The second case of the disease in Northland this week

A second Northland baby has been admitted to hospital with meningococcal disease, which has in the past two weeks claimed the lives of a Bay of Plenty child and Fulton Hogan chief executive Bill Perry.

The one-year-old was taken to Whangarei Hospital last night in the second case of the disease in Northland this week, Northland District Health Board (DHB) medical officer of health Clair Mills said.

''It was extremely fortunate the parents of the child sought medical attention immediately as the laboratory has again confirmed meningococcal infection,'' Ms Mills said.

Another one-year-old with the disease was taken to the hospital on Monday night and later transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.

Northland DHB's public health unit was identifying close contacts of the child but there appeared to be no obvious links between the two cases, she said.

Close contacts of the baby were being offered advice and preventive treatment.

On Saturday a child died from meningococcal disease in Rotorua Hospital and one week earlier Fulton Hogan chief executive Bill Perry, 49, died suddenly in Christchurch.

Following Mr Perry's death three people - including one who was in a meeting with him - were hospitalised with the type-C strain of the disease.

Symptoms in babies and young children can include fever, irritability, sleepiness, floppiness, difficulty waking up, refusal to eat or drink, vomiting and skin rash. Adults can have similar symptoms and may also have a stiff neck, headache and sensitivity to lights.

Dr Mills said it could occur at any age, but was most common in children under five.

''Anyone with some of these symptoms should seek medical attention without delay as early treatment is very important,'' she said.

The meningococcus bacteria are normally present in the nose and throat of 10-20 per cent of the population and are frequently passed from person to person without causing harm.

On rare occasions they may penetrate the body defences to cause an ''invasive'' life threatening illness. This can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics if the condition is diagnosed early.

Suhagra 100 is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

      As the name suggests, Suhagra 100 is a medication similar to Viagra and does require a prescription. There is a lot of information about the medication available on the website and also details regarding the manufacturer Cipla. They produce quality-tested medications that are approved for use in the U.S.A.

As with Viagra, Suhagra 100 is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, a condition that can affect a man at any time of his life, although it is generally more common in older men. Websites with information for Suhagra 100 contain details of this condition and advise the customer to seek professional help before treatment. Although Suhagra 100 is a prescription drug, it can be bought over the internet from a number of outlets. The average cost is about $3.00 per capsule.

Traditional method used to treat hangovers

Nibbling toast with honey. This is a traditional method used to treat hangovers, but evidence suggests that any high-carb, high-sugar snack might give you only a temporary boost. "Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect the metabolism of glucose, so having a snack like this that is high in carbs and sugars (the fructose in the honey) can help elevate blood sugar and provide some immediate energy," says McCall.

Your Sexual Performance

Enhance Your Results: Take a Comprehensive Approach to Improve Your Sexual Performance

Supplementation on its own can help with some sexual issues, but following the tips below as well will ensure peak performance between the sheets. They are also useful if you want to improve your overall health and well-being. To be at your best:

    * Get plenty of sleep (eight hours a night if possible): You already know how you feel when you skimp on your sleep. You have no energy and you're always wishing you could sneak off for a nap. Nobody is interested in sex when they feel this way. Get more sleep for an instant libido boost.
    * Eat well: That means eating low-fat, high-fiber foods and ones that contain complex carbohydrates. Being at your ideal weight and consuming fresh foods will both assist in improving sexual function.

We found that adding vitamin D

"We found that adding vitamin D substantially reduced the production of the protein driving the allergic response and also increased production of the protein that promotes tolerance," said Dr. Kolls, who also is professor and chair of genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. "Based on our results, we have strong rationale for a clinical trial of vitamin D to determine whether it can prevent or treat ABPA in patients with cystic fibrosis."

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide), according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

"These important findings by Dr. Kolls' team add to the growing body of evidence showing that vitamin D may play a critical role on immune responses and allergic diseases," said Juan Celedon, M.D., Dr.P.H., chief of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital.

Hay feve begins around the middle of August

Ragweed allergy season can be even more miserable for those with dog, cat or dust mite allergies, according to new research. These year-round allergies appear to "pre-prime" the immune system so symptoms hit harder, according to a study recently published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Hay fever (known as seasonal allergic rhinitis) begins around the middle of August, when ragweed blooms. The typical symptoms sneezing, itching, stuffy nose and watery eyes can make sufferers miserable. Hay fever sufferers who also are allergic to cats, dogs or dust mites develop symptoms faster and (early on) more severely, the research suggests. Treating the cat, dog or dust mite allergy year round may help make the hay fever more manageable.

"People with hay fever react differently when ragweed allergy season arrives. Some start sneezing right away, and others don't, so we wanted to determine what makes certain people develop symptoms more quickly," said allergist Anne K. Ellis, MD, lead author of the study and an ACAAI member. "We tested a number of common perennial allergens and found that having an allergy to cats, dogs or dust mites sets hay fever sufferers up for faster onset of symptoms when exposed to ragweed."

The study included 123 people allergic to ragweed. Of those, 66 percent tested positive for cat allergies, 63 percent tested positive for dog allergies and 73 percent tested positive for dust mite allergies. All were exposed to ragweed for three hours in a special controlled room called the Environmental Exposure Unit (at Kingston General Hospital, Ontario), and completed symptom questionnaires every 30 minutes during exposure.

"On average, those who tested positive for cat, dog or dust mite allergies developed symptoms either faster than, or to a greater degree than those who tested negative for those allergies," said Dr. Ellis. "The differences seen at 90 minutes of exposure were less dramatic after 3 hours of exposure, however. That suggests that once the hay fever season is in full swing, the symptom differences between those with cat, dog or dust mite allergies and those without no longer exist."

To avoid the more intense early reaction, people with cat, dog and dust mite allergies should try to limit their exposure to those allergens before ragweed season starts, said Dr. Ellis. Because that often is not practical when it comes to family pets, an alternative is to treat their cat, dog or dust-mite allergies, she said.

"Allergy immunizations or year-round allergy medication can provide hay fever relief to those sufferers who have ongoing symptoms from cats, dogs or dust mites, even if they think the symptoms are mild and easily tolerated," said Neil Kao, MD, chair of the ACAAI Rhinitis/Sinusitis Committee. "They'll likely find ragweed allergy season easier to endure if they're treating their perennial allergies."

Those who suspect they have hay fever or other allergies should get tested by an allergist a doctor who is expert in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.

Can Turmeric (Curcumin) Help Prevent Cancer?

Can Turmeric (Curcumin) Help Prevent Cancer?
Turmeric is a spice derived that is a member of the ginger family.
Curcumin is the principal polyphenolic compound in turmeric and is by
itself an antioxidant and also supports the production of glutathione,
another key antioxidant during times of need. In recent years researchers
has revealed that turmeric can play a role in the prevention of cancer
formation.

Can Eating More Broccoli and Cauliflower Reduce the Risk of Cancer?

Can Eating More Broccoli and Cauliflower Reduce the Risk
of Cancer?
There is good reason to include cruciferous (or Brassica) vegetables in
your diet arsenal to support cancer prevention. These vegetables include
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, arugula,
kale, kohlrabi, mustard, rutabaga, turnips, bok choy, Chinese cabbage,
wasabi, horse radish, radish, and watercress. In addition to key anti-
oxidant vitamins and minerals, cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of
glucosinolates, which are the sulfur-containing compounds responsible
for their pungent aromas and unique taste. Routine preparation of these
vegetables by chopping as well as chewing leads to the breakdown of
glucosinolates which in turn give rise to indoles and isothiocyanates
which seem to help prevent cancer.
   Broccoli and cauliflower contain sulfur-based nutrients that can
   help defend against cancer.

It is truly remarkable what our bodies

        The Very Basics of Humans
        and the World We Inhabit
Have you ever stopped and wondered why we (humans) are as we are,
and why we do what we do? It is truly remarkable what our bodies are
capable of doing and how our bodies operate to perform various tasks.
Yet, we are just one of millions of different species inhabiting this planet,
all with a unique story to tell. And, like our fellow planet-mates, we must
abide by the basic objectives of life, namely to function as an independent
being (self-operate), defend ourselves both externally and internally,
nourish ourselves, and of course to reproduce, which is without question
the ultimate objective of all life-forms.
   Yet, we are special in that we have a relatively large brain and the intel-
lectual capacity to try to understand ourselves and, in accordance, how we
are to be nourished. In this chapter we will begin to explore the very basis
of our being and the world we live in. This will begin to set the stage for
understanding what it will take to nourish our body for optimal health and
longevity. We will answer questions about basic concepts such as elements,
atoms, molecules, oxidation, chemical reactions, water solubility, and
acids and bases. If you have a science background this site might seem
too rudimentary and you might consider moving on to the next ....

More importantly

What, you may ask, is a public relations man doing writing a site on nature cure ? The answer
is simple : good health ought to be everybody's concern, not solely the medical profession's
business. More importantly, in my own case, I suffered immen- sely, for many years, largely due
to the shortcomings of the modern medical system. In my despair, I earnestly began my study of
natural methods of treatment and cure of disease, as also the ways and means of maintaining
good health. Putting the time-tested nature cure methods into practice proved so beneficial in my
own case, that I took to studying their application for several other diseases as well. What began
as mere jottings was gradually expanded into full-length articles on the subject " Cure Without
Drugs ", several of which were published in "The Economic Times. " The readers' response to
the series was overwhelming and several of them suggested that the articles be complied in
book form, to benefit more people. "Health the Natural Way " was the result. This book as well
as my second book titled " Diet Cure For Common Ailments " published three years laters, was
well received by the press and the public. This fact coupled with the immense popularity of my
articles on health, nutrition and nature cure being published in several leading newspapers and
magazines, have prompted me to write a comprehensive book on nature cure under the present
title for the benefit of the general public.

Where nutrition is concerned

Most members of the "medical" profession do not want to know. They do realise their patients are not losing weight, but they put it down to cheating and secret binges. Some slimming professionals even run group therapy sessions, at which members are applauded when they are able to show they have lost weight and made to feel ashamed of any gain.¹ The mental cruelty involved in these practices is positively mediaeval. Moreover, stipulating a 1500 calorie diet without detailing what it is to contain is quite inadequate. It simply serves to focus on the energy value of foods without taking account of their nutritional value.

Apart from a few specialists, doctors tend to be disinclined to update their understanding of these matters and are usually not knowledgeable about them in the first place. Where nutrition is concerned, they seem to have little scientific understanding going beyond the commonly held views.

What is more, it is not a field in which doctors in general are particularly interested. I have noticed that of the twenty or so I have worked with on this book, all of them, without exception, were originally led to research and experiment in the field because they themselves had a serious weight problem to solve.

Sugar-sweetened beverages

Sugar-sweetened beverages, a major source of fructose, raise serum uric acid levels and are associated with an increased risk of gout, hypertension, and diabetes. However, it is unclear whether the associations with hypertension and diabetes are caused by fructose per se, or through some other mechanism. Nevertheless, given their demonstrated adverse health associations and the lack of any health benefit, the evidence favors minimization of sugar-sweetened beverage intake.
Herbal Products

Thistle for the treatment of liver diseases

Silymarin and its major constituent, Silibinin, are extracts from the medicinal plant Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and have traditionally been used for the treatment of liver diseases. Recently, these orally active, flavonoid agents have also been shown to exert significant anti-neoplastic effects in a variety of in vitro and in vivo cancer models, including skin, breast, lung, colon, bladder, prostate and kidney carcinomas. The aim of the present review is to examine the pharmacokinetics, mechanisms, effectiveness and adverse effects of silibinin's anti-cancer actions reported to date in pre-clinical and clinical trials. The review will also discuss the results of current research efforts seeking to determine the extent to which the effectiveness of silibinin as an adjunct cancer treatment is influenced by such factors as histologic subtype, hormonal status, stromal interactions and drug metabolising gene polymorphisms. The results of these studies may help to more precisely target and dose silibinin therapy to optimise clinical outcomes for oncology patients.

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How useful condoms are in preventing herpes

Practicing safe sex is one of the best preventative health measures a person can take, and the best form of safe sex, outside of abstinence, is the condom. Not only do condoms safeguard against unwanted pregnancies, they also protect against infection from various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and trichomoniasis; discharge diseases that are transmitted through infected semen or vaginal fluids. However, researchers say condoms provide a lesser degree of protection against the spread of another STD—genital herpes—because it can be transmitted through contact with infected skin that isn't covered or protected by the condom, but the exact protective effect has remained unclear. To get a more definitive idea of how useful condoms are in preventing herpes, researchers at the University of Washington analyzed data on a total of 5,384 people; two-thirds of whom were male, 94 percent were heterosexual. All study participants were free of infection when the studies began, but over a follow-up period of 12 to 19 months, 415 became infected with the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), the virus that most often causes genital herpes. For those who reported using a condom 100 percent of the time, the risk of contracting the virus was found to be 30 percent less than those who did not use condoms. "Although the magnitude of the protective effect was not as large as has been observed with other STIs, a 30 percent reduction in HSV-2 incidence can have a substantial benefit for individuals as well as a public health impact at the population level," said lead author Dr. Emily T. Martin of Children's Hospital Research Institute at the University. "Thirty percent is partial protection, but its protection." The researchers said the risk of being infected was reduced 7 percent "every additional 25 percent of the time condoms were used during anal or vaginal sex" and increased with the frequency of unprotected sex. There was no significant difference in condom effectiveness between genders. "It's the consistent use of the condom that's important," Martin said. "If you don't know the STD status of your partner, a condom is always a good idea." Dr. Jeffrey D. Klausner, director of STD Prevention and Control Services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said the study provides more scientific evidence that condoms work. "We know condoms can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, herpes, warts, hepatitis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis, but it's always been hard to show that in research studies," he said. "If condoms can hold air and water, I never understood why folks thought they would not prevent the spread of germs, which are much, much larger than air or water molecules." Klausner added that these findings should help in efforts to get condoms into the hands of sexually active adults and teens. As many as 50 million Americans—about one in five adults—are infected with the genital herpes virus, with about one million new infections each year. As many as 80-90 percent of those infected fail to recognize herpes symptoms or have no symptoms at all. People with herpes may spread the disease even though they don't realize they have an infection or while their disease appears to be inactive and no sores can be seen. Herpes is a lifelong disease with no cure, but antiviral drugs can partially control the duration and severity of episodes.

Botanical medicine.

Plants have been used as medicine since the dawn of human civilization. Also called "botanical medicine" or "phytomedicine," herbal medicine uses all the parts of various plants for healing: seeds, berries, leaves, roots, bard, flowers. The World Health Organization reports that 80 percent of people worldwide use herbal medicine. In 1998, Americans alone spent over $4 billion on herbal products.

Over 700,000 different plants have been identified, but many more grow in isolated and remote environments, like the Amazon jungle. We have scientific data about only a handful, but even these have proven very useful as many modern pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants. For instance, digitalis, from the foxglove plant, has been used by herbalists to treat heart disease. Extracts from this plant and its compounds are used in modern heart medications. The herb ephedra has been used in Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years to treat asthma. The extract, Ephedrine, is used in commercial asthma medications

Though the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize licenses of drugs from overseas, research in other countries has brought many medicinal plants into modern usage in Europe. Germany utilizes over 600 plants in medicines available by prescription. These plant-medicines are prescribed by over two-thirds of German doctors.

History
Healing with plants has been mentioned as far back as man has been keeping records. Ancient Egyptian papyrus relate recipes for cures using plants, as do medical systems from other cultures, such as Ayurveda in India and Traditional Chinese Medicine. With the advent of modern chemistry, scientists began to analyze the chemical make-up of various plants, and then synthesized compounds for use in pharmaceuticals and medicine. The FDA now classifies many herbs as dietary supplements, since the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. Most herbs are sold over-the-counter, that is, without a prescription, and registration as a dietary supplement does not regulate the manufacture of herbal medicine.

Usage
Herbs can be taken internally as tea, tinctures, or extracts. They can also be added to oils or creams and used externally, not only for the hair or skin, but for absorption through the skin to treat various ailments.

Some of the more commonly used herbs in the United States are echinacea, used to boost immunity, and ginkgo bilboa, used for memory retention. Commonly utilized teas include chamomile and peppermint. Food plants such as ginger, chocolate, flax seed oil, and garlic are also classified in herbal medicine because of their healing qualities.

Side Effects from Herbal Medicine
Some herbal remedies do have side effects or allergic reactions, so it is important to talk over health concern with your doctor or health provider before beginning any new therapy. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that over half of people using herbal medicines did not report the usage to their doctors, and this can interfere with other drugs or medical treatments. You can research warnings and safety advice at the FDA website  or the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.



Integrating natural and conventional treatments is often the most beneficial path to health, as one third of Americans know, so keeping our health providers informed will only speed the integration of herbal medicine into its rightful place as a healing agent

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat. Medication tends to reduce muscle pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of the chronic condition by just 30% to 50%. As a result, many patients turn to diet and lifestyle changes for added relief. Learning which foods to avoid is a good place to start, since fibro patients often have food sensitivities that may not show up in food allergy tests. In one survey, 42% reported that certain foods made their pain and stiffness worse.

pharmaceutical ingredient

"Herbal Diet Natural" contains an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient similar to the prescription drug sibutramine. Sibutramine may pose serious health risks, particularly to people with heart problems. Consumers who have purchased "Herbal Diet Natural" are advised to consult with a medical professional if they have used the product or have concerns about their health, says Health Canada.

Sibutramine is a prescription drug used to treat obesity.  The use of sibutramine may cause serious side-effects, including cardiovascular reactions, such as increased blood pressure, chest pain, and stroke, in addition to dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation. Sibutramine should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Sibutramine should not be taken by people who have had a heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart-related chest pain, irregular heart beats, congestive heart failure, a stroke or symptoms of a stroke, in individuals with unstable or poorly controlled high blood pressure, or in patients who have clinically diagnosed depression or have a psychiatric illness. Sibutramine is not recommended for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant.

According to the product label, Herbal Diet Natural also contains glucomannan used for the treatment of weight loss. In January 2010, Health Canada advised Canadians that natural health products containing the ingredient glucomannan in tablet, capsule or powder form, which are currently on the Canadian market, have a potential for harm if taken without at least 8 ounces of water or other fluid. The risk to Canadians includes choking and/or blockage of the throat, esophagus or intestine. These products should NOT be taken immediately before going to bed.

Cranberry prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall long enough to cause an infection

Cranberry for Urinary-Tract Infection

Cranberry prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall long enough to cause an infection. Finnish researchers divided 150 recurrent UTI sufferers into three groups. One drank cranberry juice (50 milliliters a day). Another took Lactobacillus. The third took nothing. After six months, 36 percent of the no-treatment group and 39 percent of the Lactobacillus group reported at least one recurrence. Of the juice drinkers, only 16 percent had recurrences. Other options are dried cranberries (Craisins) and cranberry-extract capsules. "I recommend cranberry for UTI," Duke says. "But if you drink the juice, you have to drink a lot. It's usually easier to munch on the dried berries or take capsules."

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VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine) Promotes growth

Buy Vitamin B Complex

VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine) Promotes growth, improves mental attitude, aids digestion, helps strengthen nervous system and prevent stress. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, sage, yarrow, and yellow dock.

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Synonyms Echinacea

Synonyms Echinacea

Alkamides, American coneflower, Asteraceae (family), black Sampson, black Susan, cichoric acid, cock-up-hat, combflower, coneflower,  Echinacea angustifolia ,  Echinacea pallida , Echinacea Plus,  Echinacea purpurea , Echinacin®, Echinacin® EC31, Echinaforce®, Echinaforce® Forte, Echinaguard®, Echinilin® (Factors R & D Technologies, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada), hedgehog, igelkopf, Indian head, Kansas snake root, kegelblume, narrow-leaved purple coneflower, Pascotox®, polysaccharides, purple coneflower, red sunflower, rudbeckia, SB-TOX, scurvy root, snakeroot, solhat, sun hat.

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