TYPES OF THERAPY
March 1, 2008 Posted by
In the privacy of your home, there are several types of therapy that deserve particular attention. Naturally, it is our instinctive tendency to look for the simplest way of getting well. Often people resort to drugs in an attempt to cure themselves, only to find that the drug has changed the form and location the disease, producing new symptoms or complications that might even be worse than the original disease. Furthermore, the expense of drugs, together with their long term risk are reason for great caution in theiruse by the home health practitioner.
Diet is an extremely important type of home treatment. In case of illness, the patient’s diet should be simpler than is usually eaten. Sometimes a fruit fast for a few days will help a person recover without a grain of medicine.Juices have a more limited place. Sometimes skipping a meal and drinking water or fruit juice will allow nature a chance to build up defenses against the invader. This should be done at mealtimes, not drinking juices all through the day.
Herb teas have a valued place in healing. Hence, a special chapter is being devoted to their use. Medicinal teas are usually prepared by mixing one teaspoon of the herb in a cup of boiling water and allowing it to steep for
three to five minutes, until the tea is ready. The herb is strained out before drinking. Other herbal beverages made with parsley or comfrey, create the so called “green drink,” which is popular in health food stores today. There are many common symptoms that can be treated safely with herbs, making it unnecessary to consult a physician nearly as often as we do these days.
RATIONAL APPROACHES to ILLNESS
February 25, 2008 Posted by
In dealing with any disease, the first step toward diagnosis is found in the health history and its interpretation. All facts of significance in the lifestyle of the individual up to the time of illness should be evaluated as possible contributors to the present problem. Allergies to drugs, foods, or environmental factors should also be evaluated in the face of present illness. Second, the careful analysis of the illness under question with all of its various symptoms, including other factors that have ensued from the first onset to the present need to be considered. Most diseases fit certain patterns. As organ systems and their disorders are discussed, these patterns will become obvious. Thus, the intelligent interpretation of a medical history provides one of the most valuable clues to understand illness and its proper diagnosis.
Remember this one caution in the proper interpretation of health history. Accurate recall for the patient is very important. However, most sick individuals color their subjective awareness of symptoms with substantial concern over the consequences of illness to their families. Fear of disease, disability, and even death may affect the person’s response to the otherwise clear question or stimulus. Although the story of every illness is extremely important, in most cases, it is not definitive, but rather narrows the number of diagnostic possibilities, and thus guides any subsequent investigation. A physician’s skill, knowledge, wisdom, and experience are most clearly evidenced in his history taking. Likewise, the thorough analysis of symptoms in home health care will provide your best clues toward understanding disease.
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH
February 24, 2008 Posted by
It is possible for you and your family to be healthy. You, my friend, may choose to enjoy better health. However, that means much more than the mere absence of illness. True health involves physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. It does not come by accident; vigorous health is a positive achievement. This book will introduce you to the exciting adventure of really knowing your body. The proper understanding of physical and mental health, and its mortal enemy, disease, will safeguard you against many worries. Fear of illness, disability, or suffering is a major destroyer of peace.
Welcome now to the greatest adventure. We will become good friends in the exploration of true healing, jointly in partnership with our bodies. Sickness in the home always presents numerous problems. There is usually anxiety in the heart of every family member, when a loved one becomes ill. Naturally, we harbor uncertainty concerning the diagnosis. Moreover, there is our built-in fear of death to be understood, as well as the frequent frustration experienced just caring for a sick person. Sometimes the numerous symptoms that characterize our health problem can be misinterpreted. They may be either trivial and self-limited, or much more serious than they really appear. All this must be studied.
Looking at illness from the viewpoint of home treatment, you must first consider the various possible causes. One author defined disease as an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from violation of the laws of health. That definition looks at the various symptoms as evidences that the body is trying to rid itself of poisons, toxins, or foreign invaders. In fighting for a speedy return of health, your body generates numerous symptoms and signs - for example, fever or pain.
Approaching disease from this vantage point, we must first endeavor to ascertain the true causes. The cause may be infectious in nature, or it may be related to various degenerative processes of the body. Disease can in addition result from an accident, injury, or another form of trauma. The accumulation of toxins or foreign viruses may result in the development of a growth, usually referred to as a neoplasm or tumor. Other causes of common diseases include allergic reactions, emotional problems, hormone imbalances, nutritional disorders, and occasionally inherited tendencies.
Correcting wrong personal habits that have contributed to the cause of an illness may require a major dietary change. Exercise often needs to be encouraged, or sometimes curtailed, depending upon the type of illness. Specific treatment recommendations will be presented in subsequent chapters as we consider individual diseases. Simple treatments in the home, such as water taken internally or applied externally—the use of hot or cold baths and showers—as well as simple poultices or herbs, may be therapeutically employed in any home setting to combat numerous ailments.
Most of the following natural methods assist “Nature” in her effort to restore right conditions and re-establish a normal balance to all of the body’ s processes. It naturally follows then, that a proper understanding of physiology and some knowledge of the structure of our bodies, especially our anatomy, is crucial to a person seeking assistance to combat disease in a home—like, natural setting. Wise progressive physicians today encourage more independent judgment on the part of their patients, while teaching modern mothers how properly to care for their children. This self—help trend became increasingly important in the recent decade as medical costs skyrocketed. It could be even more vital in the future when specialized health care becomes unaffordable.




















