Alternative Therapies for Lupus

Lupus alternative treatment has gained a lot of importance in recent years because of the incurable nature of the disease and the high cost of conventional lupus medications and their serious side effects. Lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that is more prevalent among women. In lupus the patient’s immune system, which normally fights off infections from invading foreign organisms, turns on the patient’s own body tissue, attacking healthy tissue and organs. This disorder leaves almost every system of the body vulnerable to attack. The cause of lupus is not known, but it has a lot do with genetics and is most often inherited.

Since there is no cure for lupus the only way to overcome and survive the condition is through self care and medication. Prolonged treatment with conventional medications can leave you not just financially drained, but also with some severe side effects. For this reason many patients prefer alternative forms of treatment and patients and health care professionals alike are exploring these options. Dietary and lifestyle modifications are the most important methods of combating and living with lupus.

Common lupus alternative treatment approaches

• Special diets: Regardless of the cause of your condition and the method of treatment you chose, your diet is of the utmost importance, and is the main focus of any lupus treatment plan. Avoid any food items that are known or suspected allergens as they stimulate the immune system and can significantly worsen your symptoms. Follow a diet as natural as possible; low in saturated fats and sugar. Try to increase your consumption of fish oil, linseed oil and flaxseed oil as they are good sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are rich in omega 3 and help to reduce inflammation. For a thorough diet plan, fine tuned to suit your particular needs, make sure that you visit a dietician or nutritionist.

• Rest and Exercise: Lupus severely impacts and reduces your energy levels making it important for you to get adequate sleep and rest. While rest is important make sure that you do not spend too much time in bed as this can worsen arthritis symptoms. Instead, pace yourself and take periodic breaks during your work. Follow a regular exercise routine with light aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, pilates or yoga. This will help to develop your endurance, preserve muscle tone and maintain flexibility. Light weight training will also help to maintain muscle mass and strength.

• Stress reduction: Stress stimulates the secretion of cortisol and corticotrophin, which are hormones that injure the immune system. Stress reduction is therefore an important aspect of lupus alternative treatment, and can be easily achieved through yoga or meditation.

Alternative Treatment for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer alternative treatment has become increasingly popular in recent times because of the harsh side effects of conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The low success rate of conventional treatments has also pushed patients and medical professionals alike to explore alternative approaches to treating this disease. Lung cancer like all other cancers is caused by the rapid development and uncontrolled growth of cells with abnormalities. In a normal lung the tissue is comprised of healthy cells, while in a lung cancer patient the cells with abnormalities multiply forming tumors. Tumors may occur in just one or both of the lungs. Cancerous tumors are malignant which means that they are aggressive and can spread over time to other body parts. Not only do these abnormal cells multiply but they also destroy cells that are healthy, causing severe and irreversible damage to the afflicted organ. Irrespective of the type of cancer early treatment is the key to successful treatment.

Some forms of lung cancer treatment that appear promising include

• Acupuncture: This treatment appears to effect neurally-mediated reflexes. In some cases treatment with acupuncture has been found to be much more effective than conventional cancer treatments. It is a completely safe form of treatment, free of any side effects.

• Ginger: Ginger is a useful herb and though it has no effect on cancer it is useful for cancer patients following conventional therapy as it reduces some of the side effects like nausea.

• Shark cartilage: This is another avenue of lung cancer alternative treatment that is being explored today. It is being used in some instances as a complimentary medication for those going through conventional cancer treatments.

• Massage therapy: Massage therapy is being used effectively as a lung cancer alternative treatment to relieve cancer related fatigue.

• Mistletoe extract: Mistletoe extract can be used in combination with chemotherapy to treat solid tumors.

Apart from these alternative treatments research is also being done in various other areas exploring the possibilities of other lung cancer alternative treatments. Illicium verum, star anise and ammannia baccifera are just some examples of other herbs and natural products that are being studied with some positive results.

No matter what lung cancer alternative treatment you chose it is important that you keep in mind that many of these therapies are not scientifically proven and some are not cures in themselves but are extremely effective as complimentary medicine. This means that in the case of cancer they can aid conventional treatments, by facilitating healing, speeding up recovery and reducing or eliminating the severe side effects that are associated with conventional treatment. You can also consult naturopaths, herbalists and nutritionists for advice over lifestyle and dietary changes that you can make to help fight the disease as well as for advice on your choices of lung cancer alternative treatment.

Alternative Treatment Plan for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones alternative treatment is a viable option today for anyone suffering from the condition. This is a common condition, in which stones form in the urinary tract or kidneys. These stones develop from certain chemicals that are present in urine like uric acid, oxalic acid, calcium and phosphorus. Stones are most likely to form when there is a high concentration of a particular substance in the urine, beyond the soluble levels. Kidney stones are extremely painful to say the least and at times there may also be a presence of blood in the urine. The most effective way to treat kidney stones is by drinking a lot of water and waiting for the stone to get flushed out. In some cases the stone may need to be removed surgically. Today alternative medicine kidney stones can also help facilitate the healing process and provide relief from the excruciating pain, without any of the side effects of conventional drugs and medications.

Alternative medicine kidney stones includes the various avenues of treatment outside the realm of traditional medicine, from herbal remedies and home remedies to dietary treatments and yoga. Here are some popular remedies that you can incorporate into you kidney stones alternative treatment plan.

• It is absolutely vital that you keep your system well hydrated and drastically increase your intake of water. Fruit juices and fresh coconut water are particularly beneficial. Avoid drinking any aerated drinks and alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

• Herbal teas area a valuable aspect of alternative medicine kidney stones. Add some grated asparagus root, fennel bulb, parsley root and celery to boiling water. This is an extremely effective kidney stones remedy.

• You can also prepare an herbal tea using the sweet corn cob. This is an age old remedy used for a number of urinary tract problems and also believed to be extremely effective against kidney stones.

• Apples are a wonderful natural remedy. In regions where unsweetened cider is a popular drink the incidence of kidney stones is practically nil. Eating the fruit in its fresh form is however even more valuable.

• Grapes, watermelon and pomegranate are also invaluable to a kidney stones patient’s diet. Grapes have a high diuretic value and low sodium chloride and albumin content. Crushed pomegranate seed ground into a fine paste and administered to the patient is also very effective. Watermelon has the highest water content of all fruits and is very rich in potassium salts.

If you follow these kidney stones alternative treatment options dedicatedly it unlikely that you will need the kidney stone to be surgically removed.

Jock Itch (Tinea Cruis)  Remedies

Jock itch herbal remedies are useful for most men as this fungal skin infection is commonly experienced. Tinea cruis is another name for the infection. This infection is caused by Trichophyton rubrum, a fungus that mainly affects skin around the gentials, groins, inner thighs and buttocks. Although this infection is a lot more common in men it can also afflict women. Obese individuals and people who sweat profusely are also quite vulnerable. Jock itch is not very serious, but is very discomforting and embarrassing.

Symptoms of Jock Itch

The fungus responsible for this infection starts to develop in regions that are moist, warm and sweaty. Tight undergarments or clothing are likely to aggravate the symptoms. People with a weak immune system are also a lot more prone to infection. Close contact with someone suffering from the condition can cause an infection, so avoid sharing personal belongings. If you suffer from other fungal infections such as athlete’s foot then you could be at a higher risk of developing jock itch.

The only effective way to remedy the condition is through rigid personal hygiene in conjunction with jock itch remedies.

• Garlic is highly valued by herbalists and provides an effective jock itch herbal cure. Grind some garlic cloves into a paste and apply honey and garlic alternatively onto the skin that is affected. Including garlic in your daily diet will also help a lot.

• Another traditional remedy that has been used for ages to treat jock itch is cornstarch. Apply it to the groin area at least twice a day for it to be effective.

• Tea tree oil is also a very valuable jock itch herbal cure. Tea tree oil is known for its properties as an antiseptic, natural germicide and antibacterial fungicide. It is commonly used by herbalists to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus and is just as effective as a jock itch herbal cure.

• You can also apply lavender oil to the affected area. This will not only relieve the itching but will also promote healing.

There are also some basic self care practices that you need to follow.

• Keep yourself clean and have a bath as often as possible. Use an antibacterial soap to wash the infected area thoroughly.

• Keep the area as dry as possible, since the fungus thrives with moisture. You can even use a hair dryer, but make sure it is not hot enough to cause perspiration as that will defeat the purpose.

• If you indulge in any rigorous physical activity, make sure that you change your clothes immediately as staying in sweaty clothes is one of the worst things you can do.

Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance, without which these jock itch herbal remedies will be rendered ineffective.