The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients

April 29, 2015

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients is the concern of everybody. Even the medics are victims of the two health conditions

The impact of depression in cancer patients has of late been receiving much attention. This is because of the health risks that are involved when the two conditions marry together in an individuals’ life. It is no wonder that depression is actually seen as the psychiatric syndrome that has received the most attention in persons struggling with cancer. Nonetheless the study of depression has equally had a host of challenges due to the symptoms that associates with it on a broad spectrum that ranges from sadness to major effective disorder. The prevalence of depression in cancer patients is further put to test because of the changes in moods are often very difficult to evaluate more so when the patients in question is also receiving treatment of cancer and continuous threats of stress, fatigue and the pain they experience.

Doctor Akoury agrees that even though many research groups have assessed depression in cancer patients for several decades in the past, the reported prevalence varies significantly because of varying conceptualizations of depression, and in fact the definition of depression is not standard and different principles use for the definition of depression. Some of the differences may include the methodological approaches to the measurement of depression, and even the different populations studied. Depression is highly associated with oropharyngeal, pancreatic, breast, and lung cancers. A less high prevalence of depression is reported in patients with other cancers, such as colon, gynecological, and lymphoma. In this discussion we are going to make certain reviews on the prevalence of depression in cancer patients even as we desire to get the perfect links between the two health conditions.

Depression affects 121 million people and is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. If not treated in time depression can lead to personal suffering and increased mortality. Although the prevalence of depression varies considerably globally, the most common symptoms of depression may include:

Depressed mood
Insomnia and
Fatigue

Looking at gender, women are the most vulnerable to be depressed than men. Even though the available estimates shows that major depression are common with people in their late twenties, research findings puts children also at risk where in every ten children, one will have periodic feelings of sadness. This has been seen as one of the greatest indicators of depression says doctor Dalal Akoury. Experts also put the prevalence of depression in pre-pubertal children ranges from 1% to 3% and from 3% to 9% in adolescents; however, the lifetime prevalence through adolescence is estimated to be as high as 20%. Although there is no difference in the prevalence rate between sexes before puberty, females are at higher risk after puberty. Depression in children negatively affects a child’s development and often manifests as behavioral problems or somatic complaints.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: The Coexistence of Depression

Depression is not alone ranger and it is commonly coexisting with other syndromes and symptoms, like for instance the anxiety disorders posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and pain. The National Comorbidity Survey data show that in a 12-month period, 51% of patients with major depressive disorders are diagnosed with an additional anxiety disorder. Patients with comorbid depression and anxiety disorders experience more severe symptoms, have a longer time to recovery, use more healthcare resources, and have poorer outcome than do those with a single disorder.

The symptoms of depression and personal suffering resulting from this disorder have been well described. The complex biological underpinnings result from disturbances in neurotransmitters and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dis-regulation. The last two decades have produced exciting science and advances in the understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of depression. Electro-physiologic studies, neuroimaging techniques i.e., magnetic resonance imaging; computed tomography; single photon emission computed tomography; positron emission tomography; functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological studies are providing information about the neuroanatomical substrate of depression as we are learning more about how systemic disease effects vulnerability to depression.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Early Studies of Depression in Cancer Patients

When a significant number of mental health professionals began working in oncology settings, they asked oncologists to describe their perceptions of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients. They were able to find common responses ranging from “everyone is depressed which is very true because they have cancer” to “no one is depressed; these are just normal people” and likely were a reflection of the respondent’s mood and coping style.

One of the first efforts in psycho-oncology was to obtain objective data on the type and frequency of psychological problems in cancer patients. Using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Third Edition (DSM-III) classification of psychiatric disorders, the Psychosocial Collaborative Oncology Group determined the psychiatric disorders in 215 randomly selected hospitalized and ambulatory adult cancer patients in three cancer centers by structured clinical interview. Although 53% of the patients evaluated were adjusting normally to stress, the remainder (47%) had clinically apparently psychiatric disorders. Of this 47% with psychiatric disorders, more than two-thirds had adjustment disorders with depressed or anxious mood, 13% had a major depression, 8% had an organic mental disorder, 7% had a personality disorder and 4% had a preexisting anxiety disorder. The authors concluded that nearly 90% of the psychiatric disorders observed were reactions to or manifestations of disease or treatment. Personality and anxiety disorders can complicate cancer treatment and were described as antecedent to the cancer diagnosis. The finding of 4% anxiety disorders was far below what would have been expected in the general population.

Thirty-nine percent of those who received a psychiatric diagnosis experienced significant pain. In contrast, only 19% of patients who did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis had significant pain. The psychiatric diagnosis of the patients with pain was predominately adjustment disorder with depressed or mixed mood (69%), but of note, 15% of patients with significant pain had symptoms of a major depression. Finally in whichever way you look at depression and cancer, these two conditions put together in an individual’s live can be very dangerous. We must therefore do all within our reach to keep distance from all these complications. One of the most important things you must keep in mind is the consistent consultation with the experts for professional advice. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will handle your situation with great confidentiality and most importantly offer you lasting solutions professionally. Your health should come first and therefore, schedule for that appointment today.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies

April 23, 2015

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies: Why Heroin Overdoses Are on the Rise

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies is not just an option but a must do thing if we are to be healthy in the future

We all have a duty to keep our neighborhoods safe from all manner of dangers. There are a lot of dangers ranging from crime, health and social life. All these affect us in their own peculiar way and it is now time for all of us to take responsibilities in dealing with these problems. We cannot weight continue waiting for the authorities to do something. Even though the authorities have a role and a major one for that matter, when these problems strike we the societies are the first recipient of their effects. Let us consider substance abuse for example, while the government will feel the economic pain as a result of this problem, our families, sons and daughters, husbands and wives are the direct victims. It has therefore becomes very necessary that we pool together towards the prevention of heroin overdose in the societies. And when am talking about heroin I am not in any way excluding other drugs, they all impact on our lives negatively and radical solution must be sought for today. To introduce the magnitude of the problem, I am going to share with you a story about one of the drug abuse victim for better understanding why we must take action like yesterday.

A few years ago a young man or do I say boy in his early twenties was working at a sporting goods store in one of the neighborhood suburbs, he was prescribed Vicodin for shoulder pain. Latter on his doctor substituted his medication to morphine and then OxyContin unfortunately by the time this was done; he had developed a severe opiate addiction. He followed his prescription well but when his prescription expired, his cravings continued and he could not hold. As usual he bought for himself more pills from a street dealer for $50 each. He kept on purchasing every time he craves and when he had depleted his savings, the craving did not stop instead in become even worse. He negotiated with is supplier and the supplier offered him a dose of heroin for $10, before he knew he had been completely gotten hooked and addicted to the drugs.

The consequences of this begun to manifest themselves and the first thing was that he lost his job and spent several years in and out of treatment. Years later and desperate for money to support his unhealthy habit, he was arrested trying to steal a boat motor spear parts from his neighbor’s garage. This landed him in jail and the consequences continued he suffered opiate withdrawal for days: curled up in the fetal position due to bone and muscle pain, shaking from fever and chills, wasting his life and wetting and soiling himself with his pee and diarrhea and vomit. His fellow inmates did not take this kindly; they harassed him scathingly for the smell. After serving his jail term and one week into his freedom out of jail, he was not rehabilitated yet. So he borrowed his friend’s car to drive across town and of course his destination was to his old heroin dealer.

As a former client whose money the dealer had missed desperately, he was welcomed back with a dose of heroin at his cost at least to keep him in the list of clients. He injected the usual dose in his bedroom and the worse happen, this time round he came to the end of the road with his addiction and he stopped breathing. The next morning, his father found his lifeless body curled up on the floor. When I began I said that we must not weight for the authorities to come and do something. In this boy story you realize that at the end of it all it is his father who found him. In other words we are the people who are hard hit by this scourge. This story is one among many across the globe. It therefore brings us to the urgent need of ensuring that prevention of heroin overdose in the societies is well entrenched in our lifestyle.

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies: The expert’s opinion

We spoke to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and also the founder of the establishment, and she said that it is regrettable that the death toll of heroin addiction has been rising constantly at 40% per year since 2011, overtaking fatalities from HIV in. This is not something to celebrate about she says. We are going to share in our next article some five points you need to know about the impact of heroin overdose in our societies, but in the meantime, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for more professional input even as she brings us up to speed with some of the things we can do to help:

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies: What you can do

If anyone you know has struggled with opiates, even years ago, get trained and equipped to administer naloxone yourself. Find an overdose prevention program near you.
Invite Moms United to End the War on Drugs or Law Enforcement against Prohibition (LEAP) to speak to your civic club, student organization or other group about heroin and safe injection facilities.
Learn more about how syringe exchange programs are reducing blood-borne disease transmission, how Naloxone Access and Good Samaritan Laws are saving the lives of those who overdose, and how the national Ban the Box campaign and Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program help drug users stay out of jail and move on with their lives.
Tell your friends that heroin overdose deaths can be prevented with safe injection facilities. Start conversations about why it makes sense to provide a safe place to inject heroin.

Finally this is our problem, it affects us and we must individually and collectively take responsibilities for the prevention of heroin overdose in the societies. You can talk to doctor Dalal Akoury for more clarification and treatment recovery programs they offer at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center today and your life and that of your whole society will be transformed thereafter.

Prevention of Heroin overdose in the Societies: Why Heroin Overdoses Are on the Rise

Prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity

April 13, 2015

Prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity: What damages the Heart muscles?

Prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity begins with changing life style in all dimensions.

While addressing the topic “Damaging the heart muscle using Toxins” in our last article, we answered some questions touching on the cardiac toxicity including what is cardiac toxicity, what causes cardiac toxicity, how is cardiac toxicity diagnosed and what are the symptoms of cardiac toxicity? Nonetheless what we did not address is how to prevent this problem from surfacing in our lives. We were also not able to address issue of treatment should this problem occur in one’s life. This that we were not able to address is what doctor Dalal Akoury is going to help us understand their effects in the effort of trying to be safe from all the attacks of cardiac toxicity. It is important to note that prevention and treatment of cardiac toxicity like any other health condition is the beginning on solving the problem in it’s entirely.

If we could succeed in the prevention aspect of it, then life would be very healthy and comfortable. But with that entire story telling heart problems can be prevented by changing the quantity of drug administered (dose) to the patient at a time, method of administration and type of anthracycline. Besides that, in the process of making effort in trying to find workable solutions to this problem, a lot of special medications which are very effective in the prevention of the damages caused from doxorubicin have been developed says doctor Akoury. Now let us consider these treatment options one by one as we progress into the discussion:

Dosage: In the journey of prevention and treatment of cardiac toxicity a lot will have to be done. However, one of the main ways to prevent cardiac toxicity is to limit the cumulative dose of drugs that damage the heart, and more so the anthracyclines. It is important to note that there is a defined amount of doxorubicin that can be given with a lesser risk of complications, like for instance if your total dose of doxorubicin is less than 550mg/m², you may just have about 1% of experiencing cardiac toxicity. On the other hand when your total dose of doxorubicin is say between 560mg/m² and 1155mg/m², your risk is likely to go up to 30%.

Besides that experts have also established that individual patients will tolerate differently the medication of doxorubicin. Like for example some patients may receive high doses of doxorubicin without ever developing heart damage while some have problems at relatively low doses of even less than 550mg/m² total dose. These variances are all applicable when making effort in preventing the prevention and treatment of cardiac toxicity.

Method of administration: It has been noted in certain cases that there is some supporting evidence that the method of drug administration may affect the risk of cardiac toxicity. Rapid administration of drugs for instance may results in high blood levels, which is likely to cause more heart damage than if the same quantity of drugs given over or spread over a longer period of time. In other words giving smaller doses of drug more frequently can be a perfect prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity since it will be instrumental in decreasing the toxicity compared to large doses of drugs at longer intervals.

Liposomal anthracyclines: The risk of cardiac toxicity from anthracyclines has been reduced by making them in a different way. Liposomal anthracyclines have been encapsulated, or enclosed in a liposome, a tiny globule of fat. Because of it capability to hide the drug in fat, it is able to stay in the body much longer because the immune system doesn’t target it for elimination and the liver doesn’t break it down as quickly either. The currently ongoing studies indicate that the risk of heart problems is considerably lower with liposomal doxorubicin formulations than with conventional doxorubicin. Types of liposomal anthracyclines include:

Liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome®)
Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®)

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been studied most extensively and has demonstrated the most significant reductions in heart problems. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has shown a similar anti-cancer effect to doxorubicin, but with less cardiac toxicity.

Dexrazoxane (Zinecard®): This drug has been shown to prevent or reduce the severity of heart damage caused by doxorubicin. Dexrazoxane is thought to protect the heart muscle by blocking the formation of oxygen free radicals. One of the ways that radiation and chemotherapy drugs damage cells is by forming free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules which are formed during many normal cellular processes that involve oxygen, such as burning fuel for energy. They are also formed from exposure to elements in the environment, like tobacco smoke, radiation and chemotherapy drugs.

Prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity: How is cardiac toxicity treated?

When a disease has invaded the body, treatment becomes necessary. At this point we can’t talk of prevention since we are already affected. In the past cardiac toxicity used to be treated by stopping or reducing the dose of the medication that is deemed to be causing damage to your heart. After that, the treatment of cardiac toxicity was changed and it was now done in the same way just like it is done in other causes of heart failures. Therefore your doctor may prescribe medications to thin your blood and make it easier for your heart to move and medications that help your heart beat more efficiently. The following are some of the medications that your doctor is likely to prescribe for you.

Diuretics: Damage to your heart may cause you to retain water and have swelling in your ankles. A prescription of a diuretic to increase the amount of water you excrete in the urine may become necessary. Like for instance the use of diuretic is furosemide (Lasix®) could be applicable.

Digitalis drugs: Digitalis refers to a whole group of drugs that make the heart beat more efficiently and increase the amount of blood that is pumped to the body. This can also be efficient in offering the much needed solution.

ACE inhibitors: These drugs also make it easier for your heart to pump blood to the body by opening your arteries and lowering your blood pressure. This improves blood flow to your kidneys, which do not function properly with low blood flow. Some examples of ACE inhibitors include benazepril (Lotensin®), enalapril (Vasotec®) and fosinopril (Monopril®).

Beta-blockers: These medications slow down your heart rate and may be used if you have a myocardial infarction (heart attack.) Examples are: metoprolol (Lopressor^®), propranolol (Inderal^®) and atenolol (Tenormin^®). This article may be loaded with heavy medical terminologies and therefore if there is anything you need to be clarified, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for direction.

Prevention and Treatment of cardiac toxicity: What damages the Heart muscles?

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies

April 11, 2015

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies: The Experts opinion

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies. There are very important for holistic body detox.

Detoxification specialists use a variety of tests to determine the causes contributing to toxic conditions. These causes include infections, allergies, addictions, toxic chemicals, and digestive and organ dysfunction. Blood, urine, stool, and hair analyses, as well as allergy tests, are used to measure a variety of bodily functions that may indicate problems. Detoxification therapists usually have access to laboratories that specialize in sophisticated diagnostic tests for toxic conditions. This is very helpful in testing for toxic substances and detoxification therapies thereafter. People who have toxemia are often vulnerable to infection because their immune systems are weakened. Infections can be caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, and common yeast. Therapists will screen patients for underlying infections that may be contributing to illness.

Doctor Dalal Akoury says that for good result, the liver function must be studied closely with blood and urine tests because the liver is the principle organ in the body responsible for removing toxic compounds. When the liver detoxifies a substance from the body, it does so in two phases. Tests are performed that indicate where problems may be occurring in these phases, which may point to specific types of toxins. Blood and urine tests can also be completed that screen for toxic chemicals such as PCBs (environmental poisons), formaldehyde (a common preservative), pesticides, and heavy metals.

Another useful blood test is a test for zinc deficiency, which may reveal heavy metal poisoning. Hair analysis is used to test for heavy metal levels in the body. Blood and urine tests check immune system activity, and hormone levels can also indicate specific toxic compounds. A 24-hour urine analysis, where samples are taken around the clock, allows therapists to determine the efficiency of the digestive tract and kidneys. Together with stool analysis, these tests may indicate toxic bowel syndrome and digestive system disorders. Certain blood and urine tests may point to nutritional deficiencies and proper recovery diets can be designed for patients as well.

Detoxification therapists may also perform extensive allergy and hypersensitivity tests. Intradermal (between layers of the skin) and sublingual (under the tongue) allergy tests are used to determine a patient’s sensitivity to a variety of common substances, including formaldehyde, auto exhaust, perfume, tobacco, chlorine, jet fuel, and other chemicals.

Food allergies require additional tests because these allergies often cause reactions that are delayed for several days after the food is eaten. The RAST (radio allegro sorbent test) is a blood test that determines the level of antibodies (immune-globulins) in the blood after specific foods are eaten. The cytotoxic test is a blood test that determines if certain substances affect blood cells, including foods and chemicals. The ELISA-ACT (enzyme-linked immune-serological assay activated cell test) is considered to be one of the most accurate tests for allergies and hypersensitivity to foods, chemicals, and other agents. Other tests for food allergies are the elimination and rotation diets, in which foods are systematically evaluated to determine the ones that are causing problems.

Before the therapist could do anything on the patient, it is important that they first carry out an evaluation on the patient and counsel patients closely to determine and correct lifestyle, occupational, psychological, and emotional factors that may also be contributing to illness. Up on establishing this, then treatment can commence. We at the home of solution (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) a facility established by doctor Dalal Akoury will just do that to make sure that not stone is left unturned. We understand what is happening to you and testing for toxic substances and detoxification therapies are very powerful tools of reinstating your health to perfection. You can talk to us today by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury and we will not disappoint.

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies: Detoxification therapies

Detoxification therapists use a variety of healing techniques after a diagnosis is made. The first step is to eliminate a patient’s exposure to all toxic or allergenic substances. These include heavy metals, chemicals, radiation (from x-rays, power lines, cell phones, computer screens, and microwaves), smog, polluted water, foods, drugs, caffeine, alcohol, perfume, excess noise, and stress. If mercury poisoning has been determined, the patient will be advised to have mercury fillings from the teeth removed, preferably by a holistic dentist.

Specific treatments are used to stimulate and assist the body’s detoxification process. Dietary change is immediately enacted, eliminating allergic and unhealthy foods, and emphasizing foods that assist detoxification and support healing.
Detoxification diets are generally low in fat, high in fiber, and vegetarian with a raw food emphasis. Processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine are avoided.
Nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids are often prescribed.
Spirulina is a sea alga that is frequently given to assist in eliminating heavy metals.
Lipotropic agents are certain vitamins and nutrients that promote the flow of bile and fat from the liver.
Many herbal supplements are used in detoxification therapies as well. Milk thistle extract, called silymarin, is one of the more potent herbs for detoxifying the liver.
Naturopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recommend numerous herbal formulas for detoxification and immune strengthening. If infections or parasites have been found, these are treated with herbal formulas and, in difficult cases, antibiotics.
For toxic bowel syndrome and digestive tract disorders, herbal laxatives and high fiber foods such as psyllium seeds may be given to cleanse the digestive tract and promote elimination.
Colonics are used to cleanse the lower intestines. Digestive enzymes are prescribed to improve digestion, and acidophilus and other friendly bacteria are reintroduced into the system with nutritional supplements.

Chelation therapy is used by detoxification specialists to rid the body of heavy metals. Chelates are particular substances that bind to heavy metals and speed their elimination. Homeopathic remedies have also been shown to be effective for removing heavy metals.

Sweating therapies can also detoxify the body because the skin is a major organ of elimination. Sweating helps release those toxins that are stored in the subcutaneous (under the skin) fat cells. Saunas, therapeutic baths, and exercise are some of these treatments. Body therapies may also be prescribed, including massage therapy, acupressure, shiatsu, manual lymph drainage, and polarity therapy. These body therapies seek to improve circulatory and structural problems, reduce stress, and promote healing responses in the body. Mind/body therapies such as psychotherapy, counseling, and stress management techniques may be used to heal the psychological components of illness and to help patients overcome their negative patterns contributing to illness.

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies: Practitioners and treatment costs

The costs of detoxification therapies can vary widely, depending on the number of tests and treatments required. Detoxification treatments can be lengthy and involved since illnesses associated with toxic conditions usually develop over many years and may not clear up quickly. Detoxification treatments may be lengthy because they often strive for the holistic healing of the body, mind, and emotions.

Practitioners may be conventionally trained medical doctors with specialties in environmental medicine or interests in alternative treatment. The majority of detoxification therapists are alternative practitioners, such as naturopaths, homeopaths, ayurvedic doctors, ortraditional Chinese doctors.

Insurance coverage varies, depending on the practitioner and the treatment involved. Consumers should review their individual insurance policies regarding treatment coverage.

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies: Side effects

During the detoxification process, patients may experience side effects of fatigue, malaise, aches and pains, emotional duress, acne, headaches, allergies, and symptoms of colds and flu. Detoxification specialists claim that these negative side effects are part of the healing process. These reactions are sometimes called healing crises, which are caused by temporarily increased levels of toxins in the body due to elimination and cleansing.

Testing for toxic substances and Detoxification therapies: The Experts opinion

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine

April 11, 2015

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine: The Purpose as it is

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine. It helps to know what to do when you are intoxicated

In the current world of pollution everywhere life has become very difficult to manage especially when it comes to health. A lot of health problems are registered on a daily basis thanks to the effect of our polluted environment. Experts now say that time has come when we have to do things differently in order to remedy the situation. To do this the starting point would be understanding detoxification as an alternative medicine and appreciating its purpose in saving lives. By definition, detoxification is one of the most widely used treatments and concepts in alternative medicine. It is primarily based on the principle that illness can be caused by an accumulation of toxic substances (toxins) in the body. Eliminating existing toxins and avoiding new toxins are essential parts of the healing process. Detoxification utilizes a variety of tests and techniques which we will consider as we progress into the discussion say doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine: The Purpose of detoxification

Being an alternative medicine, detoxification is very helpful for those patients suffering from many chronic diseases and conditions, including allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, chronic infections, depression, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar levels, digestive disorders, mental illness, and obesity.

It is also helpful for those suffering from conditions that are influenced by environmental factors like cancer, as well as for those who have been exposed to high levels of toxic materials due to accident or occupation.

Detoxification therapy is useful for those suffering from allergies or immune system problems that conventional medicine is unable to diagnose or treat, including chronic fatigue syndrome, environmental illness/multiple chemical sensitivity, and fibromyalgia.

Symptoms for those suffering these conditions may include unexplained fatigue, increased allergies, hypersensitivity to common materials, intolerance to certain foods and indigestion, aches and pains, low grade fever, headaches, insomnia, depression, sore throats, sudden weight loss or gain, lowered resistance to infection, general malaise, and disability.

Detoxification can be used as a beneficial preventative measure and as a tool to increase overall health, vitality and resistance to disease.

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine: Description and Origins

Detoxification methods of healing have been used for thousands of years. Fasting is one of the oldest therapeutic practices in medicine. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek known as the “Father of Western medicine,” recommended fasting as a means for improving health. Ayurveda medicine, a traditional healing system that has developed over thousands of years, utilizes detoxification methods to treat many chronic conditions and to prevent illness.

Detoxification treatment has become one of the cornerstones of alternative medicine. Conventional medicine notes that environmental factors can play a significant role in many illnesses. Environmental medicine is a field that studies exactly how those environmental factors influence disease. Conditions such as asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and many others are strongly influenced by exposure to toxic or allergenic substances in the environment.

Detoxification has also become a prominent treatment as people have become more aware of environmental pollution. It is estimated that one in every four Americans suffers from some level of heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, are by-products of industry. Synthetic agriculture chemicals, many of which are known to cause health problems, are also found in food, air, and water. Like for instance in American agriculture sector uses nearly 10lb (4.5 kg) of pesticides per person on the food supply each year. These toxins have become almost unavoidable. Pesticides that are used only on crops in the southern United States have been found in the tissue of animals in the far north of Canada. DDT, a cancer-causing insecticide that has been banned for decades, is still regularly found in the fatty tissue of animals, birds, and fish, even in extremely remote regions such as the North Pole. What does this communicate to you? It simply means that we must appreciate the understanding of detoxification as an alternative medicine and embraced it so that we can eliminate all the toxics from our body systems.

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine: The environmental problems

The problem of toxins in the environment is compounded because humans are at the top of the food chain and are more likely to be exposed to an accumulation of toxic substances in the food supply. For instance, pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on grains that are then fed to farm animals. Toxic substances are stored in the fatty tissue of those animals. In addition, those animals are often injected with synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals. When people consume the meat products, they are exposed to the full range of chemicals and additives used along the entire agricultural chain.

Detoxification specialists call this build-up of toxins bioaccumulation. They assert that the bioaccumulation of toxic substances over time is responsible for many physical and mental disorders especially ones that are increasing rapidly (like asthma, cancer, and mental illness). As a result, detoxification therapies are increasing in importance and popularity.

Toxins in the body include heavy metals and various chemicals such as pesticides, pollutants, and food additives. Drugs and alcohol have toxic effects in the body. Toxins are produced as normal by-products in the intestines by the bacteria that break down food. The digestion of protein also creates toxic by-products in the body.

The body has natural methods of detoxification. Individual cells get detoxified in the lymph and circulatory system and the liver is the principle organ of detoxification, assisted by the kidneys and intestines. Toxins can be excreted from the body by the kidneys, bowels, skin, and lungs. Detoxification treatments become necessary when the body’s natural detoxification systems become overwhelmed. This can be caused by long-term effects of improper diet, stress, overeating, sedentary lifestyles, illness, and poor health habits in general. When a build-up of toxic substances in the body creates illness, it’s called toxemia. Some people’s digestive tracts become unable to digest food properly, due to years of overeating and diets that are high in fat and processed foods and low in fiber. When this happens, food cannot pass through the digestive tract efficiently. Instead of being digested properly or eliminated from the bowel, food can literally rot inside the digestive tract and produce toxic by-products. This state is known as toxic colon syndrome or intestinal toxemia.

Doctor Akoury says that detoxification therapies try to activate and assist the body’s own detoxification processes. They also try to eliminate additional exposure to toxins and strengthen the body and immune system so that toxic imbalances won’t occur in the future. We are going to continue with this discussion in the next article, but in the meantime, if you have any concern relating to detoxification, you may schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for professional clarification.

Understanding Detoxification as an alternative medicine: The Purpose as it is

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