Introduction to Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea)

In the millennia that mankind has been on earth, uncounted millions of people have died from heart ailments. One type of malfunction is now called congestive heart failure, but once it was called dropsy. Some, but not all, of the symptoms of this problem are: fatigue, edema of the abdomen, legs and ankles, inability to sleep, shortness of breath, increased urination and nausea.

It is interesting that some medications are derived from plants that grow naturally in the environment. These medications can be called natural remedies, because they grow in nature and are also effective in treating ailments. One such plant is foxglove.

The foxglove plant is covered with large blossoms, often in shades of purple or pink. It is a beautiful plant that has some unusual characteristics, including being poisonous when it is eaten.

Foxglove is native to both western and eastern Europe, but it can now be found in all parts of the world. It grows in the wild, often in mountainous and forested areas and also along roadsides. While it grows in the wild, it is now also grown and harvested as a crop so it can be processed for medical purposes.

The History of Foxglove

Foxglove has been called by many different names in different times and at different places. Some of the more common names applied to foxglove include: deadmen’s bells, common foxglove, fairy’s glove, witch’s bell, purple foxglove, folk’s glove, virgin’s glove, bloody fingers and fairy’s caps. It can be noted that all of these names refer to the appearance, size, shape and color of the blossoms. People have long admired this plant because of its long, beautiful, purplish or pinkish bell-shaped blossoms that grow up and down long, slender stalks. The plants can be from three feet to six feet high. The fact that it is poisonous also tends to get people’s attention.

Modern medicine owes a great debt of gratitude to the early doctors and researchers who studied and learned the healing properties of so many herbal natural remedies, including foxglove. The first time that foxglove is mentioned in relation to being used as a medication was in the 13th century. It was first used and written about in Ireland and then later in Scotland. It was utilized in the attempt to treat a number of unrelated illnesses.

The credit for developing foxglove into an effective medication goes to Dr. William Withering. He was a British physician, who lived from 1741 to 1799. Dr. Withering became aware that people were using foxglove to treat what was then called dropsy and that it was an effective treatment for that condition. No one understood the “why” of the healing properties of this plant, so he made it his life’s work to discover why it worked and how to use foxglove more effectively. In 1785, he published his findings.

Dr. Withering discovered digitalis, an active ingredient in foxglove. After isolating and identifying this substance, he continued to study and learn the properties of this medication that has been such a boon to mankind. On a personal note, Dr. Withering was a genuinely good man. Each year, he treated 2000 to 3000 poor patients who could not afford to pay him. This limited his income to about 1000 British pounds per year, while his peers were earning about 5000 British pounds per year. After years of suffering from tuberculosis, he died in 1799 at the age of 58.

Myths that Relate to Foxglove

Foxglove has been associated with magic and mystery for centuries. Perhaps the fact that even though it is the source of a powerful, beneficial medication, it is also highly poisonous when eaten is a reason for the interest shown in it. One legend says that fairies used to give the blossoms to foxes to use as gloves.

This enabled them to move quietly, so they would not be caught stealing a farmer’s chickens. Connecting the foxglove flowers and foxes made sense, because foxgloves grow on the forested hillsides where foxes have their dens. Another story says that medieval witches cultivated foxglove to use as an ingredient in potions created to cast spells on people. These plants were sometimes grown in medieval gardens and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Those were appropriately called “virgin’s glove.” Even today, some who practice paganism and similar religions use foxglove in some rituals.

Digitalis, Called Digoxin, Is Extracted from Foxglove

Digitalis, more often called digoxin, is a purified cardiac glycoside used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including: atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and sometimes even heart failure. It can be effective when other medications are not. Lanoxin, Digitek and Lanoxicaps are names under which digoxin is commonly marketed.

It is usually administered by mouth but can be injected in critical situations. When conditions exist for digoxin to be used in the treatment process, myocardial efficiency improves, because hemodynamics and the ventricular function curve both improve. Digoxin is available only with a doctor’s prescription. It is primarily eliminated in the kidneys, so dosage must be reduced for those with a kidney problem.

Growing Digitalis Purpurea Commercially and Producing Digoxin

The process used today to produce digoxin is very similar to that used by Dr. Withering in the 18th century. Approximately 1000 kg of dried foxglove leaves are required to make 1 kg of pure digoxin. The process of extracting relatively small amounts of digoxin is not complicated, but it is expensive.

Commercial farming of foxglove to obtain digitalis in the USA began during World War II, when it was not possible to secure a sufficient amount from Europe. The plant grows best in the northern part of the United States and in Canada. At first, there was sufficient wild foxglove to meet the demand, but greater amounts than what could be harvested from plants growing wild were soon required.

Early efforts to grow foxglove commercially were unsuccessful. In the area where foxglove grows best, the roots of the plants had to be removed from the soil in the fall and stored through the winter. That was an expensive process. Also, the seeds of the foxglove plant are very small and sometimes are not viable.

The best method for growing foxglove plants involves the plants spending the first few weeks in a greenhouse. That is not economically feasible, because labor costs are so high in the United States. The result of all this is that, even now, most digitalis purpurea is imported.

Side Effects with the Use of Digoxin

In adults, every medicine can cause side effects, but no common side effects have been discovered due to usage of this drug. However, a person should seek medical help right away if he experiences a severe allergic reaction including: difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, hives, fever, irregular heart beat or swelling in or around the mouth.

Digoxin and Children

Digoxin is also an effective medication for use in infants and children with slight to moderate congestive heart failure or irregular heartbeat due to atrial fibrillation. As with adults, dosage must be determined by careful clinical assessment of the individual and monitored carefully.

The daily dose for children should usually be divided, not given all at once in one dose. Once past the immediate newborn stage, children under 10 years of age usually need doses that are proportionally larger than those given to adults, but adjusted according to their body weight or surface area.

Children over 10 years of age need to be given adult dosages, but, again, the doses must be in proportion to the child’s body weight.

Pets Can Also Develop Congestive Heart Failure

Not only humans, but also their pets, can develop the symptoms of congestive heart failure. For the person who dearly loves his dog or cat and considers it part of the family, this is a vexing problem. When this kind of illness affects a dog or cat, it is for basically the same reasons that humans develop this disease.

The key to helping your pet is to take him to a veterinarian. The vet will use all the same techniques to diagnose and treat your furry little friend that are used with humans. If you want to learn more about congestive heart failure in animals, you can learn a lot by reading about heart disease in humans.

It may be encouraging to pet owners to know that the drugs used to treat pets are also approved by the FDA. It will be helpful financially if the pet owner has purchased pet health insurance before such a dire event occurs in his pet’s life.

What Should Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure Include Besides Medication?

The one who suffers from congestive heart failure should receive prescriptions for the proper medication, but there are other considerations to properly treat this condition. The first, and perhaps most important, is lifestyle modification. There are seemingly small changes that the patient must make. Sodium causes more fluids to accumulate in body tissue. Limiting the amount of both sodium and fluids consumed is very important. The slogan about drinking eight classes of water per day is certainly not intended for those suffering from congestive heart failure.

Aerobic exercise is now considered beneficial in helping a patient to function physically and have a higher quality of life. Sometime surgery is required to restore an adequate flow of blood through the heart. A doctor will often have other suggested changes for his patients’ lifestyle.

What Causes Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure is an ailment in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood to allow the body to function in a normal way. The condition can be caused by 1) diseases that increase a body’s demand for oxygen, 2) diseases that adversely affect the heart muscles, or 3) diseases that stiffen heart muscles. Any disease that inhibits the heart’s pumping by limiting the pumping action of the ventricles is a basic cause for congestive heart failure. Diseases such as hemochromatosis or amyloidosis can do that.

Users of Digoxin Can Experience Digoxin Toxicity

Physicians have long been aware of a potential problem that can arise when digoxin is prescribed. It is a complex reaction called “digoxin toxicity.” This syndrome was originally described by Dr. Withering in 1785. Approximately 0.4% of those admitted to hospitals, 1.1% of those not hospitalized, and 10 – 18% of nursing home residents who receive digoxin develop this toxicity.

In 2006, 2610 cases of toxic digitalis exposure were reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The number of cases reported is declining because of increased awareness of dangerous drug interactions and for other reasons, including a decreased use of digoxin. Internationally, 2.17% of those on digoxin, who are hospitalized, develop digoxin toxicity.

The Cost of Digoxin

The national average cost of digoxin for a 250 mcg (0.25 mg) Tab is $7.00. Many people buy from online and Canadian pharmacies, as well as in local drugstores.

Tips for Helping Digoxin Work as Effectively as Possible

Here are some things the person who takes digoxin can do to help this medication work as effectively as possible:

• Some foods may prevent the absorption of digoxin. It is helpful to take this medicine either one hour before eating or two hours afterward.
• Do not take any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, without checking with your doctor first. Many medicines should be avoided because of possible drug interaction.
• There is no standard amount of digoxin that should be prescribed. Your doctor will need to determine what amount is best based on body weight, other prescribed medicines and how well you respond to this drug.
• A patient should take digoxin at the same time each day and drink a full glass of water with it.
• It is important for the patient to keep all scheduled appointments, both with his doctor and for lab work.
• In the event of an accidental overdose of digoxin, emergency treatment must be sought immediately.
• If you miss a regular dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for it if it is less than 12 hours until time for your next dose.

The Danger of Drug Interactions

Other prescription drugs, such as verapamil, guanidine, itraconazole, spironolactone and indomethasin can increase digoxin levels. This brings the danger of toxicity. There are other drugs that can cause a serious slowing of heart rate when taken with digoxin.

Digoxin Recalls

On March 31, 2009, there was a major recall of Caraco brand digoxin. This Class 1 Recall was made, because tablets were made and sold that differed in size and in the amount of digoxin they contained.

About a month later, in late April of 2009, all digoxin pills with the Digitek brand name were found to contain twice as much digoxin as they should. There were lawsuits filed for personal injury and wrongful death against Mylan Pharmaceuticals as a result.

On May 11, 2009, there was still another recall of digoxin by a company that repackages Caraco tablets. There have been numerous other recalls of this product through the years. The person who takes this medication should try to stay abreast, as much as possible, with whatever recalls are taking place.

The Value of Digitalis

A quotation concerning this medication, found on the web page here, tells the extent of the value of digitalis:

“Digitalis” is without question the most valuable cardiac drug ever discovered and one of the most valuable drugs in the entire pharmacopoeia. The introduction of digitalis was one of the landmarks in the history of cardiac disease.”(1)

This quotation is written here exactly as it is found on the website. Even though the (1) implies a footnote to give the credit for the quotation, there is no such footnote or other reference given.

The health condition known as constipation can also be called “costiveness,” “dyschezia,” or “dyssynergic defaecation.” It is a topic many people have difficulty discussing. However, almost everyone experiences constipation at least once during his or her lifetime. It is a common gastrointestinal problem that can be both painful and frustrating. However, with some time, effort, and little cost, you can effectively treat your constipation.

Symptoms

Constipation is characterized by the presence of four key symptoms:

1) Infrequent bowel movements – You may be experiencing constipation if you have three or less bowel movements per week.
2) Difficulty passing bowels – more specifically, if you strain during 25% or more of your bowel movements, you may be constipated.
3) Feeling like you didn’t completely evacuate your bowels.
4) Hard stools.

Constipation can also include abdominal pain, vomiting, and a swollen abdomen. Most of these symptoms are not serious and do not require you to see a doctor. Most people deal with minor constipation on their own. However, you should seek the help of your doctor if you exhibit any of these more serious symptoms:

• Blood in your stool
• Your constipation alternates with diarrhea
• Pencil-shaped, thin stools
• Your constipation continues, regardless of corrective changes in your diet and exercise
• Intense abdominal pain
• Unexplained onset of constipation
• Constipation symptoms persist longer than three weeks

Causes

Constipation occurs in your body when your colon, or large intestine, contracts too slowly to propel your stool through. Your colon may also absorb too much water, causing your stool to become hard and dry. This bowel dysfunction in the body can be caused by many different factors. They include:

• Not drinking enough water, or dehydration
• Not eating enough fiber
• Constipation is common in newborn babies after switching from breast milk to formula, or from formula to solid foods.
• Eating too much dairy
• Side effect of medications, which include diuretics, codeine, morphine, and others containing iron, calcium, or aluminum. Some antidepressants can also lead to constipation.
• Psychological causes—some children fear that their stools will be painful, so they withhold them deliberately. Others may feel embarrassed or shy about having a bowel movement.
• Metabolic causes—certain metabolic and endocrine problems can lead to constipation, including hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism.
• Structural problems in the body, including pelvic floor dysfunction, colon cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord lesions.
• Frequent use of laxatives
• Lack of exercise
• Hormonal imbalance
• Changes in routine, including pregnancy, travel, or aging

Risk Factors

Although the majority of people will experience constipation in their lifetime, certain risk factors increase the likelihood you will have it. You are more prone to constipation if you:

• Are elderly
• Don’t get enough exercise
• Are confined to your bed
• Don’t eat enough fiber
• Don’t drink enough water
• Take certain medications, including anti-depressants, sedatives, narcotics, or medications to treat Parkinson’s disease.
• Are undergoing chemotherapy

Constipation in Children

Constipation is a common problem in children. There are several reasons your children may be experiencing constipation.

Make sure your child is eating enough fiber. If she consumes primarily fatty foods and foods high in sugar, she probably isn’t taking in enough fiber. Try getting her to eat healing foods, like barn cereal, prune juice, and other fruits and vegetables to promote bowel movements.

Children typically experience some constipation when switching from breast milk to cow’s milk, then again when switching from baby food to solid food. Symptoms are usually temporary during these periods.

Your child’s constipation symptoms may worsen, if she resists the urge to pass her bowels. Often, children will fear the next bowel movement because it will hurt. Avoid this harmful cycle by encouraging bowel movements and offer positive reinforcement when your child has successful bowel movements.

If changes in diet aren’t effective in treating your child’s constipation, you doctor might recommend a laxative. Consult with him to determine which type to use and the proper dosage amount for you child.

Prevention Tips

There are many effective strategies to prevent constipation, most of which are completely natural. Following a few simple tips on a daily basis can keep your gastrointestinal system moving as it should.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to constipation, so drink six to eight glasses of water each day. You need fluid to move waste matter through the colon properly. Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber helps promote healthy digestion in your body. Foods that are rich in fiber include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Avoid dehydration by reducing your intake of dehydrating beverages, such as soda, coffee, and tea. Limit your consumption of alcohol and dairy products, as they can also dehydrate you.

Exercise on a regular basis. Research suggests that regular exercise helps prevent constipation. Walking after dinner can be especially beneficial. Natural remedy solutions to prevent constipation are available at your health food store. Natural Moves is one such product, which helps to relax your bowel, ease tension, and promote regular bowel movements.

Tests & Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose constipation based on a patient’s description of symptoms, including difficulty passing a bowel movement, hard stools, and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels. You doctor will also inquire about your habits, such as dietary intake of fiber and level of daily physical activity. He will consider which medications you are taking, since some drugs can contribute to constipation. In certain cases, however, your doctor may conduct further testing. These procedures can include:

Physical examination. Your doctor examines your abdomen, feeling for substantial lumps of stool in the colon. Rectal examination so your doctor assesses the tone of the anal sphincter and checks for stool in the lower rectum.

Constipation itself is relatively simple to diagnosis, but your doctor may conduct further testing to determine the underlying cause of your constipation and to rule out a more serious condition. These can include:

Blood tests to see if a hormone imbalance is contributing to your constipation. Barium testing, during which your doctor coats the intestine with a dye so that he can clearly see your colon on an X-ray.

With this test, your doctor can tell if you have a more serious bowel obstruction.

Colonoscopy will be done to look for any obstruction in the colon. Your doctor examines the colon with a long, flexible tube equipped with a camera.

This procedure allows him to look for obstructions, tumors, or other abnormalities. You are typically put to sleep under general anesthesia during this procedure.

Anorectal manometry is when your doctor inserts a flexible tube into your rectum that has a small balloon on its tip. He then inflates the balloon and pulls the device back through the sphincter muscle. Your sphincter is the muscle you use during bowel movements, and this procedure enables your doctor to measure its coordination.

Doctors find that patients suffering from constipation usually exhibit one of two conditions:

• Colonic Inertia is a physical condition in which your colon doesn’t contract properly, retaining stool.
• Obstructed defecation is a condition in which you strain more than you need to during a bowel movement.

If you experience chronic constipation and pain for several days each month, lasting three or more months, your doctor will typically diagnosis your condition as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Treatment Options

Most people can relieve their constipation with simple changes in diet and lifestyle. The following options should be the first step in treating your constipation. They are the least expensive methods, carry no risks or side effects, and are completely natural. These changes include:

• Increasing your fiber intake. Eat more high-fiber foods like grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Limit your intake of foods low in fiber, such as meat, dairy, and processed foods.
• Exercising. Regular physical activity will promote a healthy intestinal system.
• Allowing time for bowel movement. Give yourself the time for undisturbed trips to the restroom, and don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Drinking more water. Adequate fluid intake will help keep your stools soft.

Another natural option for the treatment of your constipation includes a variety of alternative approaches. These treatments have not been tested extensively by the medical community, but you might find them worth a try. They include:

• Homeopathic remedies. A holistic doctor might recommend using the herb bryonia to soften your stools or sulfur for difficult or painful bowel movements. Other herbs that may help with constipation include euphorbia kansui, castor oil plant, morning glory seeds, and cistanche.
• Healing supplements, which include sodium sulfate, agar, and Irish moss.
• Acupuncture. It’s a traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles into various parts of the body. Some say it helps stimulate the colon and relieve pain caused by constipation.
• Massage. Manipulating and rubbing the abdominal area can help relax the muscles around the intestines and help promote healthy bowel movements.

You could also use over-the-counter laxatives to help treat your constipation. Be careful, though, because they can be habit-forming. There are several different types of laxatives.

• Fiber supplements are your safest option for laxatives. Start with them, and if they don’t work, move on to other types of laxatives. Examples include FiberCon, Metamucil, and Citrucel.
• Saline laxatives should be your next option. They are relatively safe and carry a lower cost than other laxatives. Examples include milk of magnesia and Haley’s M-O.
• Stool softeners do just that—soften your stool. Examples include Colace or Surfak.
• Osmotics help move fluid through your colon. Examples include Cephulac and Miralax.
• Stimulant laxatives cause contractions in your colon and include Dulcolax and Senokot. Use these only if necessary, since they can be very habit-forming and can aggravate your symptoms.

If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter laxatives aren’t relieving your constipation, your doctor might prescribe something more potent.

• Chloride channel activators contain the ingredient lubiprostone, which increases the amount of fluid in your stool. Amitiza is one example.
• Prucalopride is a 5-HT-4 agonist, which increases fluid secretion in your intestine and decreases transit time through the colon.

If medication still does not relieve your constipation, your doctor might use a physical intervention. He may use an enemaa or manual disimpaction, during which he would physically remove impacted stool from your colon using his hands.

If you are still suffering with constipation after medical treatment, your doctor might recommend surgery. He would remove part of your colon, including the parts of your rectum and anal sphincter that are causing the problems.

Medical professionals estimate that everyone will experience constipation at some point during his or her lifetime. It typically isn’t serious and can be treated with minimal cost, time, and effort. If you do experience significant constipation lasting several weeks or longer, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease that manifests as recurrent pain or discomfort in the bladder and the region of the pelvis that surrounds the bladder. The symptoms are usually different for every patient and one patient can have different symptoms with each flare up. Approximately 1 million people are affected by the condition – mostly women.

How severe the symptoms are may be different for each person as well. Some people with IC do have periods where it goes away as if in remission. Because of the differing symptoms and the fact that the symptoms are often more severe in some people than in others, it is thought that IC is actually several diseases.

It may help to understand better how the bladder functions in order to fully understand what interstitial cystitis is. The bladder is a hollow organ in which the urine is stored until you are ready to empty your bladder.

When the bladder is full, signals are sent to the brain using the pelvic nerves indicating that it is time to empty. This is what produces the urge to urinate. With IC, these signals are confused and the patient may feel the need to urinate more often but smaller volumes of urine are actually emptied from the bladder.

Having interstitial cystitis can cause a number of complications:

• It can make the walls of the bladder become stiffer, resulting in smaller capacity of the bladder.
• Pain and the increased need to urinate can inhibit work, social activities, and other things in the patient’s daily life.
• The constant need to urinate along with the pain can sometimes lead to emotional issues that can eventually lead to depression. Depression can worsen symptoms of any disease, including interstitial cystitis.

Alternative Names

Interstitial cystitis is sometimes called IC. It is more simply referred to as painful bladder syndrome (PBS). Scientists who research this condition also call it bladder pain syndrome (BPS). Depending on the symptoms a patient has, doctors may use the term IC/PBS. They normally do this for all cases of urinary pain that aren’t connected to any other issue like an infection of kidney stones.

Causes

There is really known definitive cause of interstitial cystitis. Much research is done and focuses mostly on the lining of the bladder (the epithelium). This layer is there to protect the wall of the bladder from toxins in the urine. According to the research, in 70 percent of patients with IC this lining contains leaks. This suggests that these leaks may be allowing substances like chemicals from beverages or food that are in the urine to enter the bladder. These substances may irritate the bladder wall, triggering the IC.

The lining of the bladder wall is made up of protective substances. Researchers who study IC also believe that some people with the condition may have lower levels of these substances. This can be another reason for the damage to the wall of the bladder found in so many cases of IC.

A substance called antiproliferative factor (APF) has also been discovered that may block the normal production of the cells that make up the lining of the bladder. Nearly all of the time that APF is found in the urine it is with people who have interstitial cystitis.

There is another theory that suggests that IC is an autoimmune disorder or that infection may be the cause of the symptoms and the bladder damage.

Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of interstitial cystitis may differ from patient to patient. Someone with IC may also discover that his or her symptoms change with time. The symptoms can come on or become worse with certain physical or emotional triggers like menstruation, allergies, sexual activity, or anxiety and stress.

The symptoms of IC include:

• The continuous and pressing need to urinate.
• Urinating frequently in small amounts. Those who have severe cases of IC may urinate as much as 60 times in a day.
• Pelvic pain. In women the pain is between the vagina and the anus and in men it is between the scrotum and the anus.
• Pelvic pain during intercourse.
• Constant pain in the pelvis.

Some patients may have only the pain and others the urination symptoms. It is most common to have both the pain and the frequent urination.

Pain from interstitial cystitis can get worse if there is a urinary tract infection.

Risk Factors

There are a few factors that can put people at a higher risk of interstitial cystitis:

• Sex – Women are diagnosed with IC considerably more often than men or children of either gender. Men can have similar symptoms that are normally associated with prostatitis.
• Age – This disease most often occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.
• Other chronic conditions – People who suffer from other chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia may be more prone to IC, however there is no known connection between these conditions.

Prevention

Any preventative measures that can be taken against a recurrence of interstitial cystitis are based on the theory that it is caused by the damage done to the bladder wall. The advice is to avoid any continuing irritation of the bladder. One way to do this is by boosting the immune system:

1. Visit an integrative internist. These doctors focus on your overall health and the concept of preventing disease as well as treating chronic illnesses. This type of doctor will do an in-depth study of your health history. This is important since IC can occur after another serious illness like fatigue, stress, or some type of infection that may have required antibiotics.
2. This doctor can give you suggestions for boosting your immune system. These doctors practice both traditional and alternative medicine and can give advice regarding the proper vitamins and other supplements to take for the immune system. Probiotics are often recommended.
3. Diet is especially important. If you eat the types of food that support gastrointestinal health, this can lead to a stronger immune system. This type of diet should include plenty of proteins, vegetables, and foods that are high in fiber. Organic food is better that non-organic and processed foods.

Another way to prevent IC is to keep the pH level in the body balanced.

1. You should have the pH in your body tested regularly. “Potential of Hydrogen” is the amount of acidity or alkalinity in any solution. By testing the body’s pH you will know if you are more alkaline or more acidic. If the pH is not balanced properly, the body is considered to be toxic. The cells in a body that is toxic are not capable of absorbing the nutrients from food or oxygen.
2. Eat the foods that will provide a healthy pH balance. The foods you eat should be 75 percent alkaline and 25 percent acidic. Too much acidic food can make the entire body too acidic, which can cause inflammation, irritation, lower energy, weak immune systems, and interstitial cystitis.

Test and Diagnosis

Since the symptoms of interstitial cystitis are so similar to those of things like urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, endometriosis in women, and prostatitis in men, the first thing that doctors will usually do is tests to rule those things out. The diagnosis of IC is generally based on pain in the bladder combined with frequent urination and the absence of other diseases that have the same symptoms.

To rule out the other diseases, a doctor may do a urinalysis to look for the presence of bacteria; a culture of prostate secretions to determine if there is a prostate infection; or an exam to rule out bladder cancer that consists of taking a sample of the bladder and urethra for biopsy.

The doctor will also perform a complete pelvic exam and what is known as a potassium sensitivity test. In this test a solution of water and one of potassium chloride are placed into the bladder one at a time. The patient is asked to rate his or her pain and need to urinate after the placement of each solution. If the pain and urgency is significantly higher with the potassium chloride, the doctor may diagnose IC.

Treatment

There is no one treatment that works for interstitial cystitis in every patient. There are a number of treatments, including medications that can offer some relief but what works for one patient may not work for the next. This often results in trying several treatments before hitting on the one that is successful.

Herbal and Home Remedies

Besides following the dietary advice given in the section on Prevention, there are some other home remedies and herbal treatments that my help with interstitial cystitis.

1. Supplements and herbs

• Calcium Citrate – Taking a calcium citrate supplement adds alkaline to urine. This can reduce the bladder irritation.
• Gotu kola – This herb stimulates the production of the substances that make up the lining of the bladder.
• Buchu – This is a diuretic and antiseptic for the bladder and should be taken as a tea.
• Cornsilk – This also has diuretic properties and should be made into a tea.
• Horsetail – This herb has properties that heal tissue as well as acting as a diuretic.

When used correctly, supplements and herbal treatments don’t usually have any side effects and can be purchased for reasonable prices at drug stores or health food stores.

2. Bladder training – This involves teaching yourself to urinate according to the time on the clock rather than when you feel the need. Start at certain intervals, like every 30 minutes whether you feel the need to or not. You can gradually up the time by 30-minute increments. This technique can help you reduce the frequency of urination.

3. Loose clothing – Don’t wear anything that put pressure on your stomach.

Pharmaceutical Remedies

There is only one prescription drug approved as a treatment for interstitial cystitis. This drug is Elmiron and it is not entirely understood how it works, but it is thought that the drug may restore the inner lining of the bladder. It can take anywhere from two to six months for you to notice a decrease in the frequency of urination. There are some minor side effects, which include slight gastrointestinal issues, and hair loss that stops when you are through taking the drug.

There are other oral medications that may help:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can relieve the pain.
2. Antihistamines may sometimes help with the urgency to urinate.
3. Tricyclic antidepressants can aid with relaxing the bladder to block pain.

Any minor side effects of these drugs can be found on the labels.

Surgery and Non-Surgical Options

There are some non-surgical procedures that can be done to help relieve the pain of interstitial cystitis:

1. Electrical Nerve Stimulation – With the use of special devices either attached to the skin by wires or inserted into the vagina, electrical pulses can be sent to stimulate the nerves that go the bladder. This is known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and is used to treat chronic pain for many conditions. It is thought that the electrical pulses enhance the blood flow to the bladder as well as make the pelvic muscles stronger that control the bladder. This treatment may also signal the body to release substances that block pain.This procedure is not very costly and takes about three to four months to produce results. Most insurance providers cover the procedure.
2. Bladder Instillation – This procedure is also called a bladder wash and involves filling the bladder with a solution of a prescription medication called dimethyl sulfoxide. A local anesthetic is sometimes mixed with the solution. The solution is left in the bladder for about 15 minutes and then it is expelled when the patient urinates. This treatment can reduce inflammation and may even stop the muscle contractions responsible for pain as well as urgency and frequency of urination.This procedure has one side effect and it is not serious. It can cause a garlicky taste in the mouth and odor on the skin for several hours. Most insurance providers cover the procedure.

Interstitial cystitis is very rarely treated with surgery because the procedures do not necessarily relieve pain. Some of the procedures are very invasive and most of them can have complications. Surgery is usually only the option when all other treatments have failed.

The options for surgery include:

1. Bladder augmentation – The damaged portion of the bladder is removed and replaced with a section from the colon. This makes the bladder larger. The pain usually remains. Women may often need to use a catheter to empty the bladder several times a day. The IC can also reoccur on the section of the colon that was used to make the bladder larger.
2. Cystectomy – This is a removal of the entire bladder. There are several different methods used to reroute the urine when this is done, one of which involves attaching the ureters to a piece of the colon and cutting an opening in the abdomen so that the urine can empty into a bag outside the body.
3. Fulguration – This procedure uses lasers to burn away ulcers in the bladder that may be causing the IC.
4. Resection – This is similar to fulguration, but the ulcers are cut out rather than burned with a laser.

Fulguration and resection don’t always work and have been known to make symptoms worse.

A cystectomy or bladder augmentation can cost between $6,500 and $11,000. The other procedures are less invasive and cost less.

Respiratory Diseases are ailments and conditions that impair our respiratory system. The respiratory system is responsible for proper delivery of oxygen throughout the body, removal of carbon dioxide and toxic waste, ample regulation of the body temperature and the stabilization of the body’s pH level. Respiratory diseases are those that affect the lung, bronchial tubes, pleural cavity, trachea, upper respiratory tract and all muscles and nerves involved in the breathing process.

There are many reasons why respiratory diseases occur. They could result from an infection, accident or from inhaling some toxic products. It could also be genetic or a byproduct of unhealthy habits such as smoking. Genetics also play a part in contributing to the occurrence of respiratory diseases.

Types of Respiratory Diseases

There are several types of respiratory diseases. Let us briefly define them and look at some examples of each type.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Lung diseases that result from a severe obstruction of airflow Mto the lung are termed as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. These diseases would damage and narrow the airway and block airflow in the lungs.E.g.: Emphysema

Obstructive Lung Diseases

This is a form of lung disease that occurs when the airflow in the bronchial tubes get narrowed, restricting airflow to the lungs.

E.g.: Asthma, Silicosis

Restrictive Lung Diseases

Lung diseases of this form occur where there is a reduction in lung volume either because they cannot stretch enough to alter its volume according to the pressure applied, or due to diseases affecting the pleura or chest wall.

E.g.: asbestosis, Sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis

Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infection

Essentially, these are infections that occur to the upper portion of the respiratory system. Some examples are common cold, sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, pharyngitis and laryngitis.

Lower respiratory tract infection

The most common example of an infection affecting the lower portion of the respiratory tract is pneumonia.

Respiratory Tumors

Respiratory tumors are either malignant or benign. While the benign ones such as pulmonary hamartoma rarely cause respiratory diseases, lung cancer caused by malignant tumors pose a significant health problem. Lung cancers accounts for 15% of all cancer reports and 29% of all deaths due to cancer.

Pleural Cavity Diseases

Pleural cavity diseases occur when fluid gathers in the pleural cavity during pleural effusion or when a hole in the pleura, called pneumothorax causes the affected lung to collapse.

E.g.: Emphysema and Mesothelioma

Pulmonary Vascular Diseases

Diseases are regarded as pulmonary vascular diseases when they impact the pulmonary circulatory system of our body. They could occur from a pulmonary embolism, pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary edema and damage to the capillaries in the lung that results in blood leaking into the alveoli.

Symptoms

Respiratory diseases can be detected with some of these many symptoms. One should definitely seek medical consultation and help if they find themselves suffering from one or more of these symptoms.

1. Shortness of Breath with or without exertion
2. Breathing Difficulties or Dyspnea
3. Rapid Breathing
4. Dizziness and Fainting
5. Chest Pains
6. Accelerated Heart Rate of more than 100 beats per minute. This is also known as Tachycardia.
7. Fatigue
8. Loss of Appetite
9. Weight Loss
10. General uneasy feeling
11. Bluish discoloration of the lips, tongue and/or fingers, also known as cyanosis.

Risk Factors

There are many factors that could contribute to the increase in occurrence of respiratory diseases. Constant exposure to these factors could increase the chances of respiratory diseases occurring.

1. Tobacco smoke
2. Indoor air pollutants such as those that could come from open stoves, mold, dust mites, and pollen.
3. Outdoor air pollutants that can arise from exhaust fumes from cars and factories, smoke, dust and smog.
4. Allergens that can comes from pets, pollen, dust mites, mold, smoke, formaldehyde and volatile organic Compounds (VOC).
5. Occupational hazards such as exposure to toxic fumes, chemicals and harmful substances
6. Unhealthy Lifestyle such as smoking.

Tests and Diagnosis

To determine if one is suffering from any type of respiratory disease and to determine which type, several tests could be ordered by the physician. The type of test that would be administered on a patient depends on their medical history, family history, symptoms and the diagnostic procedure physicians are expected to follow.

Some of the tests are

1. 1. Chest X-Ray

Chest X-ray is a radiograph projection of the chest that helps physicians analyze and diagnose respiratory diseases. It uses ionizing radiation to create images of the chest. X-rays are used to determine conditions that involve the chest wall, thorax bones, lungs and heart. The occurrence of pneumonia is commonly determined through an X-ray.

2. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

The most common PFT that is used to measure lung function is spirometry or the measurement of breaths. This is a tool that is used to create pneumotachographs that can be used to determine respiratory conditions like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

3. Computed Tomography Scan

Also known as a CT scan, this is a medical imaging procedure that uses tomography to create a three-dimensional image of the body part. High resolution computed tomography scan is used to diagnose respiratory diseases like emphysema and fibrosis. A general purpose image reconstruction technique is sufficient to check for pneumonia and cancer.

4. Examination of microorganism cultures derived from secretions like sputum

A microbiological culture is created when microbial organisms are allowed to multiply in a controlled environment and then tested to determine the cause of an infectious disease. In some cases, a chemical test is conducted on the culture to determine and eliminate certain causes of infection or diagnosis and could be vital information to determine the form of treatment that needs to be administered to the patient.

5. Bronchoscopy

This technique allows the insides of the airway to be viewed. Bronchoscopy also helps to provide therapeutic relief. The bronchoscope is inserted into the airway through the nose, mouth or a tracheostomy. It helps physicians analyze the airways for abnormalities like blood, tumors and inflammations.

6. Biopsy of the lung or pleura

This medical test involves the examination of cells or tissues that are removed from the patient. These are examined through a microscope by a pathologist and could be chemically analyzed.

7. Ventilation/Perfusion Lung scan (V/Q lung scan)

This form of medical imaging that uses scintigraphy to assess the blood and air circulation within the lungs. The ventilation part of the scan allows on to determine how air reaches all parts of the lung and the perfusion part assesses how blood circulates within the lungs.

8. Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are especially useful to determine the effect of pleural effusion. Pleural effusion occurs when excess fluid gathers in the pleural cavity of the ling. This could limit the expansion of the lungs and affect their breathing ability. The four types of fluid that could accumulate and cause pleural effusion are serous fluid, blood, chyle and pus.

These tests would help determine the exact type of respiratory disease that has occurred and would allowed doctors to determine the type of treatment that needs to be administered.

Treatment Options

Many factors affect the type of treatment that would be administered for respiratory diseases. These factors are the type of respiratory disease, its intensity and the medical history of the patient in concern. Here are some possible treatment options that would be suggested to help manage one’s respiratory disease.

1. Medication

Patients could be prescribed with corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antibiotics, anticoagulants, cancer chemotherapy and immune suppressants to help them with their respiratory diseases.

Side effects of these medications vary from one medicine to another. All patients must ensure that doctors know their full medical and family history to determine which form of medication is the safest and would be most suitable for them. Patients would also be warned of any specific side effect that could occur from the consumption of the medication and they should understand them clearly and comply as needed. Cost of these medications would vary based on the location, availability of medical facilities and how the insurance of the patient covers the medicinal cost.

2. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is most used when one has had a pulmonary surgery or has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. Physiotherapy helps clear lung secretions and certainly help those who have suffered from respiratory diseases.


3. Oxygen Therapy

This is helpful when one is unable to inhale in sufficient oxygen due to the respiratory disease that their body is suffering from.

This form of treatment is primarily administered when patients suffer from emphysema, pneumonia and any respiratory disorder that impacts the oxygen intake of the body.

This form of treatment is flexible and can be administered in the hospital, at home and could be made portable as well.

4. Mechanical Ventilation

This process involves the mechanical replacement of the natural breathing process with ventilators. This method involved a ventilator and a trained individual who compresses the bag as required. This could be used as a short term measure during an operation or for chronic illnesses as well. Possible side effects are complications such as pneumothorax, injury of the airways and alveola, and ventilator associated pneumonia.

5. Radiotherapy

This process utilizes high energy rays to kill some or all cancer cells. In early stages of cancer, it could completely remove the cancer. In other cases, it can be supplemented with chemotherapy or surgery. In more advanced lung cancer, radiotherapy treatments could keep the illness under control by shrinking the cancer cells, providing some symptomatic relief for the patient.

6. Surgery

Surgical procedures like lobectomy and pneumonectomy could be performed to remove the cancer. Pleurodesis is a procedure that artificially eliminates the pleural space. Lung Volume Reduction Surgery where the damaged portions of the lung could help with COPD and emphysema patients. A patient’s damaged lung could be partially or completely replaced through lung transplantation. Surgery also allows for an artificial lung to be implanted into the body.

Home Remedies to Treat Respiratory Diseases

While there are many treatment options, there are some natural home remedies that one could take to control their respiratory diseases. These natural remedies could be consumed to provide relief from the symptoms of the respiratory diseases, cure the diseases to some extent and keep them in control. Needless to say, these natural remedies do not replace the doctor’s advice and prescription. When one intends to undergo a strict natural regimen, they should consult their doctor and do it as a supplement to the medications and treatments that is being administered to them.

Ginger

Ginger is a perennial herb that belongs to the rhizome family. The medicinal values possessed by gingers have been recognized for a long time by ancient Indians, Chinese and Greek physicians. Ginger is also used as a spice in many cultural dishes. The vitamins and minerals found in ginger are phosphorus, calcium, iron, carotene, thiamine, vitamin C, niacin and riboflavin. Ginger provides a great remedy for coughs and colds. When consumed with honey, ginger could provide relief from dry cough. Ginger tea is also a great remedy for colds and fever.

Fever resulting from influenza could be reduced from a mixture consisting of ginger juice, fenugreek and honey. It also works as an expectorant in asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.

Chicory

Chicory is a perennial herb that has long tap roots, round stems and several light or dark green leaves and pale blue flowers. This herb is native to the Mediterranean region and was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Its ability to create better skin was discovered a long time ago. Chicory is helpful for asthma and hay fever recovery. Juices of chicory, carrot and celery after eliminating starches and sugars help with these respiratory conditions. Powder derived from the dried chicory roots mixed in honey is a great remedy and expectorant for chronic bronchitis.

Celery

This salad plant consists of green leaves, stem and bulbous roots. The celery roots and seeds are popular in Unani and Ayurvedic treatment and medicines. The Chinese and English have used celery as a medicine since the fifth century B.C. Celery contains a well balanced proportion of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Its antispasmodic properties help in treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and pleurisy.

Tumeric

Tumeric is a perennial herb that has short stems and raised branches. This rhizome has been used by those who practice Unani and Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. The antiseptic properties of turmeric make it a good remedy to treat chronic cough and infected throats.

When fresh turmeric powder is mixed in warm milk, they make a good remedy concoction that would help increase the discharge from the nose and provide relief from cough and cold. It is also used as a great in house remedy for bronchial asthma.

Prevention Tips

One could prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases by adhering to at least some of the prevention tips that are mentioned here. While these prevention tips may not entirely eliminate the chances of suffering from a respiratory disease, they would at least reduce the chances of respiratory diseases from occurring. It could also help with the healing process and ensure that the infectious respiratory diseases do not spread across the population. These measures are also good for general health of all within the family and society.

1. Do not smoke. If you are, work on quitting soon. Smoking would damage your lungs and the lungs of those surrounding you, especially close family and friends. Smoking is the primary cause for many respiratory diseases and you and your loved ones are succumbed to.
2. Educate the young children about the hazards of smoking. It would be better to educate them at an early age to ensure that they can stay protected from this unhealthy habit and protect their lung health.
3. Avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. Being a passive smoker by inhaling smoke also affects your lungs and increases your chances of being affected by a respiratory disease.
4. Be more proactive and protect your family from passive smoking. You could divert from smokers who are in your way. You could also instruct visitors to your home that smoking would not be tolerated.
5. Always be clean and thoroughly wash your hands. Fight germs by maintaining your hygiene. The spread of infection reduces when everyone does their part to remain clean and germ free.
6. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of flu, cold and other lung diseases.
7. Contribute to limiting outdoor air pollution. Do your part to ensure that everyone breathes in cleaner air.
8. Find out how you could reduce the amount of indoor air pollutants within your house.
9. Ensure that you exercise regularly to build stronger lungs and immune system.
10. Avoid occupational hazards such as inhaling toxic fumes from chemicals, paints and other solvents. If needed wear a protective mask and ensure that good air quality is maintained at your work place at all times.
11. Ensure that you have taken the necessary vaccinations to protect yourself from respiratory diseases that are prevalent in your area.

Conclusion

Respiratory diseases come in many forms and severities. Learning more about them, how they occur, how they can be treated and prevented would certainly help us manage our lung health better. This is vital information whether you or a loved one is currently managing a respiratory disease.