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Archive for October, 2009

Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable and degenerative brain disease. It is one form of dementia in which brain tissue degenerates causing steady decline in brain functions. The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s, who first described it in 1906. He was a German physician.

Alzheimer’s disease causes memory loss, affects thinking skills and behavior. About 100 billions of nerve cells known as neurons are there in human brain. Each is connected with the other in a complex network. Human brain controls memory consciousness, vision, thinking and many activities through this complex network of neurons. Neurons communicate with each other through certain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. This disease i.e. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by loss of nerve cells (neurons) and synapses in cerebral cortex region and some sub cortical regions.

How neurons die

Formation of abnormal structures like amyloid plaques and tangles (neurofibrillary tangles) inside brain lead to destruction of neurons.

Plaques are hard, insoluble deposits of protein fragment called beta-amyloid. Tangles which are insoluble twisted fibres of another protein called ‘tan’ accumulate inside the cells themselves. These abnormal deposits prevent normal brain cells to send right signals to other part of brain.

In Alzheimer’s disease as more and more plaques and tangles develop in particular areas of brain, more and more neurons gradually loose their efficiency to function and communicate with each other and ultimately they die. Affected brain region begin to shrink due to the death of increasing number of neurons.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Initial stage: -
People with Alzheimer’s disease

1. May find disturbances in short term memory, memory begins to fade.
2. May find language problems: – Facing trouble in finding names of objects which are familiar.
3. May not show any interest in things which previously enjoyed.
4. May misplace things.
5. May take much time to than usual to finish routine work.
6. May loose ability and find difficulty in performing task – paying bills, managing money.
7. May loose social skills.
8. May have changes in mood and personality.

Middle Stage:-

1. Find trouble to recognize familiar faces.
2. Memories of present confused with distant past.
3. Face difficulty in reading and writing.
4. Face problems in pronunciation, use wrong words and speak in confusing sentence.
5. Poor judgment.
6. May become depressed.
7. May agitate, may become violent.
8. No interest in social contact, withdrawal from social contact.
9. Change of sleep pattern may wake up at night.
10. Problems in eating, dressing.

Final Stage: -

1. May loose ability to recognize people.
2. May loose ability to speak.
3. May loose ability to feed themselves and control bodily functions.
4. May require constant care.

Author: Surya Narayan Bhattacharya

Turmeric: – If half teaspoon of turmeric powder is taken twice a day with warm water then it is helpful to reduce the pain of arthritis.

Alfalfa tea: – If Alfalfa tea is taken three cups a day for at least fifteen days it will be beneficial to reduce the pain of arthritis.

Mixture of olive oil and kerosene oil: – A very good liniment can be prepared to bathe afflicted joints by taking two parts of olive oil and one part of kerosene oil.

Lemon juice and honey: – A mixture of lemon juice and honey can be prepared by taking a cup of warm water and adding two spoonful of lemon juice and one teaspoonful of honey to it. If the mixture is taken twice a day for several days then it will be very useful.

Epsum salt: – To reduce inflammation and stiffness of joist four table spoonful of epsum salt can be added to bathing water.

Sandal wood: – To rub sandal wood paste on the affected area is a good home remedy for arthritis.

Massaging with camphor and mustard oil: – Patient of arthritis can massage daily, a mixture prepared from 10 grams of camphor and 100 grams of mustard oil in the affected area.

Apple cider vinegar: – If two to three teaspoonful of apple extract vinegar and honey added to a glass of lukewarm water and the mixture is taken two times a day for a month then it will very effective in curing rheumatism.

Potato juice: – If a potato (without removing its skin) is cut into slices and slices are put in a glass of water for overnight and the water is drunk on an empty stomach in the morning then it would be beneficial for arthritis patient.

Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid: – Fish oil contains essential fatty acid. For reducing joint pain due to arthritis, omega-3 fatty acid is effective which can be obtained from some types of fish.

To rub the aching joints with hot vinegar at night before going to bed is a good home remedy for arthritis.

Patients of arthritis can reduce their joint pains due to arthritis by making small changes in their diets and life styles.

Diets: -
1. Take diets rich in vitamin c and calcium.
2. Take beet root juice.
3. Take carrot juice.
4. Don’t eat cauliflower, cabbage which are wind forming vegetables.
5. Avoid spicy and fried foods.
6. Avoid sweets.
7. Avoid too much tea, coffee and alcohol.

Author: Surya Narayan Bhattacharya

Osteoarthritis is considered as a degenerative joint disease. It seems to be related to wear and tear put on joints over a long period. Osteoarthritis is mostly related to joints which are weight bearing such as knees, hips and spines. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.

In normal joints ends of bones are covered by cartilage, which is a firm, rubbery and flexible material. Cartilage covering prevents the bones to rub against each other directly and allows joint to do its work smoothly.

Ligaments, which act as elastic bonds, keep the bones in place. Synovial fluid lubricates the joints and nourishes the cartilage.

When the cartilage loses its elasticity it becomes stiff and gradually its condition deteriorates. Cartilage may wear away in some areas. When the cartilage becomes damaged, ligaments and tendons become stretched.  The damaged cartilage no longer acts as shock absorber. Due to loss of cartilage cushion the bones rub against each other directly causing severe pain.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

1) Joint stiffness and joint pain – Joint may be stiff. Pain in joint may be felt with least movement. In the morning joint stiffness may last for thirty minutes. It may improve with movement.
2) Joint symptoms worsen after exercise. Increase in joint pain in cold or damp weather.
3) Loss of flexibility and limited mobility of joints.
4) Joint pain worsens after a period of inactivity.
5) Joint Swelling (effusion).

Author: Surya Narayan Bhattacharya