Advices - Aliphia

Ankylosis definition

Ankylosis represents the total or partial limitation of the movement of a joint due to the inflammation of the joint, due to capsular atrophy or due to the bonding of the joint surfaces.

Ankylosis symptoms

The ankylosis of the joints appears progressively, in the beginning it is just a pain which limits the movements of the joints or such movements are painful. Afterwards, the pain becomes more severe and the movements are more and more restricted, leading to the ankylosis of the joint or its immobilisation.

Arthritis definition

Arthritis represents an inflammation of a joint and a gradual impairment of the cartilage which is eroded during the ageing process, following an impact or following over-stress (in professional athletes).

Arthritis symptoms

The characteristics of arthritis are nocturnal joint pain which can wake up the impaired person. In the morning, the joints recapture their mobility only after a prior warm-up. The duration of the warm-up represents the status of the disease. The joint is often swollen and red.

Definition

Knee arthritis represents the temporary or permanent impairment of the knee joint and the tissues adjacent to the joint. Most of the times, we are dealing with an osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Symptoms

This disease is frequently encountered in middle aged persons and the elderly. The symptoms include: pain located at the knee radiating in the adjacent area and the stiffening of the joint. A frequent manifestation is the morning stiffness which disappears after few movements.

Definition

Reactive arthritis occurs due to a bacterial infection affecting the bowel or the urogenital area. Reactive arthritis is also called Reiter’s syndrome and presents a negative serum rheumatoid factor. The bacteria present in the joints which are considered to be the cause of reactive arthritis, but which cannot be identified with the serum culture, are usually gram-negative: Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Chlamydia.

Definition

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a children’s disease which impairs any joint of the body. The body has an immune reaction which affects the synovial tissue of the joint, resulting into an excessive secretion of synovial fluid. Pain, inflammation and joint oedema thus occur, leading to the ankylosis of the joint. Children aged up to 16 years are affected; symptoms usually disappear after this age.

Definition

This type of arthritis is associated with the inflammatory processes of different bowel diseases: Chron’s disease, microbial enterocolitis, lymphocytic colitis, ulcerative colitis, intestinal by-pass, hepatitis, etc. Arthritis, i.e. inflammation of the joint, is caused by some microbial antigens which are deposited in the joint, thus determining an immune reaction of the body defending itself, and thus the inflammation appears.

Symptoms

Arthritis in the inflammatory bowel diseases has first of all systemic symptoms due to the microbial antigens, namely: fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, feeling sick.

Joint problems

Joint pain represents a real problem for the suffering problems because it provokes intense pain when the respective joint is used, it reduces the range of activities also provoking anxiety or depression. For many patients, this is a sign of old age and makes them sad. Still, the healing of the joint pain leads to optimism and good mood.

Definition of herniated disk

The herniated disk is a disease resulting from the impairment of the spine. It appears when the intervertebral disk – which ensures mobility of the vertebrae and which absorbs the shocks in the spine – is distorted, is broken or is fragmented and gets to compress the nervous roots or the spinal cord in its immediate vicinity, in the spinal canal. The compression of the nervous roots provokes pain which radiates to different levels.

The herniated disk occurs following the straining of the spine, after powerful shocks or due to other triggering and aggravating factors:

Smoking: smoking provokes insufficient oxygenation of the spine and, implicitly, of the intervertebral disks; this is why they lose their elasticity, they become more fragile and more prone to lesions;
Spine shocks;
Intense and excessive physical exercises;
Obesity;
Sedentary life style following by intense strains;
Excessive vibrations that the spine is subject to.

Classification of herniated disk

There are 2 common locations of the herniated disk:

Lumbar herniated disk:

It usually appears at the disk between the vertebrae L4-L5 or L5-S1;
Pain occurs in the lower back area but pain can radiate along the impaired nerves;
Most frequently, sciatic and femoral nerves are involved with painful manifestations along these nerves;
It is more frequent than the cervical type.

Cervical herniated disk:

It usually appears at the disk between the vertebrae C5-C6 or C6-C7;
Pain manifests itself in the neck, head and chest area radiating along the nervous path;

Treatment of herniated disk

If diagnosed early and treated appropriately, only 5% of the herniated disk cases need surgery. Treatment which leads to the healing of the herniated disk includes more aspects:

Removal of the cause which provoked the herniated disk – reducing the intensity of the physical effort, giving up smoking, weight loss, avoiding sudden shocks for the spine;
Physiotherapic massage and eventually osteoarticular elongations:
- Relaxation of muscles at the level of the spine together with the massage of the affected area with the Relaxing Gel with hellebore lead to the healing of the inflammation and the tension in the vertebrae and allow the intervertebral disk to be restored;
- For a maximum effect, massage should be performed within a specialised practice, the massage technique being a special one;
- The osteoarticular elongations are recommended to be practiced only by persons which have a very good command of this technique because there are certain risks;
Avoiding pro-inflammatory factors – alcohol, smoking, excessive consumption of meat, fried foods, steaks, sodas etc.

Recovery following the herniated disk surgery

If the patient has unbearable pain or is immobilised, it is likely that the physician will recommend surgery. After this has been done successfully, the recovery following the herniated disk surgery is very important.

Because a surgical procedure is performed on the spine, a local inflammatory process exists post-surgery and there is also a pain that persists for a longer or shorter period of time.

Post-surgery it is forbidden to lift weights heavier than 2 kilos, sudden movements and physical effort are forbidden.

It is recommended to topically apply inflammatory creams or gels through a mild massage 3-4 times/day. The hellebore extract of the products: the Dr. Boici or the Relaxing Gel has a very beneficial effect after the herniated disk surgeries or after procedures performed upon other areas of the skeleton.

Afterwards, moderate physical effort may be resumed, but the recommendations of preventing the reoccurrence of the herniated disk should be observed; they are the same in the case of the treatment

Definition

Osteoarthritis represents an impairment of the cartilage which protects and covers the joint surfaces. The cartilage is damaged, thus the bones get to directly rub against each other leading to the damaging of the tissue and of the bone, leading to pain and immobilisation. Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressive disease which damages the cartilage gradually.

Osteoarthritis represents the most frequent form of arthritis, its causes are multiple and we will list only the most important ones: excess weight or overweight, frequent forcing of the joints, weight lifting, old age, certain genetic factors or certain endocrine disorders. A single lesion of the cartilage may degenerate and may lead to osteoarthritis.

Definition

When we are talking about periarthritis, we talk about the inflammation of the tissue around the joint, the most common form is the one affecting the shoulder and is called scapulohumeral periarthritis.

Definition

Rheumatoid arthritis also called evolutive chronic polyarthritis represents a chronic inflammation of the joints which progresses and finally leads to the immobilisation of the patient. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally located in the small joints of the extremities (fingers, hands), left untreated the disease progresses and represents the most debilitating form of the rheumatic types.

Rheumatism definition

The generic designation of rheumatism is given to the different types of pain or joint, bone or muscle problems. Rheumatism is not a disease in itself, it is the common term used for more than 200 musculoskeletal diseases Around 50% of the world population suffer from these various diseases. If we talk about Romania, the percentage goes up to 60% of the population. Based on specialised terms, rheumatism is always accompanied by a supplement which designates the disease more specifically: inflammatory rheumatism, acute joint rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, abarticular rheumatism, degenerative rheumatism etc.

Rheumatism symptoms

The first symptoms may be diverse: joint pain, when weather changes or occasional pain, after effort, cold sensitivity and increase in pain during the cold season. Pain has a mild to moderate intensity in the beginning. At the same time, a triggering cause may be a streptococcal infection untreated or treated inefficiently. Pain may be ignored in the beginning, but it becomes unbearable and may lead to the restriction of the daily usual activities.

Rheumatism diagnosis

Since we are talking about multiple conditions, the precise differential diagnosis may be determined only by the specialised physician following an in-depth examination and after performing several blood tests. It is very important that you call the specialised physician from the first symptoms of any diseases. Diagnosed early, the rheumatic diseases may be partially or totally improved.

Rheumatism treatment

The selective hellebore extract improves all the symptoms which accompany the rheumatic diseases. Hellebore has a unique triple effect: anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic. In addition to these, hellebore has also a stimulating effect upon the capillary circulation and it relaxes the muscles, practically hellebore has the most complete antirheumatic effect. Due to this effect, the products with hellebore extract improve and even lead to the disappearance of the painful and inflammatory symptoms in the rheumatic diseases.

The products containing hellebore extract and recommended in rheumatic diseases are: The Dr. Boici Cream, the Relaxing Gel with hellebore and the Relaxing Solution with hellebore. These products have identical composition and only the form of supply makes the difference between them. The products contain natural extracts of hellebore, chestnut and juniper. Composition is not accidental, it has been proven that the hellebore and chestnut extracts boost each other's effects, while the cumulated effect is much higher than that of their separated uses. The analgesic effect of hellebore is boosted by the chestnut extract and the juniper volatile oil. Chestnut has a venotonic, antioedema, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Juniper volatile oil is recognised for the antirheumatic effect and for the stimulating action for blood circulation, creating a pleasant sensation in the painful area.

The composition of these products represents the result of over 40 years of research, and their efficiency is demonstrated by the millions of satisfied people at national and international level. These products have calming effects for any osteoarticular or muscle pain, being indicated as first line treatment and not only symptomatic treatment in all the diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Definition

Acute joint rheumatism (AJR) is caused by an untreated infection with the beta haemolytic streptococcus of group A, most of the times, we are talking about pharyngitis (streptococcal pharyngitis, streptococcal angina or scarlet fever). Streptococcal infection affects the heart, the joints, the nervous system and the subcutaneous tissue. AJR is infectious, acute onset and chronic evolution. The painful symptoms are intermittent, with relapses, the main organ affected being the heart. Cardiac complications are important and serious. The AJR incidence is high in children, being the main cause for cardiac surgery within the age interval 5 -25 years. The rate of mortality due to cardiac complications within the same age interval is also important especially in the less developed countries.

In order to maintain the health of your joints in time, we have for you some useful recommendations:

Cervical pain is pain located in the back, at the basis of the neck, at the level of the spine. They have multiple causes and may be the signs of multiple diseases:

Definition of muscle strains

The muscle strains are the result of excessive stresses of the muscles. They occur when the muscle or the tendons suffer a lesion. The local symptoms are: pain, tumefaction, oedema, and inflammation.

During the physical effort, the muscles suffer repeated contractions, through the excessive stresses they wear out and the muscle fibres or the tendons are impaired. There are micro fissures which provoke pain and local inflammation.

Neuralgia definition

Neuralgia represents a damage to one nerve due to an inflammation, a lesion or an irritation. The neuralgia etiology is not fully known but it occurs more frequently in older people. It is supposed that due to old age the myelin sheath which covers the nerves is damaged and their sensitivity increases. Neuralgias also occur when the nerve is subject to pressure from another blood vessel, a lymphatic vessel or a tissue in its immediate proximity.

Definition

Phlebitis and arteritis represent the inflammation of the vessel wall: the vessel wall for phlebitis and the arterial wall for arteritis. Phlebitis is more common, it occurs many times being associated with venous thrombosis (thrombus), in this case, we are dealing with thrombophlebitis.

Varicose veins definition

Varicose veins represent the excessive enlargement of veins with numerous side effects: heavy legs symptom, discomfort, pain, veins become visible or may suffer lesions and ulcers. The disease affects approx. 30% of the population and occurs especially in the calves or the thigh area, it does not take into account gender or age. Due to the enlargement of the veins, disfunctions of the leaflet valves of the veins (the system ensuring that the blood flows upward or against the effects of gravity), thus the blood stagnates in the legs, the veins becoming more enlarged and more visible.

In order to prevent varicose veins, but especially for the complete healing of such, we are recommending to you to use a couple of simple but efficient tips:

Definition

Thrombophlebitis implies the coagulation of blood inside the veins and the concomitant inflammation of the vein wall. Thrombophlebitis may be superficial or deep, the symptoms and risks being different.

Definition

Acne vulgaris, simply called acne, is a skin disease (dermatitis) determined by an excessive secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands (sebum), which together with the dead cells which cover the skin pores and certain bacteria determines the inflammation of the hair follicle. The most common cause is the hormonal changes occurring during puberty; in this case, it is called juvenile acne or acne caused by hormonal changes.

Definition of burns

A burn is a skin lesion determined by an excess heat source or by different chemical agents. In addition to the tissue inflammation, there is also a process consisting in the coagulation of proteins with the release of compounds with destructive action upon the red blood cells. Thus, toxicity may occur.

Definition of sun burns

Sun burns are caused by extended exposure to UV rays. UV rays may come from various sources: the sun, phototherapy lamps (including the tanning salon), arc lamps (welding devices) etc. Usually, sun burns are first degree burns, the most serious cases are second degree burns. The major discomfort occurring is caused especially by the affected area of the skin which many times is very large. Sun burns are frequently accompanied by heatstroke, feeling generally unwell with fever, chills, headache and intense tiredness. Insulation is treated symptomatically but most of the times it heals on its own after one day or two.

Definition of thermal burns

Thermal burns are lesions caused by a source of excessive heat or direct fire coming directly into contact with or close to the skin.

Definition of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis represents a skin condition whose symptoms are: inflammation, redness, intense itching sensation, change in the aspect and elasticity of skin. Most of the times, evolution is chronic. Atopic dermatitis affects first of all children but it may occur at any age. Studies show that 10-20% of the children and 1-3% of the adults present a form of atopic dermatitis, and the incidence of the disease has an increase proportional to the degree of development of the country.

Definition of eczemas

Eczemas are skin conditions usually allergic characterised by the following: local skin inflammation, local redness and small vesicles usually covered by plaques. Skin manifestation is typical, the forms being very diverse.

The causes of the occurrence of eczemas may be:

Body toxicity with food additives or chemical substances of cosmetics (preservatives, dyes)
Allergens: pollen, fungi, dust mites
Air pollution
Emotional stress
Lesions with toxic substances
Irritating substances: soaps, detergents

Diagnostic of eczemas

The diagnosis is established by the dermatologist based on the physical examination. The diagnosis can be many times difficult to establish and the medical history plays a very important role. The following are very important is establishing a correct diagnosis: life style, diet, environmental factors, work place, potential temporary or permanent exposures to toxic substances.

Sometimes, biopsy may offer relevant information for a correct diagnosis.

Treatment of eczemas

It is recommended to avoid the products which contain synthetic active ingredients. They produce a temporary improvement by inhibiting the body’s defence mechanisms, while the disease could return in another area or under another form.

Natural products which could stimulate the healing mechanisms of the human body are recommended. We recommend for its excellent healing properties: the Epitelin cream. The Epitelin cream is a natural product with 100% natural active ingredients made of marigold, evening primrose and chamomile. The cream has epithelializing, regenerating and healing effects. The treatment of eczema and the healing time are reduced substantially by using this cream.

Definition

They represent a local damage of the skin occurring usually in patients who are bedridden. Certain conditions may accelerate the occurrence of bedsores or may make them more serious:

Loss of their natural mobility (coma, paralysis)
Feeling generally ill (denutrition, dehydration):
Body acidification, respectively the decrease in the pH of the blood under the value of 7.30
The long time use of cast may favour the occurrence of such

The bedsores are caused by an extended compression upon a prominent region, affecting especially the compressed areas: buttocks, sacral region, heels, sometimes the elbows, the shoulder blades or the posterior part of the skull. Bedsores appear when the compression exceeds the capillary filling pressure which is 32 mmHg.

Pressure ulcers: they are the bedsores located in the tissue which is subject to a constant pressure in a certain area of the skin. The blood flow in that area is reduced and then cell death occurs, the skin is damaged and ulcers appear. The pressure ulcers occur especially in the persons who are bedridden for long periods of time.

Symptoms

In the beginning, a red and painful area appears. Then the skin becomes brown, dark in colour, hard, non-elastic, forming a crust that is not sensitive to touch, practically skin is necrotic and dead. The disappearance of this necrotic skin leaves behind an ulcer, the tissues from under the skin (muscles, tendons, bones) remaining uncovered. Intense pain accompanies this condition.

Diagnosis

The bedsores are felt by the patient from its early stages; at the same time, they are noticed by the personnel caring for the bedridden patient. The specialised physician many times can only confirm the presumptive diagnosis determined by the patient or the next of kin.

From the initial stage up to infection there are several stages:

Stage I: an erythematous region appears, this is persistent for more than one hour from the removal of the compress;
Stage II: a superficial lesion appears: abrasion, superficial ulcer, vesicles;
Stage III: the lesion exceeds the skin and reaches down into the subcutaneous tissue and muscles; sometimes an infection occurs:
Stage IV: there are bone lesions or lesions of the joint accompanied or not by an infection;

Treatment

Disinfecting and cleaning the area are very important. After cleaning the area, Epitelin cream should be applied. Epitelin is a cream with special effects, capable of treating even advanced bedsores. Epitelin is a cream without microbial load, this is why it may be safely applied even on open wounds. The 100% active natural ingredients stimulate own regenerative process of the skin, having an additional antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. It may be applied in any stage of the disease, helping in the restoration of the tissues.

Prevention is indispensable

The frequent change in the position of the bedridden patient is necessary
It is appropriate to perform local massages which should stimulate blood flow and implicitly the blood supply and the oxygenation of the tissues
Cold and warm compresses can be applied alternatively
The cast should be checked if it is not too compressive

Last but not least, diet is very important. A diet that includes at least 50% green vegetables of the daily intake is recommended. These are consumed not being prepared with heat, from sources that are as safe as possible.

The consumption of the following products is forbidden: sugar, sodas, fried foods, refined oil, margarine and any foods that are very processed or refined. The consumption of at least 3 litres of liquids/day is recommended in order to help us detoxify our blood. As liquids, still, pure water and in some cases, teas recommended by the physician are allowed. Drinking water should have a pH that is as close as possible to 9, but water with a pH under 7.00 should not be administered.

Insect bites are always unpleasant and function of each person’s sensitivity their symptoms may be very different. The spider or the mosquito bites may remain unnoticed or with a mild local discomfort. Bee stings or sometimes spider bites present very painful symptoms and in the most serious cases anaphylactic shock may be caused, this being a medical emergency.

The most common insect bites are: bee stings, spider and mosquito bites.

A wound is a skin lesion provoked by a blunt object or an external factor. Function of the occurrence or the seriousness of such, several types of wounds may exist. The most superficial wounds may not need any treatment (mild scratches) but others may need special and careful care (venous leg ulcer).

Treatment of deep wounds such as: venous leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, diabetic leg, pressure necrosis, arterial ulcer represent a delicate problem and should apply increased care for their treatment.

Definition of haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids represent dilated veins in the anorectal area. Practically and physiologically, they are varicose raised spots which form due to the dilation and stretching of the venous walls in the anus and rectum. They are intense red in colour and may take various shapes. In the beginning, several small globules which then increase in size or may form “clusters”.

Definition of tooth abscess

Tooth abscess is, in fact, a collection of pus at the basis of the tooth which is determined by the body’s fight against certain bacteria. Tooth abscesses have various causes: untreated cavities, gum disease, accumulation of food particles between the gum and the tooth, etc.

Definition of herpes

Herpes is a viral infection which usually appears on the lips, around the mouth or the genitals. Herpes appears as a result of a weakened immune system, a moment when the virus can multiply. Herpes usually has the following symptoms: discomfort with local pulsating sensation, itching, inflammation, burning sensation and the appearance of small fluid-filled blisters.

Frequent conditions of the lips

Even if they are part of the skin, which is an organ meant to protect us against external factors, lips have a very different structure. Lips are in fact very sensitive thin mucous membranes, richly vascularized and innervated. At the same time, they are a sense organ, being very sensitive. Sensitivity and responsiveness are also due to the fact that the lips are made of 3-5 layers of epithelial cells, compared to 16 layers, which make up the major part of the skin. This is why lips are sensitive to dehydration and external factors such as wind, sun or cold.