When a loved one has a drug problem

If you suspect that a friend or family member has a drug problem, here are a few things you can do:

• Speak up. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and support, without being judgmental. The earlier addiction is treated, the better. Don’t wait for your loved one to hit bottom! Be prepared for excuses and denial by listing specific examples of your loved one’s behavior that has you worried.
• Take care of yourself. Don’t get so caught up in someone else’s drug problem that you neglect your own needs. Make sure you have people you can talk to and lean on for support. And stay safe. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.
• Avoid self-blame. You can support a person with a substance abuse problem and encourage treatment, but you can’t force an addict to change. You can’t control your loved one’s decisions. Let the person accept responsibility for his or her actions, an essential step along the way to recovery for drug addiction. 

Discovering your child uses drugs can generate fear, confusion, and anger in parents.
Five steps parents can take:

• Lay down rules and consequences. Your teen should understand that using drugs comes with specific consequences. But don’t make hollow threats or set rules that you cannot enforce. Make sure your spouse agrees with the rules and is prepared to enforce them.
• Monitor your teen’s activity. Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. It’s also important to routinely check potential hiding places for drugs—in backpacks, between books on a shelf, in DVD cases or make-up cases, for example. Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him or her having been caught using drugs.
• Encourage other interests and social activities. Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports and afterschool clubs.
• Talk to your child about underlying issues. Drug use can be the result of other problems. Is your child having trouble fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress?
• Get help. Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or drug counselor.

Understanding drug use, drug abuse, and addiction

People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Use doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. It varies by individual. Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with the consequences of drug use. No matter how often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem.


As with many other conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person. Your genes, mental health, family and social environment all play a role in addiction. Risk factors that increase your vulnerability include:

• Family history of addiction
• Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood
• Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
• Early use of drugs
• Method of administration—smoking or injecting a drug may increase its addictive potential 

People who experiment with drugs continue to use them because the substance either makes them feel good, or stops them from feeling bad. In many cases, however, there is a fine line between regular use and drug abuse and addiction. Very few addicts are able to recognize when they have crossed that line. While frequency or the amount of drugs consumed don’t in themselves constitute drug abuse or addiction, they can often be indicators of drug-related problems.

• Problems can sometimes sneak up on you, as your drug use gradually increases over time. Smoking a joint with friends at the weekend, or taking ecstasy at a rave, or cocaine at an occasional party, for example, can change to using drugs a couple of days a week, then every day. Gradually, getting and using the drug becomes more and more important to you.
• If the drug fulfills a valuable need, you may find yourself increasingly relying on it. For example, you may take drugs to calm you if you feel anxious or stressed, energize you if you feel depressed, or make you more confident in social situations if you normally feel shy. Or you may have started using prescription drugs to cope with panic attacks or relieve chronic pain, for example. Until you find alternative, healthier methods for overcoming these problems, your drug use will likely continue.
• Similarly, if you use drugs to fill a void in your life, you’re more at risk of crossing the line from casual use to drug abuse and addiction. To maintain healthy balance in your life, you need to have other positive experiences, to feel good in your life aside from any drug use.
• As drug abuse takes hold, you may miss or frequently be late for work or school, your job performance may progressively deteriorate, and you start to neglect social or family obligations. Your ability to stop using is eventually compromised. What began as a voluntary choice has turned into a physical and psychological need.

Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs:

Physical warning signs of drug abuse

• Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
• Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

• Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
• Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it.
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
• Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)

Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

• Unexplained change in personality or attitude
• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness
• Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”
• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason

Side-effects of specific drug classes (for elderly)

There are a number of differences between older people and younger people that have an impact on their treatment with medicines. These are particularly apparent in very old patients:

• Older people's bodies take up and eliminate medicines from the body differently than younger patients'.
• Older people are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, bone diseases and mental illnesses.
• Older people often have more than one disease at a time, making it difficult to treat the separate diseases.
• Older people may be weaker than younger patients, making them vulnerable to disease and the risks associated with medical treatment.

Side-effects of specific drug classes:

NSAIDs

• Gastrointestinal bleeding is more common and has more serious consequences in older patients.
• NSAIDs can worsen heart failure or aggravate impaired renal function. These effects can be worse in elderly patients.
• They are best avoided, if possible, for simple pain relief in osteoarthritis (OA), etc; paracetamol should be tried instead and, if this is insufficient, try a low-dose NSAID in addition, with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) or misoprostol cover, or substitute a low-dose opioid.
• Consider complementary therapies such as acupuncture to help with pain management.
• The co-prescription of NSAIDs and ACE inhibitors in older patients can be a recipe for disaster; their combined deleterious effect on renal cortical perfusion and function can lead to significant renal impairment in the older patient.

Hypnotics

• Hypnotics with long half-lives are a significant problem and can cause daytime drowsiness, unsteadiness from impaired balance and confusion.
• Short-acting ones may also be a problem and should only be used for short periods if essential.
• In patients prone to falls or dizziness avoid using these agents unless absolutely necessary.
• Where benzodiazepines are used to help patients overcome a crisis or transitional period, great care must be taken that they be given only for short periods, to avoid the danger of dependence and addiction.
• It is much better to take a good history of an older patient's sleep habits and suggest sleep hygiene and non-pharmaceutical measures to overcome insomnia, than to prescribe drugs, which at best will be a temporary solution.

Diuretics

• This class of drugs is often overused in the elderly and should not be used for chronic treatment of gravitational oedema where measures such as leg-raising, increased walking/leg exercises and graduated compression stockings are often sufficient.
• Where diuretics are used to treat hypertension or cardiac failure, they should be reviewed regularly, along with an assessment of the patient's state of hydration and U&Es if necessary.
• Withdrawal of diuretics requires careful monitoring and consideration of potential contra-indications to withdrawal and can be difficult to achieve. For example, patients with well-controlled heart failure can develop troublesome symptoms and blood pressure can rise significantly in hypertensive patients.

Digoxin

In the very elderly, the daily maintenance dose should be 125 micrograms. In the renally impaired, the dose should be 62.5 micrograms. 250 micrograms/day are likely to cause toxicity.

Drugs that cause bone marrow suppression

Drugs such as co-trimoxazole and chloramphenicol should only be used if there is no suitable alternative.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs

• Beware of gastrointestinal bleeding and contra-indications such as peptic ulceration which may have occurred a long time ago and been forgotten about.
• For warfarin, prescribe only when patients have a full understanding of why the drug is being taken, its dangers, correct daily dosing/timing and the importance of regular INR monitoring.

Antidepressants

• Tricyclic antidepressants commonly cause postural hypotension and confusion in the older patient; they should be used carefully.
• Serotonergic medications used for depression may cause serotonin syndrome and agitation in the older patient; this can be difficult to distinguish from some of the symptoms of depression.

Diabetic medication

• Long-acting oral hypoglycaemics such as chlorpropamide and glibenclamide should be avoided as there is a significant risk of hypoglycaemia when these agents are used in the older patient.
• Tight diabetic control must be balanced against potentially catastrophic events precipitated by hypoglycaemia, particularly in those who live alone, have a poor understanding of diabetes self-management, or who experience few warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

Effects of illegal drugs in pregnancy

If a parent has drug problems it affects their child at every stage, from pregnancy onwards.Almost all drugs pass through the placenta to reach your baby and have some effect on her.

Drugs in your body may reduce the amount of oxygen that can reach your baby. Early in pregnancy, some drugs may affect your baby's development. Your baby may not grow as well as expected in your uterus (womb).

Taking illegal drugs may cause problems later on in your pregnancy, too, as they can affect how well the placenta works. There is a risk that the placenta may come away from the side of your uterus, sometimes causing severe bleeding. This is called placental abruption. Placental abruption is a serious condition and, because of the bleeding it causes, it can be life-threatening for you and your baby.

Your baby may have withdrawal symptoms if you regularly take certain drugs during your pregnancy. Your baby may need to stay in hospital, so nurses and doctors can check her for signs of withdrawal, and give her treatment.

Here is what we know so far about the effects of illegal drugs:

Cannabis (marijuana)

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug. Taking cannabis during pregnancy might make your baby unsettled and more easily startled after he is born. In the longer term, it could cause behaviour and learning problems for your baby as he grows older.

Smoking cannabis also exposes your baby to the risks related to smoking. If you smoke, you are more likely to go into premature labour. There's also a higher chance that your baby will be born with a low birth weight and other complications, and it increases the risk of cot death. (CDC 2013)

Speed (amphetamines) and crystal meth (methamphetamine)

It's best for your baby if you stop taking speed or crystal meth before you get pregnant. You can still quit if you are pregnant, but to be safe, you should stop taking these drugs with medical help in a drug treatment programme. Stopping suddenly could be harmful for you or your baby and could cause miscarriage.

Taking speed or crystal meth can make the following more likely:

• a complication where the placenta can't carry enough oxygen and nutrients to your baby, called placental insufficiency
• the placenta separating from your uterus (placental abruption)

These drugs can affect your baby's growth in the uterus, making her smaller than expected for your stage of pregnancy and increasing the chance of premature birth.

Some babies may have withdrawal symptoms but there are not many studies on this problem.

We also lack full information about the lasting effects of these drugs as your child grows up. But it's possible that children exposed to these drugs in the uterus may not develop and learn as well as other children their age.

Ecstasy

There's a lot of concern about the long-term side-effects of taking ecstasy. But there's very little research on the way that it can affect your pregnancy or your baby. Ecstasy may have an effect on your baby's motor development (co-ordination and movement). There is limited evidence that it could cause birth defects, but we don't know for sure.

Cocaine and crack cocaine

Taking cocaine or crack during pregnancy may increase your risk of having a miscarriage, and of placental abruption later in pregnancy.

Using cocaine while you are pregnant can slow down your baby's growth in the uterus. It may also increase the risk of your baby having problems with learning and behaviour when he is older.

Heroin and strong painkillers

Heroin has serious risks for your baby. The same kind of problems can happen if you are regularly using related painkillers (opioids) like morphine or Tramadol during pregnancy. You may not realise that you can become addicted to strong painkillers.

If you use heroin or other opioids, it is vital to get treatment as soon as you can. Trying to quit on your own could be dangerous for you and your baby. It could cause a miscarriage or premature birth, or your baby could be stillborn. The safest way to quit is with medical help, as part of a drug treatment programme.

During pregnancy, heroin and other opioids can slow down your baby's growth and have an effect on how her brain grows. These drugs can also make it harder for your baby to breathe just after she is born.

Types of medicines for children

Medicines for children come in different forms. Tablets, caplets and liquid medicines are given orally (by mouth). There are medicines that are used in the eye, ear or nose, and inhalers for asthma medicines. Other medicines, such as suppositories or enemas, are given rectally (in the back passage, or bottom).

Asthma inhalers

There are many types of inhalers. Our leaflet gives information about using an aerosol inhaler with a 'spacer' device and a dry-powder inhaler. If you are not sure whether you are using the inhaler properly, or need help, contact your asthma nurse or pharmacist, who will be able to show you or check what you are doing.

Capsules

Capsules are given by mouth (orally). Most must be swallowed whole, but some may be chewed, or opened and then the contents sprinkled in food. Find out how to give the type of capsule you have for your child.

Ear drops

Medicines for the ear are available as ear drops. You will need to wash your hands before and after giving the ear drops, and you may need help from another adult.

Eye drops

Use eye drops only in your child’s infected eye, unless your doctor has told you to treat both eyes. Wash your hands before and after giving the drops. You may need help from another adult.

Eye ointment

If you need to give eye ointment, use only in your child’s infected eye, unless your doctor has told you to treat both eyes. Wash your hands before and after giving the ointment. You may need help from another adult.

Granules or powder

Some medicines come as granules or as powder, and are given by mouth (orally). They can usually be mixed in with a small amount of food, or in water or juice.

Liquid medicine (using an oral syringe with a ‘bung’, or medicine spoon)

You can measure out the right amount of liquid medicine using an oral syringe or a medicine spoon. Many bottles of liquid medicine come with a ‘bung’ to help you draw up the medicine into the oral syringe. You can get all of these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

Liquid medicine (using an oral syringe without a ‘bung’)

Some bottles of liquid medicine do not come with a ‘bung’, but you can still measure out the right amount of liquid medicine with an oral syringe.

Nasal spray

Some medicines come as a nasal spray and need to be sprayed into your child's nostril or nostrils. Most nasal sprays work by pressing them between your finger and thumb to produce a spray. Your child should tilt their head forward slightly when taking the spray.

Rectal medicines (suppositories and enemas)

Rectal medicines have to be administered through the anus into the rectum (back passage, or bottom). They must not be taken by mouth. Types of rectal medicines include suppositories, foam enemas and liquid enemas.

Tablets

Tablets are given by mouth (orally). Depending on the type of tablet, they can be swallowed or chewed, dissolved in water or juice, put on the tongue, or mixed with a small amount of food.
Make sure you know which type of tablet you have.

The Influence of Television and Computer Games on our Children

By: Abdul Adheem al-Muhtadi al-Bahrani

Question: What is the influence of television and computer games on our children? Some people say they are good because they keep children away from bad deeds, but others mention the harms of these devices of which no house is empty. What is your opinion about the subject?
The answer: My opinion is in accordance with the second one as Dr. Hamid al-Mutayri has detailed in al-Furqan Magazine, vol.121, saying the following: “Many educationists think that watching the TV too much often causes dullness in children and watching the TV for long periods makes children see many bad things such as immodest pictures and scenes that they should not see in such a stage of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends making children under two years not watch the TV and the reasons behind that are many. Here are some of them:
1. Watching TV means wasting the opportunity of reaction and association between the child and the rest of the members of the family. The child who sits before the television for a long time does not read, write, argue with others, or play well with those around him.
2. The TV means laziness in full. He who watches TV needs little concentration and attention, and perhaps this is the reason that has made the TV so amusing.
3. Watching TV lessens the child’s attention span, because one who gets used to watching TV moves from one channel to another continuously and thus cannot fix on the same subject. This matter affects the opportunity of learning and makes listening to the teacher carefully very difficult.
4. We should know that the TV broadcasts destructive messages that cannot be avoided easily. For example, the rate of the scenes that have sexual gestures and hints, which the ordinary spectators see in a year, is nearly fourteen thousand scenes, and the commercial advertisements we watch in a year are more than eighteen thousand. This is besides the scenes of violence, which different programs are full of. As a result, we can say that the TV may be a dangerous factor leading towards corruption and violence.

To cure this problem, Mr. William Baniet, a previous American minister of education, presents the following solutions:
1. Legislating certain laws on what is possible for children to watch with assigning a suitable time for that; some suggest that the time of watching TV should be after the times of reading and doing homework.
2. Consolidating these laws by putting near the TV where it can always be noticed a sheet having special instructions concerning watching TV
3. Choosing useful programs that are possible for children to watch and suitable for their ages
4. Offering alternatives when decreasing the period of watching TV, which means busying the children with other activities instead of watching TV
5. We ourselves must be good examples to our children. It is not reasonable that we warn our children of watching TV while we ourselves spend long hours watching it.
We should take lessons from the results that have come out of TV programs up until now. They are too bad. However, the results will be opposite if the programs are meaningful and in the light of Islamic values as a source of education.

Dietary Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency is a condition in which the body has an inadequate amount of calcium. Calcium is a mineral that is essential for many aspects of health, including the health of bones and teeth, and a normal heart rhythm. This mineral is also required for muscle contractions and relaxation, nerve and hormone function, and blood pressure regulation.


Calcium must be ingested daily and absorbed effectively in order to maintain optimal health. Most people can get enough calcium by eating a variety of foods rich in calcium. Foods that naturally contain calcium include milk and other dairy products; green, leafy vegetables; seafood; nuts; and dried beans. Calcium is also added to orange juice, breakfast cereals, breads, and other fortified food products.

High dietary calcium intake is necessary for infants, children and adolescents in order to promote bone growth and formation. Pregnant women also have higher calcium needs, because it is required for the normal development of fetal bones. In addition, women who have reached menopause need to ensure an adequate amount of calcium intake to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.


There are two types of calcium deficiency:

Dietary calcium deficiency is a condition in which there is an inadequate calcium intake, which can lead to depleted calcium stores in the bones, thinning and weakening of the bones, and osteoporosis.

Hypocalcemia is a low level of calcium in the blood. It can occur from taking medications, such as diuretics; medical treatments; or disease processes, such as renal failure or hypoparathyroidism.

An insufficient amount of calcium in your diet will generally not cause hypocalcemia. This is because normal amounts of calcium in the blood are so critical to many vital body functions of the nerves, muscles, brain and heart, that your body will pull calcium from the bones as needed to maintain normal blood calcium levels. This enables important processes in the body to continue. However, ongoing dietary calcium deficiency can eventually lead to thinning of the bones and osteoporosis because calcium stores in the bones are not replaced as they are used by the body.

Untreated calcium deficiency can lead to serious complications, such as osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), and cardiac arrhythmias.

Symptoms of dietary calcium deficiency

There are generally no symptoms of dietary calcium deficiency until bone thinning occurs and fractures develop in weakened bones. Symptoms can be vague, take years to develop, and may not be noticeable until advanced osteoporosis has developed. Symptoms can include:

Back or neck pain, which can be severe because of spinal bone fractures

Bone pain or tenderness

Fracture that occurs with little or no trauma

Loss of height

Stooped posture due to kyphosis (abnormal curving of the spine and humpback)

Calcium deficiency may occur with symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting:

Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out (fainting) or unresponsiveness

Chest pain, tightness, pressure, or heart palpitations

Rapid, irregular or weak pulse

Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking

Seizure

Tetany (muscle contractions, which can be sudden, powerful and painful)

Unusual or profound weakness

Dietary calcium deficiency is most commonly caused by failure to consume optimal levels of calcium in the diet over an extended period of time. A deficiency of vitamin D, phosphorus or magnesium, all of which promote calcium absorption and use, can also cause dietary calcium deficiency. Milk and enriched products contain vitamin D and the minerals phosphorus and magnesium. Your skin can also produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

The main risk factor for dietary calcium deficiency is not consuming enough foods containing calcium. Individuals who adhere to a strict vegetarian diet and those with food allergies or lactose intolerance may have difficulty consuming enough calcium in their regular diets. You can reduce the risk of dietary calcium deficiency by consuming low-fat, calcium-rich foods, or using calcium supplements as recommended by your health care provider.

Other risk factors include:

Advanced age or past middle age (51 years or older)

Alcoholism

Dairy allergy

Extreme levels of regular, strenuous exercise

Family history of calcium deficiency

High-protein or high-fiber diets

High phosphorus levels

Lactose intolerance

Postmenopause

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Unbalanced weight-reducing diets that do not include calcium-rich foods

Vegetarian or vegan diets

Complications of calcium deficiency can be serious and even life threatening, particularly in some cases of hypocalcemia. You can treat calcium deficiency and minimize the risk of complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Potential complications of calcium deficiency include:

Cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

Chronic bone and joint pain

Depression

Gynecological problems, such as infertility and irregular periods

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Kyphosis (abnormal curving of the spine and humpback) and loss of height

Laryngospasm (spasm of the larynx)

Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)

Osteopenia (low bone mass)

Osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of the bones) and fractures

Rickets (low bone mass due to vitamin D deficiency during childhood bone development)

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of dietary calcium deficiency reduces the risk of developing serious complications, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis. Treatments involve replacing the body’s depleted calcium stores and may include:

Adjusting or changing medications that are associated with calcium deficiencies, such as diuretics. You should not change or stop taking any medication without first consulting with your licensed health care provider.

Consuming adequate or increased amounts of calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products; green, leafy vegetables; seafood; nuts; and dried beans

Consuming calcium-enriched foods, such as orange juice and bread

Engaging in a regular, but not extremely strenuous exercise program

Taking calcium supplements as recommended by your licensed health care provider. Supplementation may include vitamin D and phosphorous.

A Prayer for Healing

Salat has been made compulsory on all believers in all situations. It is an activity which cannot be neglected under any circumstance. This obligation on us should not be regarded as a burden, but rather it should be cherished and appreciated. It is said that a pious person is one who enjoys their prayer.

The Muslims who reach the age of puberty (with exceptions of: menstruating, being to ill or experiencing post-partum bleeding) have to pray to Allah (SWT) minimum five times a day. This Arabic word "Salah," doesn't only mean "prayer," because "pray" basically means to address a prayer to God or another deity, according to the Oxford Dictionary. "Salah," is a word with a broad meaning, which doesn't only mean prayer, but also means goodness, righteousness and godliness. In Salah, we not only ask from Allah (SWT) but we also thank Him, praise Him and at the same time receive guidance from Him. Salah in the true sense is programming or conditioning. The prayer conditions us to stay away from forbidden and shameful actions, and encourages us to do righteous and sensible actions. Since we humans have no free will, this conditioning will help us and enable us to stay away from forbidden things, and enjoin on what is not forbidden. A healthy body requires three meals a day. Similarly, the spiritual soul requires five times Salah a day.

Besides attaining spiritual upliftment from performing one's salat, one may also gain many physical and psychological benefits. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is recorded in a hadith (Ibn Majah) stating that prayer is a cure for many diseases. The wisdom in this claim can be understood when assessing the physical benefits of the act of prayer.

The process of performing salat expects certain movements and actions, these actions performed at least five times a day have been found to equate to jogging or walking at a rate of three miles an hour. This is a basic level of exercise strongly advocated by doctors and members of the medical fraternity on a whole. The importance of exercise is undeniable, with potential benefits to the cardiac, respiratory, skeletal and muscular system. The dynamics of salat contribute to the improvement of all of these systems, with specific emphasis on the muscular and cardiac systems. Before we delve into detail discussion, it needs to be noted that the purpose of performing salaat should not be to obtain health benefits, but rather to fulfill a religious requirement. The fact that there are physical benefits associated with prayer comes as a blessing.

In salah, when we do Ruku that is: bow down, extra blood flows into the upper part of the body. The spine becomes supple and flexible, while the spinal nerves are nourished. This relieves backache and pain. This is a good posture for flatulence. Stretches lower back, thighs, and calves while blood gets pumped into the upper torso. Bowing position tones stomach muscles, abdomen and kidneys. When we come back to the standing position (after Ruku), the blood which has entered into the upper part of the body, comes back to normal and the body is relaxed. As a result, this blood carries away toxins and releases tension.

Medical benefits of ritualistic Muslim Prayer called SalahWhen we do Sujud, which is basically the prostration to the ground with are eight parts of the body touching the floor, the forehead in on the ground which is the best position of salah. It is the most relevant part of salah. Daily, the human beings are propounded by electrostatic charges from the atmosphere, which gets perspirated in the central nervous system, which gets super saturated. These extra electrostatic charges, have to be dissipated and discharged, otherwise you will have: headache, neck ache, muscles spasms, etc. No wonder people regularly take tranquillizers and drugs, to relieve the pain. These electrostatic charges are dissipated and discharged, when the frontal lobe of the brain is put on the ground, in sujud. There is dominance of the frontal lobe, and the thinking capacity of the brain is not on the top of the brain, but in the frontal lobe. In doing sujud, there is less chance of getting: headache, spasms, aches, etc due to the fact that the electrostatic charges are dissipated and discharged. Moreover, the sujud allows extra blood supply to enter the brain, which enables the brain to become more healthier, plus has a positive effect on the memory, vision, hearing, concentration and the psyche. In addition, extra blood flows into the skin, neck and face, which increases the circulation of the blood of the skin, neck and face, which is very healthy especially in the cold seasons. Also, allows mental toxins to be cleaned by blood. This is also very good for the brain. This prevents diseases, such as: Fibromyalgia (Fibrositis) and chilblains. During the sujud, there is drainage of the Paranasal sinuses, this there is less chances of getting sinusitis, which consists of inflammation of the linings of the sinuses that surround the nose. In certain forms of yoga, some adherents stand on their heads for the purpose of blood flowing to the brain, which we Muslims have been doing for centuries.

Normally during the day, the human beings have an upright posture. The maxillaris sinus, the opening is in the upper medium part. The secretions cannot be drained, due to the upright posture which people have. Therefore when you do sujud, there is drainage of the maxillaris sinus, which is very healthy, and decreases the chances of infections occurring. It also causes drainage of secretion of the frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus as well as the sphenoid sinus. This all decreases the chances of a person getting sinusitis. Moreover, someone who has sinusitis, the sujud is a natural treatment. The sujud position is also a natural treatment for a person suffering from bronchitis, which is inflammation in the lungs. The sujud position also causes drainage of the secretion of the bronchial tree, thus prevents bronchitis. It prevents the accumulation of the secretion in the bronchial tree. It is also helpful in other pulmonary (lung) diseases, in which secretion are acclimated. Besides this, other things like: dust and bacteria can accumulate, which the sujud is prevention from.

Normally when you breathe, only 2/3 of the lung capacity is used. The remaining 1/3 of the lung capacity, the air remains in. Therefore, it is only 2/3 of air which comes in as fresh air, when you breathe and 2/3 goes out. The remaining 1/3 is called as: residual air. When you do sujud, the abdominal viscera, they press against the diaphragm. The diaphragm presses against the lower lobes of the lungs, which causes the person to exhale the 1/3 residual air. Once this residual air goes out, more fresh air comes in, which is responsible for a healthy lung. When you do sujud, due to the decrease of the gravitational force, there is extra venous return from the abdominal organs. Therefore, the extra venous return (volume of blood returning to the right atrium of the heart) is increased, which makes the heart healthy. This also supplies fresh blood to all body tissues. In the sujud, the weight is concentrated on the knees, and your legs are flexed. The soleus and the gastrocnemius muscles (muscles of the leg) are also called the peripheral heart, because it has an extensive venous return, which is responsible from increasing venous return, of the lower heart of the body. This also causes relaxation in lower half of the body.

In sujud, the knees are touching the floor, including the hands and forehead. This posture is helpful in diseases of the cervical spine, because this helps the intervertebral joints, which allows the spine to move more flexibly. The posture of the sujud is also helpful in cardiac diseases. When a person rises from the sujud from the squatting position, the blood which has flowed into the upper part of the body comes back to normal sea, and the body is relaxed. There is extra blood flowing in the muscles and nerves, of the thigh and the back, so the back muscles of the back are relaxed. It is helpful and useless in constipation and indigestion. It is also helpful for a person suffering from peptic ulcer and other stomach problems. When a person gets up from the squatting position to the standing position, his weight is concentrated on the ball of the feet, which improves the strength of the back muscles, thigh muscles, knee muscles and leg muscles.

The ruku and sujud (bowing down and prostrating to the floor) are great postures against femoral and esophageal hernia. These positions in the prayer are also prophylaxis treatment, of a person suffering from hemorrhoids (inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus) which in layman's terminology is called as: piles. These positions of salah are also helpful in prolapse of the uterus. In sujud, the knees form a right angle allowing the stomach muscles to develop, plus prevents growth of flabbiness in the midsection, and reduces high blood pressure.

When sitting on the knees after sujud, this helps toughen the legs and hips and makes them stronger, ensuring you have more flexibility in joints plus stretching out muscles. It encourages an upright posture, which is good for the spine. In addition, the body returns to even greater relaxation, and the posture assists digestion by forcing the contents of the stomach downwards. Also, since most of the pressure goes to the lower half of the body, the upper half of the body, especially the shoulder and head will be relaxed.

Furthermore, we repeat the sujud within a few seconds after sitting on knees. What this does is cleanses the respiratory circulatory and nervous system. There is also oxygenation of entire body, while sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are relaxed.

Praying the Fajr prayer (dawn prayer) stops long amounts of stillness, as one gets up from sleep. This decreases the chance of gaining diseases like: arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, etc. Moreover, the dawn prayer prevents you from getting too much sleep and scientific established facts informs us that too much sleep increases the chances of gaining diabetes, heart disease, early death, etc.

Salah is light exercise and is heavy in spiritual deeds, so you getting a 2 in 1 workout. Moreover, in salah, the recitation of the Quran occurs. During the recitation, the sound vibrations of the long vowels: Aa, Thee and oo stimulate the heart, thyroid, pineal gland, pituitary, adrenal glands and lungs, purifying and uplifting them all.

These body movements performed during the salah are an excellent source of exercise for our heart as well. According to a Hadith, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

"There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49)

It is the heart. A tissue in our body is the cartilage. It is unique in being a living tissue with no direct blood supply. The only way it receives nutrients and oxygen is by movements of the joints. The pumping effect forces blood into the joint area which would otherwise be bypassed. Those who sit at the terminals are in greater danger of ending up with dead cartilage tissues that will subsequently wear away. This will leave us with arthritis, painful joints and paralysis. Bacteria and viruses find safe haven in joints for this reason as no blood cell can get at them and in most cases neither can antibodies. Salah therefore, has many orthopedic benefits for all Muslims.

There is also great wisdom in the timing of the five daily prayers. The salaat which tends to impact most dramatically on the routine of most believers is Fajr, as it is often this prayer which defines the sleeping pattern of the believer. Studies in America have shown that for most people the optimum amount of sleep required is seven hours, while those who exceed this period tend to have slightly shorter life-spans. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) in this respect, like all other areas, provides the best example. It is narrated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) would sleep soon after Isha and then awake at midnight to perform night prayers. This sleep routine has been adopted in Europe to treat patients with depression, as this structure has been found to improve well-being.

In this article a glimpse of the benefits of prayer has been presented and Insha Allah with this knowledge you may develop a greater appreciation for your salaat.

Narcolepsy :" Unseen" Disease

Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system which is typically characterized by the following symptoms with varying degrees of frequencies include:
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- cataplexy (loss of muscle tone)
- hypnagogic hallucinations (distorted perceptions)
- sleep paralysis (inability to move or talk)
- disturbed nocturnal sleep
- automatic behavior ((patients carry out certain actions without conscious awareness)
- other complaints such as blurred vision, double vision, or droopy eyelids

Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness, which may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive daytime sleepiness by months or years.

Advances have been made in the last few years in determining the cause of narcolepsy. The newest discovery has been the finding of abnormalities in the structure and function of a particular group of nerve cells, called hypocretin neurons, in the brains of patients with narcolepsy. These cells are located in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus and they normally secrete neurotransmitter substances (chemicals released by nerve cells to transmit messages to other cells) called hypocretins. Abnormalities in the hypocretin system may be responsible for the daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM sleep found in narcolepsy.

The diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on a clinical evaluation, specific questionnaires, sleep logs or diaries, and the results of sleep laboratory tests.

The treatment of narcolepsy includes drug and behavioral therapies.
The types, number, and severity of the symptoms determine which drugs are used to treat the narcolepsy.
•Severe daytime sleepiness may require treatment with high doses of stimulant medication, and sometimes a combination of stimulants may be needed.
•Rare or infrequent cataplexy and other associated symptoms may not require any drug treatment, or treatment on an "as needed" regimen may be adequate.
•Insomnia and depression may also require treatment.
•Therapy should be catered to the individual needs of the patient. For example, improved alertness may be critical throughout the day for most students and working adults, but may be critical only at certain times of the day (for example, driving times) for other people.

Non-drug treatments include education of the patient and family members and modification of behavior patterns. Understanding the symptoms of narcolepsy may help relieve some of the frustrations, fears, anger, depression, and resentment of patients and family members. Emotional reactions are responses to both the unusual nature of the symptoms and society's ignorance of this disease.

Fusidic Acid for Skin Infections

GENERIC NAME: FUSIDIC ACID, FUSIDATE SODIUM - TOPICAL CREAM, OINTMENT, GEL
Fusidic acid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that is often used topically in creams and eyedrops, but may also be given systemically as tablets or injections. The global problem of advancing antimicrobial resistance has led to a renewed interest in its use recently.

Fusidic acid and sodium fusidate may be used alone or in combination with systemic therapy in the treatment of primary and secondary skin infections caused by sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species and Corynebacterium minutissimum . Some of these skin infections include:
•Impetigo (school sores)
•Folliculitis
•Erythrasma
•Paronychia
•Infected dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis
•Infected cuts and abrasions

Fusidic acid is an antibiotic medicine. It works by entering bacterial cells and interfering with the production of proteins that the bacteria need to divide and multiply. It does not directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The existing bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system. Fusidic acid is included in this preparation to treat the bacterial infection that can sometimes occur in eczema.

A small amount of cream or ointment should be applied to the affected area three or four times daily. If covering the lesion with gauze dressing less frequent application (once or twice daily) may be adequate.
Any ointment left over at the end of treatment should be discarded. It is essential to use fusidic acid only as directed by your doctor as indiscriminate use can lead to the development of bacterial resistance.

Do not use large amounts, apply this more often or use this for longer than directed. Your condition will not clear faster, but the chance for side effects may be increased. Use carefully if applying to the face. Avoid contact in or around the eyes.

Local hypersensitivity reactions to fusidic acid include mild stinging and irritation. In most cases therapy may be continued, however if the reaction is severe treatment should be stopped and the cream or ointment rinsed off. Contact allergic dermatitis to fusidic acid is rare.

The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
•Skin irritation, eg itching, burning, stinging.
•Rash.
•Worsening of eczema.
•Skin thinning, thread veins or stretch marks (prolonged use only).
•Groupings of fine blood vessels becoming prominent under the skin (telangiectasia).
•Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis).
•Decreased skin pigmentation at application area.
•Puffiness of skin on the face.

Tell your doctor if you have: pre-existing illness, infections, allergies (especially to any antibiotics). This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication has been found in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. If it is applied to the breasts it should be washed off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterwards.

Health tips given by Imam Ali Al-Ridha (as)

1- Dried grapes regulate the bile, remove excess phlegm from the body, strengthen the sinews, take away melancholic tendencies from the mind and purify the soul.

2- Pomegranate is a fruit of paradise. There is one seed from Paradise in every pomegranate growing on the earth.

3- Honey is nature’s best medicine. Whenever someone offers you honey as present, accept it.

4- The oil of violet should be used as hair oil because it has a cooling effect during summer and warm during winter.

5- Satan does not visit for forty days a person who applies olive oil to his head or uses it in food.

6- Mother’s milk is the best food for an infant.

7- Recitation of Quran and taking honey with milk sharpens the memory.

8- Use of meat as a food improves health and builds up power of resistance against diseases.

9- Starting meal with salt prevents seventy types of ailments, one of which is leprosy.

10- A gluttonous person will starve on the day of resurrection.

11- Masur (a kind of beans, lentils) was the favorite food of seventy thousands prophets. It moderates the temperament and augments the activity of tear glands.

12- The person who refrains from meat for forty days will become ill-tempered.

13- Food should be taken when it is at moderate temperature.

14- Start eating from the sides of the plate and not from the middle.

15- For longevity one should eat nourishing food, wear comfortable shoes and try to remain free from debts.

16- To avoid cold (flu) of the winter always open the door first for a few moments before leaving your house, let the outside air in, then step outside. To avoid the cold of the summer always open the door first before entering the house, let the inside air out and then step inside.

Be Cautious: Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever (sometimes called scarlatina), is caused by an infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause the scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name.

People with scarlet fever typically have a high fever and a strawberry-like appearance of the tongue. The rash of scarlet fever is usually seen in children under the age of 18.

Not all streptococci bacteria make this toxin and not all kids are sensitive to it. Two kids in the same family may both have strep infections, but one child (who is sensitive to the toxin) may develop the rash of scarlet fever while the other may not. Usually, if a child has this scarlet rash and other symptoms of strep throat ,it can be treated with antibiotics.

The rash is the most striking sign of scarlet fever. It usually begins looking like a bad sunburn with tiny bumps and it may itch. The rash usually appears first on the neck and face, often leaving a clear unaffected area around the mouth. It spreads to the chest and back, then to the rest of the body. In body creases, especially around the underarms and elbows, the rash forms classic red streaks. Areas of rash usually turn white when you press on them. By the sixth day of the infection the rash usually fades, but the affected skin may begin to peel.

Aside from the rash, there are usually other symptoms that help to confirm a diagnosis of scarlet fever, including a reddened sore throat, a fever above 101° Fahrenheit (38.3° Celsius), and swollen glands in the neck. The tonsils and back of the throat may be covered with a whitish coating, or appear red, swollen, and dotted with whitish or yellowish specks of pus. Early in the infection, the tongue may have a whitish or yellowish coating. A child with scarlet fever also may have chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

When scarlet fever occurs because of a throat infection, the fever typically stops within 3 to 5 days, and the sore throat passes soon afterward. The scarlet fever rash usually fades on the sixth day after sore throat symptoms began, but skin that was covered by rash may begin to peel. This peeling may last 10 days. With antibiotic treatment, the infection itself is usually cured with a 10-day course of antibiotics, but it may take a few weeks for tonsils and swollen glands to return to normal.

In rare cases, scarlet fever may develop from a streptococcal skin infection like impetigo. In these cases, the child may not get a sore throat.

The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing and coughing. If a child has a skin infection caused by strep bacteria, like impetigo, it can be passed through contact with the skin.

In everyday life, there is no perfect way to avoid the infections that cause scarlet fever. When a child is sick at home, it's always safest to keep that child's drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and to wash these items thoroughly in hot soapy water. Wash your own hands frequently as you care for a child with a strep infection.

A child with severe strep throat may find that eating is painful, so providing soft foods or a liquid diet may be necessary. Include soothing teas and warm nutritious soups, or cool soft drinks, milkshakes, and ice cream. Make sure that the child drinks plenty of fluids.

Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air, since this will help soothe the sore throat. A moist warm towel may help to soothe swollen glands around your child's neck.

If the rash itches, make sure that your child's fingernails are trimmed short so skin isn't damaged through scratching.

Call the doctor whenever your child suddenly develops a rash, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands. This is especially important if your child has any of the symptoms of strep throat, or if someone in your family or in your child's school has recently had a strep infection. The doctor may give your child drugs that fight germs (antibiotics). Do not let your child return to daycare or school until he or she has taken the antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

Enjoy some time with Tea

In many cultures, tea is often had at high class social events, such as afternoon tea and the tea party.

There are four main types of teas.

Tea leaves all come from the same tea plant, the Camellia sinensis. The leaves become distinct from each other through the different methods of processing them. In high-quality teas, only the young leaves are plucked from the bushes, but this method requires about 2,000 to 3,000 leaves to produce 1 lb. of finished tea. When dried leaves are soaked in hot water, they infuse the water with their distinct flavor.

1.White
White tea leaves are the least processed of all types of tea. The leaves are plucked young, then steam dried or air dried. In contrast, other teas have four to five processing steps. Because the leaves are steamed immediately after picking, they retain their green color.

2.Green
Leaves intended for green tea are either steamed or pan-fired to stop any oxidation. Because they are heated immediately after being picked, they remain green in color. In China, green tea leaves are steamed, but in Japan they are fired. In both methods, the leaf becomes soft. The next step in the process is to roll the leaves. Tea makers roll leaves in different styles, including a long roll, a ball, twisting or even flat. Where the leaf is grown typically determines the rolling style. Heating or firing the rolled tea leaves dries them out so they are ready for use. The green color in the leaves gives green tea special health benefits through its antioxidants.

3.Oolong
Oolong teas are somewhere between green and black tea in regards to processing. The leaves are withered and partially oxidized after picking and before drying. The first step is withering. The leaves are left to wither for several hours, but less than a day. Once the leaves are wilted, they are shaken to cause small tears in the leaves so the oxidation process can begin. As the leaves are exposed to air, they become darker. The amount of time leaves are oxidized depends on the style of oolong. Some are only 10-percent oxidized, while others are up to 70-percent oxidized. The tea leaves are heated or fired to stop the oxidation and dry them out.

4.Black
Black teas contain the most processed leaves. First the leaves are laid out on racks and withered for 14 to 24 hours. Next, the leaves are rolled and twisted to release the natural enzymes and to prepare them for oxidation. They still retain a green color at this point. After rolling the leaves, they are ready for oxidation. They sit in a cool, humid area and begin to ferment as polyphenols and pectin combine with oxygen and enzymes. Oxidation gives black tea its color and flavor. The length of fermentation time depends on the style and maker of the tea. Finally, the leaves are dried or fired to stop oxidation and seal in the desired flavor.


Some uses of tea leaves:
Tea leaves contain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that offer many health benefits to a person's body. Tea and tea leaves can be used to sooth puffiness under eyes, repel mosquitoes and in a relaxing foot bath. Mint tea leaves can be used as part of an all-natural mouthwash after being used in a cup of tea.

1.Burn Relief
The naturally soothing properties in tea leaves make used tea bags perfect for soothing painful burns. Place the tea bag in a hot cup of water for two minutes. Allow the tea bags to cool in the refrigerator. Once they are cold, remove the bags and apply them to the burn. This process will help relieve pain from sunburns, heat burns and steam burns. The tea leaves also help moisturize the area to help it heal faster.

2.Hair Conditioning
The moisturizing properties of tea make it perfect for conditioning your hair. Make a one-liter jug of fresh-brewed unsweetened tea. After shampooing and conditioning your hair in the shower, use the brewed tea as a final rinse to nourish and replenish your hair.

3.Relieve Nipple Pain
Breastfeeding can result in soreness around a woman's nipple. The tannic acid found in tea has the ability to soothe pain and moisturize the area. Place a tea bag on ice after using it to brew a hot cup of tea. Once the temperature of the tea bag has cooled, apply it to the nipple and cover with a nursing pad. Within a few minutes you will feel the pain relieved.

4.Treat Poison Ivy Rash
Poison ivy can be incredibly painful and itchy. A cup of strong, black tea that has been freshly brewed can be used to dry up the rash. Dip a cotton ball or swab into cooled tea and rub it over the infected area. This will help stop the spread of the rash. To soothe the itching and burning that comes with poison ivy, use a chilled tea bag and apply it to the infected area.

5.Foot Deodorizer
Foot odor can be very embarrassing for many people. To alleviate this problem, soak your feet in a cool tea bath each night. It is best to do this with at least one liter of freshly brewed tea. Tea contains tannic acid that absorbs the toxins that cause foot odor. You can also take tea leaves and mix them with baking soda and lemon juice in a homemade compound.

6.Eye De-puffer
Tea leaves have the ability to decrease puffiness under eyes with their natural vitamins. Take a used tea bag and wrap it around the back of a teaspoon. Place in the refrigerator until cool. Once cooled, hold the teabag and spoon on the swollen area. After about two minutes you will notice the puffiness and dark circles decrease.

Rewed tea has varying levels of caffeine depending on the type of tea. White tea has the least caffeine, green teas and black teas vary greatly, with black tea usually having the highest levels. Within each type, caffeine levels vary depending on the blend, size of the leaves, and brewing time. Bag teas usually have less caffeine than loose teas because of the size and quality of leaves.

Advantages of consuming tea:
-provides energy and vigor
-boosts the energy and reduces anxious feeling
-powerful anti-oxidant that inhibits cancer cells
-fights cholesterol levels
-inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots
-slows down the process of aging
-has laxative effects
-improves metabolism
-increases good cholesterol
-reducing bad cholesterol levels
-has an anti-aging formula
-gives more endurance to work out longer
-controls blood sugar levels
-effective appetite suppressant
-acts as a natural diuretic which sheds water weight

Disadvantages if overconsumption:

-may cause kidney damage
-can irritate your stomach
-drinking eight or nine daily duplicates the symptoms of ulcer
-slows the digestion process
-creates gas
-causes diarrhea and constipation
-affects respiratory and heart function
-causes indigestion
-overexcites the nervous system and causes palpitations

Mangosteen for Health

Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana)is a fruit found in tropical countries throughout Asia, for example Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. It also grows reasonably well in areas such as Hawaii and tropical Northern Australia from Innisfail north to Cooktown.
Mangosteen is a small and very slow-growing tropical evergreen tree. The height of the tree attains 20 to 82 feet. The length of its leaves is up to 10 inches. The width of its flowers is 1 ½ to 2 inches. And maybe male or hermaphrodite is on the same tree.
The following are the benefits of mangosteen:
1.Anti-fatigue (energy booster)
2. Powerful anti-inflammatory (prevents inflammation)
3. Analgesic (prevents pain)
4. Anti-ulcer (stomach,
mouth and bowel ulcers)
5. Anti-depressant (low to moderate)
6. Anxyolytic (anti-anxiety effect)
7. Anti-Alzheimerian (helps prevent dementia)
8. Anti-tumor and cancer prevention (multiple categories cited)... shown to be capable of killing cancer cells
9. Immunomodulator (multiple categories cited) - helps the immune system
10. Anti-aging
11. Anti-oxidant
12. Anti-viral
13. Anti-biotic (modulates bacterial infections)
14. Anti-fungal (prevents fungal infections)
15. Anti-seborrheaic (prevents skin disorders)
16. Anti-lipidemic (blood fat lowering, LDL)
17. Anti-atherosclerotic (prevents hardening
of arteries)
18. Cardioprotective (protects the heart)
19. Hypotensive (blood pressure lowering)
20. Hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic effect, helps lower blood sugar)
21. Anti-obesity (helps with weight loss)
22. Anti-arthritic (prevention of arthritis)
23. Anti-osteoporosis (helps prevent the loss of bone mass)
24. Anti-periodontic (prevents gum disease)
25. Anti-allergenic (prevents allergic reaction)
26. Anti-calculitic (prevents kidney stones)
27. Anti-pyretic (fever lowering)
28. Anti-Parkinson
29. Anti-diarrheal
30. Anti-neuralgic (reduces nerve pain)
31. Anti-vertigo (prevents dizziness)
32. Anti-glaucomic (prevents glaucoma)
33. Anti-cataract (prevents cataracts)
34. Pansystemic - has a synergistic effect on the whole body

Mangosteen is usually taken for holistic health and no one would argue about the substantial health benefits that can be derived from the fruit. The best mangosteen supplements out there are manufactured from the rind of this superfruit. In order to make mangosteen capsules in the best possible way, the fruit is to freeze dried. This is because other antioxidant extraction methods like solvent usage may cause significant damage to the quality of the antioxidants and the nutrients.

The medicinal benefits of mangosteen will doubtlessly be heralded for a long time to come. Many more will be announced and either confirmed or dismissed in the process. At the moment, there is an understandable trend towards treatment with naturopathic agents like mangosteen extracts in lieu of prescription drugs.


The recent popularity of mangosteen has caused a rise in the number of popular products made from the fruit. However, not all these supplements provide the benefits they promise. Avoid products that promise miraculous recoveries and results because of their use. Instead, look for mangosteen products with more reasonable promises. This superfruit does provide wonderful health benefits, and can boost our immune systems, but, like everything else, it isn't magic. If a manufacturer's promises seem to good to be true, take a second look at them with a critical eye. When buying mangosteen supplements, you want to find the effective kind, not the popular but useless ones.

Digestive Diseases ( Gastrointestinal diseases )

Digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube. It runs from mouth to anus and includes esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines.Liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also involved. They produce juices to help digestion.There are many types of digestive disorders. The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem. In general, you should see your doctor if you have

* Blood in your stool
* Changes in bowel habits
* Severe abdominal pain
* Unintentional weight loss
* Heartburn not relieved by antacids

The primary causes for functional disorders include:

* Eating a diet low in fiber
* Not getting enough exercise
* Traveling or other changes in routine
* Eating large amounts of dairy products
* Being stressed
* Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement
* Resisting the urge to have bowel movements due to pain from hemorrhoids
* Overusing laxatives (stool softeners) that, over time, weaken the bowel muscles
* Taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
* Taking certain medicines (especially antidepressants, iron pills, and strong pain medicines such as narcotics)
* Being pregnant

X-ray examinations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract-- which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines and rectum-- enable your physician to detect abnormalities in these organs.

Gastrointestinal examinations are usually called either "upper GI" or "lower GI," depending on the organs that are to be studied:

* The upper GI test examines the esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine. For this test, the patient swallows a contrast solution that contains barium.
* The lower GI test examines the large intestine and the rectum. For this test, barium is administered rectally by enema.
Our diets can contribute to digestive system difficulties. Many people eat too much processed food and sugar, and not enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Poor eating habits, such as eating too quickly or skipping meals, can also be part of the problem. Many digestive problems can be prevented through lifestyle. Be sure to get adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

10 Tips on Dietary Fiber

1. Keep in mind that a high-fiber diet may tend to improve:
* Chronic constipation
* Coronary heart disease
* Hemorrhoids
* Diabetes mellitus
* Diverticular disease
* Elevated cholesterol
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Colorectal cancer
2. Try to double your daily fiber intake.
* Average intake: 10-15 grams per day
* Recommended intake: 20-35 grams per day
3. Understand what fiber is, where it comes from:
* Insoluble fiber
o Cereals
o Wheat/wheat bran
o Whole grains
* Soluble fiber
o Brans
o Fruit
o Oatmeal/oat bran
o Psyllium
o Vegetables
4. Substitute high-fiber foods for high-fat and low-fiber foods.
5. Keep your daily fiber intake stable. Consider a fiber supplement if you:
* Travel
* Eat away from home often
* Find it difficult to get enough fiber through food choices alone
6. Don't shock your system: Increase fiber levels in your diet gradually.
7. Always increase fluids (water, soup, broth, juices) when you increase fiber.
8. Add both soluble and insoluble fiber, from a variety of sources.
9. Compare fiber content of foods:
10. Choose foods high in fiber content.

Fruits and Vegetables (Highest in Fiber Per Serving):

Artichokes
Apples, pears (with skin)
Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Dates
Figs
Prunes
Beans (baked, black, lima, pinto)
Broccoli
Chick-peas
Lentils
Parsnips Peas
Pumpkin
Rutabaga
Squash (winter)

Other Good Fiber Choices:
Barley
Bread, Muffins (whole wheat, bran)
Cereals (branflakes, bran, oatmeal, shredded wheat)
Coconut
Crackers (rye, whole wheat)
Nuts (almonds, Brazil, peanuts, pecans, walnuts)
Rice (brown)
Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)

Eating high-fiber foods is a healthy choice for most people. If you have ever received medical treatment for a digestive problem, however, it is very important that you check with your doctor to find out if a high-fiber diet is the right choice for you.

Corticosteroids: another type of steroids

Corticosteroids or glucocorticoids, often just called "steroids", where once thought to be almost miraculous. In 1948, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota a group of arthritis patients were given daily injections of a corticosteroid. The results were so striking and the improvement so dramatic that it was thought that the "cure" for arthritis had been discovered.

However, as the use of corticosteroids expanded over the years, side effects emerged and it was realized that high doses given over prolonged periods of time turned steroids into "scare-oids". Patients were warned of the potential problems, the use of corticosteroids became more conservative, and some patients were so frightened of them they even declined treatment.

Corticosteroids act on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions, such as prostaglandins. However, they also impede the function of white blood cells which destroy foreign bodies and help keep the immune system functioning properly. The interference with white blood cell function yields a side effect of increased susceptibility to infection.
Corticosteroids are widely used for many conditions. They are also used to control inflammation of the joints and organs in diseases such as:
•rheumatoid arthritis
•lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
•ankylosing spondylitis
•juvenile arthritis

Corticosteroids are versatile in their mode of application. They can be given:
•orally
•injected into the vein or muscle
•applied locally to the skin
•injected directly into inflamed joints

Corticosteroid drugs can also be used as ingredients contained in:
•eye products (to treat various eye conditions)
•inhalers (to treat asthma or bronchial disease)
•nasal drops and sprays (to treat various nasal problems)
•topical creams, ointments, etc. (to treat various skin problems)

Corticosteroids can be used in conjunction with other drugs, and are prescribed for short-term and long-term use.
Prednisone (brand names include: Cortan, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Panasol-S, Prednicen-M and Sterapred) is the most commonly prescribed synthetic corticosteroid for arthritis.

The potent effect of corticosteroids can result in serious side effects which mimic Cushing's disease, a malfunction of the adrenal glands resulting in an overproduction of cortisol. The list of potential side effects is long and includes:
•increased appetite and weight gain
•deposits of fat in chest, face, upper back, and stomach
•water and salt retention leading to swelling and edema
•high blood pressure
•diabetes
•black and blue marks
•slowed healing of wounds
•osteoporosis
•cataracts
•acne
•muscle weakness
•thinning of the skin
•increased susceptibility to infection
•stomach ulcers
•increased sweating
•mood swings
•psychological problems such as depression
•adrenal suppression and crisis

Side effects can be minimized by following doctor's orders and keeping to the lowest dose possible. It is also important to avoid self regulation of the dosage, either by adding more or stopping the medication without a schedule.

Immune System

Immune system is the most dynamic body component in determining our state of health or disease. Our immune system constantly interacts with our internal environment, protects us from our external environment and provides the inherent knowledge to sense the difference between friend and foe.

Everyday our immune system must overcome viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. It neutralizes toxins. It protects us from cancer everyday. It knows the difference between friend and enemy. It’s constantly interacting with our “internal” and “external” environment.

The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The cells involved are white blood cells, or leukocytes, which come in two basic types that combine to seek out and destroy disease-causing organisms or substances.

The two basic types of leukocytes are:
1.phagocytes, cells that chew up invading organisms
2.lymphocytes, cells that allow the body to remember and recognize previous invaders and help the body destroy them

When your body encounters a germ, its first line of defense is your immune system. Specialized cells and organs help your body recognize and respond to foreign invaders. Your immune system even has its own circulatory system, called the lymphatic system.

If your immune system cannot do its job, the results can be serious. Disorders of the immune system include
•Allergy and asthma - inappropriate immune responses to substances that are usually harmless
•Graft-vs.-host disease - a life-threatening reaction in people receiving organ transplants
•Immune deficiency diseases - disorders in which your resistance to disease becomes dangerously low
•Autoimmune diseases - diseases causing your immune system to attack your own body's cells and tissues by mistake


Immunity can be strong or weak, short-lived or long-lasting, depending on the type of antigen it encounters, the amount of antigen, and the route by which the antigen enters the body. Immunity can also be influenced by inherited genes. When faced with the same antigen, some individuals will respond forcefully, others feebly, and some not at all.

An immune response can be sparked not only by infection but also by immunization with vaccines. Some vaccines contain microorganisms—or parts of microorganisms— that have been treated so they can provoke an immune response but not full-blown disease.
Immunity can also be transferred from one individual to another by injections of serum rich in antibodies against a particular microbe (antiserum). For example, antiserum is sometimes given to protect travelers to countries where hepatitis A is widespread. The antiserum induces passive immunity against the hepatitis A virus. Passive immunity typically lasts only a few weeks or months.

Infants are born with weak immune responses but are protected for the first few months of life by antibodies they receive from their mothers before birth. Babies who are nursed can also receive some antibodies from breast milk that help to protect their digestive tracts.

For many years, healthcare providers have used vaccination to help the body’s immune system prepare for future attacks. Vaccines consist of killed or modified microbes, parts of microbes, or microbial DNA that trick the body into thinking an infection has occurred.

A vaccinated person’s immune system attacks the harmless vaccine and prepares for invasions against the kind of microbe the vaccine contained. In this way, the person becomes immunized against the microbe. Vaccination remains one of the best ways to prevent infectious diseases, and vaccines have an excellent safety record. Previously devastating diseases such as smallpox, polio, and whooping cough (pertussis) have been greatly controlled or eliminated through worldwide vaccination programs.

Inherited immune system disorders are diseases in which children are born without an immune system or with an incomplete immune system. People with an immune system disorder are less able to fight infections.

Inherited immune system disorders are also called primary immune deficiency disorders. They are called "primary" because they are caused by a gene defect that affects the immune system. Genes carry an inherited code of instructions that tells the body how to make every cell and protein in the body. (Secondary immune deficiencies are caused by something outside the body, such as chemotherapy or infection with a virus.)

People with severe inherited immune system disorders are at high risk for life-threatening infections. For many severe disorders, the only known cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT). The following are two of the most severe inherited immune system disorders:
•Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Transplant
•Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) and Transplant

Transplant has also been used to treat some other inherited immune system disorders, including:
•Combined immunodeficiency associated with other syndromes: Severe DiGeorge Syndrome, X-linked immunodeficiency with normal or elevated IgM, X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, IPEX (Immune dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteritis, and X-linked) syndrome
•Humoral immunodeficiency: Common variable immunodeficiency
•Other deficiencies: Chronic granulomatous disease, leukocyte adhesion deficiency

To find out whether transplant is a treatment option for you or your family member, talk to a doctor who is an expert in treating these.

Anabolic Steroids

Also called: Anabolic-androgenic steroids, Performance-enhancing drugs

Anabolic steroids -- or more precisely, anabolic-androgenic steroids -- are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone. Both anabolic and androgenic have origins from the Greek: anabolic, meaning "to build," and androgenic, meaning "masculinizing."

Testosterone's natural androgenic effects trigger the maturing of the male reproductive system in puberty, including the growth of body hair and the deepening of the voice. The hormone's anabolic effect helps the body retain dietary protein, which aids in the development of muscles. Although there are many types of steroids with varying degrees of anabolic and androgenic properties, it's the anabolic property of steroids that lures athletes. They take them to primarily increase muscle mass and strength."

Anabolic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. Medical uses of anabolic steroids include some hormone problems in men, late puberty and muscle loss from some diseases.
Bodybuilders and athletes often use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance. But using them this way is not legal or safe. Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked with many health problems. They range from unattractive to life threatening and include
•Acne and cysts
•Breast growth and shrinking of testicles in men
•Voice deepening and growth of body hair in women
•Heart problems, including heart attack
•Liver disease, including cancer
•Aggressive behavior

There should not be a controversy over anabolic steroid use in athletics -- non-medical use of anabolic steroids is illegal and banned by most, if not all, major sports organizations. Still, some athletes persist in taking them, believing that these substances provide a competitive advantage. But beyond the issues of popularity or legality is the fact that anabolic steroids can cause serious physical and psychological side effects.

Steroids can be taken orally or they can be injected. Those that are injected are broken down into additional categories, those that are very long-lasting and those that last a shorter time. In recent years, use has shifted to the latter category -- shorter-lasting, water-soluble injections. The reason for that is that the side effects associated for the oral form were discovered to be especially worrisome for the liver. But the injectable steroids aren't free of side-effects either. There is no free ride and there is a price to be paid with either form.

It is not only the football player or weightlifter or sprinter who may be using anabolic steroids. Nor is it only men. White- and blue-collar workers, females and, most alarmingly, adolescents take steroids -- all linked by the desire to hopefully look, perform and feel better, regardless of the dangers.
Anabolic steroids are designed to mimic the bodybuilding traits of testosterone. Most healthy males produce less than 10 milligrams of testosterone a day. Females also produce testosterone but in minute amounts. Some athletes however, may use up to hundreds of milligrams a day, far exceeding the normally prescribed daily dose for legitimate medical purposes. Anabolic steroids do not improve agility, skill or cardiovascular capacity.

Physical side effects:

Men - Although anabolic steroids are derived from a male sex hormone, men who take them may actually experience a "feminization" effect along with a decrease in normal male sexual function. Some possible effects include:
•Reduced sperm count
•Impotence
•Development of breasts
•Shrinking of the testicles
•Difficulty or pain while urinating

Women - On the other hand, women often experience a "masculinization" effect from anabolic steroids, including the following:
•Facial hair growth
•Deepened voice
•Breast reduction
•Menstrual cycle changes

With continued use of anabolic steroids, both sexes can experience the following effects, which range from the merely unsightly to the life endangering. They include:
•Acne
•Bloated appearance
•Rapid weight gain
•Clotting disorders
•Liver damage
•Premature heart attacks and strokes
•Elevated cholesterol levels
•Weakened tendons

Behavioral side effects :
Anabolic steroids can cause severe mood swings. People's psychological states can run the gamut.. They can go from bouts of depression or extreme irritability to feelings of invincibility and outright aggression, commonly called "roid rage”. This is a dangerous state beyond mere assertiveness.

Recent evidence suggests that long-time steroid users and steroid abusers may experience the classic characteristics of addiction including cravings, difficulty in stopping steroid use and withdrawal symptoms.

Emulsion - Emulsifier

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more immiscible (unblendable) liquids.

Emulsions are mainly used in many major chemical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are used to make medicines that are more tasty, to improve value by controlling the amount of active ingredients. The most popular emulsions are Non-ionic because they have low toxicity. Cationic emulsions are also used in some products because their antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial is a substance that kills or avoids the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Emulsions are also used in the making many hair and skin products such as of various types of oils and waxes.

An emulsifier (also known as an emulgent) is a substance which stabilizes an emulsion by increasing its kinetic stability. One class of emulsifiers is known as surface active substances, or surfactants. Examples of food emulsifiers are egg yolk (where the main emulsifying agent is lecithin), honey, and mustard, where a variety of chemicals in the mucilage surrounding the seed hull act as emulsifiers; proteins and low-molecular weight emulsifiers are common as well. Soy lecithin is another emulsifier and thickener. In some cases, particles can stabilize emulsions as well through a mechanism called pickering stabilization. Both mayonnaise and Hollandaise sauce are oil-in-water emulsions that are stabilized with egg yolk lecithin or other types of food additives such as Sodium stearoyl lactylate.
Detergents are another class of surfactant, and will physically interact with both oil and water, thus stabilizing the interface between oil or water droplets in suspension. This principle is exploited in soap to remove grease for the purpose of cleaning. A wide variety of emulsifiers are used in pharmacy to prepare emulsions such as creams and lotions. Common examples include emulsifying wax,cetearyl alcohol,polysorbate 20, , and ceteareth 20. Sometimes the inner phase itself can act as an emulsifier, and the result is nanoemulsion - the inner state disperses into nano-size droplets within the outer phase. A well-known example of this phenomenon, the ouzo effect, happens when water is poured in a strong alcoholic anise-based beverage, such as ouzo, pastis, arak or raki. The anisolic compounds, which are soluble in athanol, now form nano-sized droplets and emulgate within the water. The colour of such diluted drink is opaque and milky.

Oil-in-water emulsions are common in food. Notable examples include:
•Vinaigrette – vegetable oil in vinegar; if prepared with only oil and vinegar (without an emulsifier), yields an unstable emulsion
•Mayonnaise – vegetable oil in lemon juice or vinegar, with egg yolk lecithin as emulsifier
•Hollandaise sauce – similar to mayonnaise
•Crema in espresso – coffee oil in water (brewed coffee), unstable

In pharmaceutics, hairstyling, personal hygiene and cosmetics, emulsions are frequently used. These are usually oil and water emulsions, but which is dispersed and which is continuous depends on the pharmaceutical formulation. These emulsions may be called creams, ointments, liniments (balms), pastes, films or liquids, depending mostly on their oil and water proportions and their route of administration. The first 5 are topical dosage forms, and may be used on the surface of the skin, transdermally, ophthalmically, rectally or vaginally. A very liquidy emulsion may also be used orally, or it may be injected using various routes (typically intravenously or intramuscularly). Popular medicated emulsions include calamine lotion, cod liver oil, Polysporin, cortisol cream, Canesten and Fleet.

Orthorexia: another type of eating disorder

Orthorexia, or orthorexia nervosa is a term coined by Dr. Steven Bratman, a Colorado MD, to denote an eating disorder characterized by a fixation on eating what the sufferer considers to be healthful food, which can ultimately lead to early death.

Bratman coined the term in 1997 from the Greek orthos, "correct or right", and orexis for "appetite". Literally "correct appetite", the word is modeled on anorexia, "without appetite". Bratman describes orthorexia as an unhealthy obsession (as in obsessive-compulsive disorder) with what the sufferer considers to be healthy eating. The subject may avoid certain foods, such as those containing fats, preservatives, or animal products, and suffer malnutrition.

A person with orthorexia nervosa is obsessed with what they believe is healthy eating. They may take a healthy diet to extremes. For instance, someone with orthorexia may begin following the Atkins diet, which restricts carbohydrates. They may then cut all carbs from their diet. While a diet of limited carbs may be healthy (and that’s debatable), a diet with no carbs is definitely not healthy.
Orthorexics often avoid processed foods, which are considered “artificial,” and preserved products, which are believed to be “dangerous.” Animal products are often avoided as well. The diet may be limited to only a few “safe” foods, for instance fresh fruits and vegetables.

The problem is that it’s impossible to live on only fruits and vegetables. People with orthorexia nervosa are often unhealthily thin. They are malnourished. They believe they are eating a healthy diet but in reality, they are not. Their diet is lacking in many key nutrients, such as protein, iron, and B vitamins. They suffer many of the health problems suffered by people with anorexia, and the condition can even be fatal.

Symptoms of orthorexia nervosa may include obsession with healthy eating, emaciation, and death by starvation. Orthorexic subjects typically have specific feelings towards different types of food. Preserved products are described as "dangerous", industrially produced products as "artificial", and biological products as "healthy". Sufferers demonstrate a strong or uncontrollable desire to eat when feeling nervous, excited, happy or guilty.

Orthorexia nervosa has a higher prevalence in men and in those with a lower level of education.

People with orthorexia are often unhealthily thin. They may suffer from dizziness and fainting, weakness and fatigue, anemia, hypotension (low blood pressure), and more serious medical problems. In severe cases, heart problems can occur, which can be fatal.

Treatment for orthorexia nervosa must begin with stabilizing any medical problems, if existent.

Education about proper nutrition is an important part of treatment. People with orthorexia are often resistant to this part of treatment because they believe they know what a healthy diet is, and that their diet is healthy. They are proud of their dietary choices.

Counseling is also recommended. It can help orthorexics increase self-esteem and set more realistic expectations for themselves.

People with orthorexia are often socially isolated by their condition. Their obsession with food and their eating habits leave them little time to develop social relationships. Their eating habits prevent them from going out to dinner with friends. As this changes, increasing social support is an important component of treatment.