Weight Loss Approaches

Supplements

  • Bitter Orange - Bitter orange is purported to help treat constipation, indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite, and nasal congestion, as well as promote weight loss.
  • Capsaicin - Capsaicin, a natural substance sourced from chili peppers, is said to speed up metabolism and reduce fat tissue, as well as curb overeating by taming appetite.
  • Chia - Find out whether chia — yes, the same sprouts found in your Chia Pet — can help you slim down and stay healthy.
  • Chitosan - Often marketed as a natural weight loss aid, chitosan is a dietary supplement made from the shells of crustaceans (such as crabs, shrimp, and lobster).
  • CLA - Proponents claim that CLA can reduce fat while building muscle, as well as keep cholesterol in check.
  • DHEA - Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone that's produced by the adrenal glands.
  • Fucoxanthin - Fucoxanthin is a type of carotenoid found naturally in edible brown seaweed such as wakame and hijiki, which are used widely in Asian cuisine. It is also found in much smaller amounts in red seaweed.
  • Hoodia - Much of hoodia's popularity stems from claims that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert in Africa relied on hoodia for thousands of years to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips.
  • Hydroxycut - Find out why this weight-loss supplement may not be safe.
  • Probiotics - By consuming these live microorganisms, proponents claim, overweight people can correct bacterial imbalances thought to contribute to weight gain.
  • Psyllium - One popular natural remedy for weight loss is psyllium, a plant that produces seeds rich in fiber.
  • Spirulina - Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae available in dietary supplement form.
  • Triphala - A blend of three botanicals, triphala is a popular remedy in ayurveda (the traditional medicine in India).
  • Vitamin D - Some research suggests that running low on vitamin D might increase your risk of obesity, while taking vitamin D supplements may help promote weight loss and weight maintenance.

Diets and Food

  • Green Tea - If weight loss is one of your top health goals, green tea may help.
  • Oolong Tea - Several studies indicate that oolong tea may help promote weight loss.
  • Shirataki Noodles - What are shirataki noodles? I've heard they're the latest diet food but find it hard to believe that eating noodles could help with weight loss. Isn't it counter-intuitive?

Therapies

  • Acupuncture - Some proponents of acupuncture suggest that the needle-based alternative therapy can help promote weight loss.
  • Hypnosis - Hypnosis is a mind-body technique often purported to promote weight loss.
  • Yoga - In the quest for weight loss, many people turn to yoga (an age-old mind-body practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation).
Suggested Reading
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 West Nile Virus Treatment



West Nile Virus Treatment
There is currently no treatment for West Nile that can kill the virus. In mild cases, treatment mainly includes rest and drinking plenty of fluids. In severe cases, treatment can involve intravenous (IV) fluids and breathing assistance from a ventilator.
What Are Treatments for West Nile Virus?
Within three to fourteen days after a person is infected with the West Nile virus (see West Nile Virus Transmission), he or she may develop West Nile virus symptoms. There is currently no treatment that can kill the West Nile virus. Because West Nile is caused by a virus, antibiotics or other medications for West Nile virus are not effective. Therefore, treatment for West Nile focuses on providing relief from symptoms as the body fights the West Nile virus. This is called supportive care.

West Nile Virus Treatment in Mild Cases
People who experience mild West Nile virus symptoms (known as West Nile fever) can have symptoms for a couple of days or up to several weeks. During this time, treatment can include:

  • Resting in bed
  • Drinking plenty of fluids
  • Taking medication, such as aspirin or acetaminophen, to relieve fever and discomfort.

Treatment of West Nile Virus in Severe Cases
Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease, such as West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis, or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord. Meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it.

When more severe symptoms of West Nile virus (such as unusually severe headaches or confusion) occur, medical attention is necessary immediately.

In these cases, treatment for West Nile virus usually requires hospitalization for intensive supportive care. This supportive care can include:

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids
  • Medications to control seizures, nausea, vomiting, or brain swelling
  • Breathing support from a ventilator
  • Prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, etc.)
  • Good nursing care.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if you have any possible signs of West Nile virus and:

  • You have breathing and/or heart problems, or other serious health problems
  • You are taking drugs to fight cancer or other drugs that weaken your body's natural defenses against illness
  • You feel sick and don't seem to be getting better
  • You have a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headaches, or other serious symptoms of West Nile virus
  • You are worried about your health
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding.



What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that causes some or all of the following symptoms:
  • tremors
  • limb stiffness
  • poor or instable posture
  • difficulty with voluntary movement
It typically occurs after the age of 65 years, but about 15% of patients have a young onset form of the disease that can appear before age 50.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
The four main symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease are:
  • Tremors that begin in one extremity (for example, your finger) and progressively spread up that extremity toward the center of your body. In the early stage of your disease, the tremors may affect only part of one extremity and may only occur on one side of your body. Though tremors are the most commonly recognized symptom of Parkinson’s disease, not all patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease develop tremors.
  • Rigidity, most often originating in your legs and neck. Parkinson’s disease can cause the muscles that move your joints to become contracted and stiff. This prolonged muscle contraction can result in pain and difficulty moving. Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease experience rigidity.
  • Poor posture, balance, and coordination can increase your risk for falls and other accidents. You may develop a ‘stooped’ position, with your head tilted forward and down and sagging shoulders. Continual leaning forward or backward is also common.
  • Bradykinesia and akinesia are also symptoms. Bradykinesia is a slow, shuffling walk. Akinesia refers to difficulty completing or initiating a voluntary muscle movement.

What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the deterioration of neurons in an area deep in your brain called the substantia nigra. When these nerve cells die, the level of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved controlling voluntary muscle movement, in your brain decreases.
As more cells in the substantia nigra in your brain die, your symptoms will generally get worse.

How can deep brain stimulation help to treat Parkinson’s disease?
Medications are available to treat your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but they will not cure your disease. Often, the medicines become less effective over time. Alternatively, your condition might not respond to medication at all. If this is the case, deep brain stimulation (DBS) could help to relieve, but not cure, your symptoms.
The deep brain stimulation device delivers a small electrical stimulus to an area of your brain. Once the device is turned on, your symptoms may diminish or cease altogether. In some cases, the symptoms in one part of your body may respond better than those in other parts.
Deep brain stimulation will not cure Parkinson’s disease. Your symptoms will get worse or return if your neurostimulator device is turned off.
Three pieces of surgically implanted hardware are used in DBS treatment:
  • The lead is the part of the device that is implanted in your brain. It is made up of four insulated wires that transition into four exposed electrodes at the tip of the stimulator.
  • The extension is a small wire that connects to the lead outside your brain and passes under your skin from your head and down your neck. It terminates in your upper chest at the site of the neurostimulator.
  • The neurostimulator is a pacemaker-like device that contains the power source for the lead and other electronics. Your surgeon will implant the neurostimulator in your upper chest, below your collarbone. The neurostimulator is attached to the extension, which carries electrical power to the lead, where targeted amounts of power are delivered to the affected area of your brain.
Your doctor will be able to adjust the neurostimulator wirelessly after surgery. You will also be able to turn the device on and off by holding a magnet near the device.

What are the risks of DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease?
Deep brain stimulation surgery carries similar risks to other invasive neurological procedures, including the following:
  • infection
  • bleeding inside the brain
  • seizures
  • coma or death
  • pain at the surgery site
  • headache
  • cognitive problems

What are the potential side effects of DBS therapy?
Once your device is installed and turned on, you may experience the following side effects:
  • dizziness or lightheadedness (disequilibrium)
  • vision problems (double vision)v • numbness (hypoesthesia)
  • temporary worsening of symptoms
  • facial and limb muscle weakness or partial paralysis (paresis)
  • speech problems like whispering (dysarthria) and trouble forming words (dysphasia)
  • déjà vu (this can be corrected by surgical repositioning of the lead)
  • tingling sensation (paresthesia)
  • persistent cough with stimulation on
  • abnormal, involuntary movements (chorea, dystonia, dyskinesia)
  • movement problems or reduced coordination
  • jolting or shocking sensation

How can the surgery or side effects be reversed?
If the severity of your side effects outweighs the benefits of the treatment, the device can be turned off or adjusted. Your neurostimulator can be removed if necessary.

What can I expect my results to be like?
Results will vary for each patient. In one clinical study, 87% of patients showed improvement in motor control over the 12 months following their surgery.

Where can I find more information?

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