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Musculo-skeletal System

Arthritis is a general body condition coming from a variety of sources generally associated with an inflammation of a joint. There are two main types of arthritis; rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is the more destructive form of arthritis. The inflammation can cause crippling and deformation of the joints. It is characterized by early morning joint stiffness, pain and inflammation in symmetrically located joints. Fingers and toes are usually the first to be affected, but it is not uncommon for pain to wander from joint to joint throughout the day. The cause is unknown, but it belongs to a family of autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks its own tissue.

There does seem to be a genetic disposition in this disease.

Osteoarthritis: The cause of this type of arthritis lies in a long process of joint deterioration due to mineral deficiencies or imbalances. Mechanical wearing down of the cartilage lining the joints leaves abrasive tissue in place of the once-smooth cartilage.

Circulatory System

The term arteriosclerosis means thickening and hardening of artery walls. Deposits of fatty substances collect along the artery walls. Arteriosclerosis leads to scaring and calcium deposits, which result in hardened and narrowed blood vessels. Eventually it can cause the total obstruction of an artery, and destruction of nearby tissue.

Alternately, arteriosclerosis can cause blood vessels to widen or rupture into an aneurysm. The vital organs that are most affected by this condition are the heart, brain and the legs. Strong risk factors are high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Improper diet is a major cause of this condition; saturated fats, deep fried foods, too much meat and too little fibre, fresh vegetables and fruit.

Other contributors are coffee, caffeine-loaded colas, alcohol, and a diet rich in sweets, fast food and refined foods.

Atherosclerosis is a common form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form a deposit of plaque on the inner lining of arterial walls. Moderate and advanced atherosclerosis can be halted and reversed without drug treatment with dietary changes and working to keep levels of serum cholesterol low.

Immune System

An allergic response is a defence against infection where there is no danger; an over-reaction by the body's defence mechanisms to certain food, clothing, pollen and other materials.

An allergy can manifest itself as asthma, eczema, hyperactivity, fatigue, itching, runny nose, sneezing, headaches, lumps and bumps.

Hay fever is a relatively mild, although very uncomfortable, form of allergic reaction. Treatment of hay fever should begin at least half a year before the onset of allergy season.

Mild to moderate allergic reactions may manifest in a variety of ways, from mild headaches or digestive disturbances, to itchy, blotchy skin rashes. Severe allergic reactions, called anaphylactic shock cause swelling of the airways. In very severe cases, the airway can become completely blocked, causing respiratory arrest.

Digestive System

Cirrhosis is a chronic disease that is the result of slow deterioration of the liver. Damage to the liver from one of many causes changes its structure gradually, and the liver becomes progressively less able to carry out its functions, which includes regulating the content of blood. The most common cause in North America is alcoholism.

Malnutrition, hepatitis, parasites, toxic chemicals and congestive heart failure are some other possible causes. In the early stages, symptoms are mild. As the disease progresses, loss of appetite and weight, nausea, vomiting, general malaise and weakness, indigestion and abdominal distension become increasingly pronounced. There is a tendency to bleed and bruise easily.

A healthy liver has great regenerative potential, so the goal of therapy should be to eliminate the stresses on the liver, reduce inflammation, prevent scarring and encourage healing. The complication that arises from a damaged liver is that tissues damaged by cirrhosis can only replicate their damaged selves. The goal then would be to stop further damage to the liver.

Circulatory System

A condition marked by recurrent pain in the chest and left arm caused by a sudden decrease of the blood supply to the heart muscle. It comes on suddenly and usually lasts only a few minutes.

Angina is not a disease in its own right. Normally the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart can cope with an increased demand, but its ability is hampered if you have coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. This condition can flare up when exercise, extremes of temperature or strong emotion increase oxygen demand.

Angina tends to be a progressive disorder, and is often, but not always, a predictor of a heart attack. In some people, the condition can go on for many years with little change. Others, however, may experience the increasingly frequent or severe attacks of unstable angina.

Respiratory System

People with asthma have overly sensitive, hyperactive lungs. Normally air flows easily through the bronchial tubes (airways). The airways naturally tighten to keep out very cold air or other harmful substances. In asthma, the lungs also react to harmless substances such as pollen or cat dander.

Asthma is an allergic condition which begins with a dry cough and tightness in the chest which rapidly worsens until labored breathing and wheezing result.

During an attack, the sphincter muscles in the smallest bronchial tubes tighten and go into a spasm. The airways swell and become inflamed. The problem is intensified when mucous-producing cells that line the airways respond by secreting more mucous and clogging airways – this is what creates the wheezing sound. Stale air becomes trapped in the lungs and causes a build-up of carbon dioxide. This results in coughing and gasping for air.

Adrenaline is administered by a doctor for asthma episodes.

Integumentary System

An abscess is a localized inflamed swelling containing pus. They occur when the skin becomes infected with the Staphylococcus pyogenes bacteria, often because the body is under stress. Abscesses can develop externally on the skin, and they can also occur internally in the mouth or on other mucous membranes - these should be referred for qualified medical treatment. Treatments locally on the skin will generally involve hot compresses or poultices to draw out the toxic waste matter; recurrent abscesses often indicate a weakened immune system.

A boil is an acute inflamed and infected area on the skin, often in a blocked hair follicle. If a number of boils occur together, they may produce a large inflamed lump with several pus-filled "heads"; this is known as a carbuncle. A stye is a boil occurring in the base of an eyelash.