Care About Your Body and Health

A number of new drugs have dramatically improved the outlook for AIDS patients. But to gain the full benefits, patients must take a combination of drugs. This often entails taking dozens of pills according to a strict schedule. Adhering to the complicated and costly regimens can not only increase survival, but also improve overall health.

Protease Inhibotors. These newest and most effective AIDS drugs work by blocking protease, an enzyme needed by HIV to replicate itself. Protease inhibitors, which include Crixivan (indinavir) , Norvir (ritonavir), and Invirase (saquinavir), are usually taken several times a day along with other AIDS medications. Missing even a few doses of a protease inhibitor can result in the emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains.

Nucleoside Analogs. Drugs in this class include Viramune (nevirapine), Videx (didanosine) and Epivir (lamivadine), stop HIV proliferation by interfering with the transfer of genetic material.

Azidothymidine (AZT). The first AIDS drug, this gained FDA approval in 1987. It works by interfering with replication of the HIV within the T-cells. AZT is usually given with other AIDS drugs, such as the new protease inhibitors. Anemia and other side effects may limit its use.

Dideoxyinosine (DDI). This drugs is similar to AZT, but it has different adverse effects, such as pancreatitis and nerve problems. Thus, DDI may be taken by patients who are unable to tolerate AZT.

Dideoxycytidine (DDC). Used in combination with AZT, this drug helps to prevent the virus from multiplying.

Erythropoietin. This synthetic hormone stimulates bone marrow cells to produce red blood cells and counter anemia caused by AZT.

Interleukin-2. Infusions of this protein appear to increase T-cell production in HIV-positive individuals who do not yet have AIDS.

Pentamidine. This is an aerosol drug that is inhaled periodically to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a common infection among AIDS patients.

Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Marketed as Bactrim or Septra, these antibiotics are taken either to prevent or threat pneumocystis pneumonia.

HIV infection follows an unpredictable course; additional treatments depend upon the AIDS-related diseases or infections involved. For example, AIDS increases the risk of developing cancer, notably lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and cervical cancer. Pneumocystis pneumonia is treated with drugs, as is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection.

Homeopathy is based on the theory that the cause of an illness is similar to its cure. Thus, treatment involves giving a small amount of a very diluted natural substance that, if taken in larger doses, would cause the same symptoms as the ailment itself.

WHEN IT IS USED

Homeopaths claim to treat virtually all conditions, but most concede that their methods work best against chronic disorders such as headaches, allergies, intestinal disease, and asthma. Remedies are often prescribed as an adjunct to other alternative procedures, such as acupuncture and chiropractic. Most homeopaths recommend that conventional medicine also be used for injuries, infections, and cancer and other serious diseases. In these cases, homeopathy is considered an adjunct to enhance the effect of conventional medicine.

HOW IT WORKS

Even the most enthusiastic proponents of homeopathy are not sure exactly how it works. Practitioners believe that symptoms are an expression of the body’s attempt to heal itself. Therefore, they seek the substance that produces in healthy people the symptoms experienced in the illness.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by a series of dilutions. An extract is mixed with 100 times as much water or water and alcohol, shaken energetically, then diluted again. Shaking between each dilution is essential; substances that are diluted without the shaking do not work. This process is repeated until it is impossible to discover any trace of the original extract. Practitioners claim that the more diluted the remedy, the more effective it will be. They ascribe its effectiveness to the transmission of “vital energy” that resonates within the patient’s body. Some assume that confidence in the healer can also improve the patient’s condition.

PRECAUTIONS

-          Beware of extravagant claims by any practitioner who holds out the promise of a cure for a serious condition that is unresponsive to conventional treatment.

-          If your symptoms haven’t been alleviated in one or two homeopathic visits, it’s time to see your physician.

-          A large number of homeopathic guides and remedies can be found in health food stores. Such self-treatment should be confined to minor ailments.

Herbal medicine is the use of plants-their leaves, stems, bark, flowers, fruits, and seeds-to prevent or cure disease.

WHEN IT IS USED

For practitioners of herbal medicine, especially Chinese herbalists, there is a plant remedy for almost every disorder. In general, herbs are effective for treating minor ailments such as digestive problems, flu, cough, headache, and rash.

HOW IT WORKS

Herbal medicines that bring about a desired result are found in laboratory analyses to contain substances that trigger specific biochemical responses. For example, the inner bark of a certain type of willow tree chewed by Native Americans to alleviate headaches and other pains contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient of aspirin. Some herbalists still recommend white willow to treat headaches, arthritis, and other painful conditions, contending that it is less likely to produce stomach upset and other adverse effects of aspirin.

Unlike conventional drugs, herbal remedies per se do not have the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the consumer has no way of knowing whether an herbal product has been subjected to scientific testing to measure its safety and effectiveness. FDA rules require that herbal products be marketed as foods or food additives and that their labels not make specific medical claims or provide dosage information. Hence, people who use herbal remedies usually turn to books or rely upon the advice of an herbalist or other alternative practitioner.

PRECAUTIONS

-          Many plants are poisonous. Make sure that you know exactly what is in an herbal remedy before you take it internally.

-          Before using any herbal remedy for a child’s illness, consult a pediatrician or pediatric nurse.

-          Take only the recommended dosage. Herbal products that are safe in small amounts can produce severe side effects when taken in larger doses. For example, a plant substance that may be an effective laxative in small quantities can often provoke severe diarrhea when taken in a larger dosage.

-          Monitor yourself for possible side effects. If you develop a widespread rash, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or other signs of a severe reaction, call a doctor or go to your nearest emergency room because you may be having an anaphylactic reaction.

Dance therapy, also called dance/movement therapy, employs movement instead of spoken communication to treat the mentally ill. It is also used to enrich the lives of sightless and deaf individuals, especially children, and can be an important aspect of rehabilitation following a stroke or an injury that hinders motion and coordination.

WHEN IT IS USED

Dance/movement therapists work with individuals who have social, emotional, cognitive, and/or physical problems. They practice in psychiatric hospitals, community day care and mental health centers, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, clinics, nursing homes, and geriatric centers. Their work in these last two places is especially important among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and others who may be incapable of ordinary social interaction. Some sports coaches also use dance therapy to improve their athletes’ agility.

HOW IT WORKS

Participants are encouraged to overcome muscular tensions and to become aware of the way in which their feelings can affect their muscles. With the development of this awareness, they become increasingly capable of the wordless expression of inner feelings in the form of movement, usually accompanied by music. As the therapy progresses, the movements can later be interpreted and discussed.

PRECAUTIONS

If you are seeking a dance/movement therapist for personal consultation, remember that only those who have met the requirements for an ADTR (Academy of Dance Therapists Registered) are qualified for private practice.

Chiropractic is a system of treatment based on the belief that the foundation of good health is the unhampered flow of nerve impulses that originate in the brain and spinal cord and then travel to all parts of the body. Therapy begins with analyzing the patient’s spinal column for abnormal alignments of the vertebrae. When such misalignments, called subluxations, are located, they are corrected by manipulation to restore the normal flow of nerve impulses. Many chiropractors also make recommendations about nutrition and exercise, but they do not prescribe drugs or do surgery.

WHEN IT IS USED

Most people consult a chiropractor because of pain that appears to originate in the musculoskeletal system, usually the neck and/or back. For some patients, the pain has come on suddenly, resulting from an injury on the job, in an automobile accident, or while participating in a sport. For others, the pain may be chronic, perhaps the cumulative effect of years of poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, and increasing weight. Still others may be suffering from job-related muscle and skeletal problems, such as repetitive stress injuries. Individuals with vague, persistent symptoms such as fatigue and headaches also consult chiropractors for both spinal manipulation and counseling on nutrition and exercise.

HOW IT WORKS

The spinal cord gives rise to 31 pairs of spinal nerves, which carry massages to and from the brain and to all parts of the body. These spinal nerves pass through openings in the vertebrae, and when the progress of a nerve is impeded, it is said to be “pinched”. The problem may be the result of an injury, a muscle spasm, a slipped (ruptured) vertebral disk, spinal arthritis, or some other structural abnormality.

With X-rays plus a hands-on exploration of the spine, the chiropractor tries to locate the vertebrae that need realignment. The chiropractic method is most successful in cases in which it is possible to restore normal joint movement by improving anatomical relationships. The intimate hands-on approach may also have a positive effect on healing.

Many practitioners believe that chiropractic can be most effective in treating acute pain of recent onset, before it has reached a chronic stage. Some researchers theorize that when pain is allowed to become chronic, the body loses its ability to produce endorphins, body chemicals that act as natural painkillers. This theory is based on the notion that long-term overstimulation of nerves, which occurs in chronic pain, prevents them from triggering production of painkilling chemicals.

PRECAUTIONS

-          Be wary of chiropractors who describe themselves as holistic healers and make extravagant claims for their cures.

-          Do not substitute chiropractic for traditional medical treatment of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other organic disorders.

-          Before undergoing X-rays in a chiropractor’s office, make sure the equipment is up-to-date to minimize radiation exposure.

-          Chiropractic treatments are generally safe for everyone, but there are exceptions. Patients who has osteoporosis and other disorders characterized by weak or brittle bones should avoid it.

Biofeedback training allows a person to gain a measure of control over bodily functions that are usually automatic, or involuntary-for example, heartbeat, blood pressure, skin temperature, blood flow to the hands and feet, even brain-wave patterns. Some doctors believe that the results are similar to those of self-hypnosis.

Electronic monitors used measure these responses produce visible or audible signals. During the training, a person learns how to alter the electronic signals and, in the process, change an involuntary bodily reponse.

WHEN IT USED

Common uses are to control pain, relieve asthma attacks, rehabilitate muscle damaged by stroke or accident, and treat insomnia, migraine headaches, and other stress-related conditions. Biofeedback training is often combined with visualization and breathing exercises. Researchers in a Duke University heart attack prevention program have used the training to modify Type A personality traits, especially persistent feelings of anger and hostility, which are thought to increase the risk of heart attack.

In some cases, biofeedback can help eliminate the need for medications such as tranquilizers or prescription painkillers. In other instances, such as the control high blood pressure, it may be combined with medication.

HOW IT WORKS

The goal of biofeedback training is to teach individuals how to become active participants in their own treatment, even though they may be unaware of actually controlling a bodily function. A classic example of how the process works is the experiment, conducted in 1970 at Harvard Medical School, in which male subjects were taught to modify their blood pressure. Success in decreasing their blood pressure and maintaining it at a lower level was indicated by a flashing light; after 20 such flashes, the reward was a glimpse of a nude pinup. Most of the subjects indicated that they had no awareness of actually controlling the flashing light, nor were they conscious of what response was being measured. However, they were aware of the nude picture.

Some researchers believe that biofeedback contributes to improved physical and mental health because it fosters a feeling of power over bodily functions that were assumed to be beyond one’s conscious control. Thus, even if a cure is not achieved, biofeedback training adds an important sense of well-being that may increase the efficacy of medical therapy.

PRECAUTIONS

-          Be wary of mail-order or other sources of biofeedback equipment to use at home because such devices vary in quality. Also, a trained therapist can teach you the most effective technique, something you do not get with a do-it-yourself approach.

-          Check with your doctor before undergoing biofeedback training, especially if you have a chronic disorder such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Biofeedback training can alter the need for some medications, and dosages may need to be adjusted.

This ancient healing system from India stresses the mind/body relationship in the maintenance of good health. As in other Asian medical practices, a balance of vital energy, in this case, prana, is considered the key. The system is based on balancing three basic life forces, or doshas- vata, responsible for all movement in the body; pitta, which controls digestion and energy production; and kapha; responsible for the body’s structure and stability. Illness occurs when any of the doshas is out of sync; individuals must know their dominant dosha and follow a diet and lifestyle that keeps it balanced with others.

WHEN IT USED

Unlike Western medicine, which comes into play when illness strikes, Ayurveda is incorporated into a person lifestyle. It governs all aspects of life, such as diet, exercise, and sexual practices. An ayurvedic practitioner is consulted only to identify and correct and imbalance among the three life forces. At ayurvedic clinics in the United States, patients are usually treated by both a Western and an ayurvedic physician.

HOW IT WORKS

Ayurvedic philosophy holds that each person is born with particular ratio of doshas, with one dominating. This dominant doshas determines personality type and also influences one’s susceptibility to certain illnesses. For example, pitta people tend to have fiery dispositions and are prone to developing high blood pressure and digestive disorder, so a pitta-related disease may be treated with a bland diet and numerous herbal remedies. Because the mind is seen as an integral force in maintaining health and overcoming illness, meditation or yoga may also be employed.

PRECAUTIONS

Before agreeing to ayurvedic treatments, ask about costs and cancellation policies. Some clinics ask for advance payment and require two week’s notice of cancellation to qualify for a refund.

The Alexander technique is a training process in which a person learns to identify and change faulty posture and movements. The goal is to free the body of muscular tensions that cause stress and fatigue by eliminating common postural problems resulting from such habits as slouching, holding the head in an awkward position when talking on the telephone, or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder.

A number of poor posture patterns are the result well-intentioned reminders by parents or teachers to stand or sit up straight. Many people respond by holding their spinal muscles in a constant state of tension instead of aiming for a relaxed balance of head, neck, and torso. Tight or restrictive clothing and high heeled shoes are other common culprits that contribute to incorrect posture and muscle tension.

WHEN IT IS USED

The technique is most frequently recommended as a way of dealing with back and neck pain. It is also used to counteract some of the effects of scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and arthritis, to improve respiratory function, and as an adjunct to breathing exercises for asthma patients.

Some performing artists claim that it has helped them to overcome stage fright; many athletes have found that it not only enhances their skills but also helps reduce the likelihood of sports injuries. A growing number of people who work at computers are investigating the Alexander technique as a way of avoiding stress injuries from repetitive movements, which have become a disabling occupational hazard.

HOW IT WORKS

The Alexander technique is based on the assumption that the body can move freely and naturally only when the head, neck, and torso are properly aligned. This requires awareness of faulty muscular movements and correction of them.

PRECAUTIONS

-          Ascertain that a teacher of the Alexander technique has the proper training and certification.

-          Find out about payment arrangements before committing yourself to a series of lessons.