Switch on Your Anti-Arthritis Genes and Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by toughening most commonly in the skin and could also happen to other organs. The mild form of this known as morphea, although it can cripple its patients would tend not to be fatal. Another form of this which is systemic sclerosis, since it would affect the skin as well as would limit the functions of the affected organs could be fatal. As of now, there is no exact cause of this disease and most doctors would go by theories.

Scleroderma is found worldwide however; women are about four times as likely to have it more than men. This would also develop mostly between the ages of 30 and 60. The disease is quite rare as affecting only 14 out of every 1 million individuals worldwide. This disease also rarely affects children. This disease is quite evident among the native American Choctaw tribe and African-American females.

What Causes Scleroderma?

The cause of scleroderma still remains unknown, although medical experts have developed various theories on the causes of it. Some have said that it is largely genetic so if an individual has scleroderma, he puts his relatives at risk of having it. Others would say that it is environmental and is brought about by unwanted factors in the environment such as virus, bacteria and other similar factors. However, non of these theories are proven yet.

The result of this is that the immune system, instead of protecting the body would attack the tissues in the body causing the development of scar tissue on the affected areas. Although different cases of scleroderma would cause different symptoms, the most common ones would be the Raynaud’s phenomenon which would refer to the spasms of arteries supplying blood to the fingers, toes and face. For systemic scleroderma, this is coupled by limitation in the organ’s function.

How Is The Heart Involved In Scleroderma?

Scleroderma makes the tissues in your heart tougher than in turn would limit its functions. If the heart gets involved with scleroderma, then there will be limitations to its function. This is characterized by myocardial disease, arrhythmias or conduction system abnormalities. Even if it is not the heart that would get affected but rather the kidneys or lungs, that could still cause a lot of heart problems, the most common being hypertension. Being that, the heart is one of the most involved organs in scleroderma.

One who gets scleroderma should be expecting some heart problems since the heart is largely involved in it. Fortunately, this can be managed with the help of some doctors. Although there is still no guarantee that a patient would be completely free of scleroderma after medications, medications are made to help patients go by difficult symptoms that are brought to them by scleroderma.

How Is Heart Involvement In Scleroderma Managed?

There is no treatment for scleroderma instead, the approach to this is patient-specific and would depend on what the specific circumstances are. For heart involvement, the doctor would make use of medications such as calcium channel blockers, nifedipine, nicardipine and bosentan. For children who have it, the approach to treating them is a combination therapy of methotrexate, corticosteroids and cyclosporine.

If these would cause side effects, then different medications are used depending on what would suit the patient specifically. Patients with Raynaud’s should be aware that these medications could worsen their condition.

Sarcoidosis Cure and Scleroderma

Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease that shares characteristics with many other diseases which fall into the autoimmune category. Sarcoidosis shares many of the same symptoms and often overlaps into conditions such as Lupus & Scleroderma normally the most common way of determining sarcoidosis from other conditions is by the manifestation of non-caseating granulomas which are small inflammatory nodules.

Sarcoid or Boeck a multi-organ disease

Finding a cure for Sarcoidosis, otherwise known as sarcoid or Besnier-Boeck disease is by no means an easy task, although the most common symptoms of sarcoidosis are granulomas which most often appear in the lungs or the lymph nodes the condition also affects many other parts of the body including eyes, skin and internal organs. This medical condition although quite rare has been known about for quite some time now and hundreds of thousands of people in the USA alone suffer from it at present.

Still, an effective cure for Sarcoidosis that can address the many different problems caused by the disease has not been invented so far and the best that physicians can do is to provide symptomatic Sarcoidosis relief.

Sarcoid Treatment Options-Depend on Severity

The different Sarcoidosis treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and its level of development. In cases in which the affected symptoms are not to serious and the condition is progressing slowly, the examination by just one medical professional specializing in this field is sufficient.

The doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment that will provide for the relief of these symptoms most often this will be something like a corticosteroid. However, when the Sarcoidosis condition is severe or if it's developing quickly a check by and treatment from more than one specialists is usually required.

This is absolutely necessary in cases of Sarcoidosis which has started to effect internal organs. Apart from the visits to the dermatologist and the rheumatologist, a sufferer may also have to see a cardiologist as this disease is often linked to cardiovascular problems.

While an actual Sarcoidosis cure might be something many can only dream of due to the differing symptoms it is also quite common for early symptoms to go into remission, however this is not a true cure for sarcoidosis and the condition and sarcoid symptoms may return.

Natural Sarcoidosis Treatments.

As discussed an actual cure for sarcoid is not likely to happen any time soon at least when it comes to traditional medical practices, this is due mainly to the fact that most modern medicine concentrates on the symptom.

However a natural sarcoidosis treatment will often concentrate on the underlying issues which are known to cause autoimmune disorders. If you suffer with Sarcoidosis it may be helpful to ask your doctor to check you blood for high levels of Vitamin D, there is well documented evidence that many sarcoid sufferers have high levels of Vitamin D (this is known as Vitamin D Toxicity).

Although this is not a major problem in itself it is often an indication of a bacterial (micro-bacterial) infection which certain research points to as a possible cause of sarcoidosis.

A Natural Sarcoidosis Solution

Although Sarcoid seems to be an untreatable disease and as far as modern medication goes that's probably true, But there has been much research done on the subject by research teams and doctors working outside the drug industry. These findings are a real revelation for Sarcoid sufferers.

Read more: Click Here

Most diseases have their roots buried much deeper, the symptoms are just our bodies way of displaying a warning.

So to stop Sarcoidosis being an increasing problem you should be looking at treating these underlying issues & not just the symptoms Read More

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Cold Feet and Your Scleroderma

It might sometimes seem that your feet are the hardest part of your anatomy to keep warm, particularly in the dead of winter, when spring is a myth you tell yourself to keep an iota of hope alive. The rest of you might feel all warm and toasty, but your feet remain persistent little blocks of ice attached to your ankles, making you (and your bedmate) completely uncomfortable. Fortunately, cold feet can usually be attributed to cold weather (or doing something like walking out barefoot in the snow—which, by the way, is probably a bad idea), but you need to be careful. It can also be a symptom of an underlying disease or condition, ones which are often associated with poor circulation.

Some conditions that may cause poor circulation (and thus chilly feet) include diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (which is when your arteries become hardened or blocked), heart disease, and Reynaud's phenomenon or disease (which is when blood vessels spasm because of cold sensitivity). Your cold feet might also be a result of other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy (degeneration of the nerves), fibromyalgia, hormonal or glandular problems like hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency, or some diseases like lupus or scleroderma (both are problems with the immune system.) In short, there's a veritable plethora of possible causes.

You should also be aware that some things you might be taking in to your body could be causing your feet to feel the chill. Smoking, for instance, can make your blood vessels constrict and harden, which turns down the temperature on your feet. Some medications may also have this side effect, including beta blockers (typically used to treat hypertension or migraines), ergotamine (used in migraine medication), or pseudoephedrine (used in cold medications). Now, smoking is definitely something worth giving up (and cold feet is hardly the worst side effect), but don't just stop taking the rest of these meds simply because you don't like having chilly toes. You can talk with your doctor if you'd like to explore other options, but stopping medication cold turkey (or, cold turkey feet if you will) on your own is not a good idea.

Having cold feet is really a symptom in itself, but there may be other symptoms that appear with it. For instance, if your cold feet are caused by blockage of blood vessels that run to your foot, you may start seeing other problems such as toe discoloration (they start to look red or purple), muscle cramping after brief periods of exercise, and later issues might include ulcers, pain in your limbs while you rest, or gangrene. If your cold feet are caused by extensive exposure to cold weather, you may notice that your toes or other prominent areas of your foot develop chilblains, or red and itchy spots that can become infected. Definitely see your podiatrist if you get these.

If you're concerned about your cold feet, your podiatrist should be able to offer some insight into what's going on. He or she will likely ask you about any medications you may be taking, whether or not you're a smoker, and may inquire about your medical history. Your foot or feet will likely be examined for changes in skin coloration or condition, and if circulation problems are suspected, your podiatrist will probably check the pulse in your feet. Some tests can be done to check your circulation, including arterial Doppler testing (which uses sound waves to see how well blood is flowing—pretty nifty, right?), and an arteriogram (which uses dye to make arteries visible on X-rays).

The treatment of your cold feet will really depend on what is causing them. If your cold feet are due to nothing more than the fact that the exterior temperature is hovering around '15 degrees Fahrenheit, then wearing socks will probably make you a bit more comfortable. The acrylic kind wick moisture away from your skin, which is nice if you're wearing shoes and moving around a bit, although natural fibers such as wool may also work well for you (unless, of course, wool makes your skin itch like mad). When you're outdoors in cold weather, wear insulated waterproof shoes, since feet that are wet as well as cold can develop significant problems, such as frostbite. If your feet do get wet, get back inside quickly and dry them off to avoid these problems. (And get some hot chocolate while you're at it.)

If poor circulation is the problem, your doctor may recommend exercises to increase bloodflow, medications, or both. If the doctor is able to locate a blockage, then surgery might be an effective way to remove it and increase bloodflow to your feet.

Wearing socks can also help warm the feet of those suffering from poor circulation. If you are having circulation problems, then trying things like sticking your foot into a basin of hot water, or using heating creams, might not be a good idea, since the same things that cause poor circulation sometimes also cause nerve damage. You may be scorching your foot and not even notice. Talk to your podiatrist if you'd like other ideas of how to keep your toes nice and toasty.

Dr. Marble has more information about other foot and ankle conditions available free of charge. Visit http://www.puebloankleandfoot.com for more free information about other lower extremity conditions. You also have the ability to contact him directly at his Pueblo, Colorado office.

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How to Cope With Arthritis of the Knees and Scleroderma

The most common diseases among the hundred types of Arthritis are: Osteoarthritis, Rhumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Lupus and Scleroderma. There are no known causes identified, except that some are genetic, some due to Auto-immunity and others - injuries to the joints. Symptoms:- Usually accompanied by stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of joints, inflammation and eventually deformities.

Causes of Osteoarthritis:-

1. Degeneration of the joints often due to aging
2. Trauma resulting from falls, accidents, physical activities like sports or protein defect which the cartilage is comprised of.
3. Genetic link. If both parents have Arthritis, then you are more prone to inherit it.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis:-

1. Autoimmune disorder.
2. Viral infection that triggers off an immune response in which the Synovial membrane of the joint is under attack.
3. Emotional stress
4. Poor nutrition may contribute to the onset of the disease.

Infectious Arthritis: This is either caused by a virus or bacteria attacking the joint. If left untreated, Infectious Arthritis can cause permanent damage in the joint. Any idea what the two main muscles are, that control your knee movements and its stability. Ever heard of the quadriceps and hamstrings? Well, the quadriceps is a four-part powerful muscles situated from the thigh front, to just below the knee. It controls knee straightening and movement of the patella (knee cap). It is vital for standing, walking and running too. The hamstrings are the muscles comprising of the posterior or back of the thigh, to just below the back of the knee. Their function is for bending.

Recommended diet:-

• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis is known to respond to an increased dietary consumption of fish oils. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements do help to relieve painful symptoms, I know, as I am taking it too. They must be combined as one to be effective.
• Increase intake of calcium to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and consume plenty of non-alcoholic drinks
• Limit the amount of dietary fats and sustain your weight within a normal range. Know that obesity worsens knee arthritis, as the added weight can put a stress on the affected knee joint, hips or spine.
• Ginger is good for anti-flatulence. Its anti-oxidant compound helps to ward off inflammation and Arthritis.
• Capsicum's hot capsaicin triggers endorphins release, which is nature's natural narcotic, to relieve pain. You can apply capsicum cream or nutmeg ointment directly on the painful joints three times daily. Avoid direct contact with the eyes.
• Tumeric is a kind of spice ground into powder, and a common ingredient found in curry. The yellow colouring of Tumeric called curcumin, when taken daily is effective in relieving aches and pains and possibly prevent Colon cancer. If you have a Gall-Bladder related problem, better to omit this spice.
• Celery is anti-inflammatory, as well as slowing down ageing and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

Rest and massage are sound advice for all Arthritis. Rest in particular, is essential for inflamed muscles or tendons. Cold compress with ice actually reduces pain and swelling, thus promoting healing. Additionally, vinegar can be used to alleviate painful and swelling joints by applying a face towel soaked in vinegar on to it. Use one part of the vinegar in proportion to one part of warm water. Example - 250ml of vinegar to 250ml of water. The key to finding relief for knee arthritis is gentle, slow stretching and strengthening exercise, besides building up of supportive muscles.

Hydrotherapy or water exercise is one of the most effective and comfortable therapy for Arthritis, because it is made easy for the joints and muscles while being supported by water. Why not exercise the joints, muscles and ligaments of your knees without strain or sprain...by stretching or walking through water in a four feet deep swimming pool?

Are you familiar with Hydrotherapy? Ever heard of it? I am sure you do! It is a water exercise in a heated pool, reminds you of Jacuzzi, right? Certainly, there are many various ways to exercise in water:

• Warm water exercise designed in mind for people with Arthritis.
• Hydrotherapy which is instructed by physiotherapists.
• Gentle water exercise which caters for older people, or people with health conditions.
• Water aerobics for fitness in general.

What are the health benefits of Hydrotherapy?

1. It increases muscles strength, promotes posture and balance.
2. Contributes a sense of well-being.
3. Affords better mobility and flexibility of joints.
4. Reduces pain.
5. Helps to relax sore muscles and ease stiffness of joints.

Always remember safety measures and take precautions at the pool. Slow down if you are out of breath. Stop immediately if the therapy causes you more pain. Get out of the water if you feel giddy or sick. Alternatively, riding on a stationary bicycle is a good way to exercise your knees. Here are some water exercises if you are capable of doing. First, you sure need a flotation belt to keep you upright and floating at shoulder height.

• Stand in a swimming pool waist to chest deep in water. Now walk through the water, the same way as how you walk on the ground. If you are not able to swim, like yours truly here, I know that you will feel more comfortable and confidant if you are standing near the edge of the pool, so you can hold on to the edge for support as you walk through the water, from the short end of the pool to the other end. Try walking sideways to tone up other muscles.
• Next, stand upright with your chest lifted and arms slightly bent at your sides. Stride forward slowly, placing your foot on the base of the pool (not tip-toe), with your heel going down first, followed by the ball of your foot. Avoid straining your back as you stride across and back.
• Pump your arms and legs faster for a short moment, then return to your own normal pace.

Are you ready for a few quadriceps strengthening exercises? Here you go:-

1. Always warm up first with walking or riding a stationary bike before performing the Quadriceps exercises. Only do one exercise per session.Now sit in a chair, then move a little forward to sit at the edge. Extend both legs forward, but your heels on the floor.Keeping your knees straight, tighten your thigh muscles and hold for a count of ten. Then relax for a count of three, breathe in and out. Do ten repetitions of this.
2. Leg lifts - just lie flat on your back, then bend your left knee at 90 degrees angle, while keeping your left foot flat on the floor. Keep your right leg straight as you slowly lift it up, until your right foot is at the same height as your left knee. Hold this position for a count of three, inhaling and exhaling Switch legs over and repeat 10 times over several weeks. Remember to lift one leg at a time, as lifting both legs can cause excessive strain on your back.
3. Next, sit or lie on the floor, you may place a rolled up towel beneath your thigh for support. Straighten your left leg, raise your left foot about six inches off the floor. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly lower your left foot bending your knee. Alternate with your right leg and do it for 10 times.
4. Stand with your back straighten up, knees apart and your feet pointing straight ahead. Slowly lower and move your buttocks backward, as though you were sitting on a chair. Do Not bend your knees beyond 90 degrees angle. Hold it for a count of 5 seconds. Do 10 squats, but stop if you are having pain on your knees.
5. Sit on a chair with knees bent to 45 degrees and heels on the floor, but your toes lifted up Do not move your heels, dig them into the floor instead. Can you feel the tension in your hamstrings? Hold for a count of 5 seconds, then relax for a count of 3 seconds. Do 10 repetitions.
6. Walk backwards to develop your hamstrings. When you walk backwards, your weight is more evenly distributed--thus lessening the strain on your knees.
7. Get yourself seated on a chair, then place a fist in between your knees. Squeeze your knees together and hold for a count of 10. Relax for a count of 3 seconds and do it 10 times.

Mary Lee Scully (Author)
http://www.maryleescully.blogspot.com

Exercising your knees and legs, is a wonderful and most effective therapy for Knee Arthritis. Exercise helps to increase mobility and flexibility of your knee joints--thus reducing pain and stiffness. To see results, you have to do it regularly and consistently..

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What Is SjoGrens Syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a condition that decreases your body's secretions of tears and saliva. This leads to dry eyes (known medically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS) and dry mouth (known as xerostomia).

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, which implies that your body's immune system unwittingly attacks your own cells, believing them to be dangerous invaders like viruses and bacteria. The lymphocytes (one of many types of immune cells) in patients with the disease selectively attack moisture-producing glandular tissues.

The salivary (saliva-producing) and lachrymal (tear-producing) glands are singularly threatened, as well as the sweat-producing glands in your skin. The capacity to produce saliva and tears is inexorably impaired, leading to dry mouth and dry eyes.

The abnormal condition is also classified as a chronic rheumatic autoimmune disease. The organs of persons with the condition extrude auto-antibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies. There are close approximations between Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis (inflammation in many muscles), and dermatomyositis (inflammation in muscles plus distinctive skin rash).

Women account for more than 90 per cent of Sjögren's syndrome patients, especially those about 50 years of age. Children under 15 years old may also be afflicted.

Dry Eye Symptoms

The most generally noticed manifestation is the feeling of having a foreign matter in the eye, or of grittiness or sandiness. Burning feelings are also felt. You may notice accumulations of thick strings of mucous around the inner corners of the eyelids, especially after sleeping. You may experience redness in the eye, hyper-sensitivity to light, and blurry vision as if a filmy curtain is blocking the view. Reports about difficulty with watching television and reading are numerous, as well as general eye discomfort. But although tear production is limited, there are few complaints about being unable to cry.

Dry Mouth Symptoms
The widespread symptoms include chewing, swallowing, and speaking difficulties; food getting stuck on the inner cheek; unfamiliar taste or smell sensations; cracking in the tongue, mucous membranes, and lips (the corners of the mouth are particularly vulnerable); and, pervasive tooth decay. Patients feel the impulse to drink more liquids, especially at mealtimes or when consuming toast or a cracker.

There may also be dryness in the nose, throat and larynx, windpipe and bronchial tubes. The dryness may cause nosebleeds, hoarseness in the throat, bronchitis or pneumonia, and even problems in the middle ear. The parotid gland (where one feels the mumps) becomes enlarged in half of Sjögren's syndrome patients.

In more severe cases, prescription medicine or surgery may be more effective for treatment. The doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to obtain relief from specific manifestations such as arthritis. For more widespread symptoms, your doctor may recommend immune-suppressive medications or certain malaria-treatment drugs.

Minor surgery can be employed for relieving dry eye symptoms. This generally involves closing off the tear ducts with permanent silicone (or temporary collagen) plugs. The plugs are called punctal plugs since they are attached at the puncta, the points in your eye where tears start draining out. Alternatively, a laser may be used to create a permanent seal.

For less severe symptoms, the doctor may give artificial tears or special eyedrops. Cyclosporine in a castor oil base is a mainstay prescription medication that reduces inflammation in the tear glands, inducing them to produce more tears.

You can use appropriate accessories to cover the eyes in windy environments. If you are indoors, do not go near the cooling vent or other devices that may blow vigorous airflows into your eyes. Try to increase the indoor humidity to lower the tear loss from your eyes due to evaporation. Also, do not forget to always drink plenty of water.

Learn more about how to treat Sjogren's Syndrome here. Visit ComfortEye for additional information about Sjogren's Syndrome and dry eye related problems.

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Scleroderma Treatment Gives Hope For the Chronically Ill

Low dose naltrexone has recently garnered attention as a possible treatment for autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions, cancer and some other illnesses. Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, which means that it blocks opioid receptors in the brain and thus eliminates the feeling of pleasure caused by e.g. drinking alcohol, because our endogenous opioids (endorphins) cannot bind to the receptors. But when used in very small doses (less than 1/10 of the normal dose) naltrexone can be used to stimulate the release of endorphins.

History

Low dose naltrexone was pioneered by the neurologist Bernard Bihari in the early 1980s, when he was studying medications used for drug and alcohol withdrawal. He noticed that very small doses of naltrexone (initially 3 mg) taken at bedtime only blocked the opioid receptors transiently, which stimulated the body to produce more of its endogenous opioids and produced no significant side effects.

Bihari tried LDN as a treatment for HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis, two conditions that have been shown to be associated with low levels of beta endorphin, one of the most important endogenous opioids. In some of his AIDS patients the blood levels of beta endorphin as much as tripled when using low dose naltrexone.

Patients also experienced marked clinical improvement. The MS symptoms (especially fatigue) were relieved and the illness progression seemed to halt. Most patients never experienced a single MS attack after the initiation of low dose naltrexone. Patients infected with HIV had their viral counts drop radically and their CD4 counts subsequently went up. As a result the rates opportunistic infections and AIDS related malignancies decreased.

Later development

Encouraged by his success Bihari and other doctors began trying LDN for other conditions, such as other autoimmune illnesses and cancer, often with great results. The support from the patient community has been overwhelming. Patients with MS have collected money for clinical trials and there have even been three conferences on LDN and the fourth one is scheduled for October 2008.

A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that 89% of patients with Crohn's disease were improved on LDN and 67% achieved a full remission. There are clinical trials currently running for multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, autism, fibromyalgia, pancreatic cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (head and neck cancer). A large HIV/AIDS study is also running in Mali, West Africa.

Illnesses that can be treated with LDN

LDN has been successfully used to treat the following conditions:

Autoimmune diseases

• multiple sclerosis
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE/LED)
• rheumatoid arthritis
• ankylosing spondylitis
• pemphigoid
• sarcoidosis
• scleroderma
• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• celiac disease
• psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Wegener's granulomatosis
• transverse myelitis

Cancers

• bladder cancer
• breast cancer
• carcinoid tumor
• colorectal cancer
• glioblastoma
• liver cancer
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC)
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• lymphoma (both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)
• melanoma
• multiple myeloma
• neuroblastoma
• ovarian cancer
• pancreatic cancer
• prostate cancer
• renal cell carcinoma
• throat cancer
• uterine cancer

Other illnesses

• HIV/AIDS
• hepatitis C
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
• autism
• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Behcet's disease
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema)
• endometriosis
• fibromyalgia
• chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
• irritated bowel syndrome (IBS)

LDN may possibly also work for e.g. myasthenia gravis, antiphospholipid syndrome/Hughes syndrome, narcolepsy (a possibly autoimmune condition), interstitial cystitis, chronic Lyme disease/post Lyme syndrome, acne, rosacea, chronic urticaria, dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), cluster headaches, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been reported to be helpful in insomnia and migraine prevention.

Mode of action

Endorphins are often associated with the pleasant feeling we get from e.g. exercise, but they are more than just that. Beta endorphin and met enkephalin, another opioid peptide produced by the body have profound effects on the immune system. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that met enkephalin acts as an anti-cancer agent. Beta endorphin levels have shown to be low in HIV/AIDS, many autoimmune conditions and e.g. migraine.

Autoimmune illnesses have been traditionally seen as manifestations of an overactive immune system and are usually treated with immunosuppressants, but more and more data is emerging that suggests that autoimmune conditions may in fact be forms of immunedeficiency, explaining why LDN, an immunostimulant, works for them.

Clinical effects

In most autoimmune diseases the disease progression halts. Symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, muscle weakness and cognitive problems are often alleviated, as well. In degenerative conditions like ALS and Alzheimer's the illness progression is slowed down. The lipodystrophy caused by antiretroviral (HIV) drugs usually improves significantly.

Bihari reports that a halt in cancer growth occurs in about 50% of the cancer patients he treats. Some of these patients show objective signs of tumor shrinkage. Some patients who have been deemed terminal with little time left are still alive and doing well years later, such as one with pancreatic cancer (one of the deadliest cancers) whose case was published in Integrative Cancer Therapies.

According to Bihari LDN works best for the following cancers: multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (including the pancreas) and non-small cell lung cancer. That isn't to say that cancer patients should ditch their existing treatments, but LDN can be combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some patients only undergo surgery or are considered not to benefit from conventional treatment, so they would be good candidates for LDN.

How it is used

LDN is taken every night between 9 PM and 3 AM, as the body produces most of its endorphins during the early morning hours. There are usually no side effects. Some people experience problems with sleeping during the first week. Nausea, feeling "high", gas and bloating and hunger pangs may occur in the beginning and usually go away in a few days. In patients with MS spasticity may transiently worsen. It may take anywhere between a day and a few months to notice improvement.

LDN can safely be taken with all other medications, foods or supplements, but because it is an opiate antagonist it cannot be combined with any narcotic painkillers (opiates), including tramadol, and taking it with immunosuppressive drugs (like corticosteroids) may cause the drugs to "cancel out" each other's effects, as LDN is an immunostimulant. The only contraindication is a past organ transplant, because taking an immunostimulant might lead to graft rejection.

Any doctor can prescribe LDN as an "ex tempore" prescription, to be filled by a compounding pharmacy. Some people use foreign pharmacies, as it is legal in most countries to order medications from abroad with a valid prescription. LDN may be formulated as capsules or liquid, but the liquid has to be refrigerated and is less convenient when traveling. It is recommended that calcium carbonate is not used as a filler for tablets.

The recommended dose is 4.5 mg, but some people, especially those who are very slim and those with severe MS, only take 3 mg. Often prescriptions are written for 1.5 mg capsules so that the patient can try taking either two or three at once. LDN is also relatively inexpensive, usually costing between $15 and $40 a month.

Maija Haavisto is a journalist, medical writer and the author of the most comprehensive book published about treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and related conditions. "Reviving the Broken Marionette: Treatments for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia" features more than 250 different medications that can be used to treat these debilitating illnesses.

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Diabetic Rash Signs and Scleroderma

Did you know there are symptoms that may indicate you might have diabetes? One common indication that many individuals overlook are skin changes. Developing a rash that is darkened or raised on the skin is referred to as a diabetes rash. It is a warning sign and a doctor will give you a blood test to confirm his concerns.

Early diagnosis is important because it can lessen your risks of developing a full blown version of the disease. Although diabetes is often genetic, there are many preventative measures that you can take early on to limit its effect on your life. Different rashes have different indicators that you should be on the watch for. For example, be on the lookout for eczema and diabetes dermopathy. What does diabetes dermopathy look like? It often appears on the skin as dark, depressed spots. In most cases, it appears on the legs. Diabetes dermopathy can mix with dermatitis.

Another type of skin blemish that can signal the onset of diabetes is called Scleroderma Diabeticorum. This blemish usually appears as thickening skin on the back and the neck. Remember that many skin blemishes that are precursors to diabetes appear on the skin in the shape of rings or arcs. Blemishes generally appear on or around the chest, abdomen, fingers, legs, and/or ears. Blisters are also indicators that may appear on the toes and the fingers.

In some cases the formation of the rashes discussed in this article are caused by an allergic reaction or a change in insulin levels. Regardless of the exact cause, if you find yourself showing warning signs of one of these rashes, it would be prudent to consult a physician. A professional opinion is both wise and proactive to seek.

Rashes can also be due to many reasons such as insect bites, contact dermatitis or stress so don't draw any conclusions without proper analysis.

Find Out About Diabetes As Well As Common Rashes

Learn about Diabetic Rash Signs and Drug Rash issues.

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