Family Health.

[rangi15]

Lose Weight The Healthy Lasting Way

The New Year can always be marked by the huge spike in gym memberships and diet programs after the holidays.

For many people, this time of year is a time for change, and often people want to change how they look and feel by losing weight. If this sounds like you, then now's the time to get clear on exactly how a person goes about losing weight so you don't find yourself making the same resolution year after year.

While there are many aspects of diet that you can focus on when trying to lose weight - you can keep track of fat, fiber, protein, or carbohydrates, for example - the key is always about whether you're eating and drinking fewer calories than you are burning.

To lose about one pound per week, you'll need to eat about 500 fewer calories per day from your current daily intake. Weight loss of one to two pounds each week is considered healthy weight loss, meaning that you are losing more fat than muscle.

Start by looking at how many calories you are presently consuming. Use the food labels on products to give you an idea, not forgetting to first read the serving size at the top of the food label. (Many times, we eat what is in the entire package and that may actually be eating three servings, and thus tripling the total calories.) When you grocery shop, compare the labels on similar products and choose the one with the fewest calories.

Become a food label reader and start your weight-loss campaign by reducing the calories you consume. If you are cooking at home, many recipes now have the nutrition facts included. The key is still the serving size. If you have a recipe that you want to analyze, try looking up the ingredients at Calorie King.

Even though calories are still calories, a healthy diet needs to come first. Don't plan to cut calories from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, try cutting calories from snack foods, sweets, fast foods, condiments, or drinks.

Of course, I've said nothing about the importance of exercise in losing and keeping off the weight. That deserves its own entry.

Ref: John Hopkins University.

[rangi15]

Can You Really Throw Your Back Out?


Just the other day, a patient said, “I was working in the garden and I threw my back out.” Then she asked, “When you throw your back out, what exactly is going out and where does it go? And how do you get it back in?” These were good questions and ones for which I did not have ready answers.

The fact is, you cannot actually throw your back out — it’s a figure of speech, or, if taken literally, a myth. However, the experience of sudden, severe back pain is no myth to the person suffering through it. And it can certainly feel as though some major structures in the back have moved, or that to feel better something must be returned to its original location. If one could see inside the painful back — and increasingly, we can, with imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) — one will commonly see normal anatomy or mild abnormalities that have nothing to do with the pain, even in the face of excruciating symptoms.

Throwing Your Back Out: Still a Mystery
When people say they have thrown their back out, what they usually mean is that while performing a specific movement (such as twisting or bending forward) they have developed sudden and severe pain. The low back is the most common site for pain of this sort, and while there are several causes of this problem, including muscle spasm, arthritis, and, less commonly, a “slipped” or ruptured disc or even a fracture, the cause is often mysterious.

Many people assume that a “thrown” back is due to disc herniation (or disc bulge or rupture), meaning that a disc has stretched or “slipped” out of place and is pressing on a nerve. (That may be where the notion of “thrown out” comes from.) But more often than not, a disc cannot be blamed for back pain. Even rarer causes of severe back pain are infections or tumors; fortunately, of all back pain, these represent less than 1 percent of cases. In the absence of obvious injury (such as a motor vehicle accident), a sudden “movement” of the bones of the spine is not a typical cause of sudden back pain. Despite everything that’s known about back pain, we still don’t know why most back pain occurs; we simply do not understand it well enough to identify the cause in most cases.

Treating the 'Thrown Back'
For many people with back pain, the name of the condition is much less important than what can be done to reduce pain. Even though the diagnosis can sometimes direct the choice of treatment, for most of the common causes of back pain, treatments are similar. Here are some of the most popular options:

Physical therapy — This may include a program of stretching and exercises, advice about posture and how to safely lift objects.

Over-the-counter or prescription medications — Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory agents and muscle relaxants are among the most effective and often will be needed only for a short time.

Chiropractic care — Some people experience more rapid pain relief with chiropractic therapy.

Complementary and alternative therapies — Treatments such as acupuncture and massage may be helpful, although most of them are unproven remedies.

Injections and surgery — If sudden and severe pain does turn out to be due to a ruptured (or herniated) disc and other treatment options prove ineffective, an injection of corticosteroids with a long-acting anesthetic agent may be warranted, as may be surgery.

Specific recommendations will depend on your individual situation. Talk with your health care professional for advice about evaluation and treatment.

How to Prevent More Back Trouble
There are a number of reasonable ways to reduce the risk of recurrent back pain, including:

Lose excess weight.

Wear comfortable, well-cushioned shoes with low heels.

Go easy on your back — when you need to move a heavy object, get help, divide the package up, or use a dolly rather than doing it on your own.

Adjust your computer terminal and work station or have an “ergonomic evaluation” by your employer to see whether your work environment contributed to your back pain.

Stretch and exercise regularly.

Talk to your doctor about taking extra calcium, vitamin D and a weight-bearing-exercise program to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fracture. Additional bone-building drugs also may be recommended.

The Bottom Line
Sometimes a phrase used to describe an experience or a condition takes on importance and meaning beyond what it truly deserves. The concept of “throwing your back out” is one such a phrase. It suggests a structural problem in the back that is not present in most cases. Rather than illuminating the condition, the term misleads and should probably be abandoned. Don’t be surprised if your doctor uses different terms to describe your back condition than you do, or if different doctors use different terms (such as strain, muscle spasm, ligament injury or degenerative disc disease), because the difficult truth is that most back pain is difficult to name.

Ref: Harvard Health Publications.

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[rangi15]

Eye Health - Cataracts

What is a cataract?
A cataract is a painless, cloudy area in the lens of the eye that blocks the passage of light to the retina. The retina is the nerve layer at the back of the eye. Cataracts usually cause vision problems.

What causes cataracts?
A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Aging and exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause cataracts. Changes in the lens of the eye are often a normal part of the aging process and are common in older people, but they do not necessarily lead to cataracts.

Cataracts can also occur after an eye injury, as a result of eye disease, after the use of certain medications, or as a result of medical conditions such as diabetes.

Sometimes children are born with cataracts.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Not all cataracts affect vision. However, cataracts can cause cloudy, fuzzy, or foggy vision and glare from lamps or the sun. Driving at night may be difficult because of severe glare produced by headlights. You may need frequent changes to your eyeglasses prescription, and you may experience double vision in one eye or second sight, a temporary improvement in near vision in farsighted people.

How are cataracts diagnosed?
Cataracts are diagnosed with a physical exam and medical history. Further testing may be used to confirm the presence of a cataract or rule out other conditions that may be affecting vision.

How are cataracts treated?
Surgery is the only effective means of treating vision loss caused by cataracts.

Whether or not you need to have cataract surgery depends on the degree to which the cataract interferes with your daily activities. Surgery is almost always by choice (elective) and can be scheduled when it is convenient.

Cataracts in older adults do not always need to be removed. The vision loss that results from cataracts often develops slowly and may never become severe. Many people with cataracts adapt very well with the help of eyeglasses, contacts, and other vision aids and are able to avoid or delay surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about cataracts:
What is a cataract?
What causes cataracts?
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
What increases the risk of cataracts?
Can cataracts be prevented?
Who is affected by cataracts?

Being diagnosed:
How are cataracts diagnosed?
Who can diagnose cataracts?
How can I tell if my child has cataracts?

Getting treatment:
How are cataracts treated?
Are cataracts in children treated differently?
Is there medication that can treat cataracts?
Is surgery always necessary?
Can cataracts be treated at home?
Should I have cataract surgery?

Ongoing concerns:
Will cataracts get worse over time?
Can cataracts be inherited?
Is vision loss from a cataract permanent?

Living with cataracts:
How can I make living with the effects of cataracts easier?
What are the benefits of surgery?
How successful is surgery for cataracts?


Author: Merrill Hayden Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology

[shootportraits]

Very interesting thank you!

[rangi15]

Influenza - When To Call a Doctor.

Call your health professional immediately if:

Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4° (38°) or higher.
You suspect your baby younger than 3 months has a fever, but you are unable to measure his or her temperature.
You think or know your child younger than 4 years has an extremely high fever [105°F (40.56°C) or higher measured rectally].
You or your child 4 years of age or older has an oral temperature over 104° (40°).
You or your child has labored, shallow, rapid breathing with shortness of breath.
You or your child has a fever with a severe headache or stiff neck or seems confused or hard to wake.
Call your health professional if:

Symptoms had improved but seem to be getting worse again.
Signs of Reye's syndrome, such as drowsiness and confusion, develop 3 to 7 days after the start of symptoms of the flu or another viral respiratory illness. Reye's syndrome can be a very serious illness in children and teens.
Signs of a bacterial infection develop, such as an ear infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Influenza develops in a person older than 65 who has other health problems (lung, heart, or kidney disease or diabetes) or in someone who is being treated with chemotherapy for cancer.
Influenza develops in a person of any age who has a long-term respiratory illness, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Symptoms include temperature over 101° (38.3°), shaking chills, and a cough that produces mucus from the lungs (productive cough).
Fever is high or prolonged. See the fever guidelines for ages 3 and younger or for ages 4 and older. However, it is common for adults with the flu to have high fevers [up to 103° (39.4°)] for 3 to 4 days. If many people in your community have similar symptoms and it is flu season, it is likely you have the flu and don't need to see a health professional. However, if you have any concerns, contact your health professional.
Watchful Waiting
In most healthy people, the flu will go away in 5 to 7 days, though fatigue can last much longer. Although you may feel very sick, home treatment is usually all that is needed. If it is flu season, you may just want to treat your symptoms at home. Watch closely for signs of a bacterial infection, such as nasal drainage that changes from clear to colored after 5 to 7 days and symptoms that return or get worse.

Early treatment (within 48 hours of your first symptoms) with antiviral medications may reduce the severity of influenza. However, it is not certain whether antiviral medications can prevent serious flu-related complications. 3 Complications, which occur especially in infants, older adults, and people who have chronic health problems, may require a visit to a health professional and care beyond home treatment.

Call your health professional if you have any concerns that your symptoms are caused by something other than the flu.

Who To See
These health professionals can diagnose and treat the flu:

Nurse practitioner
Physician assistant
Family physician
Pediatrician
Internist
A doctor who specializes in treating infectious diseases may be needed if the diagnosis is unclear or if severe complications develop.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

Author: Amy Fackler, MA Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Marvin Turck, MD - Infectious Diseases

[shootportraits]

Wow! Rangi15 are you a Doc? It's interesting to read this especially if it's right in front of you.Thanks!
Want more on health.

[rangi15]

[shootportraits]

Rangi15: You're welcome.
Do you have any info in bruisites, about the joints on your shoulders? (Frozen shoulder)
Mom was bedridden for three yrs and I was her caregiver, I was lifting her to and fro from her bed to her wheelchair, and it findly hit me after she past away.

I was in severe pain, and one doc gave me a shot of steroid for the pain, but the next visit he didn't want to give me that shot for the other shoulder, I stayed with that pain and took all sorts of over the counter pills and it didn't work. Finally I tried vitamin B12.

I still can't really lift one of my arm up all the way, and the pain is not that bad right now. But would like any info you can post. Thank you!

[rangi15]

Shootportraits, Here is a little information on your shoulder injury.
I will post new information on some alternative medicine as you may not want to have any surgery done.
I am not sure of your age, but you have to be very careful getting steroid shots. My wife had steroid shots for her back pain and it messed up her period cycle, caused heavy bleeding and period pain for a few months.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Most of the time, treatment for rotator cuff injuries involves exercise therapy. Your doctor or a physical therapist will talk with you about specific exercises designed to help heal your injury, improve the flexibility of your rotator cuff and shoulder muscles and provide balanced shoulder muscle strength. Depending on the severity of your injury, physical therapy may take from three weeks to several months.

Other treatments may include:

Steroid injections. Depending on the severity of your pain, your doctor may use a corticosteroid injection to relieve inflammation and pain.
Surgery. If you have a large tear in your rotator cuff, you may need surgery to repair the tear. Sometimes during this kind of surgery, doctors may remove a bone spur or calcium deposits. The surgery may be performed as an open repair through a 6- to 10-centimeter incision, or as an arthroscopic repair with the aid of a small camera inserted through a smaller incision.

Arthroplasty. Some long-standing shoulder muscle tears may contribute to the development of rotator cuff arthropathy, which can include severe arthritis. In such cases, your doctor may discuss with you more extensive surgical options, including partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) or total shoulder replacement (prosthetic arthroplasty). A unique treatment option now available involves the use of a reverse ball-and-socket prosthesis. This reverse shoulder prosthesis is most appropriate for people who have very difficult shoulder problems. These include having arthritis in the joint, along with extensive tears of multiple muscles and tendons (rotator cuff) that support the shoulder, or having extensive rotator cuff tears and a failed previous shoulder joint replacement.

Ref: Mayoclinic Health.

[shootportraits]

Thanks rangi15. I never got that shot though. The doc. said it couldn't travel from one shoulder to another. But it did. He wanted to run more test, and at the time I couldn't afford to keep going back to him if he wasn't going to make the pain go away. so I delt with the pain for almost a yr. on one shoulder.

Surgery is out for me. I am a wuss. However, the pain was so horrible and it's not as bad as it is now. Does this sometimes have to do with stress?
Someone told me, it might. Dealing with alot of stress and caring for mother was stressful. I am now fine, just would like to know more how to deal w/out having to have surgery. I am 49. And thank you!
Exercise is important for recovery I assume.

[rangi15]

Shootportraits, Yes exercise is important, but mobility is even more important. Any joint that isn't used can freeze up. If you don't use it, you'll lose it, just ask anyone that has had a bad broken leg. The muscles and ligaments atrophy and recovery can be a long drawn out process, in which stretching and mobility exercises become standard.
Joints are the same but calcification build up in the joint can make the recovery process painful. Try theraputic massage, as this may loosen the build up. Okay here is some alternative medicine.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM).

There are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are outside the realm of conventional medicine as practiced in the United States. This fact sheet explains how the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health, defines some of the key terms used in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Terms that are underlined in the text are defined at the end of this fact sheet.



Complementary and alternative medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by NCCAM, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.1,2 While some scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies--questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used.

The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.





Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other?

Yes, they are different.

Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.

Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.



What is integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine, as defined by NCCAM, combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety
and effectiveness.





What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine?
NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories, or domains:

1. Alternative Medical Systems

Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

2. Mind-Body Interventions

Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.

3. Biologically Based Therapies

Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements,3 herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).

4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods

Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.

5. Energy Therapies

Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:

Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.


Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.




What is NCCAM's role in the field of CAM?
NCCAM is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM. NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals.





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Notes
1 Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. Other terms for conventional medicine include allopathy; Western, mainstream, orthodox, and regular medicine; and biomedicine. Some conventional medical practitioners are also practitioners of CAM.

2 Other terms for complementary and alternative medicine include unconventional, non-conventional, unproven, and irregular medicine or health care.

3 Some uses of dietary supplements have been incorporated into conventional medicine. For example, scientists have found that folic acid prevents certain birth defects and that a regimen of vitamins and zinc can slow the progression of an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD).



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Definitions
Acupuncture ("AK-yoo-pungk-cher") is a method of healing developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Today, acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

Aromatherapy ("ah-roam-uh-THER-ah-py"): involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.

Ayurveda ("ah-yur-VAY-dah") is a CAM alternative medical system that has been practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and treatment.

Chiropractic ("kie-roh-PRAC-tic") is a CAM alternative medical system. It focuses on the relationship between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as an integral treatment tool.

Dietary supplements. Congress defined the term "dietary supplement" in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A dietary supplement is a product (other than tobacco) taken by mouth that contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet. Dietary ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites. Dietary supplements come in many forms, including extracts, concentrates, tablets, capsules, gel caps, liquids, and powders. They have special requirements for labeling. Under DSHEA, dietary supplements are considered foods, not drugs.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs, also called electric and magnetic fields) are invisible lines of force that surround all electrical devices. The Earth also produces EMFs; electric fields are produced when there is thunderstorm activity, and magnetic fields are believed to be produced by electric currents flowing at the Earth's core.

Homeopathic ("home-ee-oh-PATH-ic") medicine is a CAM alternative medical system. In homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that "like cures like," meaning that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms.

Massage ("muh-SAHJ") therapists manipulate muscle and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being.

Naturopathic ("nay-chur-o-PATH-ic") medicine, or naturopathy, is a CAM alternative medical system. Naturopathic medicine proposes that there is a healing power in the body that establishes, maintains, and restores health. Practitioners work with the patient with a goal of supporting this power, through treatments such as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, dietary supplements, medicinal plants, exercise, homeopathy, and treatments from traditional Chinese medicine.

Osteopathic ("ahs-tee-oh-PATH-ic") medicine is a form of conventional medicine that, in part, emphasizes diseases arising in the musculoskeletal system. There is an underlying belief that all of the body's systems work together, and disturbances in one system may affect function elsewhere in the body. Some osteopathic physicians practice osteopathic manipulation, a full-body system of hands-on techniques to alleviate pain, restore function, and promote health and well-being.

Qi gong ("chee-GUNG") is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi (an ancient term given to what is believed to be vital energy) in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune function.

Reiki ("RAY-kee") is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the belief that when spiritual energy is channeled through a Reiki practitioner, the patient's spirit is healed, which in turn heals the physical body.

Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient technique called laying-on of hands. It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the current name for an ancient system of health care from China. TCM is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage.

[shootportraits]

Thank you doctor rangi15

I read all of it, and you should have been my doctor then. However, I did try acupuncuture and it had gotten worse for me. Reading this does give me a boost. Thank you so much

BTW I'll try that massage. thanks once again.

[rangi15]

Naturopathic Medicine.

What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine (or naturopathy) is based on the belief that the body can heal itself naturally. Naturopathic medicine attempts to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness by promoting the use of organic foods and exercise; encouraging a healthy, balanced lifestyle; and applying concepts from other areas of complementary medicine (such as ayurveda, homeopathy, and herbal therapies).

Naturopathy was developed in the late 1800s in the United States. Today, a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) attends a 4-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and studies the same basic sciences as a medical doctor (MD). However, the ND also studies alternative approaches to therapy, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and bodywork.

Most traditional naturopathic physicians (naturopaths) believe in natural therapies, such as nutritional and lifestyle counseling. They generally avoid prescribing medicines or performing surgery. However, some naturopaths prescribe herbal medicines, homeopathic dilutions, nutritional supplements, or perform minor surgeries. The disagreement over specific practice guidelines and licensing requirements in different states has led to some public confusion about the role of the naturopath.

What is naturopathy used for?
People use naturopathic medicine for promoting good health, preventing disease, and treating illness. Most naturopaths can treat earaches, allergies, and other common medical problems. Naturopathic medicine tries to find the underlying cause of the condition rather than focusing solely on treating symptoms. A properly trained naturopathic physician works with other health professionals, referring people to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

Is naturopathy safe?
Two of the biggest concerns about naturopathic medicine are the use of dietary fasting and a bias against immunization (vaccinations).

Talk with your medical doctor before fasting (not eating or drinking, or consuming only liquids for a period of time). Fasting can be dangerous, especially if you have a disease such as diabetes.
Some naturopaths do not believe that immunization is necessary. Before immunizations became available, childhood illnesses caused large numbers of deaths and long-term health problems and provided survivors with natural immunity. The benefits of immunization greatly outweigh the risks. 1
Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Naturopathy licensing varies from state to state. Not all states require naturopaths to be licensed. Also, not all naturopathic educational programs are the same. Some schools grant degrees that are not accepted by state licensing boards. In the United States, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit naturopathic programs and colleges.

Before you choose a naturopath, find out whether the person graduated from an accredited college. Also check to see whether your state has licensing laws that govern the practice of NDs. If your state licenses NDs, ask your prospective ND whether he or she is licensed.

Related Information
Chronic Pain
Complementary Medicine
References
Citations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003). Six common misconceptions about vaccination and how to respond to them. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/6mishome.htm.

Ref: Author: Christopher Hess
Paul Lehnert Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Marc S. Micozzi, MD, PhD - Policy Institute for Integrative Medicine

[shootportraits]

Rangi15: Do you have any about Diebetes?
And what kind of food should be consumed?
How about Gout?
What are the food can you consume when you have gout?
Thanks , really appreciate it.

btw: thank you for that diabeties post too, I must have missed that while I was reading that eye part. Mother had it, and it had interest me. Thank you.