Like the arteries, veins and capillaries that transport blood through our bodies, our bodies also contains an big drainage system that returns water and proteins from our tissues back to the bloodstream. titled the lymphatic system, it is part of our exempt system and works to defend the body from diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

The lymphatic system has two starring functions. First, it works to regulate the amount of fluids within our bodies. Secondly, it is responsible for “taking out the trash”, that is collecting waste products, such as stillborn blood cells and pathogens from the interstitial fluid (the fluid that fills the spaces around cells) and filters it before regressive it to the bloodstream.

The lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels that carry lymph, a protein-rich fluid that is transported finished the lymph vessels, and lymph nodes which filter down germs and toxins. There are finished 100 lymph nodes throughout the body, with the majority of them being located in the neck, groin and armpits. Lymphatic vessels contain valves that prevent the lymph from flowing backwards within the system. Within the lymphatic vessels, lymph is transported through the vessels and moves via the squeezing action of their neighboring skeletal muscles.

When the movement of lymph through the body becomes impaired, it will leak down of the lymphatic capillaries and cause the surrounding tissues to swell. This condition is titled lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs when the amount of lymph disposable in the body exceeds the body’s ability to transport it. This causes the lymph disposable to accumulate in the tissues, where it causes swelling, particularly of the arms and legs.

There are two types of lymphedema. Doctors don’t know what causes Primary Lymphedema, but it can be present at birth, or can develop later on in life. Fortunately, this condition is rare. Secondary Lymphedema is a condition that is not often talked about, but often affects individuals who have undergone surgery, such as cancer surgery where lymph nodes are commonly removed. It can also affect individuals who have undergone radiation therapy, which can damage lymph nodes and cause scar tissue to form ultimately interfering with the flow of lymph. It can also be experienced by individuals who have experienced a strict trauma or infection.

In the first stages of this chronic condition, Lymphedema often begins with swelling in a hand or foot, particularly the cardinal closest to where the surgery has occurred or radiation therapy has usurped place. If left-handed unchecked, the protein-rich lymph can continue to accumulate, major to increased swelling and a hardening of the tissues. This increases your risk of nonindustrial an infection or may interfere or impair the function of the limb.

Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body. If you experience persistent or continual swelling anywhere in your body, it is important to seek medical advice. Early intervention with this disorder greatly improves the daylong term outcome of the disease’s progression.

Recommendations For Wellness

• Avoid rigorous, repetitive movements or heavy lifting.

• Women, if your arm is affected, get rid of extra 50 lbs that you carry over your shoulder and trade it in for a purse that has hand straps.

• If your arm or leg starts to ache, lie down and elevate it.

• Wear loose fitting clothes, jewelry, socks and undergarments that may restrict lymphatic flow.

• Wear a compression sleeve or stocking on the sick limb.

• Keep your “at risk” limb clean and avoid activities that may irritate or damage the skin. overcareful skin care may reduce the risk of lymphedema by helping you to avoid infection.

• Massage, particularly lymphatic massage has been shown to help increase lymph drainage. You can do this yourself or work with a qualified massage therapist who has been specially trained in how to perform manual lymph drainage techniques.

• Begin a gentle exercise program. Exercise and muscle movement can help drain lymph fluid. (Consult with your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program).

• Drink plenty of water. Water is critical for proper lymph drainage.

• Echinacea has a long history of improving lymph filtration and drainage.

• Garlic is known for being able to stimulate the lymph system to throw off waste materials.

• Oregon grape can be used to help reduce the inflammation of the lymphatic system and works to help cleanse the lymph.

• Poke Root has been celebrated to help stimulate the body and aid its ability to remove inhospitable materials that may be trapped in the tissues. It can also help improve the elasticity of tissues that may have seasoned hardening due to congestion.

• Burdock, chromatic clover and mullein are known to thin lymph disposable and enhance lymphatic drainage.

• Herbal combinations such as Nature’s Sunshine’s Lymphatic Drainage, Lymphomax or Lymphostim are designed to stimulate the exempt system, fight infections and support the lymphatic system.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004. All rights reserved.

About The Author

Embarrassing as it may be, we have all suffered from constipation at one time in our life or another. reported to the general Health Interview Survey as many as 3 million Americans suffer from common if not degenerative constipation. While constipation is not recognized as a degenerative disease or serious disorder, people who are constipated often feel bloated, uncomfortable and equal sluggish. Constipation by itself is miserable enough, but sufferers often experience painful bowel movements that can become compounded by hemorrhoids that form repayable to straining.

To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works. When we eat, food is ground up in our stomachs so it can be digested. This “liquid” food passes into the miniscule intestine where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing a stool to form. If too much water is extracted from the stool as it passes finished the colon, it can become woody and difficult to pass leaving you constipated.

There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These include not eating enough dietary fiber, not drinking sufficient liquids (water), lack of exercise, ignoring the “urge” to have a bowel movement and solid-coloured old stress. Other causes can include having a lazy colon that does not contract properly, causing inhospitable materials to pass through the colon slowly, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, or machinelike obstructions that inhibit the movement of waste materials. Many prescription drugs and certain neurological disorders can also slow down the movement of inhospitable materials through the colon. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that finished time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to contract properly.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to relieve degenerative constipation naturally.

Recommendations For Wellness

Consume a higher fiber diet ready-made up of lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If that is not possible, incorporate a dietary fiber supplement much as psyllium hulls, Natures Sunshine’s Nature’s Three or their Irritable Bowel Fiber into your regular health routine. Dietary fiber holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while added bulk help to move the stool through the colon.

If opposite fiber supplements fail in your attempt to become regular, try taking Chitosan (a form of dietary fiber) along with vitamin C. The chitosan binds to fats from the foods we eat making the stool downy and smooth. The vitamin C helps to activate the chitosan in the stomach.

Drink plenty of water, especially if you are taking secondary fiber.

Try eating a few dry prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fiber, prunes have a mild laxative effect.

Avoid sugar and other processed foods.

Begin a stock exercise program to help promote mean bowel movements.

If you think allergies are the cause of your constipation, try an elimination diet to help you to identify what may be triggering your body and causing your colon to contract.

Meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and help your body to relax. This can help relax your colon.

Get a colonic to flush out some old fecal matter that may be trapped within the colon or try a colon cleanse.

Take a good probiotic such as acidopholis or bifidophilus to help promote a healthy environment within the colon.

Peppermint (3910-9) has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

Supplementation with magnesium and life-sized doses of vitamin C, have a mild laxative effect on the body.

If all other fails, herbs much as casgara segrada, turkey rhubarb or herbal combinations much as Natures Sunshine’s LBS II and LB-X can be used to evacuate the colon. While these should be used with caution, they are less aggressive than many commercial laxatives that are acquirable at the supermarket.

About The Author

Asthma can be a serous and often frightening condition that is typified by a tightening of the chest, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma is made up of two implicit components: inflammation and constriction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscles that surround the airways are relaxed, and aerial moves freely. But in people with asthma, the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten and aerial cannot move freely. In addition, individuals with asthma often have airways that are inflamed, irritated and swollen. This can make it woody for them to breathe. This irritation can also cause the mucus membrane that lines these tissues to produce excessive mucus, which can far reduce the flow of air into the lungs.

The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest trigger. These can include: emotional upsets and stress, upper respiratory tract infections, snoring cold air and even exercising too hard. mobile allergens, such as bee pollen, mammal-like dander, dust mold and smoke can also trigger an attack, as can certain foods or medications.

Asthma attacks can be some mild and severe. The severity of an attack, however, can escalate rapidly, so it is important to treat these symptoms immediately once you recognize them. In any case, it is influential to work with your primary health care provider when you look to treat this health concern. Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to help reduce the severity or eliminate asthma from your life.

Recommendations for Wellness

To help control an attack:

Sit leaning forward or in a semi-prone position to help restore normal breathing.

Try placing a hot, moist towel over your chest to help relax your chest muscles and restore mean breathing.

To help reduce your chances of another attack:

Incorporate breathing exercises into your regular routine to help strengthen your respiratory muscles.

Keep a health diary. Use it to help you figure out what is triggering your attacks, then reduce your exposure to them or eliminate those things from your life.

Don’t smoke. Avoid perfumes.

Make a specific effort to keep your environment allergen free. Get an air purifier. Dust and vacuum often. Change your domestic furnace or aerial conditioner filter regular.

Stop exercising if you start unhealthy or feel an attack coming on.

Drink plenty of water to help thin any mucus build-up in the lungs.

Eliminate or reduce mucus-forming foods such as milk products, products ready-made with white flower and refined foods.

Lobelia has a long history for relaxing respiratory muscles and reducing unsteady coughing.

To help reduce asthma symptoms, including ginkgo biloba into your health care program.

Herbal combinations such as Nature’s Sunshine’s Chinese Lung Support can help to support and protect the lungs.

Herbs much as mullein, licorice root, marshmallow root or slippery elm can be usurped to soothe displeased tissues.

Fenugreek and thyme can help to open the chest as it loosens & stimulates the gentle removal of mucus and phlegm.

Incorporate a homeopathic Asthma formula to help with shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, tightness of the chest and wheezing.

About The Author

The right touch not only strengthens our immune system but also help us survive.