Aspirin – is not without its side-effects
How many people have you met, that have an Aspirin deficiency? Yet people are taking Aspirin every day, with its negative side-effects. Some use Aspirin as a blood thinner and others as a painkiller. Yet nature has provided us with substances that can thin the blood and kill pain and bring with them a whole host of positive side-effects.
Aspirin – many older people are on a long term low-dose aspirin, taking it everyday for many years.
“Many Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are caused not by the drug directly but by drug-induced nutritional deficiencies. One glaring example of this concerns aspirin. Marketed and prescribed for daily use to prevent heart attack, aspirin depletes the body of the life-saving nutrient folic acid, as well as iron, potassium, sodium, vitamin C, and more. The very nutrients needed to protect the circulatory system. Symptoms of folic acid depletion include anemia, birth defects, elevated homocysteine (a risk factor for heart disease), headache, fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, diarrhea, and increased infection. This warning should not be taken lightly. Studies show that the side-effects of aspirin are so severe they can increase the risk of death in people who take it regularly”.- Jon Herring
Read MoreMany arthritis sufferers take antacids
Sonia Jones ND from the Haven Spa and Health Clinic
Some people find the medication they take causes them a lot of digestive problems.
Does eating give you heart burn? Do you reach for antacids that may or may not work, are expensive, have side-effects and only treat your symptoms? Taking antacids can compromise your health and speed up degeneration.
There are alternatives that cost less, have no side-effects and in some cases treat the cause not just the symptoms.
Heartburn can be the result of a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES for short), the muscle that rings the base of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food into the stomach. Swallowing opens the LES allowing food to enter the stomach, otherwise the LES is supposed to stay closed so stomach acid doesn’t seep back up into the esophagus, this is called “reflux”. If your lower esophageal sphincter allows reflux, you get heartburn. If you have ever suffered you will know how very painful it is, some people have suffered so much pain they thought they were having a heart attack.
What do antacids do?
Some antacids reduce stomach acid acidity so it burns less. Others reduce stomach acid secretion so there is less in the stomach to cause problems.
The problem is we need normal amounts of strong stomach acid to digest food properly.
So the situation of lowering secretion or reducing stomach acidity on a regular basis could impair digestion in the long run, setting up all sorts of problems in the future. I am not referring to the very occasional use at Christmas or after a big dinner party when you eat far too much.
Taking regular substantial amounts of aluminium containing antacids can negatively influence the calcium in our bones, encouraging osteoporosis. Also, you need to consider, if you take any other medication, check with your Doctor as regular daily use of antacids can interfere with absorption of some prescription drugs. This is only a consideration if you are taking antacids on a regular basis. In some people antacids can cause constipation.
Practical Advice
If your problem is a weakened LES the following suggestions are definitely worth trying.
Some foods and drinks increase secretion of stomach acids: alcohol, oranges, carbonated beverages, vinegar, spicy foods and tomato-based foods, while other foods can trigger the release of hormone-like compounds that relax the LES. These include chocolate, tea, coffee, alcohol and greasy foods.
Experiment maybe only one or two of these foods are affecting you personally.
a) Avoid all of the above foods and drinks for a few days
b) then gradually introduce one food or drink one at a time and wait to see what happens before introducing another food from the above list.
Other things to consider -
1) Overfilling the stomach with big meals can force acid past the LES. Eat smaller meals more often.
2) Certainly don’t lie down after eating.
3) Extra weight increases physical pressure on the stomach, and can force acid up into the esophagus. That is why heartburn is so common among pregnant women. If you are over weight it is worth considering loosing weight for many health reasons.
4) Don’t smoke. Cigarettes, not only relaxes the LES but also increase secretions of stomach acids.
Herbs
Chamomile is excellent for heartburn.1 dessertspoon per 1 mug of boiled water. Steep (covered) for 10 minutes and then strain. Chamomile is also good for enhancing digestion in general. Drink only when needed. If you want to drink chamomile teas throughout the day make it much weaker. I teaspoon per mug of boiling water.
Ginger works wonders for some. Use 1 teaspoon of fresh grated root per cup. Steep (covered) for 10 minutes and strain. The dried herb can be used, but less per cup. Ginger is not recommended if you often feel hot but would be good for those of you who always feel cold or have poor circulation.
Peppermint tea works really well. I would not recommend peppermint to people who always feel cold otherwise it is a very good remedy. This is a cooling herb so would be good for those of you who feel warm. See instructions for making chamomile tea.
You have nothing to lose by trying the above suggestions if they don’t help you can seek the help of a qualified health practitioner. One way or another you need to stop taking antacids on a regular basis for the sake of your overall health and long term aging plan.
Foods – Keep your diet very simple for two weeks and gradually introduce one food at a time, monitor your reaction to the individual food.
Most people do not have a problem with all these foods – generally only one to three foods set up a problem. If you do have a problem with just about any foods, look up a Naturopath or Nutritional Therapist for help.
Read MoreDrug induced Lupus – a form of arthritis
It has been reported that there are dozens of medications that can trigger systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The drugs most lightly to cause “drug-induced lupus” -
Hydralazine for blood pressure
Quinidine and Procainamide used for abnormal heart rhythms
Phenytoin used for epilepsy
Isoniazid used for tuberculois
D-penicillamine used for rheumatoid arthritis
These drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and cause SLE. Usually drug-induced SLE accounts for about 5% and generally the symptoms subside when you stop taking the medications.
Read MoreAspirin and arthritis pain relief, is it safe?
How many people have you met, that have an Aspirin deficiency? Yet people are taking Aspirin every day, with its negative side-effects. Some use Aspirin as a blood thinner and others as a painkillers for arthritis pain. Yet nature has provided us with substances that can thin the blood and kill pain and bring with them a whole host of positive side-effects.
Aspirin – many older people are on a long term low-dose aspirin, taking it everyday for many years. “Many Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are caused not by the drug directly but by drug-induced nutritional deficiencies. One glaring example of this concerns aspirin. Marketed and prescribed for daily use to prevent heart attack, aspirin depletes the body of the life-saving nutrient folic acid, as well as iron, potassium, sodium, vitamin C, and more. The very nutrients needed to protect the circulatory system. Symptoms of folic acid depletion include anemia, birth defects, elevated homocysteine (a risk factor for heart disease), headache, fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, diarrhea, and increased infection. This warning should not be taken lightly. Studies show that the side-effects of aspirin are so severe they can increase the risk of death in people who take it regularly”.- Jon Herring
Read MoreMake your own arthritis relief heat bag
Brown rice – approximately 3/4 lb
Spices like -
whole cloves – a small spice jar full
cinnamon sticks approximately 6 broken up into 1 inch pieces
whole cardamoms – a small spice jar full
Two pieces of cloth – reasonably sturdy and tightly woven, corduroy is perfect, or other similar fabric. The size is approximately 6 inches by 10 inches, this allows for a hem all the way a round. Then sew the two pieces together (maybe sew around twice to ensure stitching will last) leaving a gap of about 3 inches, turn inside-out and now fill with all the ingredients listed above.
Place all the ingredients into the bag and sew up the 3 inch gap.
When you want to relax, calm the pain, the warming heat and the healing aromas will help. Place the heated bag directly onto your skin.
Place the bag into the microwave for 2 minutes. To reheat while still warm place the bag into the microwave again but for less time. It has an extremely nice comforting warmth that is completely different to a hot water bottle.
Read MoreArthritis sufferers face a big decision – surgery or not?
Some arthritis suffers need, or opt for surgery, this is a big decision, any surgery is invasive no matter how simple and is viewed as a trauma by the body.
The body is pumped with various chemicals that it has to deal with, then there is the healing process, and the anxiety. Few people look forward to surgery, most people are apprehensive, especially if its their first experience of surgery.
There are several thing you need to do to prepare and protect your system. In other word make your body fit for surgery. A body that is run down is more likely to fall victim of some of the infections that lurk in hospitals and elsewhere. The sooner your body gets over the surgery and better you heal the less complications you will suffer afterward.
What do you need to do?
Firstly check and find out what other avenues are open to you? Is surgery the only way? Make sure you know and understand your options. What are the success rates for your type of condition and type of surgery they have scheduled for you? If there are other options what are the success rates and what is involved? If your option is to change your lifestyle completely so you will not need surgery, but you know you could never follow that program then this is not an option for you.
If you don’t want the surgery then find out if treatments like acupuncture would work for your set of circumstances or osteopathy, do some research ask around get some recommendations etc.
If you need the surgery and or opt for surgery, you need to build up your immune system and your health in general before the surgery. Make sure your surgeon knows what you have been doing prior to surgery as you might need to stop some things for a short while. For instance some supplements help to thin the blood, your surgeon certainly needs to know, any omega-3 or fish oil supplements will have this affect.
To protect your body take out all processed products made from white flour and artificial sweeteners. Try to avoid sugary products.
More fruit and more vegetables – rich in Vitamin C and phyto-compounds, they will protect and enhance your body and immune system.
TAKE – Vitamin C
B complex
Zinc
Spiralina
Herb – Ecinacea
Take these supplements for (if possible) three months before surgery and some time after surgery or for what ever time you have before elected surgery. It has been reported that 60% of patients having surgery are malnourished, not fit for surgery.
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