Beldames’ Saloon

The method know as 3d ultrasound scanning is used in early pregnancy, providing 3 d pictures of the fetus. Most times these pictures are collated and combined to make a “4d ultrasound”.

Three dimensional scans works similarly to the normal ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning waves are directed from multiple directions. The ultrasound pulses can be reflected back then captured to provide information to construct a 3-dimensional image in in a similar manner to 3d pictures. 3d ultasound scanning was started by stephen smith and olaf von ramm at duke university.

It’s important to understand that sonologists around the world have always pictured 3d images of the body in their minds while doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was very difficult to do this kind of reconstruction on patient data acquired using ultrasound. With the advent of baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the thinking of a sonologist and so allowing us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

4d ultrasound imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest any harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in non-medical situations should be undertaken with the understanding that a risk may exist.

Also bank your new born childs cord blood stem cells by using a company like virgin health bank.

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Alzheimer’s disease causes more than memory loss. Patients develop visual agnosia, the inability to identify objects and people. They develop auditory agnosia, the inability to process sounds, and other agnosias as well. These mental failures are painful to witness.

You can’t change the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, but you can create a safe and soothing place for your loved one.

Perhaps your loved one has moved in with you. Even if your loved one is in a nursing home you may influence - and perhaps change - the living space to meet his or her needs. These action steps are a starting place. As your loved one’s disease progresses you will think of other ways to help.

1. REMOVE CLUTTER. Too much clutter is upsetting and makes it harder for your loved one to find things. Clear off the bureau, bedside table, and other surfaces. You may wish to buy open boxes for storage. I bought a bathroom shelf for my mother, the kind that goes above the toilet and is held in place with springs. Open shelving made it easier for her to store and find things.

2. CLEAR PATHWAYS. Remove scatter rugs and make sure there are no doorway obstructions. Shorten or wind up long electrical cords that could trip your loved one. Move furniture away from the middle of the room if your loved one uses a walker.

3. ARRANGE FURNITURE. The furniture arrangement depends on the degree of your loved one’s dementia. Plan the arrangement on paper first. I arranged the furniture in my mother’s studio apartment. The couch was across from her bookshelf, which held Mom’s “treasures.” Her small eating table and chairs were in front of the window so she could enjoy the view. After you have arranged the furniture leave it in place.

4. USE VISUAL CLUES. The Canadian Government, in an Internet article called “At Home With Alzheimer’s Disease,” says you should “mark the door of the AD person’s apartment in a very distinct way, perhaps with a photograph, a wreath, or a flag of some sort.” I hung a heart wreath on the door of my mother’s apartment. Thanks to the wreath, Mom always knew which door was hers. Experiment with other visual clues, such as a picture of socks on the front of a sock drawer.

5. INCLUDE FAMILIAR THINGS. “Alzheimer’s: Soothing the Transition on Moving Day,” an article on http://www.MayoClinic.com, says it’s important for the Alzheimer’s patient to have some familiar things. “Familiar belongings can trigger feelings of ownership and boost your loved one’s sense of security,” the article notes. My mother felt secure in her studio apartment because she had her own bedroom furniture, eating table, and favorite chair.

6. CHOOSE CALM COLORS. Nancy L Mace and Peter V. Rabins, MD, authors of “The 36-Hour Day,” say “brain impaired people may be less able to distinguish between similar color intensities.” Your loved one may not be able to tell the difference between light blue and light green, for example. Bright colors may be upsetting. That’s why The Greater Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association recommends “soothing pastel shades such as peach, pink, beige, ivory, light blues, greens and lavenders.”

7. MARK SPACE WITH COLOR. The contrast between light walls and dark hand rails will help your loved one to distinguish space. The authors of “The 36-Hour Day” suggest painting stair risers and treads in contrasting colors. Mace and Rabins also say you should “outline doors, mantlepieces, and other things the person bumps into with bright tape in a contrasting color and color intensity.”

8. BE CAREFUL WITH PATTERN. “Patients with AD see and hear things that have no basis in reality,” according to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in San Diego, CA. This point is made in an Internet story from The Greater Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Apparently the residents of one nursing home thought the vines on the wallpaper were snakes and they kept beating the walls. At this time of life plain fabrics and wallcoverings are better choices for your loved one.

9. HAVE ENOUGH LIGHT. Accidents can happen in dimly lit areas or areas with lots of shadows. Make sure the is enough light, especially in the bathroom. Put a night light next to the bed and mark the way to the bathroom with additional night lights. “The 36-Hour Day,” says putting reflective tape around the bathroom door may also help your loved one at night.

10. CUT THE GLARE. Buy flat paint instead of gloss to cut down on glare. The floor should also have a non-glare surface. You may also reduce glare by hanging sheer drapes at the window and installing blinds. Use soft light bulbs in lamps. If your loved one is severely demented, close the curtains at night and cover up mirrors.

11. PREVENT WANDERING. Hang small posters on the doors to keep your loved one from wandering. You may also hang beaded curtains in open doorways. Install door and window locks in unusual and/or hidden places. The Canadian Government, in its publication “At Home With Alzheimer’s Disease,” recommends two locks - a chain lock and a dead bolt - on exit doors. If you have a door that opens onto a busy street hang a red STOP sign on the door.

12. ADD LIFE. A growing plant can give your loved one weeks of pleasure. Before you buy a plant, however, make sure it isn’t toxic. Provide a watering can if your loved one is still able to water the plant. (Check for spills later.) Watching fish is also pleasurable for those with Alzheimer’s, but if you buy fish you should care for them. Your loved one may also benefit from pet therapy.

These action steps will help your loved one to feel safer and calmer. As his or her dementia progresses you will have to take more action steps. The best action step you can take is to keep saying “I love you.”

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson.

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. She is th author of two Alzheimer’s books, “Alzheimer’s: Finding the Words,” (a communication guide) and “The Alzheimer’s Caregiver.” Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com.

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Here are some more constipation remedies using fruits. Try to get your organic fruits and eat them as soon as possible. The longer you keep fruits, without using them, the less enzymes and nutrients they have.

Apricots

Apricots are one of most nutritious fruits since they are high in fiber, vitamin A, C, potassium, and have many other minerals. One apricot has around 1000 IU of vitamin A. This vitamin is mainly in the form of the precursor beta-carotene.

Apricots have a laxative effect and are usually available during the summer. Dried apricots are also good and are much higher in vitamin A and in minerals.

Use dried apricots that have not been dried with sulfur dioxide. Some people are allergic to sulfur dioxide and it is considered a pollutant that is found in our air. This chemical is a preservative that prevents apricots from turning brown.

If you have an ulcer, eating apricots with sulfur dioxide can increase your stomach acid and aggravate it.

Avocado with Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon

Here’s a recipe that will make you go to the bathroom in a couple of hours.

Peel 1-2 avocados
Add a little sea salt
3-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (to taste)
1-2 tablespoons of lemon (to taste)
Mix all together and spread on your favorite crackers
Have a good time eating

Yes, avocados are high in fat but they contain fat that is good for you, monounsaturated. In 4 oz., half of an avocado contains 500mg of potassium and folate.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium. They assist in healing open wounds in the interior body membranes. They are helpful in stopping diarrhea and at the same time in promoting bowel movements.

Eat two bananas on an empty stomach followed by a glass of distilled water. After your constipation is cleared, eat only one banana each day.

Blueberries

Blue berries can act as a laxative for some people despite its use to stop diarrhea. These berries have chemicals, anthocyanosides that can kill bacteria and viruses

Blueberries are also good for reducing inflammation. This makes them good for inflammations that occur all along the gastrointestinal tract.

Boysenberries

Boysenberry juice has a gentle natural laxative action on your bowel. When your constipation is not extra serious this juice will help move things in your colon.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is one of best fruits you can eat. It contains many minerals and has Vitamin A and C. It is high in potassium. It has plenty of fiber and is useful for constipation.

Cherries

Cherries are high in potassium, fiber, and many other minerals, which are effective in neutralizing body acid. They contain vitamins B-1, B-2, folic acid and niacin.

Cherries have a laxative effect and can start peristaltic action.

Eat fresh cherries throughout the day or drink 3 glasses, 8 oz, of cherry juice during the day. Buy cherry juice in glass container. Eating and drinking cherries like this has kept me from having constipation. Cherries are usually only available during the summer, but you can buy cherry juice anytime.

Dried cherries can also be used except the can be expensive.
Use these fruits mention as constipation remedies and at the same time gain the benefits of their nutritional value.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.com or at http://www.constipation-remedies.for–you.info

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Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is one of the most difficult things you can do. It involves a lot of energy, time and patience. It can be very frustrating. People with Alzheimer’s may refuse help from caregivers. This is a sign that they are actually trying to communicate with you. Refusal to accept care is a sign that something is missing or not right. It’s up to the caregiver to assess the situation.

If your loved one refuses to take her bath or shower, this might be a clue that something is bothering her. It may be embarrassment. Remember that your loved one used to do all these things alone before she had Alzheimer’s and now she has to depend on another person. It is very frustrating. You may have to limit bath time. Approach the situation one step at a time in a non-threatening manner. While you help your loved one undress, use a smooth calming voice. As you bathe her, you can talk about old memories you used to share. It will make the process more enjoyable and pleasant for both of you.

If this does not work and your loved one still resists your help, then you might need try again later. When people with Alzheimer’s do not like to bathe, it often stems from fear. Make sure the lighting in the bathroom is adequate for your loved one to see. If she cannot see well, her fear will increase. Let the shower or bath run for a while to warm up the room. It will make it more comfortable. No one likes to undress in a cold room. If your loved one is using a shower, you might want to put a chair in it so she can sit down. You can purchase one of those at a medical supply store or drug store. Use a hand held shower head. This will take the water up to her level and will be less threatening.

Music is a good way to help as well. It can be good therapy. Studies have shown that some Alzheimer’s patients react very well to music. They may feel less stress. Music can decrease emotions of agitation or aggressive behavior. You can play soft music; add some fragrance in the bathroom. It will make it more inviting. You can try to use the same rituals your loved one used before when taking a bath or a shower. Routine is extremely important for persons with Alzheimer’s.

If you feel there is still tension and resistance, you can always choose another option. You can hire some professional help just for the bathing time. If you decide to get someone to help you, make sure that person has experience with Alzheimer’s disease and knows how to handle patients with dementia. You can hire someone on your own or go through an agency. They have qualified people and will be able to assist you in this situation. Sometimes, the individual with dementia will respond better to a third party rather than a family member. Put yourself in her shoes, it can be really embarrassing having someone from your family bathe you. A disinterested, but gentle, third party may help greatly.

The main thing is to handle bath time in a loving manner. Your loved one will appreciate it and it will lower her stress level, as well as yours.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com.

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Warning: Do not eat foods that contain partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated fats. These fats are found in all kinds of packaged and junk food. Food manufacturers really don’t care about your health when they add hydrogenated oils to their foods.

Good clean vegetable oils are hydrogenated to create shortenings and margarines. Vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated so they can be added to many foods since they become a source of cheap fat and increase the shelf life of the food product.

What do hydrogenated oils do? When healthy oils are processed through bubbling hydrogen at temperatures up to 210 C, un-natural fatty acids are created that are called trans-fatty acids.

Your body is unable to use this un-natural fatty acids so the liver see them as toxic waste and proceeds to detoxify and eliminate them. Trans-fatty acids are one of the most toxic wastes that can be inside your body. Trans fatty acids, also, can block your body’s use of the essential fatty acids.

Hydrogenated oils also have all of their nutrients removed during their processing. This forces removal of vitamins and minerals from your body to help digest the stripped hydrogenated oil.

In his book called, Eat Fat Look Thin - A Safe and Natural Way to Lose Weight Permanently, 2002, Bruce Fife, N.D., talks about the dangers of hydrogenated
oils,

“Trans fatty acids affect more than just our cardiovascular health. According to a study reported by Mary Enig, Ph.D., when monkeys were fed trans fatcontaining margarine in their diets,…their red blood cells did not bind insulin as well as when they were not fed trans. This suggests a link with diabetes. Trans fatty acids have been linked with a variety of adverse health effects which include: cancer, ischemic heart disease, multiple sclerosis diverticulitis, diabetes, and other degenerative conditions.”

Hydrogenated oils are use by a food processor because they are cheap fats, which increase the size and shelf life of their product.

This is where you find hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated
oils,

* 40% of all foods in a grocery store

* 95% of all cookies

* 75% of chips and crackers

* 70% of all cold cereals and cake mixes

* 80% of all frozen breakfast foods

* in most microwave popcorn

* in many salted peanuts and other nuts

* in most candies

* most restaurants that fry foods including donut shops
shortenings

* and the list goes on and on

Buy less of these foods and give yourself better health and force the food manufacturers to use less hydrogenated oils in their food products.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He also writes a newsletter called “natural-remedies-thatwork.com.” For more information on the essential fatty acids go to: www.fatty-acid-remedies.for–you.info

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Interviewer: In a recent talk you gave, you said that “pain and discomfort are not isolated things.” Would you explain why that’s true?

Kitty: Sure. The 5 Element Theory says that any feelings of pain or discomfort you may have are associated with one or more of your internal organs. Something is wrong in an ‘energetic’ sense regarding how your Chi is flowing in your body. For example, think of a garden hose: when the water pressure is good, and the hose is not kinked, the water flows strongly and steadily to where it needs to go. On the other hand, if there’s a bend in the house, or if the water pressure is weak, the water won’t be able to flow to where it needs to be.

Interviewer: So, to follow your analogy, you’re saying that ‘energy’ or ‘Chi’ nourishes the body they way water invigorates a plant?

Kitty: In a simple sense, that’s right. Let me give you some examples to clarify the relationship between how energy flows in your body and how you feel.

Interviewer: Great. That will help a lot of people better understand how Oriental medicine works.

Kitty: It’s common for people today to experience ‘deficient” energy,’ meaning that it’s not getting through the ‘hose’ with enough force and volume to keep the foundational organ energy operating at an optimal level. Deficiency reduces circulation, and the weakest part of your body will show symptoms first. For example, deficient Kidney energy often shows up as a weakness in the knees, deficient Liver energy can make your tendons weak, deficient energy in the Stomach can weaken the muscles, and so on. These relationships are clearly laid out in the 5 Element Theory chart.

Interviewer: It is an amazing system. After many years of receiving Oriental medicine treatment myself, and observing the 5 Element Theory relationships in my own body, it’s like having a ‘road map for health’ with clearly marked rest stops all along the way.

Kitty: Yes, it’s important, as with many things in life, for a person to know where they’re going and how to get there; and it’s vital for maintaining good health.

Interviewer: So getting back to your point about stagnation and pain or discomfort: What do you do for a person with those symptoms?

Kitty: My task is to figure out how to get rid of the acute problem the discomfort or pain which is referred to as the “branch” part of the problem in Oriental medicine, and then figure out the “root” cause to prevent the problem from coming back. I do that by getting the energy to flow properly along the meridian leading to the weak organ so it can balance and strengthen itself.

Interviewer: Can you give an example?

Kitty: Take the case of a relapsing cancer: if you treat the tumor only, you’re only treating the symptom the “branch.” A tumor is a very serious ’symptom,’ but it’s only an indicator of a much deeper problem the “root” nonetheless. If the treatment of the tumor doesn’t address what’s causing the “stagnation” to the part(s) of the body associated with it, you can cut the tumor out, or irradiate it, but there’s a significant chance the same conditions that originally caused the tumor will maintain a susceptibility for its return.

Interviewer: So there are relationships between the symptoms I feel and my internal organs?

Kitty: Absolutely! Remember the devastating tsunami that struck South Asia in 2004?Because of our scientific understanding, we know the wave was caused by an earthquake under the ocean. There was a cause, and an awesome effect. The wave the ’symptom’ didn’t just become a wave out of nowhere, and it’s the same with illness and discomfort in our bodies, these problems are the ‘effect’ of a deeper cause.

Interviewer: So the meridians, or energy channels, carry my energy or ‘Chi” all around my body; and when I feel ill, or have pain, by making sure the meridian associated with that part of my body is clear, allowing for a strong flow of energy, the internal organ associated with my problem will strengthen, and that’s how healing takes place?

Kitty: Generally speaking, you’ve described the process quite well. Let’s take a look at severe knee pain, to help readers understand this foundational relationship in how Oriental medicine works. The “Chi-” or “energy-carrying” meridian to the urinary bladder and the kidney go through the back of the knee. For a variety of reasons, people today have weak knees which create conditions for tears to ligaments, wearing away of cartilage, displaced knee caps, and other extremely painful conditions. Based on the examples I gave earlier, let’s consider these ’symptoms” of the deeper problem, called “deficiency.” So if you have a knee-related problem you have some considerations to take into account, and choices to make on how to treat the problem. One option some people choose today is to surgically replace the knee; though when you take into account that a reason for your knee problem may be a chronic bladder infection, because the bladder channel goes through the knee, you see that you have more options for addressing severe problems than you know about. Remember the tsunami (severe pain) didn’t happen on it’s own, it was caused by the earthquake, which in this example would be a problem in the urinary bladder or kidneys.

Interviewer: So how would you use Oriental medicine to treat a situation like this?

Kitty: In a nutshell, as long as you can open a channel so that the energy flows to the supporting organ, and keep it open, a problem generally clears up; and I emphasize ‘generally’ because nothing in life, is absolute.

Interviewer: And how do you know when the organ is balanced and the stagnation is gone?

Kitty: The problem begins to dissipate and goes away … (Kitty chuckles out loud and says …) And sometimes so does the person who had the problem.

Interviewer: Why are you laughing?

Kitty: Because once an acute problem or symptom has been dealt with, that’s the time to develop an ongoing treatment or maintenance plan, to continue balancing your energy and strengthening your immune system so that similar or new problems are less likely to develop.

Interviewer: That’s been my personal experience. When I had a problem that was acute, I needed more regular treatment, but once the problem cleared up, less frequent treatment was needed; in fact, I actually enjoy coming in every few weeks for a ‘tune-up.”

Kitty: I think that’s a wise choice, because often after the original problem clears up, people start to slide back into the habits and behavior that caused the problem in the first place. By coming in once a month, even if you’re feeling good, you’re able to build up your energy, rather than have it gradually run back down. It’s like putting on a clean shirt, no matter what you do, it’s going to get dirty and needs to be washed. Same with our bodies. Life is full of stresses, pathogens, and the like, and you need to get cleaned up on a regular basis.

Kitty Bradshaw is a licensed acupuncturist, with an advanced clinical degree in Oriental Medicine. Studying and working with Oriental Medicine since 1986, Kitty combines Traditional Oriental Medicine with Taoist healing methods to offer healing possibilities beyond the level of standard health care. Her deep understanding of Chinese medical herbs, combined with her intuitive abilities to diagnose and treat difficult problems, has helped many people regain and maintain their health. For a FREE phone consultation to find out how Oriental Medicine can work for you, go to http://www.biom.net to contact Kitty and sign-up for BIOM’s complimentary newsletter.

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