COLDS – DURING A CHANGE OF SEASON
It is not unusual to hear complaints about chills and colds when seasonal changes occur. Most people accept them as unavoidable, not realising that it >s really up to us to do something about them. Women seem to be more prone to catching colds, since they are usually more reluctant to exchange their elegant thin stockings for warm or, better still, thick knitted woollen ones. It would indeed be most appropriate to limit the use of elegant apparel in favour of warmer clothing, or even to put it away altogether for the duration of the winter.
The change of season is the most difficult time for the body, for it is still accustomed to the warm summer and unprepared for the sudden onset of cold weather. That is why we must protect the body with whatever clothing is appropriate for the weather. Most important of all, keep the feet warm and, as I have pointed out already, woollen stockings and a pair of good, warm shoes are indispensable if you wish to discourage colds. It is an accepted fact that warm feet and a cool head are necessary for good health. As long as the feet are warm we will hardly ever catch a cold, because the feet are the indicators of the general warmth of the body.
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INFECTIOUS SUPPURATION OF THE EYES AND MOUTH 2
As a rule, such infections are simple enough to deal with if the body is given the right kind of help, for nature cures if we support it in its performance. It is better to take no action than to give the wrong treatment. The usual attempts to suppress the symptoms in order to destroy the germs with drugs actually undermine the body’s natural powers of resistance. The same foolishness is shown by those who treat plant diseases and pests. They expect to get rid of them by spraying the plants with poisonous chemicals, but succeed only in weakening or killing the plants’ own natural defence mechanism. So they are forced to increase and intensify their spray programmes. Similarly, some doctors have to prescribe more and stronger drugs because the body’s natural healing powers have been weakened or even destroyed. But we must remember that man is not the healer – it is nature that really performs the cure. All we ourselves can do is support the wonderful, natural self-healing powers of the body. Let us hope that this basic truth becomes once again more widely recognised and appreciated.
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WHAT CAN DAMAGE THE BRAIN?
If the blood pressure is either too high or too low it will adversely affect the functioning of the brain. Dizzy spells or fainting, for example, may result from too much pressure or lack of blood flow, due to low blood pressure.
Even though this single most important control centre, the brain, is well protected by the cranium, accidents and concussions can do much damage. Just think of the many falls and bumps experienced while skiing or engaging in other types of sports. On such occasions, the head – and thus the brain — often suffers severe blows or concussion without any visible sign of injury. However, if the fall is bad enough to cause a tear in the meninges, the cerebrospinal fluid will leak out and the brain, which had previously been cushioned by this fluid, will now be more like a dead weight, resulting in pressure being exerted on the various brain centres. The person will feel nauseous, the metabolic centre will be affected, and vomiting and possibly diarrhoea will occur. The patient must lie still and rest so that the tear can heal and the brain may once again enjoy the cushioning and protecting effect of the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding it.
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CHILDREN DISEASES – CHEMICAL MEDICINE
Chemical medicines are most harmful. Granted, it may seem convenient just to dissolve a few tablets in a glass of water, drink the solution, and see the fever obediently oblige and subside. The illness seems to fade away so harmlessly without ever reaching its climax. However, it is usually disregarded that the toxins will not have been eliminated from the body and are therefore still able to wreak damage somewhere, for example by provoking carditis, rheumatic fever, etc.
without doing anything about it,’ an overzealous nurse may object. Of course not. There is, however, a great difference between suppressing a fever and doing everything possible to encourage this internal fire. Let us always support the ‘fire’ and see to it that all the ‘flues’ are open so that it does not merely smoulder in the stove, the body, but that it really burns at full blast. All burnable wastes will then be eliminated faster, and the system will be cleansed and soon return to normal. Feverish children respond very well to the simple remedy Ferrum phosphoricum 12x; the tried and proven Aconitwn 4x also helps to eliminate the toxins through the skin. If you do not yet know what course an infectious disease will take, try alternating Aconitwn 4x and Belladonna 4x.
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DANGEROUS INFLUENCES DURING PREGNANCY
Nothing gives greater happiness to a woman than giving birth to a healthy baby. No young person can fully understand the meaning of parental bliss until parenthood is realised. But how great is the distress when a sickly child is born, or worse, a deformed child, perhaps with twisted limbs, hands or feet missing, or any other of those terrible deformities which, unfortunately, can occur. How terrible must be a mother’s feeling of guilt when she has to admit to herself that she might bear some or all of the blame for this calamity. Scientific research has shown that the first four to eight weeks, even the first three months of pregnancy, are the most crucial as far as harmful influences on the developing life in the womb are concerned. Some suggestions are given below on what a mother-to-be can do to best prevent abnormalities in the developing baby.
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HEADAHES: GLAUCOMA TREATMENT
Orthodox treatment
Fortunately, treatment for glaucoma is effective, but it’s important to start it as soon as possible, in order to minimise damage to the sensitive retina. Because a retracted iris blocks the drainage holes and increases the pressure, we want to keep the iris contracted and the pupil small, so that the muscle of the iris keeps out of the way of the drainage holes. Therefore, your doctor will give eye drops that cause the iris to close up to a pinpoint. Frequently a drug called pilocarpine, or another called timolol, are used to do this. Either or both are given regularly, as drops may be all that is necessary to ensure that the pupil remains small.
If the drops don’t work, a drug called acetazolamide can be given in tablet form, to reduce the pressure by reducing the formation of aqueous humour. Sometimes even this is not enough, and then an operation (a sclerectomy) to make a small, artificial drainage hole may be necessary. After this operation, even if the iris does dilate in dim light, it will not block the drainage holes
Self-help
As with anything, prevention is better than cure. If you have a family history of glaucoma, then make sure you get your eyes checked regularly.
It’s important to have your glaucoma diagnosed, because you can do many things to reduce the number of attacks. Anything which causes the iris to relax and the pupil to open decreases the drainage of the aqueous humour and may cause an attack. Low levels of light cause the pupil to open up, but there’s no need to go around constantly seeking bright surroundings, because the eyedrops will constrict the pupil very adequately.
More importantly, many drugs have the side-effect of relaxing the iris. Atropine is one. Some medicines have atropine-like side-effects, including many antidepressants. Your doctor will be able to tell you about any possible side-effects that the drugs you are taking might have.
If you have glaucoma, it’s worth reminding your doctor about it every time he prescribes for you. It’s easy for your doctor to forget you’ve got glaucoma when he’s treating you for, say, abdominal pains.
What about treatment of the acute attack? Fortunately, acute attacks are rare, now that we detect and control chronic glaucoma. Obviously, in an acute attack you need the doctor urgently. In a sudden attack of glaucoma, heat is sometimes effective. You can apply heat safely to the eye in the following way. Get a bowl of near boiling water, and a wooden spoon. Wrap some cotton-wool around the end of the spoon, dip it in the water and gradually bring it near to the closed eye, keeping the eye as hot as you can bear. When the cotton wool pad starts to feel cool, dip it back in the water and repeat the process. Also, a pad over the affected eye will stop light getting in, helping in those cases where light itself is painful.
Both these methods should only be employed to relieve the pain while the eyedrops are taking effect. They should not be used instead of proper medical treatment.
Complementary treatment
Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. While awaiting attention, belladonna can be taken in homoeopathic doses every fifteen minutes. Pain and fear can be controlled by Bach flower remedies, especially Rescue Remedy, which can be rubbed into the temples while waiting for help.
Because eye drops and, in severe cases, a minor operation, deal so effectively with glaucoma, there hasn’t been a great need for the alternative options found in complementary medicine.
However, acupuncture can deal with any pain following attacks, as can Shiatsu. Both claim to open channels within the body, hopefully preventing further blockages.
Elder/lower gel can relieve any pain or discomfort caused by glaucoma. Lavender, camomile, melissa, basil and clary sage in the bath or in a vapouriser will help to relieve the headaches caused by glaucoma. Wormwood on cotton wool reduces eye inflammation.
See the post-illness suggestions in chapter Nine, for general tips to recovering from sudden attacks on the system, and maintaining health and well-being
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PAIN AFTER A HEAD INJURY: PAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER A HEAD INJURY
Firstly, there is the immediate post-injury headache, occurring during the first week after the accident. Secondly, there can be post-concussion headaches – which may be a concussion headache that doesn’t go away, or else a headache which comes on even as late as six months after the original injury.
Pain immediately after a head injury
A lot of things can happen from a blow to the head. Firstly, there’s local bruising to the skin, fat and muscles overlying the skull, each of which will cause pain. The bones of the skull may be bruised or broken, which is another source of pain. The brain may undergo a shearing force, pulling and stretching its nerve fibres; surprisingly, the brain hasn’t got any sensory pain fibres in it, so it can’t feel pain directly from this, but headaches often occur after concussion for other reasons. Bleeding into the skull raises the pressure inside the head, and this can cause an intense headache.
Any injury to the skull is likely also to injure the neck to some extent, and there may be pain from muscles and ligaments which have been over-stretched, joints that have been moved into abnormal positions, and bones that have been broken.
Obviously, not all of this happens in every head injury, but it does give an idea of the large number of different sources of pain that can follow after a single blow.
One of the most potent sources of pain after a head injury comes from the neck muscles. Often a simple head injury traumatises the neck sufficiently to cause all the muscles to go into spasm. This can occur after relatively minor blows; for example, on banging your head under a shelf.
Type of headache
The headache immediately after a head injury is usually throbbing, with tenderness locally at the site of the injury; it is frequently accompanied by a generalised headache, from spasm in the neck muscles.
Treatment
Treatment following head injury depends on exactly what injuries have been sustained; see the relevant section above for each type of injury.
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HEADACHES, STROKES: COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT
The prevention of stroke, and rehabilitation after suffering a stroke, are the main focuses for several complementary therapies. The circulatory system is the centre of attention in terms of prevention, and the control of cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardio-vascular disease are most important. Try hawthorn (berries and leaves) and lime blossom in tea or dry form. Massage with juniper and lemon are said to help break down fatty deposits in the bloodstream.
Aromatherapy is a good way to prevent circulatory problems, and strokes in particular. Oils pass quickly into the bloodstream, when used in massage, and there are a number that you should find helpful. Black pepper, juniper and marjoram will stimulate the circulatory system locally, while cypress, neroli, lemon and rose will improve circulation generally.
Royal jelly is thought to lower blood pressure. Vitamins C and F aid the whole circulatory system, acting as anti-oxidants. In America and Finland, studies have indicated that low levels of selenium in the blood are linked lo strokes and to heart and circulatory diseases. However, selenium is potentially toxic, so do consult a registered practitioner before using it. Selenium is often used with Vitamin E. Do note, however, that the effects of selenium are blocked when Vitamin C is ingested at the same time.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) also lowers blood cholesterol, and protects against cardio-vascular disease. Niacin may actually be capable of reversing some arteriosclerosis, in many cases a forerunner to strokes. Niacin is, however, toxic in high doses; a niacin flush – hot, reddened skin, a tingling and burning sensation in the face, neck, arms and chest area – indicates toxicity. Consult your GP or clinical nutritionist for a sensible dose.
Stress-reduction techniques are essential to help prevent strokes, and gentle
exercises — like those involved in T’ai Chi or yoga – keep the circulatory system in good order. Acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy can help deal with the pain of headaches, and the anxiety that can exist following stroke. The muscle spasm in the neck and shoulder areas that is common in stroke victims benefits from physiotherapy or soft-tissue manipulation (osteopathy) and the headaches and psychological effects that often follow a stroke may react well to cranial osteopathy. Music, dance and art therapy can teach the patient to use weakened limbs and reflexes, and provide distraction from the pain, fear and depression that may ensue after the illness.
Reflexology may assist the muscles to relax, and relaxation therapy will be tidal if you are tense. As post-stroke therapy, reflexology can help patients recover more quickly and return to regular living. Strokes can make patient ess in control of his emotions, which can well up in a childlike fashion. Relaxation techniques and perhaps psychotherapy might be appropriate here.
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HEADACHES, OTHER INFECTIONS: HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)
ChickenpOX Is an almost universal childhood disease characterised by blistery spots scattered all over the body. These are often exceptionally uncomfortable, especially where they occur in the throat, ears and other orifices. Other than this, chicken pox is usually a relatively benign illness, with few side-effects. However, after the infection is over, the chickenpox virus lodges in the ends of the nerves near the skin. Many years later these viruses can re-activate and when they do they form the condition called shingles.
Shingles produces much the same sort of crusty abrasions as chicken pox, except that whereas chickenpox occurs over the whole body, shingles occurs only along the distribution of one single spinal nerve. So, typically, the little marks of shingles will appear in a band or a patch round the trunk; or down the arm; or over the buttock; or down the leg. Occasionally, the nerve affected is the one which supplies the forehead region, or alternatively the eye itself. Shingles here can cause severe head pain.
Although chickenpox and shingles are essentially the same virus, the infections themselves couldn’t be more different. Whereas chickenpox is usually a mild infection leaving no after-effects, shingles can be a very nasty infection indeed. For a start, it’s painful; and what’s more the pain of shingles can continue for years in the area of skin supplied by the nerve that has been affected. Secondly, although chickenpox is a disease of the young, shingles generally affects those who are older, and those whose immune system isn’t working properly (the ‘immunocompromised’). This included sufferers from AIDS, and those who are on certain types of medication such as for cancer.
Shingles has been very aptly described as ‘a belt of roses from Hell’. The pain of shingles doesn’t have to persist afterwards, but in a good proportion of cases it does. Shingles can be very unpleasant, but fortunately we have a number of drugs that can counteract it. The secret of good treatment is to use these drugs as soon as the condition is diagnosed, and to make sure that the treatment is fully carried out. The less that the virus in the nerve endings is allowed to proliferate, the less pain will occur in the future.
One of the classic places for shingles lo occur is over the forehead and around the eye. It starts with an odd sensation in the skin over one side of the forehead and scalp, which then gradually turns into pain, but at this stage there is nothing to be seen and both doctor and patient may wonder what is happening, or where the severe pain is coming from. Then the skin lesions begin to come out – typically, little cyst-like blebs which soon crust over. The blebs can be few in number, but in severe cases they can cover the whole area supplied by the affected nerve, and so one side of the forehead can become a mass of ulcerated abrasions. Typically, new crops of blebs appear each day while the older ones start to crust over. Eventually, no more new vesicles are formed, and the crusts finally drop off, often leaving skin which is red, peeling and very tender to the touch. The skin symptoms of pain and sensitivity may persist some time after its colour and consistency have gone back to normal.
Even if you don’t get post-infection pain, shingles is a very debilitating disease and it may take three months before you feel back to normal.
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TYPE OF TENSION HEADACHE
Tension headaches can take one of many forms. They can occur over the forehead, behind the eyes, in the temples, as a band round the head, over the top of the head, at the nape of the neck (where the neck joins on to the back of the skull), or passing up from the neck into the ears. As a rule of thumb, the higher up the neck that the muscles in spasm are situated, the more the pain is perceived towards the front of the head. In other words, if muscles high in the neck are in spasm, you’ll get pain in the forehead; similarly, if the muscles in the middle of the neck are in spasm, the pain will be centred more over the top of the head. But this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
The pain is often constant, but it can be throbbing; it can be worse with movement or exertion, and sometimes keeps time with the pulse. It can also go on for days at a time – which is why tension headaches are so upsetting.
Tension headaches are seldom severe; at least, not by comparison with the sort of headache experienced by a migraine sufferer, but they are prolonged and nagging, like toothache, They can also cause considerable worry. Why am I having the pain? What sinister illness does it indicate? The fact that it won’t go away, even with painkillers, is often what frightens people most. They feel that it must be the tip of some deadly iceberg. Just to make things worse, worrying about the cause of your tension headache merely serves to increase your general level of stress and make your tension headache worse …
Sometimes tension headaches can make you feel sick or nauseous; and because of the way that neck muscles in spasm can affect the blood supply to the upper part of the spinal cord, tension headaches can often make you feel dizzy, woolly-headed, and off-balance.The changes in tension headaches sometimes cause the arteries in the muscles to open up, exposing the smaller arteries to the full force of the blood pressure. Tension headaches of this sort are often pounding, in time with the heartbeat.Typically, straining or exercising exacerbates the headache, as the blood pressure rises even more during these activities.
One of the typical features of tension headaches is that once they go they are usually gone for good (at least for that day). As we discussed above, this is simply because the ‘vicious circle’ nature of tension headaches means that they are a self-perpetuating mechanism, and once the vicious circle is broken the headaches go away. Tension headaches can often be worse on waking, especially after sleeping in; and are often exacerbated and triggered off by minor degrees of neck injury.
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