What is Henoch Schonlein Purpura HSP

[Extracted from MedicineNet.Com]

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. There are many different conditions that feature vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small vessels called capillaries in the skin and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in skin rash (most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities) associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and sometimes cramping pain in the abdomen. Henoch-Schonlein purpura is also referred to as anaphylactoid purpura.

What causes HSP ?

HSP occurs most often in the spring and frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages. HSP seems to represent an unusual reaction of the body's immune system that is in response to this infection (either bacteria or virus). Aside from infection, drugs can also trigger the condition. HSP occurs most commonly in children, but people of all age groups can be affected.



What are symptoms of HSP ?

Classically, HSP causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis). Not all features need be present for the diagnosis. The rash of skin lesions appears in gravity-dependent areas, such as the legs. The joints most frequently affected with pain and swelling are the ankles and the knees. Patients with HSP can develop fever. Inflammation of the blood vessels in the kidneys can cause blood and/or protein in the urine. Serious kidney complications are infrequent but can occur.

Symptoms usually last approximately a month. Recurrences are not frequent but do occur.

How is HSP diagnosed ?

HSP is usually diagnosed based on the typical skin, joint, and kidney findings. Throat culture, urinalysis, and blood tests for inflammation and kidney function are used to suggest the diagnosis. A biopsy of the skin, and less commonly kidneys, can be used to demonstrate vasculitis. Special staining techniques (direct immunofluorescence) of the biopsy specimen can be used to document antibody deposits of IgA in the blood vessels of involved tissue.

What is the treatment for HSP ?

While HSP is generally a mild illness that resolves spontaneously, it can cause serious problems in the kidneys and bowels. The rash can be very prominent, especially on the lower extremities.

The treatment of HSP is directed toward the most significant area of involvement. Joint pain can be relieved by antiinflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin). Some patients can require cortisone medications, such as prednisone or prednisolone, especially those with significant abdominal pain or kidney disease. With more severe kidney disease, involvement called glomerulonephritis or nephritis, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), azathioprine (Imuran), or mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) have been used to suppress the immune system. Infection, if present, can require antibiotics.



What is the prognosis for patients with HSP ?

The prognosis for patients with HSP is generally excellent. Nearly all patients have no long-term problems. The kidney is the most serious organ involved when it is affected. Rarely, patients can have serious long-term kidney damage or an abnormal bowel folding called intussusception. Some patients have recurrences of symptoms, particularly skin rash, for months to a year after the onset of the illness.

Recent data show that HSP in adults is generally more severe than in children. Adults have more severe kidney involvement and can require more aggressive treatment. The ultimate outcome, however, is usually very good for both adults and children.

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura At A Glance

* Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a particular form of blood vessel inflammation called vasculitis.

* Henoch-Schonlein purpura frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages, but it can be induced by certain medications.

* Henoch-Schonlein purpura causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis).

* The treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is directed toward the most significant area of involvement.

* The prognosis for patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura is generally excellent.

Yoga is a great thing but

by Nina 

Stop Sign by Brad Gibson

“Yoga is a great thing but it is not everything or the only thing.”

That’s the sentence that popped into my mind while I was practicing yoga yesterday afternoon (a very enjoyable backbend practice, by the way). In the back of my mind, I was obviously mulling over a post I read on the It’s All Yoga Baby blog (see when the yoga doesn’t work: depression, failure & the purpose of practice), in which Roseanne talked about her depression and her feeling that she is “failing” at her yoga practice.

“Underneath it all, however, is a vague sense that I’m failing at my practice, that I’m as broken and fucked up as I was before I committed to yoga (chronic and clinical depression was what drove me to practice in the first place), that the practice isn’t working. There’s also the vague sense that I’m not allowed to be feeling this way – there are many stories of miraculous healing from depression (and everything else) through yoga, but nobody talks about the relapses. I feel like I’m doing something wrong.”

I’ve already mentioned in a couple of previous posts (see Practice As Many As You Can and Authentic Yoga) how reading Yoga Body by Mark Singleton brought home to me once again that most of what we consider to be “yoga” these days was developed in the 20th century. This means that, contrary to what some teachers claim, the yoga we know and practice these days is not some thousands-of-years-old practice that is the answer to everything, including depression and anxiety, as well as physical injuries and illnesses (though it can definitely help with those things for certain people). And I think those in the yoga community who promote it as such, do us all a disservice. Because the result for people like Roseanne is that when yoga doesn’t provide the answer for them, they feel as if they are at fault, that they are doing something wrong, or that they have “failed” in some way. And the truth is, yoga was probably only used to treat depression and anxiety starting in the 20th century.

When I teach yoga for emotional well-being (including depression, anxiety, stress, etc.), I always add that I while I consider yoga to be a powerful tool for improving mental health, it may not be the only answer for you. In fact, you may need to use it as a supplement to western medicine, including drugs and/or therapy. And I recommend that if you are in a crisis, you should consult with your family doctor or a mental health professional. You need to do whatever it takes to help you get better. And, please, no guilt or shame about this!

The truth is, many years ago, before I became serious about yoga but while I was taking regular classes, I had two nervous breakdowns (the diagnosis was agitated depression), within a five-year period. And I’m convinced that, especially during the second breakdown, that my family doctor and the drugs she prescribed for me prevented me from being hospitalized. Later on, life style changes, including a regular home yoga practice, helped me reduce the stress in my life that seemed to be the main trigger for my illness. And I’ve been well since then. But just as important, I believe that yoga has also helped me come to a state of self acceptance regarding my condition. And this included both overcoming my feeling of shame about taking medication for depression (my therapist encouraged me to stay on a low maintenance dose) and starting to talk—and write—about my experiences as a way of possibly helping others.

I want to be very clear that I’m not here giving any medical advice here. This post is not intended to tell anyone what the best way is to heal from depression. I just felt that it was very important to state that as wonderful as I feel yoga is, I believe it has its limits. And there's no shame in that. Really, all I’m trying to say here is summed up by the sentence that I opened this post with:

“Yoga is a great thing but it is not everything or the only thing.”

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What is Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples. Called a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain is believed to help with the digestion of protein.

Some bromelain appears to be absorbed by the body intact, so it's also thought to have effects outside the digestive tract. In fact, bromelain is often marketed as a natural anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis. It's one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it is approved by the Commission E for the treatment of inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses due to surgery or injury.

Bromelain is typically extracted from pineapples and made into capsule or tablet form. Because it's able to digest protein, bromelain is available in some grocery stores as a meat tenderizer. A topical form of bromelain is also being explored experimentally for burns.

When used for as a digestive aid, bromelain is usually taken with meals. When used for inflammatory conditions, practitioners typically recommend taking bromelain between meals on an empty stomach to maximize absorption.



Why Do People Use Bromelain ?

* Surgery and Injuries
There is some evidence that bromelain supplements may reduce swelling, bruising, inflammation and pain after surgery and injury. In Germany, bromelain has been approved for these uses by the Commission E since 1993. Large, well-designed studies are needed, because not all studies have confirmed these results.

* Sinusitis
Bromelain has been suggested as a complementary treatment for sinusitis. Preliminary studies suggest that it may help reduce congestion, improve breathing and suppress coughing. It's approved by the Commission E as a complementary treatment for nasal and sinus swelling and inflammation after ear, nose and throat surgery. A review of three small but well-designed previously published studies found that bromelain may help relieve sinusitis symptoms.

* Digestion
Bromelain is a popular natural digestive aid due to it's ability to digest proteins. It's used for bloating, gas and other digestive symptoms and for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Bromelain is often used alone or in combination with other enzymes such as lipase, which digests fats, and amylase, which digests starch. There is little research, however, on the safety or effectiveness of bromelain for digestion.

* Osteoarthritis
Bromelain may help with mild pain associated with osteoarthritis. It's a common ingredient in nutritional supplements marketed as a natural pain remedy for arthritis. Large, well-designed studies are needed to see if it is effective and to find out about possible side effects.

* Cancer
Bromelain and other proteolytic enzymes have been explored as a complementary treatment for cancer. Although there is some preliminary research, there isn't enough evidence at this time on the safety or effectiveness of bromelain for cancer. It should never be used in place of conventional treatment.



Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Some of the more common side effects of bromelain include indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. Other side effects may include vomiting, increased heart rate, drowsiness and abnormal uterine bleeding or heavy menstruation.

Bromelain has resulted in allergic reactions and asthma symptoms, including breathing problems, tightness in the throat, skin hives, rash or itchy skin. People with allergies to pineapples should avoid bromelain. Allergic reactions may also occur in people with allergies to latex, carrot, celery, fennel, rye, wheat, papain, bee venom or grass, birch or cypress pollens.

People with peptic ulcers should not use bromelain. People with other digestive disorders should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using bromelain.

Theoretically, bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding, so people with bleeding disorders and those taking medication that can increase the risk of bleeding should only use bromelain under the supervision of their physician. It should not be taken two weeks before or after dental procedures or surgery.

The safety of bromelain in pregnant or nursing women, children or people with liver or kidney disease isn't known.

Possible Drug and Herb Interactions
People taking "blood-thinners" (anticoagulant or anti-platelet medication), such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) should only use bromelain under a physician's supervision. It should also be used with caution by people taking herbs and supplements that are thought to increase the risk of bleeding, such as ginkgo biloba and garlic.

Studies suggest bromelain may also increase the absorption of other medications, such as :

a) amoxicillin, tetracycline and other antibiotics

b) chemotherapy drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and vincristine

c) "ACE inhibitor" blood pressure medications such as captopril (Capoten) and lisinopril (Zestril)

d) medications that cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines lorazepam (Ativan) or diazepam (Valium), some antidepressants, narcotics such as codeine, and barbituates such as phenobarbitol.

How beneficial is The Custard Apple

This unique looking fruit has become quite a common sight in most gardens today. Undoubtedly, they grew well in tropical country because it needs plenty of sunshine and sufficient water to sustain growth. The flesh is always sweet in taste but sometimes, it could be slight sourish too. Of course, the possible reason could be due to the infertile soil that they grew upon. The fruit gets its name as Custard Apple because of its shape which appears like a heart, or otherwise similar to the shape of an apple. It appears to have a rough skin but its thin. If the fruit is over-ripened, the whole fruit may break apart due to the weight of its flesh.

I remember a few healthy plants that were grown in our backyard during my school days. It bears fruits continuously throughout the year and our greatest enemy was the naughty birds that will fight with us for the sweet fruit. They have a better sense of smell and every time before we can pluck them, we are  bound to see holes appearing on the side of the fruits because they are been eaten by those notorious birds first.
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Nutritional Value of Custard Apple (Based on per 100 gm)

• Thiamine (B1) - 0.05 to 0.08 mg
• Vitamin A -1 mg       
• Riboflavin (B2) - 0.08 to 0.1 mg
• Natural Sugar - 14 to 18 gm           
• Niacin (B3) - 0.5 to 0.8 mg
• Carbohydrate - 23.71 gm    
• Iron - 0.7mg
• Total Acidity - 0.4 mg           
• Energy - 76 to 96 cal (310 to 420 kJ)
• Protein - 1 to 4.3 gm            
• Zinc - 0.2 to 2.7mg
• Magnesium - 32 to 88 mg  
• Copper - 2.4mg
• Potassium - 250 to 578 mg            
• Sodium - 4 to 14 mg
• Calcium - 17 to 22 mg         
• Vitamin C - 22 to 43 mg
• Fibre - 1 to 3.2 g       
• Total Soluble Solids (Brix) - 22.3%
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Benefits of Eating Custard Apple 

• it has an abundant content of Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant and
  helps in neutralizing free radicals.
  
• it also contains reasonable amount of Vitamin A, which is good for
  the hair, eyes and skin.
  
• it contains magnesium, which is important to relax all muscles and
  protecting the heart against diseases.
  
• it also contains Potassium, Copper and Vitamin B6.
  
• it is a rich source of dietary fiber, which helps in digestion.
  
• it contains low fat levels and good for maintaining optimum health.
  
• the flesh of the fruit can be used for local application on ulcers,
  abscesses and boils.
  
• in the olden days, such unripe fruit can be dried, crushed and
  used for treating diarrhea and dysentery.
  
• this fruit can also serve as an expectorant, stimulant, coolant and
  haematinic and is even useful in treating anemia.