knowledge to create your own herbal formula of bitter herbs. Natures work put’s out a wonderful traditional combination of these herbs, which include… aloe, manna, senna, rhubarb root, zedoary root, theriac venetian, angelica root, carline thistle root, myhrr, and camphor all in an alcohol extraction.

This is the way bitters works in the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) there are five tastes in the body or essences of the plants. They are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and bitter. The bitter essence of an herb is cooling, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory. This Taste strengthens the quality of all the organs. And has a special affinity to the liver. The liver is the master detoxifier and works synergistically with every other system of the body. Bitters helps with bile production in the liver and gall bladder, thus stimulating the breaking down of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in the small intestine. Swedish bitters is a well-known blood purifier. It helps to heal the digestive organs and the illnesses that are associated with them, including heartburn, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, bloated ness or headaches after meals. Peter and Barbara Theiss in the “Family Herbal” state that “All the digestive organs are involved when symptoms of this type occur, because the functions of the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small and large intestines are so closely associated with one another”. And, “the affliction or failure of any one of these digestive organs will result in disturbances for all the others as well”. Recent study shows that the secretion of gastric juices and bile is evident even if the bitters are not tasted. This is beneficial for those of you who cannot become accustomed to its taste, and choose to take a capsulated form of the bitters. Swedish bitters is well tolerated by everyone and has no side effects. However, do not use in cases of diarrhea, as it will prove to be detrimental. Along with Swedish bitters there is an enormous array of herbs with bitter qualities. Bitter greens are excellent in salads and increase absorption and digestion. Among them are dandelion, arugula and mustard greens. Bitter roots are wonderful decocted into an herbal tea formula. These include angelica root, dandelion root, gentian root and yellow dock root only to name a few. These herbs have tremendous healing powers and loaded with vitamins and minerals. As a stimulation therapy and general cleansing a treatment of tablespoonful doses before meals throughout the day (2-4 tbs, 1 per meal.), is recommended over an eight to ten week period, once a year.

EXTERNAL USES OF SWEEDISH BITTER.
Bitters has a myriad of uses as a poultice or compress. When Swedish bitters is administered externally it is always used undiluted. It is excellent when needing to treat any localized infection. The elixir can be applied to pimples and boils, or fever blisters, causing them to recede quite quickly, sometimes as little as a couple of hours. The pain and swelling of bee stings can quickly be eliminated by dabbing a cotton ball of bitters on the affected area. Compresses are excellent for children who complain of stomach aches. A compress is placed on the stomach overnight does wonders. Bitter compresses can be applied to any obstruction or inflammation of the organs like gall bladder, spleen or pacreatitis. To do this massage the area with castor oil or calendula cream, which is also very healing to internal organs. The castor oil, or calendula cream will help the area from becoming dry and irritated. Soak a cotton cloth liberally with Swedish bitters and apply to the area for as long as possible, preferably overnight. Please note that this tincture is dark brown and very messy so put clean towels or cotton cloth over the compress and then protect bedding and clothes with a light piece of plastic. These compresses can bring miraculous relief to muscle and tendon injuries like sprained ankle, bursitis, or torn ligaments. When used externally the bitters has a cooling, anti- inflammatory, disinfecting quality that promotes rigorous local circulation.

Part I: Bee Pollen, Chlorophyll, and SUPER ‘Shrooms!

The shelves in the health food store can oftentimes be overwhelming. There is an endless array of natural supplements, vitamins and minerals in a variety of different forms. Whole health, and the importance and awareness of preventing illness before it happens is becoming more and more prevalent in our culture. So how do you distinguish what’s best for you and which of these power foods has stood the test of time? This article will help shed some light on these natural supplements, what they are good for and how to administer them.

BEE-POLLEN
Bee-pollen is a miracle food!! It is comprised of nearly every known nutrient. It is a complete protein and contains every essential amino acid. It is loaded with b-complex vitamins including B1, B2, B3 and B5 (also known as pantothenic acid). Pantothenic Acid combined with the other B vitamins is a known antidote for allergies. If one suffers from allergies look to a local source of fresh bee-pollen as it increases its anti-allergenic properties. Please note that a small percentage, (.05%) of the population is allergic to bee-pollen therefore sample a few grains before administering and check to see what your reaction may be. If you develop any type of rash, wheezing or any type of discomfort please discontinue use. Again, this type of allergy is very rare. In addition to complete protein and B-Complex, bee pollen is high in niacin, folic acid, vitamin c, potassium and the fat-soluble vitamins A & E. In fact, two 500mg tablets contain 600mg of natural potassium!!! WOW. Bee Pollen is highly absorbable, has anti-microbial action and thus strengthens the immune system. Donald Lapore in “The Ultimate Healing pollinating beeSystem” states that “there is a certain quality of glucosides in bee pollen that acts as a transporter to carry the nutrients into the blood stream and I feel its effectiveness is unsurpassed”. He also comments that Olympic trainers are notorious for using bee pollen while in training. But rosemary Gladstar says it best when she states that “Bee pollen is a combined miracle of flowers and bees. A wonderfully uplifting food, bee pollen captures the essence of flowers and the energy of bees”. The collection of pollen by bees is a miraculous gift and should be used consciously and sparingly out of respect for the enormous amount of energy that goes into collecting it. A couple teaspoons a day sprinkled on yogurt or fruit or mixed into a shake, is sufficient. My favorite recipe is as follows. One cup of organic high cultured yogurt, preferably plain…NO SUGAR! two cups of organic soy milk, teaspoon of bee pollen, two tablespoons liquid chlorophyll, and some fruit, I usually use banana and pineapple (or try frozen blueberries or raspberries. Add a little Ice to this concoction and blend. It’s the perfect power packed health shake!!!!

SUPPLEMENTS CONTAINING CHLOROPHYLL
This one can be confusing because there are a number of wonderful plants and supplements that contain chlorophyll. Among them are alfalfa, wheat grass, spirulina, and my personal favorite… a pure liquid extract of chlorophyll. The one I use is made by world organics and has 100mg of alfalfa leaf as its source. Chlorophyll is a green molecule common to plants that releases ions when exposed to sunlight. It is one of the most mineral rich food sources on the planet. Minerals are essential for healthy nerve function, muscle tone, and the formation of blood and bone. Chlorophyll is an excellent blood cleanser and detoxifier. Food sources and supplements containing chlorophyll are high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and all known vitamins. This powerful super food helps to regenerate liver cells and increases circulation to all organs by dilating the blood vessels. It is healing to all types of intestinal and digestive problems as it increases peristaltic action to the colon, and thus relieves constipation. In addition chlorophyll has a healing effect on intestinal ulcers, gastritis, liver disorders, eczema, hemorrhoids, infections, athletes foot, and cancer. The liquid forms of chlorophyll like the one mentioned above can be mixed in juice or as I mentioned under the section on bee-pollen in a delicious shake. Other forms of supplementation are tablet, capsule, and powder. Green drinks can be made from powders like spirulina or made into wholesome juices with fresh wheat grass (for this you would need a juicer). Herbal teas are another excellent way to introduce chlorophyll into the body. Look for bright green herbs like Nettles and Dandelion Leaf. Teas are wonderful because a simple infusion of herbs is the easiest way to assimilate vitamins and minerals into our bodies. Make a batch and drink it throughout the day, It’s nice to add a little hibiscus or peppermint to make it more palatable for newbee herbalists.

SUPER SHROOMS
Certain mushrooms are supreme tonics and super immune builders. Two examples are the ever-popular Reishi as well as the Shitake mushroom. These mushrooms have been popular for at least 2,000 years in the Far East and the ancient Chinese believed that these particular mushrooms gave eternal youth and longevity!

Reishi is a superb immune builder and has a powerful effect on the body’s ability to resist disease. Reishi is known to raise t-cells in the aids virus and other immune deficiency disorders, like Epstien-Barr disease. In addition Reishi regenerates liver cells and is thus beneficial in any degenerative liver condition such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. The Reishi Mushroom comes in many colors but the red in known to be the best.

Shitake mushroom is another wonderful healing fungi. Shitake has been prized for its tonic value for years. According to Leslie Tierra in “The Herbs of life”, which is a wonderful resource that links eastern and western herbalism, “Tonic herbs build strength, prevent disease from occurring, balance the body’s energy, strengthen the disease-recovery process and nourish the blood and substance of the body”. In addition to being able to powerfully activate the immune system, shitake has anti-parasitic, antiviral and anti-microbial qualities. Massive research has been conducted on this mushroom as an anti-tumor as well as being capable of restoring and balancing the entire cardiovascular system, normalizing blood pressure and regulating cholesterol levels.

Both Reishi and shitake mushrooms can be bought in health food stores and administered as a tincture, capsule, or again as a tea infusion. As with any herb or supplement be aware of your source. This may take a little investigation and research on your part but it is well worth it. At the end of this article, (see Part II), I will provide a concise list of herb and vitamin company’s you can reference for qualified sources of natural supplements.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 21 million adults in the United States. Also referred to as degenerative joint disease (DJD), osteoarthritis is believed to be the cumulative effect of decades of joint use. Over time, cartilage (connective tissue that cushions bones) deteriorates leaving pain and joint damage.

A naturally occurring substance, glucosamine, has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in relieving pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine is a key compound of the ground substance that comprises connective tissue. It is this ground substance, called proteoglycans, which determines the strength and resiliency of connective tissue.

The main action of glucosamine on joints is to provide the substances necessary for repair. Glucosamine is the preferred substrate and stimulant for proteoglycan synthesis and, at the same time, has a protective effect against joint destruction.

Conventional treatment for osteoarthritis includes aspirin or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen. Some research has indicated that current drug therapy for osteoarthritis may be producing short-term benefit but actually inhibiting cartilage repair and accelerating cartilage destruction. There are also significant side effects to the medications.

Glucosamine is available as a supplement in several forms. The preferred and most researched form is glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine stabilized by potassium chloride (KCl) vs. sodium chloride (NaCl) gives the same benefit without the added sodium.

You won’t find significant amounts of glucosamine in foods. Supplemental sources are from seashells.

Typical dosage is 500 mg, three times a day, away from meals. Therapy costs ranges from $25-$60 a month, depending on manufacturer and retail outlet. Buy from a well-known, well-established company to insure highest quality.

Glucosamine is generally well tolerated. A mild side effect may be reversible gastrointestinal upset. There has been some speculation to it contributing to insulin resistance. Therefore, diabetics should consult with their doctors before taking glucosamine and monitor blood sugar levels carefully if they decide to take it.

Glucosamine is a classic example of how a natural product improves a condition by addressing the underlying cause and supports the body’s ability to heal itself.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic (constant) autoimmune (attacks itself) disease that attacks mostly through its negative influence on blood vessels, which are necessary for the maintenance of every part of the body. What that means in English is; It is an autoimmune disease and is a result of an over active immune system, meaning that the antibodies attack the body instead of protect it from diseases, bacteria and viruses.

Lupus is not contagious or infectious and although no one is quite sure what the cause is, it is thought to be hereditary and/or environmental and it can be life threatening. It is believed that certain things may trigger the onset of lupus or cause lupus to flare, these include- Ultraviolet light, certain prescription drugs & antibiotics, infections or viruses, hormones & stress.

At this time, there is no cure but the survival rate has gone from 50% to approximately 90%. Lupus affects different people in different ways and is often misdiagnosed. More people have lupus than leukemia, multiple sclerosis & muscular dystrophy

There are different forms of Lupus: Discoid Lupus affects the skin; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus attacks any of the body organs, joints and lungs; Drug Induced Lupus is caused when certain drugs create lupus-like symptoms. Women represent 90% of the people diagnosed with Lupus and minority women are diagnosed with Lupus at three times the rate of Caucasians. Lupus can strike at any age and many people look perfectly healthy. Discoid lupus can turn into systemic lupus in about 10% of cases. Systemic lupus cannot be reversed where as drug induced lupus can once the medication is discontinued. Drug induced lupus does not have central nervous system or kidney involvement.

Signs and symptoms of Lupus:

· Persistent fatigue

· Persistent weakness

· Aching all over

· Fever, which may be low grade to high

· Loss of appetite

· Involuntary weight loss

· Hair loss

· Nose bleeds

· Mouth sores

· Skin rash anywhere on the body

· Hives

· Sores

· Painful & swollen joints (arthritis)

· Stiffness of the joints when waking up.

· Chest pain

· Shortness of breath

· Persistent headache

· Nausea or vomiting

· Recurring or persistent abdominal pain

· Swelling of the feet and legs

· Puffy eyelids

· Blood in the urine

· Swollen glands

· Headaches

Medications that have been proven to induce drug related lupus are:

· Procainamide (used for heart rhythm abnormalities),

· Hydralazine (used for high blood pressure)

· Isoniazid (used for tuberculosis)

· Quinidine (used for heart rhythm abnormalities)

· Phenytoin (used for seizures

1. Lupus is difficult to diagnose and can imitate other diseases. When discussing the possibilities with a doctor (preferably a rhuematologist) have him/her take some of these commonly used test:

2. Anti nuclear test is used to determine if autoantibodies to cell nuclei are in the blood.

3. Anti-DNA test is used to determine if there are antibodies in the genetic material in the cell

4. Anti-Sm antibody test determines if there are antibodies to SM, which is a protein found in the cell nucleus

5. Detection for the presence of immune complexes in blood

6. Test to determine the level of serum complement, a group of proteins, which can occur in immune reactions

7. LE cell prep is an examination of the blood to look for a certain kind of cell, which can occur in immune reactions and other tests to check the level of C4 and C4 proteins.

It is incredibly important to not only catch lupus in its early stages but to align ourselves with good physicians and the latest developments surrounding this disease. Because this disease mimics so many others and there are so many symptoms involved, doctors tend to brush away our complaints. Know your body, know what hurts when and learn the value of research.

GLOSSARY

Antibodies-(Proteins produced by the body that are supposed to stick to bacteria and make it easy for white blood cells to destroy them. With an autoimmune disease the white blood cells attack healthy cells as well as unhealthy cells.)

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t exercise as often as you would like. Exercisers should follow the recomendations for three or four days a week for 30 minutes. It is possible to improve your health even with a sporadic exercise program. A little exercise is better than nothing!

It takes ten to twelve weeks of regular exercise to become “fit” but your health can improve after even one brisk walk. One single session of aerobic activity can decrease your blood pressure, increase your heart rate, lower your triglycerides and improve your health. And the health benefits will last for up to 24 hours after the exercise.

At one point in my life, all I could squeeze into my week was a 15 minute walk on a treadmill three days a week. I felt good about getting even this amount of exercise though people around me told me I was wasting my time. I ignored them and kept up the momentum.

Start exercising today and take one day at a time. Don’t give up or feel guilty if you miss a day. Just start fresh with the next day. Instead of falling victim to I must exercise all the time or not at all, do your best to exercise when you can and keep going!

If you have a lot of extra weight, diet pills can support your weight loss and assist you in reaching your normal weight.

You must remember that commercials seen on TV and online for weight loss items are not researched or verified. You must be extremely careful when deciding whether or not to use diet pills. Your problem with weight might not be solved by the use of these diet pills.

The diet pills will assist with short term weight loss, however the struggle will be keeping the weight off. You should eat healthily and exercise regularly even if you opt to use these diet pills. Diet pills are effective in supporting your weight loss, but they don’t work magic. So if you make the decision that these diet pills are what you need, be sure to use them combined with a good diet and exercise.

Consumers can find a large variety of diet pills on the market. There are three main kinds of diet pills, which are prescribed medications, OTC medicines and herbal supplements.

You can only receive prescription diet pills from your doctor. Your physician will also watch how you are doing with your weight loss and your health when you are using these diet pills.

OTC diet pills can be found at your town chemist, grocery store or on the Internet. The FDA monitors these pills. Their effectiveness is carefully watched as well as the allegations about the items. Nearly all of these pills function by raising your metabolism and making you have more energy.

The third kind are herbal diet pills which you can find in health food and nutrition shops. It’s easier to get these pills, as a prescription is not needed. Herbal diet pills contain several substances that are extremely potent and, if used the right way, can do more than prescription diet pills can.

So if you desire to lose weight and be thin, you can make the effort and try these amazing pills. It is vital that you do some research to make sure that you choose the one that is best for you. Prior to beginning use of a diet pill, you should see your physician.