How to take medicine for thyroid

Those who do not have a strong understanding of thyroid treatments may not be aware of the fact that the manner in which thyroid medication should be taken is important. Most physicians agree that the medicines need to be taken in a certain manner to obtain best results.

Some believe that the manner in which the medication is ingested can actually change the overall effect of the drug. Following the recommended method can surprisingly increase the overall benefits that can be derived from the thyroid treatment that has been opted for.

The reason why the manner of administration is so important lies in the nature of the drug.

Most thyroid medicines contain levothyroxine (available in the market under brand names like Synthroid, Levothroid, Unithroid, Eltroxin, Levoxyl). This is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone T4. The T4 hormone needs to be first converted to the active form of thyroid hormone, T3 for it to be effective. This conversion process takes a long time and therefore diet, precautions, time and manner become extremely important.

Conventional drugs (Cytomel, Thyrolar) or natural thyroid medication that contain the active T3 hormone do not require more than a couple of hours to get absorbed in the body. And therefore the various precautions that need to be taken along with these drugs are limited. The small random studies and surveys that have been conducted on determining the best method of administration have focused more on levothyroxine.

Any thyroid treatment, including alternative thyroid treatments therefore focuses on drugs and supplements that can ensure faster absorption of the hormone into the body.

The various opinions that exist among practitioners are in the context of

* The best time to take the medicine.
* Whether the medicine needs to be taken on an empty stomach or after meals?
* The key foods that need to be avoided while the medicine is getting absorbed?
* The other precautions that need to be taken while on thyroid medication?

The general advice the physicians give to ensure quick absorption is to avoid certain things at all times. These need to be avoided totally for at least two to four hours after taking the thyroid pill.

* Calcium and iron supplements
* High fiber diet
* Antacids
* Antidepressants

Some physicians advocate that taking the thyroid medication in the morning and avoiding meals for at least 30 minutes before and after gives best results. On the other hand some other verifiable studies have indicated that taking thyroid pills at bedtime helps in better absorption of the drug. This is based on the premise that major body organs are passive during night and therefore give the drug enough time for better assimilation. Some experts suggest that the daytime meals interfere with the drug and cause slower absorption.

If at all you shift your timings, it is advisable to get your thyroid levels checked, at least within eight weeks in order to determine whether the change has given you better results or not.

Treating Depression and Anxiety The Natural Way

Prescription Anti-Depressants, Tranquillizers and Sleeping Tablets are regularly prescribed by doctors to treat anything from bereavement to postnatal depression. While there are many responsible and caring doctors out there, there are also many who over prescribe. This may sometimes be due to lack of time, lack of adequate training in emotional problems and mood disorders or sometimes just pure indifference towards the patient's problems! Sad, but unfortunately true!

In my opinion, the above drugs should only be used as a very last resort to treat depression, anxiety, or insomnia which is severe and chronic, i.e. when the person's day to day functioning is badly affected and where the problem is not responsive to any other forms of treatment. Many times, however, prescription drugs are the first line of treatment and this often becomes an obstacle in the patient's road to health and empowerment. In the extreme, it can lead to addiction and more problems than the patient started out with.

As for prescription sleeping tablets, the majority are addictive if used for longer than two weeks. After a while, more and stronger medication is needed, as the body gets "used" to the drug and "forgets" how to go to sleep by itself. This sets up a cycle of insomnia and dependence which is very difficult to break - and which would have been entirely avoidable if the health practitioner had spent some time listening to the patient and helping him or her to overcome problems, rather than resorting to prescription drugs.

The good news is that there are usually many healthier alternatives which really work well. They are not always the "quick fix', but most are a more permanent and certainly healthier alternative, leaving YOU in control!

Here are a few:

Exercise

I know, I know - you've heard this before and it IS hard to start! But if every client followed this advice, I would go out of business! Regular exercise helps you to feel healthier, increases the production of natural "feel good" chemicals in the body, boosts self-esteem and significantly reduces the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety. It also helps those struggling to lose weight or fight addictions. The keyword is "regular"! At least half an hour of brisk exercise three times a week. Daily is better if you are trying to beat depression. Walk, swim, jog, dance, do aerobics, whatever - so long as it results in a bit of sweat and an increased heart rate. Believe it or not - if you persevere, you will begin to enjoy it!

Social Support

When you are depressed, you usually isolate yourself and avoid company. Mixing with people is not always what you feel like doing, but loneliness is one of the major causes of depression. Get out there and join the world! You may hate it at first, but do it anyway! It will ultimately help to uplift your spirits and you will not feel so alone. If you don't have a social circle, join one! Volunteer organizations, mothers' groups, churches, sports clubs, hobbies and crafts are all good ideas. Be creative! Try out different alternatives until you find something that you like. Don't give up!

See the Discussion Forum Notice Boards for free support groups and topics of Inspiration. Join an online support group or start one of your own. Go to www.feelgoodcounseling.com/FeelGoodCommunity.htm

Talk About It

This is the most effective way of relieving depression and anxiety. Share your problems and "externalize" them, rather than bottling them up. You will be amazed at how relieved you feel and how you are able to begin to get things into perspective.

Speak to friends, family or to a professional person like a licensed counselor. Writing about your feelings is also therapeutic, so keep a journal, write a book or consult a professional online at http://www.nativeremedies.com/online_counseling.shtml

Do Nice Things For Yourself

Nurture and spoil yourself. You deserve it too! So have a bubble bath, buy that special something you've been wanting, play your favorite music and SING, have an aromatherapy massage or relax and soak in your bathtub after adding a few drops of soothing lavender oil to the water. - and do it because YOU ARE SPECIAL!

Learn how to say 'No' to others when it is appropriate and 'Yes' to yourself when you need it. If you tell yourself "I don't have enough time to do that for myself', ask whether you would make the time if it was someone else's need. You will probably find that, while you have the time to see to the needs of others, you have 'no time' for yourself! Turn this around and see to your needs too. They are just as important! Don't be a martyr and deny yourself and then resent other people for not caring about you!

Diet

No, not the starvation kind! Enjoy your food and eat healthily. Some foods help to fight depression and anxiety. A carbohydrate rich diet helps the body produce serotonin - the 'feelgood' chemical. Special serotonin foods are oats, whole wheat, bananas and other carbohydrate rich foods. Make sure you are having a full supplement of Vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and iron - a deficiency in any of these can lead to depression and anxiety-type symptoms and insomnia.

Natural Alternatives

There are many natural alternatives to prescription antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sleeping tablets. Research suggests that St John's Wort is as effective, but has far fewer side effects, than many of the commonly used prescription antidepressants. Passiflora, Melissa, and Lavender are other natural remedies to relieve anxiety and, in sufficient dosage, may also help to induce sleep. To ensure therapeutic dosages and correct manufacturing processes, Feelgood Health has formulated a number of natural remedies to promote emotional and psychological health. Becalm (adults) and KiddieCalmer (children) are specifically formulated to soothe the symptoms of anxiety and stress, while MindSoothe (adults) and MindSoothe Jr. (children) will assist with anxiety as well as depression. Serenite (capsules or drops for adults) and Serenite Jr. (drops for children) help to promote natural sleep. All of these, and other natural remedies, can be ordered online at www.nativeremedies.com. Consult a health practitioner before changing or stopping prescription medication!

Learn to Relax or Meditate

Relaxation techniques and meditation are easy to learn and are so effective in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression that I wonder why they are not routinely prescribed or even taught as a life skill at school! There are some excellent books on meditation and relaxation reviewed at www.feelgoodcounseling.com/AngelBooks.htm

Understand Your Symptoms

Why are you feeling depressed? What is bothering you? What needs to change to help you to feel better? Is it something in your present, or are there unresolved issues in your past or in your childhood that you still need to deal with and which are affecting your life and your relationships?

Are your anxiety symptoms realistic or do they subconsciously mask other issues in your life which need dealing with like low self esteem, relationship problems or problems from your childhood?

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are very troublesome, but they are also an 'early warning' signal from your body that something is not right and needs to change. Listen to your body and work on your problems to prevent further ill health.

If you need professional help in any of these areas, you are welcome to consult me at http://www.nativeremedies.com/online_counseling.shtml.

For more recommended and reviewed books on depression, anxiety and stress, see

http://www.feelgoodcounseling.com/reference_library.htm

Here are some other useful eBooklets on the topic of Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression.

* Understanding And Treating Anxiety
* Help Yourself Overcome Panic Attacks
* Help Yourself Overcome Insomnia
* Understanding And Treating Depression

Feelgood Tip

Here's a private game to play, guaranteed to warm your heart! See how many people you can get to return a smile! Without looking loony, make eye contact, smile and greet each person you meet or pass (as long as it's not in a dark alley!). Count how many return your smile. Not only does it feel good to have people smile at you, the facial muscles involved in smiling send messages to the brain, causing an increase in production of natural feelgood brain chemicals! Try it - you'll be surprised!

by Michele Carelse

Natural Solutions for Candida Albicans

Candida is a type of fungus (also called yeast), and is only one of a huge number of micro-organisms that exist in a human body. Normally, in a healthy body, Candida does not cause any problem. However, when the bio-balance is upset by factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, stress, excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrate, chronic use of medications such as anti-biotics, cortisone, the pill, etc, then one finds an overgrowth of Candida in the body.

This can result in toxins being released into the bloodstream and can have many adverse effects on the functioning of the body. The immune system is unable to cope with the continuous release of toxins into the body, leading to dis-ease. Symptoms can include depression, mood swings, sinusitis, headaches, chronic fatigue, joint pain, stomach pain, indigestion, vaginal thrush and other fungal infections, skin rashes and eczema, etc.

Fortunately, Candida can be controlled by means of a balanced diet and by the elimination of certain foods in order to create an internal environment in which the yeast cannot survive. An initial detox diet will ensure, along with our Candidate formula will ensure that the levels of systemic Candida are significantly reduced. Thereafter, a maintenance program should be followed to keep Candida permanently at bay. Remember that Candida thrives on all sugars and refined carbohydrates and it is only by controlling your intake of these foods that you will beat systemic Candida. By following this diet, you will not only be able to control Candida levels in your body, but you will also be amazed at the amount of energy you have. Your skin will clear, your eyes will sparkle and you will even lose weight, despite the fact that you need never go hungry! Many people find that the Candida diet helps to clear joint and back pain, balance sugar levels and blood pressure, control cholesterol and relieve symptoms of depression – all without medication! This is because by reducing Candida overgrowth in the body, the immune system is able to function properly for the first time in years, allowing the body to heal itself!

Some Important Points

When following the Candida diet, you must make sure that your blood sugar levels are kept at an acceptable level by eating a substantial breakfast, lunch and supper. If you find that your energy level is low or you are experiencing dizziness while on the diet, it is probably due to low blood sugar. If this happens, simply add a mid-morning and mid afternoon snack. Please remember to drink lots of water in order to assist the elimination of toxins from your body. After a few days of detoxing, some of your symptoms may become worse and you could also experience headaches. This is quite normal and part of the detoxification process. It will improve after a few days and you will begin to feel healthier than you have felt for years! The Candida diet should be followed for 4 weeks, followed by a maintenance program as outlined.

You may not use sugar in any form – this includes sucrose (cane sugar), gluscose and fructose (fruit sugar). Lactose (milk sugar) to be kept to a minimum.

CANDIDA DIET

Foods Allowed

* Rye Vita (contains no yeast) Chicken, fish, meat (preferably-
* Rye Bread (no yeast or wheat) roasted/grilled or steamed)
* Rice cakes Sunflower/olive oil
* Rice, potato or rye flour 30ml lemon juice
* Corn or soya flour all veggies fresh or frozen – no tinned food
* Oats, maize (corn) meal, maltabella Avocado pears
* Dairy-milk 125ml per day Sweet / normal potatoes
* Plain Bulgarian yoghurt-125ml (no sugar!) Brown rice (no white rice)
* Low fat cottage cheese (no sugar!) Onions / garlic (unless sensitive)
* Soya / Rice milk Walnuts, cashews, hazel,
* Ricotta cheese pecan, coconut & macadamia
* Popcorn (homemade), plain chips (no MSG
* One fruit per day (no melons & Herbal teas eg Rooibos
* grapes) Make sure that fruit is not bruised. Lipton herbal teas
* Herbs Mineral water
* Tomatoes Artificial sweeteners eg. Advantage
* Humus

Foods allowed weekly (only one item of each)

* Wholewheat pasta 1 rice cake with carob or yogurt topping
* Wheatbix (sugar free), tomato paste
* (if no wheat allergy is prevalent)
* Soft goat cheeses e.g. Camembert, feta or goat

Foods allowed twice a week (only one item of each)

* Tinned tuna or Salmon in spring water Spices eg. curries, chillies (avoid if allergic)
* Foods to Avoid
* Anything containing yeast Pickled, smoked or processed meat,
* fish (including cold meats, & vacuum packed foods)
* Breads, marmite provita, Bovril etc
* White wheat flour or pastry flour,
* Gluten flour, flake cereals, semolina,
* Cream of wheat, pasta – white All vinegars and vinegar products (chutney,
* mayonnaise, salad dressing etc)
* Cheese, fermented or processed
* eg. Cheddars, feta from dairy or other
* hard cheeses All forms of alcohol
* Fruits – melons or grapes or any fruit
* and vegetables that shown any signs
* of bruising or mould Honey and other natural sweeteners
* Mushrooms Sugar and anything containing sugar
* Peanuts, peanut butter and pistachio All teas and coffees, except herbal teas
* All fruit juices (drink still mineral water instead)

Typical Meals would include (omit foods your are allergic to. East as much as you want)

BREAKFASTS

* 1 Fruit
* Porridge - Oats, maltabella (regular) or
* Mealie (corn) meal. Rice cereal (infant food)
* Rye vita / yeast free bread / rice cakes Avo / cottage cheese / egg / tomato
* Haddock

LUNCH / DINNERS

* Salads eg. potatoes, greens, rice, beans
* (include as many different ingredients as
* possible)
* Meat, fish, chicken (roasted / grilled / steamed)
* Lentils, pulses, legumes-soups, bakes, etc
* All vegetables-steamed and to include
* pumpkin, squash, butternut
* potato-baked, boiled or chips
* brown rice
* salads/stir fries/soups-chicken & veggie
* soup may be frozen & reheated
* yeast free bread/rye vita/rice cakes
* Avo / tomato / cottage cheese / tuna / cold
* chicken

Maintenance Program

After the initial four weeks detox, you can slowly re-introduce foods from the ”Foods to avoid list”, but, please remember to use them in moderation. The foods to continue avoiding, or using with caution are: sugars, white flour, fruit juices, dried fruits, prepared breakfast flakes including muesli, alcohol, vinegar and foods containing yeast.

Good luck and be well!

Michele Carelse is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12 years experience. She runs her own private practice, as well as an online counseling and information service at http://www.nativeremedies.com/online_counseling.shtml

Acupuncture - Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disease and it is believed that more than 10 million people in US alone have to look for an appropriate urinary tract infection cure every year. Women are affected more than men, either because of their shorter urethra, which makes it easy for accumulated bacteria to travel upwards. It is also due to the closeness of the opening of urethra to the anus and due to some other reasons that are not yet confirmed by the scientists.

Continued allopathic treatment by way of antibiotics runs the risk of side effects. It is also known that the bacteria can also develop a resistance to the existing antibiotics that have been prescribed, if the medication is used for a long time. These issues have led to a continuous exploration of different modes of treatment and alternate therapies.

If one looks beyond home, natural, homoeopathic and herbal remedies for bladder infection treatment and urinary tract infection cure; acupuncture treatment is an option that can be considered.

The word acupuncture is derived from Latin words for needle (acus) and prick (pungere) and the therapy is exactly what the name suggests. Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles at specific points; a process which the proponents profess can relieve pain and cure diseases.

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and like every thing old, has evolved over time. It exists today in another form also, called classical Chinese acupuncture. Japanese and Korean acupunctures are slightly different. Modern acupuncturists use stainless steel needles of a very fine diameter suitably sterilized with ethylene oxide or by autoclave. The type and length of the needle and the extent to which it is to be inserted depends upon the style to which the acupuncturist belongs.

Whereas some studies have been instrumental in proving the pain relieving effects of acupuncture, its efficacy for curing other ailments is a debatable issue and open to doubt.

Studies performed in Norway, using standardized scientific procedures, point towards a 50% reduction in the rate of infection after getting acupuncture treatment for UTI. There is also evidence of acupuncture treatment leading to a reduction in urine retention. Urine that remains in the bladder even after urination is one of the major causes of UTI. This indicates that acupuncture therapy can be helpful in bladder infection cure too.

The debate whether acupuncture is an effective mode of treatment or simply has a placebo effect on the UTI patient will continue but there does not seem to be any harm in trying acupuncture as long as the therapist is careful about sterilization and is licensed by a competent authority to treat. As part of a urinary tract infection cure, acupuncture can be very helpful in relieving pain during infection. A prolonged acupuncture treatment can be quite effective in strengthening functions of the immune system and prevent recurrent infections.

A Case For and Against Cranberry Juice for Urinary Infection

Cranberry and cranberry juice for treating urinary tract infections is one of the most common home/ natural remedies. Cranberry juice or vitamins C both increase the acid in your urine so bacteria can't grow easily. Cranberry juice also makes your bladder wall slippery, so bacteria can't stick to it. A large polymeric compound of unknown structure and fructose in the juice are said to be responsible for this. Whereas fructose is present in all fruits, the large polymeric compound is found only in cranberry and blueberry juices.

Whether or not cranberry and cranberry juice is a substitute for urinary tract infection cure and bladder infection treatment is open to doubt but in conditions where treatment is ineffective, such as where asymptomatic bacteriuria exist it can prove to be of great help. On first signs of a urinary tract infection, almost all doctors advise drinking more water, up to 8 glasses every day, to induce more urination. Increased urination helps flush out bacteria from the bladder.

Some studies have demonstrated that cranberry juice can help prevent UTI. It is contended that cranberry juice curbs adhesion of E. coli cells to the bladder lining. These studies, which purport to have been made under scientific conditions using placebos and blind testing, have produced very encouraging results. According to these studies the regular intake of cranberry juice is effective in reducing bacteria in infected urine.

The important think to remember is to use 100% cranberry juice as most of the drinks or cocktails purporting to contain cranberry are most of the time flavored or contain very little of cranberry juice.

All this does not mean that cranberry juice is an absolute alternate to urinary tract infection cure. It also cannot also replace bladder infection treatment on its own. The fact of the matter is that cranberry juice does no harm and can be taken safely. It just might be of great help as the studies point out.

What needs to be done is that more research on the effects of cranberry juice on UTI and its prevention should be initiated in order to rule out any doubts about its efficacy. Till that time cranberry juice can at best be an additional home remedy along with the antibiotics used for urinary tract infection cure.

If you are in an unfortunate situation of being infected with UTI and / or face recurring UTI, you can consume as much cranberry juice as you safely can. The vitamin C and fructose in it will be of great help in complementing the effects of any antibiotic prescribed by your physician.

Turmeric for sciatica as one herbal treatment

There has been a lot of media hype over herbal treatments. With the banning of certain herbs and their exclusion from the US pharmacopeia, due to their reported adverse affects, herbs have also had their shares of controversies.

Herbs are natural products and have nothing to offer to pharmaceutical companies as they are difficult to patent. Turmeric is one of the few herbs over which the Indian Government has fought a successful legal battle against companies that are trying to patent it for medicinal purposes.

Conventional allopathic drugs are infamous for their adverse affects and the complications that are difficult to manage. There are myriads of plants and herbs that have medicinal properties that are safe to use and have been in use for ages.

Turmeric has a rich past to support its efficacy in healing. It is not uncommon to see Indians drinking milk mixed with pure turmeric powder when they hurt themselves. Turmeric and milk can also prove to be a good home remedy for a cold and chest congestion.

It is also used as a topical application for sprains and strains. However, turmeric does not have research to back it and one has to depend upon success stories and word of mouth testimonies. Stories, however, are stories and difficult for people to believe if they are looking for physical and scientific evidence.

Sciatica pain can be debilitating and can often lead to partial or complete immobility. It is a pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body that has its roots in lower spine and extends to the legs, passing through the buttocks.

Compression of any of its five roots due to alterations in spinal disc is the most common cause behind sciatica. It is a long nerve and is susceptible to getting pinched or compressed at various points along its route.

There is no single treatment for sciatica. Conventional sciatic nerve treatment involves use of toxic pain killers. Even traditional physicians suggest a combination of therapies. Herbs form an important part of sciatica alternative remedies as do exercises, acupuncture, yoga and chiropractic manipulations. Turmeric, as an herbal remedy, can play an important role in managing sciatica.

Turmeric is an herb that grows as a slender stem with yellowish orange color inside. It has known anti inflammatory properties and is an effective herb for healing injuries. A mixture of turmeric, butter oil and herbs like piper longum and roots of the genus Allium is used as a topical medicine for healing, alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. It is chewed in its raw form for cough and is also an important ingredient in practically all types of Indian curries.

The fact that there was an attempt for patenting turmeric for its use in pain relief is sufficient evidence of its efficacy. It may not be long before turmeric gets the recognition that it deserves as alternative medicine for pain relief and accompanying cardiovascular and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Its record is much stronger than most of the other herbs. Turmeric has been in use in Asia for blood, gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders and relief from pain.