Neuropathy Treatment Alternatives With Video Explanations Vid

Today's post from aboutperipheralneuropathy.blogspot.com (see link below) is useful for many neuropathy patients searching for alternative treatments after almost all else has failed. The difference with other similar posts here on the blog is that it uses videos to illustrate the information given and these automatically lead to a better understanding compared with a black and white text. That is not to say that everything you see here is 100 % true, or will certainly work. That depends on the user and it would be advisable to do much more research of your own into each of these treatments and maybe discuss it with your doctor before beginning. St. John's Wort for instance, is a definite no-no for people under treatment for HIV because it interferes with the workings of the HIV drugs. Therefore, doing your own background investigations is very important. However, the information you see here is extremely useful, if only to convince you that a particular treatment is not for you. Cost is also an issue for many people whose insurance doesn't cover such alternative therapies. Nevertheless, worth a read.

Alternative Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy
Posted 1 week ago by Srikanth R  Jan 1 2017
 
Peripheral means beyond, here, beyond the brain and the spinal cord. Neuro means related to nerves. Pathy is a suffix derived from the Greek term pathos, which means suffering or disease.


Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when the peripheral nerves do not function properly due to damage.

Here are some alternative treatments for peripheral neuropathy.

Yoga

Yogasanas like Pawanamukthasana and Adho Mukha Shwanasana are helping many peripheral neuropathy patients mamage the disease.



Herbs

St. John's Wort alleviates pain. Capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory substance found in chili peppers. Topical creams containing this substance reduce burning sensation.





L-Carnitine

Human body produces L-carnitine and stores it in organs like brain and liver. Diabetics who display neuropathy symptoms may regain regular sensation in their limbs by increasing L-carnitine levels in the body. This is as per experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center. 


 
Vitamins

Peripheral neuropathy may also be caused by deficiency in vitamins B1, B12 and E. In these cases consuming foods containing these vitamins may reduce symptoms.







Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids called gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) help diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. This is as per Kathleen Head's statistics in the Alternative Medicine Review. These acids improve blood flow and reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms. 


Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), eases pain caused by nerve damage. 



Tai Chi

Li Li, a professor of kinesiology at LSU, uses Tai Chi to fight peripheral neuropathy.


Alternative treatments are benefitting many peripheral neuropathy patients worldwide.

http://aboutperipheralneuropathy.blogspot.com/2017/01/alternative-treatments-for-peripheral_1.html

Gene Found Thats Responsible For Sensing Pain

Today's post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) is actually another step in the current progress of gene therapy towards handling extreme pain. In this case, researchers have identified a gene that blocks pain-sensing nerve cells in a tiny minority of people who cannot feel pain. The emphasis has always been on researching those cells that do transmit pain signals but this could be equally important in leading to ways of genetically blocking selected pain signals in the future. It's a complex subject but this article explains it quite simply and gives us hope that scientists really are on the verge of major breakthroughs when it comes to treating neuropathic chronic pain.

'Pain sensing' gene discovery could help in development of new methods of pain relief 
May 25, 2015 University of Cambridge

A gene essential to the production of pain-sensing neurons in humans has been identified by an international team of researchers co-led by the University of Cambridge. The discovery, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, could have implications for the development of new methods of pain relief.

Pain perception is an evolutionarily-conserved warning mechanism that alerts us to dangers in the environment and to potential tissue damage. However, rare individuals -- around one in a million people in the UK -- are born unable to feel pain. These people accumulate numerous self-inflicted injuries, often leading to reduced lifespan.

Using detailed genome mapping, two teams of researchers collaborated to analyse the genetic make-up of 11 families across Europe and Asia affected by an inherited condition known as congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP). This enabled them to pinpoint the cause of the condition to variants of the gene PRDM12. Family members affected by CIP carried two copies of the variant; however, if they had only inherited one copy from their parents, they were unaffected.

The team looked at nerve biopsies taken from the patients to see what had gone wrong and found that particular pain-sensing neurons were absent. From these clinical features of the disease, the team predicted that there would be a block to the production of pain-sensing neurons during the development of the embryo -- they confirmed this using a combination of studies in mouse and frog models, and in human induced pluripotent stem cells (skin cells that had been reset to their 'master state', which enables them to develop into almost any type of cell in the body).

PRDM12 had previously been implicated in the modification of chromatin, a small molecule that attaches to our DNA and acts like a switch to turn genes on and off (an effect known as epigenetics). The researchers showed that all the genetic variants of PRDM12 in the CIP patients blocked the gene's function. As chromatin is particularly important during formation of particular specialised cell types such as neurons, this provides a possible explanation for why pain-sensing neurons do not form properly in the CIP patients.

"The ability to sense pain is essential to our self-preservation, yet we understand far more about excessive pain than we do about lack of pain perception," says Professor Geoff Woods from the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research at the University of Cambridge, who co-led the study. "Both are equally important to the development of new pain treatments -- if we know the mechanisms that underlie pain sensation, we can then potentially control and reduce unnecessary pain."

PRDM12 is only the fifth gene related to lack of pain perception to have been identified to date. However, two of the previously-discovered genes have already led to the development of new pain killers that are currently been tested in clinical trials.

"We are very hopeful that this new gene could be an excellent candidate for drug development, particularly given recent successes with drugs targeting chromatin regulators in human disease," adds Dr Ya-Chun Chen from the University of Cambridge, the study's first author. "This could potentially benefit those who are at danger from lack of pain perception and help in the development of new treatments for pain relief."

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by University of Cambridge. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
Jan Senderek et al. Transcriptional regulator PRDM12 is essential for human pain perception. Nature Genetics, May 2015 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3308

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150525120428.htm

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E CIGARETTES UNHELPFUL IN SMOKING CESSATION AMONG CANCER PATIENTS

In a new study of cancer patients who smoke, those using e-cigarettes (in addition to traditional cigarettes) were more nicotine dependent and equally or less likely to have quit smoking traditional cigarettes than non-users. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings raise doubts about the potential benefits of e-cigarettes for helping cancer patients give up smoking

Because of the risks of persistent smoking, all cancer patients who smoke should be advised to quit. But the rising use of e-cigarettes has raised many questions among patients and their health care providers including whether e-cigarette use helps or hinders quitting efforts. Even regulators are struggling with the complexities associated with e-cigarettes as they weigh the benefits and risks to the general population and subgroups of individuals.

To examine available clinical data about e-cigarette use and cessation among cancer patients, Jamie Ostroff, PhD, of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and her colleagues studied 1074 cancer patients who smoked and were enrolled between 2012 and 2013 in a tobacco treatment program within a comprehensive cancer center.

The researchers observed a three-fold increase in e-cigarette use from 2012 to 2013 (10.6 percent versus 38.5 percent). At enrollment, e-cigarette users were more nicotine dependent than non-users, had more prior quit attempts, and were more likely to be diagnosed with lung or head and neck cancers. At follow-up, e-cigarette users were just as likely as non-users to be smoking. Seven day abstinence rates were 44.4 percent versus 43.1 percent for e-cigarette users and non-users, respectively (excluding patients who were lost to follow-up).

"Consistent with recent observations of increased e-cigarette use in the general population, our findings illustrate that e-cigarette use among tobacco-dependent cancer patients has increased within the past two years," said Dr. Ostroff. She stressed that the study had several limitations, and additional studies are required. "Controlled research is needed to evaluate the potential harms and benefits of e-cigarettes as a potential cessation approach for cancer patients. In the meantime, oncologists should advise all smokers to quit smoking traditional combustible cigarettes, encourage use of FDA-approved cessation medications, refer patients for smoking cessation counseling, and provide education about the potential risks and lack of known benefits of long-term e-cigarette use ."

Neuropathy Knowledge What Is The Spinal Cord

Today's post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) is the fifth part of a series from the same source providing readers with explanations and information about many of the medical terms they hear when researching neuropathy, or sitting in the doctor's surgery and talking about it. Today it explains how the 'spinal cord' works and gives related definitions of other words associated with its importance in the body. Worth following the links if you have the time.

Spinal cord
Science Daily via Wikipedia

The spinal cord is a part of the vertebrate nervous system that is enclosed in and protected by the vertebral column (it passes through the spinal canal).

It consists of nerve cells.

The cord conveys the 31 spinal nerve pairs of the peripheral nervous system, as well as central nervous system pathways that innervate skeletal muscles.

For more information about the topic Spinal cord, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:


Peripheral nervous system — The peripheral nervous system or PNS, is part of the nervous system, and consists of the nerves and neurons that reside or extend outside the central ...  read more


Central nervous system — The central nervous system (CNS) represents the largest part of the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. Together with the ...  read more


Motor neuron — In vertebrates, motor neurons (also called motoneurons) are efferent neurons that originate in the spinal cord and synapse with muscle fibers to ... read more


Sensory neuron — Sensory neurons are nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism's environment into internal ...  read more


Sympathetic nervous system — The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which also includes the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The ...  read more


Phantom limb — Phantom limb is a phantom sensation in amputated or missing limbs. A phantom sensation is a feeling that a missing limb is still attached to the body ... read more


Nociceptor — A nociceptor is a sensory receptor that sends signals that cause the perception of pain in response to potentially damaging stimulus. Nociceptors are ...  read more


Spina bifida — Spina bifida describes birth defects caused by an incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches of the spine, resulting in malformations of the ...  read more


Nervous system — The nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and also stops input from the senses, and ...  read more


Parasympathetic nervous system — The parasympathetic nervous system is one of three divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Sometimes called the rest and digest system, the ... read more


http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/s/spinal_cord.htm

ARE YOU AS OLD AS WHAT YOU EAT

Researchers from UCL (University College London) have demonstrated how an interplay between nutrition, metabolism and immunity is involved in the process of aging

The two new studies, supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), could help to enhance our immunity to disease through dietary intervention and help make existing immune system therapies more effective.

As we age our immune systems decline. Older people suffer from increased incidence and severity of both infections and cancer. In addition, vaccination becomes less efficient with age.

In previous BBSRC funded work, Professor Arne Akbar's group at UCL showed that aging in immune system cells known as 'T lymphocytes' was controlled by a molecule called 'p38 MAPK' that acts as a brake to prevent certain cellular functions.

They found that this braking action could be reversed by using a p38 MAPK inhibitor, suggesting the possibility of rejuvenating old T cells using drug treatment.

In a new study published in Nature Immunology the group shows that p38 MAPK is activated by low nutrient levels, coupled with signals associated with age, or senescence, within the cell.

It has been suspected for a long time that nutrition, metabolism and immunity are linked and this paper provides a prototype mechanism of how nutrient and senescence signals converge to regulate the function of T lymphocytes.

The study also suggests that the function of old T lymphocytes could be reconstituted by blocking one of several molecules involved in the process. The research was conducted at UCL alongside colleagues from Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

The second paper, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, showed that blocking p38 MAPK boosted the fitness of cells that had shown signs of aging; improving the function of mitochondria (the cellular batteries) and enhancing their ability to divide.

Extra energy for the cell to divide was generated by the recycling of intracellular molecules, a process known as autophagy. This highlights the existence of a common signaling pathway in old/senescent T lymphocytes that controls their immune function as well as metabolism, further underscoring the intimate association between aging and metabolism of T lymphocytes.

This study was conducted by researchers from UCL, Cancer Research UK, University of Oxford and University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Professor Arne Akbar said: "Our life expectancy at birth is now twice as long as it was 150 years ago and our lifespans are on the increase. Healthcare costs associated with aging are immense and there will be an increasing number of older people in our population who will have a lower quality of life due in part to immune decline. It is therefore essential to understand reasons why immunity decreases and whether it is possible to counteract some of these changes.

"An important question is whether this knowledge can be used to enhance immunity during aging. Many drug companies have already developed p38 inhibitors in attempts to treat inflammatory diseases. One new possibility for their use is that these compounds could be used to enhance immunity in older subjects. Another possibility is that dietary instead of drug intervention could be used to enhance immunity since metabolism and senescence are two sides of the same coin."

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FUTURE OF HYPERTENSION TREATMENT

A new system can perform a one-time minimally invasive catheter-based per cutaneous procedure that has shown to significantly reduce blood pressure--in as little as 30 seconds.

This new technology, developed by Vessix Vascular, has the potential to help the one in three adults in the United States who suffer from hypertension-- a condition that is more common than cancer, diabetes and coronary artery disease combined.

Today, anti-hypertensive drugs are the primary treatment for hypertension. But despite the widespread use of drugs, only about half of hypertensive patients around the world are well controlled, even when multiple medications are taken at optimal dosages.

The V2 system performs a new procedural treatment called renal denervation, which Dr. Mehemet Oz has called "a profound game changer." It uses a short blast of radiofrequency (RF) energy to disable the nerves surrounding the arteries leading to the kidneys, treating one of the key physiological contributors to hypertension.

The V2 Catheter is a balloon catheter with a unique configuration of RF electrodes mounted on its exterior, which makes the procedure faster and safer. It delivers precise temperature controlled RF energy from the V2 RF Generator to both renal arteries in 60 seconds, while the only other competitively marketed Renal Denervation system takes 50-60 minutes.

The rapidity of the V2 treatment promises to reduce patient discomfort as well as exposure to radiation for both the patient and the interventional cardiologist performing the procedure.

Why Isnt Neuropathy Better Known

Today's post from ihavepn.com (see link below) asks the question why so many Americans suffer in silence with neuropathy but the same question can be applied across the world. You can safely bet that 9 out of 10 people on the street will never have heard of it, let alone pronounce it, yet it is so widespread - how's this possible? You get the feeling that we need a sort of advertising organisation on the scale of Saatchi and Saatchi, to promote awareness of neuropathy and the fact that it's one of those diseases that's actually growing instead of decreasing. Modern lifestyles, diets and choices are contributing to this growth and yet there's nothing about neuropathy that makes it sexy for the media. Maybe we need highly visible role models! What do you think?

Why 42 Million Americans Suffer in Silence with Peripheral Neuropathy
July 2015 (no author mentioned)

Imagine that your feet feel like they are asleep while simultaneously on fire, all the while 10,000 pins and needles are poking at them. Your toes and balls of your feet are numb to your touch, and over time this feeling is progressing in your legs and hands too. What if this feeling were chronic and never went away, causing misery both day and night? This is what 42 million Americans are dealing with everyday, it is a condition called “Peripheral Neuropathy” or PN.

President Clinton famously once said “I feel your pain”, and well, unfortunately I do too. you see, I have Peripheral Neuropathy, the condition listed above, and fortunately at this point I just have these awkward feelings in my feet but my fear is that over time it will spread into my legs and my hands and eventually become debilitating.

I had never heard of Peripheral Neuropathy until I started researching the nature of my symptoms. Consider that 42 Million Americans suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy whether very light beginning stage symptoms or late stage debilitating symptoms. That is 14% of the American population. But hold on, that seems like a very high number for a condition that most people don’t even know how to pronounce let alone have heard of. Well the fact is that about half of the 14% or 7% (21 million Americans) just have a very mild form of PN that may manifest itself in just a few numb, tingly toes. Because of this the PN subject does not pay much attention to the symptoms to the degree that they don’t even mention it to their doctor during the official start of their symptoms. Given that, it means there are 21 Million Americans that suffer from much more sever symptoms of PN some of them debilitating to the degree that it affects mobility. Still, I am at a loss to understand why more people do not know about this condition. Several people I have talked to recently have never heard of it let alone pronounce it. With a world population of 7 billion people, more than 500 million people may have this condition today around the world. This is one of those conditions that can really make your life miserable. I know it sounds morose and negative but we suffer in silence, not really sharing our pain and frustration with anyone other than our doctor and close family most of the time. But I think it is time to elevate awareness.

Over time as Peripheral Neuropathy progresses it can become crippling and debilitating. Sure there are drugs that will relieve the pain and discomfort to some degree, often not much more than by a factor of 20%. That is partially due to the fact that many of these drugs were designed to control epileptic seizures that in essence slow down the rate at which the mind perceives pain so that sensation is also slowed and thus abated. The side effects inhibit the thought process of the brain and make people feel like they are zombies. Because of these irritating side effects we have no choice but to look for other alternative treatments.

Let’s first go on the hunt for the primary root cause of this condition. Although there are many contributing factors that cause Peripheral Neuropathy to develop, the leading cause is high glucose or blood sugar levels. You don’t have to be diabetic to be considered having high glucose levels anymore, pre-diabetics are also on the list. Higher than normal glucose levels damage the micro veins and arteries starting with those which are furthest from the heart and have the least amount of circulation, that means your feet and hands. Pre-diabetics and diabetics alike are predisposed to impairing the micro veins and arteries in their extremities.

Once the micro veins and arteries are damaged they no longer can supply oxygen to the nerves in the extremities which ultimately means that the nerve cells begin to die. As these nerve cells die they essentially create intermittent signals of sensation to the brain which are felt as pins and needles, burning, numbness and the occasional shooting of lightening pain in the feet and hands.

Diabetes is growing by leaps and bounds in the United States and many of the western cultures around the world. Fine, but how did we get here? Well it boils down to the fact that in order to provide foods that are fast and economical, our society has opted to consume processed foods over whole foods. Processed foods are foods that contain highly refined ingredients like white rice, bleached flour, white sugar or any unnatural form of food and more important they are extremely high in carbohydrates and low in fibre. Carbohydrates are what you have to keep at reasonable levels in your body because carbohydrates are converted to glucose by your body. Too much glucose in your body ultimately leads to glucose intolerance by your cells which is diabetes. Whole foods are those that are whole and cooked in the home like roast chicken with broccoli or green beans. And no, green beans are not whole if they are from a can because they often add salt and preservatives to the broth. Fresh green beans and other fresh produce from the grocer are what we need to be consuming.

The American fast food diet has been killing us and it is taking its toll, causing us to develop various miserable conditions ultimately related to our diet like Peripheral Neuropathy.

Our first lady, Michelle Obama, has been spreading the word to help our young generation have an appreciation for whole fresh foods and I think she is doing a great job by growing veggies in the White House back yard. What we are really facing here is a very influential processed food industry and lobby that does not want to behave in a way that will promote a healthy lifestyle.

If you really want to make a change with yourself and those companies that are supplying us currently with unhealthy processed foods, then you really need to consider making a change by reducing your carbohydrate intake by preparing your own whole foods. I know that we can’t always do that every single day and there are food deserts in America where it is very challenging. Let’s learn how to read food labels properly so that we really understand what we are about to put in our families bodies. Yes, there are actually good healthy foods that come in paper or plastic packages but you have to read the nutrition information to make sure that you are getting what you want and is right for you.

So now you understand that our love of excessive carbohydrates is what has lead most of us to develop the condition of Peripheral Neuropathy. Now that we know what to do to prevent it, what are we going to do about the millions of people that already have it or are in the process of developing it? Drug companies have medications available that will relieve the discomfort to some degree but you would have to weigh the benefits with the side effects, particularly the ongoing drowsiness and “the zombie lifestyle” you will experience. That is not to say that drugs will not work for some as it likely will be just right for some but a complete flop for others.

Those with PN (Peripheral Neuropathy) need to be on an exploratory quest to 1) stop the symptoms from spreading and 2) relieve the pain and discomfort.

There are many products and services available to those with PN. First and foremost, get as much information from various sources as possible. This will help guide the PN sufferer to make better decisions about treatment options.

Also PN sufferers need to open the lines of communication. The more interest around this topic the more likely that big money will be looking for a real cure. PN sufferers need to start local interest groups that meet regularly on the topic. There are great organization like the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy and the Peripheral Neuropathy Association that a PN sufferer or loved one can take part in.

http://ihavepn.com/million-american-suffer-silence-peripheral-neuropathy/

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Neuropathy Drug Treatment An Assessment 2012

Today's post comes from drmarcspitz.com (see link below), who regular readers of this blog may be familiar with. He is a podiatrist from California who always talks sense about neuropathy and gives a totally unbiased and non-commercial view of the topic at hand. This article sums up the current main drug-treatment approaches to neuropathy and is a good guide to how and why these drugs are used. His advice to talk any treatment over with your doctor is very important - these drugs are not M & M's.

Treating Neuropathy with Neurontin, Lyrica or Cymbalta-the Pros and Cons

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Read any medical journal or peruse any medical friendly websites, it seems that the three most consistently recommended medications for the treatment peripheral neuropathy are Neurontin, Lyrica or Cymbalata. You would think these drugs are the wonder drugs for neuropathy-this not quite accurate. Actually there are many drawback to these medications-let’s take a closer look.

Neurontin-The #1 prescribed medication for neuropathy

Neurontin is commonly prescribed medication for neuropathy pain-that is neuropathy in the feet.
Neurontin (generic name is gabapentin) is an oral medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of seizure for patients who have epilepsy. Gabapentin is classified as an anticovulsant medication. It is also indicated to help relive nerve pain associated with shingles (also called postherpetic neuralgia). While this medication is one of the most prescribed, it was a not developed as a primary treatment for any type of peripheral neuropathy.
There are many side effects associated with the drug with most being, drowsiness, memory problems, lethargy and a sensation of fogginess.” There are many other side effects as well including, allergic reaction, dizziness, headache to name just a few. Is it effective in reducing neuropathy pain?-the verdict is not out. There are wide variety of reported results-however in some studies Neurontin has been reported to be effective less than 50% of the time.

Lyrica-The New Neurontin

Lyrica is chemically related to Neurontin.. It also has been approved by the FDA for diabetic neuropathy-any of use of Lyrica to reduce neuropathy pain other than diabetes is called “off-label.” It is also prescribed for other conditions including pain form shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), fibromyalgia and as adjunctive therapy (meaning working in combination with other medications). It will not restore feeling in the foot nor will it restore damaged nerves.

Cymbalta- #3 but closing fast

Cymbalta is an antideoressant medication. It is used to treat major depressive disorders and general anxiety disorder. It is in the category of antidepressants called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors—SSNRI’s. Cymbalta has also been approved by the FDA to manage pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is used “off label” to treat other types of neuropathy pain.
Like the other medications mentioned, Cymbalta will not reverse damage but may reduce neuropathy pain. It will not restore feeling in the foot.
Cymbalta will not reverse damage but may reduce pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, nausea constipation or diarrhea, dry mouth sleep disturbances among many others.

Should I take any of these drugs for my neuropathy?
Great question and there is no right answer. You have to weigh the benefits versus side effects. Some of my patients relate that the adverse effects of these drugs are actually as a bad or worse than the neuropathy pain. Talk to your physician before starting any of these medications and express your concerns. A word of caution-do not stop taking any of these medications without informing your doctor as sudden withdrawal can lead to seizures.

http://drmarcspitz.com/blog/2012/05/13/treating-neuropathy-with-neurontin-lyrica-or-cymbalta-the-pros-and-cons/

Nerve Damage As A Result Of Cancer Treatment

Today's post from cancernetwork.com (see link below) discusses the neurological consequences of cancer treatment, especially neuropathy, which seems to be occurring more and more frequently according to which chemotherapy drugs are administered. Unfortunately, whatever other medical complications we may have, we're all at risk of cancer of one form or another, therefore neuropathy is showing up more and more as a co-morbidity problem in that area. That said, once it is established that you have nerve damage, the treatment progression is pretty much the same whatever the cause of the nerve problems. This is why neuropathy patients are such a diverse group - there are over 100 causes and over 100 forms but in the end we all face the same treatment regimes, which won't cure the nerve damage but may keep the symptoms under control.
 

Managing Treatment-Related Neurotoxicity
By Michelle Bragazzi, BS, RN May 01, 2015 | ONS 2015
 
Understanding treatment-induced neurotoxicity can be difficult when treating patients with central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. This was a topic of discussion at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 40th Annual Congress, held April 23-26, in Orlando, Florida.

Using a case-based approach, clinical nurse specialist’s Mary Elizabeth Davis, RN, MSN, AOCNS, and Wayne Quashie, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, AOCNS, both from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, explained how nurses can effectively manage the signs and symptoms of CNS toxicity and disease.

Surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy may cause acute or delayed CNS issues such as necrosis, encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage, and myelopathy. Neuropathy—a common symptom associated with chemotherapy—would be considered a peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorder. While all require intervention, treatment options may vary, depending on the extent of the toxicity.

How do you distinguish between toxicity and disease symptomology?

It can be tricky to distinguish tumor recurrence from neurotoxicity. Metabolic imaging and perfusion scans may help decipher between the two. Pathological analysis would be the best way to confirm this, but obtaining another biopsy in a patient with brain cancer can be risky.

Radiation necrosis of the cerebral hemispheres and spinal cord is related to the administration of radiation treatment—especially with higher doses. Patients generally present with cognitive dysfunction, personality changes, increased intracranial pressure (which may result in brain herniation), paresis, and other neurological deficits. While radiation necrosis can be difficult to manage, there are treatment options available:

• Corticosteroid therapy (standard of care)

• Surgery

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

• Bevacizumab

It’s important to keep in mind that while steroid use in patients with CNS tumors is the standard, patients can develop what’s commonly referred to as, “steroid psychosis.” Patients receiving high doses of steroids, those with a psychiatric history, blood-brain barrier damage, and cytochrome P450 inhibition are at risk.

Another toxicity to consider is chemotherapy- and radiation-induced neuropathy. Many patients experience peripheral neuropathy from drugs such as bortezomib, vinca alkaloids, taxanes, and platinum-based therapies. Patients typically complain of a numbness and tingling sensation in the extremities, specifically in the fingers, toes, and feet. Autonomic neuropathy can also occur and causes symptoms such as constipation, erectile dysfunction, bladder retention, and orthostatic hypotension.

Radiation patients may experience neuropathic side effects as well. For patients receiving radiation, specifically to the sacral plexus (colorectal cancer, gynecological cancers) or to the brachial plexus (upper airway cancers), are at risk for developing radiating neuropathic pain.

Currently, there are no established agents available to prevent neuropathic toxicity, but there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options available:

• Duloxetine

• Anticonvulsant drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin)

• Tricyclic antidepressant drugs (nortriptyline, amitriptyline)

• Compounded topical gel containing baclofen, amitriptyline, HCL, and ketamine)

• Refer patients to occupational medicine

• Cognitive and behavioral modifications such as guided imagery for pain control

• Educate patients on safety measures in the home such as water temperature, clutter, and wearing shoes

Lastly, another neurotoxic adverse event that’s referred to as, “chemo brain/chemo fog,” is a form of cognitive dysfunction that healthcare practitioners generally relate to cancer treatment. These patients have difficulty resuming their precancer lifestyle, and it can significantly impact their quality of life. Fatigue, the inability to concentrate and learn new skills, and memory loss are the typical symptoms. Pre-existing conditions and direct neurotoxic effects are associated with chemo brain.

Research studies suggest that cancer patients with undiagnosed, pretreatment cognitive impairment via imaging studies (white and gray matter abnormalities) are at a higher risk of developing chemo brain—especially those receiving high-dose chemotherapy. Pre-existing conditions (existing comorbidities, cognitive dysfunction) are some of the indirect factors contributing to chemo brain. The direct effects from treatment, such as chemical toxicity, inflammatory factors, vascular injury, blood clots, and defects in neural repair, are other possible etiologies.

Nurses need to be diligent about screening cancer patients for chemo brain. Imaging studies and neuropsychological testing should be performed at all patient visits. There are treatment options to also consider for these patients:

• Investigate confounding factors (medications, nutrition, sleep disorders)

• Consider neuropsychiatric evaluation

• Consult occupational therapy

• Administer psychostimulant drugs if necessary (last line of therapy if other interventions have failed)

• Encourage physical activity, but rest periods as well

• Urge patients to limit alcohol or other substances that may alter cognition

• Encourage patients to use memory aids (planners, to-do lists, etc)

Oncology nurses are in a great position to help identify signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity early on. Immediate intervention will maximize the patient’s quality of life, and possibly reduce the need for excessive drug administration.

http://www.cancernetwork.com/ons-2015/managing-treatment-related-neurotoxicity

A Good Explanation Of Autonomic Neuropathy

Many people write to the blog worried that their peripheral neuropathy is turning into Autonomic neuropathy because essential involuntary functions in their bodies seem to be letting them down, alongside their normal neuropathic symptoms. Today's post from lodiseases.com (see link below) provides a comprehensive description of possible features of autonomic neuropathy and will give you enough information to begin a constructive discussion with your doctor or specialist. It is tempting to believe that more of these symptoms apply to you than you think; or that they are all neuropathy-based when in fact they can be the result of aging or other conditions. It's important to have the experts assess your neuropathy. If you have idiopathic neuropathy (no apparent cause) then your account of the progression of symptoms becomes very important - try to keep a record of what's happening and when - it will help your doctor enormously. Remember, individual symptoms of autonomic neuropathy may well be individually treatable, so try not to let it get you down too much.

 

List Of DiseaseS

Diseases Resource and Database

Autonomic neuropathy
lodiseases | December 30, 2012 |

Definition:
Autonomic neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects involuntary body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and digestion.

It isn’t a specific disease. Autonomic neuropathy refers to damage to the autonomic nerves. This damage disrupts signals between the brain and portions of the autonomic nervous system, such as the heart, blood vessels and sweat glands. This can cause decreased or abnormal performance of one or more involuntary body functions.

Autonomic neuropathy can be a complication of a number of diseases and conditions. And some medications can cause autonomic neuropathy as a side effect. Signs, symptoms and treatment of autonomic neuropathy vary depending on the cause, and on which nerves are affected.

Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy vary, depending on which parts of your autonomic nervous system are affected. They may include:
Dizziness and fainting upon standing caused by a drop in blood pressure.
Urinary problems, including difficulty starting urination, urinary incontinence and an inability to completely empty your bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infections.
Sexual difficulties, including problems achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction) or ejaculation problems in men, and vaginal dryness and difficulties with arousal and orgasm in women.
Difficulty digesting food, due to abnormal digestive function and slow emptying of the stomach (gastroparesis). This can cause a feeling of fullness after eating little, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and heartburn.
Sweating abnormalities, such as excessive or decreased sweating, which affects the ability to regulate body temperature.
Sluggish pupil reaction, making it difficult to adjust from light to dark and causing problems with driving at night.
Exercise intolerance, which may occur if your heart rate remains unchanged instead of appropriately increasing and decreasing in response to your activity level.

When to see a doctor
Seek medical care promptly if you begin experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. If you have diabetes, a compromised immune system or another chronic medical condition, see your doctor regularly to be checked for nerve damage.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with type 2 diabetes be screened every year for autonomic neuropathy starting as soon as they receive their diabetes diagnosis. For people with type 1 diabetes, the ADA advises annual screening beginning five years after being diagnosed with diabetes.

Causes:
Autonomic neuropathy can be caused by a large number of diseases and conditions or can be a side effect of treatment for diseases unrelated to the nervous system. Some common causes of autonomic neuropathy include:
Abnormal protein buildup in organs (amyloidosis), which affects the organs and the nervous system.
Autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks and damages parts of your body, including your nerves. Examples include Sjogren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Autonomic neuropathy may also be caused by an abnormal attack by the immune system that occurs as a result of some cancers (paraneoplastic syndrome).
Diabetes, which is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy, can gradually cause nerve damage throughout the body.
Injury to nerves caused by surgery or radiation to the neck.
Treatment with certain medications, including some drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, some antidepressants and some heart medications.
Other chronic illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Certain infectious diseases. Some viruses and bacteria, such as botulism, leprosy and diphtheria, can cause autonomic neuropathy.
Inherited disorders. Certain hereditary disorders can cause autonomic neuropathy.

Treatments and drugs:Treatment of autonomic neuropathy includes:
Treating the underlying disease. The first goal of treating autonomic neuropathy is to manage the disease or condition damaging your nerves. For example, if the underlying cause is diabetes, you’ll need to control your blood sugar to keep it as close to normal as possible. Treating the underlying disease can help stop autonomic neuropathy from progressing.
Managing specific symptoms. Some treatments can relieve the symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. Treatment is based on what part of your body is most affected by nerve damage.

Digestive (gastrointestinal) symptoms
Your doctor may recommend:
Modifying your diet. This could include increasing the amount of fiber you eat and fluids you drink. Supplements containing fiber, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, also may help. Be sure to increase the fiber in your diet slowly to avoid gas and bloating.
Medication to help your stomach empty. A prescription drug called metoclopramide (Reglan) helps your stomach empty faster by increasing the contractions of the digestive tract. This medication may cause drowsiness, and its effectiveness wears off over time.
Medications to ease constipation. Over-the-counter laxatives may help ease constipation. Ask your doctor how often you should use these medications. In addition, increasing the amount of fiber in your diet may help relieve constipation.
Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor), can help treat diarrhea and abdominal pain. Dry mouth and urine retention are possible side effects of these medications.

Urinary symptoms
Your doctor may suggest:
Retraining your bladder. Following a schedule of when to drink fluids and when to urinate can help increase your bladder’s capacity and retrain your bladder to empty completely at the appropriate times.
Medication to help empty the bladder. Bethanechol is a medication that helps ensure complete emptying of the bladder. Possible side effects include headache, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea and flushing.
Urinary assistance (catheterization). During this procedure, a tube is threaded through your urethra to empty your bladder.
Medications that decrease overactive bladder. These include tolterodine (Detrol) or oxybutynin (Ditropan XL). Possible side effects include dry mouth, headache, fatigue, constipation and abdominal pain.

Sexual dysfunction
For men with erectile dysfunction, your doctor may recommend:
Medications that enable erections. Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis) can help you achieve and maintain an erection. Possible side effects include mild headache, flushing, upset stomach and altered color vision. Men with a history of heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure need to use these medications with caution and medical supervision. Seek immediate medical assistance if you have an erection that lasts longer than four hours.
An external vacuum pump. This device helps pull blood into the penis using a hand pump. A tension ring helps keep the blood in place, maintaining the erection for up to 30 minutes.

For women with sexual symptoms, your doctor may recommend:

Vaginal lubricants. If vaginal dryness is a problem, vaginal lubricants may make sexual intercourse more comfortable and enjoyable.

Heart rhythm and blood pressure symptoms
Autonomic neuropathy can cause a number of heart rate and blood pressure problems. Your doctor may prescribe:
Medications that help raise your blood pressure. If you get dizzy or feel faint when you stand up, your doctor may suggest a drug called fludrocortisone acetate. This medication helps your body retain salt, which helps regulate your blood pressure. Other drugs that can help raise your blood pressure include midodrine (ProAmatine) and pyridostigmine (Mestinon). High blood pressure when lying down is a possible side effect of midodrine.
Medication that helps regulate your heart rate. A class of medications called beta blockers helps to regulate your heart rate if your heart rate doesn’t respond normally to changes in activity level.
A high-salt, high-fluid diet. If your blood pressure drops when you stand up, a high-salt, high fluid diet may help maintain your blood pressure.

Sweating
If you experience excessive sweating, your doctor may prescribe:

A medication that decreases perspiration. The drug glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul Forte) can decrease sweating. Side effects may include dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, changes in heart rate, loss of taste and drowsiness.

There is no medication to increase sweating if you have lost the ability to sweat.

 

http://lodiseases.com/448/autonomic-neuropathy.html

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Myasthenia gravis  is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control.

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles.

There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.

Though myasthenia gravis can affect people of any age, it's more common in women younger than 40 and in men older than 60.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

CAUSTICUM 1M- Start treatment with this remedy. Abnormal exhaustability of the voluntary muscles over which control is completely lost

CALCAREA CARB 30- When large back muscles badly torn and there is evidence of formation of fibrous tissues. Pain in the back as a result  thereof

FERRUM METALLICUM 30- An excellent remedy for myasthenia. Weakness of muscles with anemia

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 30- Muscular atrophy with paralysis of muscles and constipation. It has special affinity to lower extremities

STRAMONIUM 30- With easy mobility. Voluntary muscles fail to follow influence of will

ANACARDIUM 30- Cannot control voluntary muscles. Paralysis with imbecility

Gastro Intestinal Problems With Neuropathy

Today's post from blog.diabetv.com (see link below) looks at another underrated and more frequent than you think form of neuropathy - stomach and bowel problems as a result of autonomic neuropathy (affecting the many involuntary functions we take for granted). It's another form of autonomic neuropathy that can be very difficult to pin down for doctors because stomach and bowel problems can have many causes. However, if you have been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy and you suffer from these problems, you need to take into consideration that these may well be a result of your nerve damage. The article gives some helpful explanations and tips but it's important to mention here that you have to be certain you have autonomic neuropathy, before committing to long term stomach and digestion treatments. This is especially true if you're taking medications for both neuropathy and other conditions. Taking many of these stomach and bowel pills may affect the absorption of other necessary medications, with potentially serious consequences. Try all the 'change of diet' and 'patterns of eating' options first and then discuss any drugs for digestion problems with your doctor. The problem is that many of these drugs can be bought over the counter, so it's important to tell your doctor what you're taking. Also, for those who are wondering, gastrointestinal neuropathy is not confined to neuropathy caused by diabetes. Many of these articles refer to diabetic neuropathy but you can safely take the content of these articles and apply it to most other forms of neuropathy - you're neuropathy is relevant here too.

TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEUROPATHY
by Dr. Leonel Porta

When we speak about Diabetic Neuropathy we immediately think of very intense chronic pain in our lower limbs that characterizes Polyneuropathy.

In DiabeTV we’ve talked about the different types of Diabetic Neuropathy and the available treatment possibilities to the dreaded and frequent polyneuropathy.

Today we will focus on the treatment of one of the main components of Autonomic Neuropathy. This is  Gastrointestinal Neuropathy. The variety of symptoms that can occur when this condition is present are many and they deserve equal recognition as tools for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neuropathy.

The most common symptom in this type of Neuropathy is constipation. This can be caused by a delayed gastric emptying (Gastroparesis) caused by reduced contractions of the stomach muscles.

The treatment options for Neuropathy varies and depends on the judgment of your doctor. Generally, several drugs are used and while they do not cure the disease, they will help relieve the symptoms so that the patients improve their quality of life.

Nonetheless, before even considering any treatment, it should be noted that good eating habits can help control Gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal disturbances such as neuropathic diarrhea and stool leaks.

Some of the nutritional measures that can be recommended are the following:

Eat less at each meal. It is preferable to increase the meal frequency than to increase the amount of food consumed.
Eat more slowly.
Sit upright while eating.
Take a walk after meals.
Avoid foods high in fat because they slow down digestion.
Avoid high fiber foods because they can be difficult to digest and can form obstructions inside the intestines.

The most commonly used drugs to improve digestion and improve Gastrointestinal Neuropathy are: 
 
Metoclopramide: (Primperan®) acts on dopamine receptors in the stomach, intestine and brain, stimulating contractions in the stomach to facilitate the emptying of it. It also controls the vomiting reflex in the brain to reduce nausea. Long-term use is not recommended as it can cause agitation, facial spasms and breast pain.
Domperidona (Motilium®): it also acts on dopamine receptors favoring gastric emptying and reducing nausea and vomiting. It must be used under strict medical supervision as it has significant adverse effects on the heart.
Loperamide (Loperam®, Lomotil®, Fortasec®): This is an anti-diarrheic compound which acts on the muscles of the digestive tract diminishing intestinal motility, secretion of fluids and electrolytes, and increases the absorption of water, thus increasing stool consistency .
Antibiotics can be useful to treat some Gastroparesis complications. However, remember that a reduction of the intestinal movement favors bacterial overgrowth.

In severe cases, particularly when other methods fail, there is a surgical procedure called Jejunostomy, and this may be an option. It consists of inserting a tube through the abdominal skin into the small intestine for the administering of nutrients and drugs directly into the intestinal lumen.

As we mentioned before, in most cases, treatment is not a cure for Gastroparesis. Treatment only allows control of the symptoms allowing patients to be as healthy and comfortable as possible. A Jejunostomy will not be necessary if you can keep your glycemia levels under control, follow your medical treatment and the dietary recommendations of your Doctor. Don’t worry about Gastroparesis, just prevent it!

http://blog.diabetv.com/treatment-of-gastrointestinal-neuropathy/

Colon Cancer Drug may cause Neuropathy

It's of course pretty well known that chemotherapy can leave patients with neuropathy as a side effect but how does this have anything to do with HIV- patients, besides the normal percentage who unfortunately contract a form of cancer?
One of the fastest growing cancers, especially for HIV positive men, is colon or rectal cancer and this associated with the alarming rise in HPV infections means that significant numbers of HIV patients are needing cancer treatment.
One of the best known drugs aimed specifically at colon cancer is Oxaliplatin and its success rates make it more and more popular but there's a sting in the tail and that is permanent and debilitating neuropathy. Once more HIV patients are being faced with unexpected extra problems, something we're long used to but the reality is that neuropathy is the price that sometimes has to be paid for extending your life. This article from sciencedaily.com (see link below) explains the pros and cons of using Oxaliplatin. Once again, a serious discussion with the oncologist, neurologist and hiv-specialist is necessary - don't be palmed off without the facts - in that way you avoid nasty surprises!

Popular Colorectal Cancer Drug May Cause Permanent Nerve Damage, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (Sep. 28, 2011)

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based anticancer drug that's made enormous headway in recent years against colorectal cancer, appears to cause nerve damage that may be permanent and worsens even months after treatment ends. The chemotherapy side effect, described by Johns Hopkins researchers in the September issue of Neurology, was discovered in what is believed to be the first effort to track oxaliplatin-based nerve damage through relatively cheap and easy punch skin biopsies.

The Johns Hopkins investigators emphasize that the drug therapy clearly improves length of survival in advanced cancer by months to years, and that the goal of their new study is to find ways of preventing or slowing the damage through nerve-protective therapies identfied through simple skin testing.

Many patients who take oxaliplatin report bothersome neurological side effects, including pain in the hands and feet and a numbness or tingling in the throat that affects swallowing, according to study leader Michael Polydefkis, M.D., M.H.S., associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the EMG Laboratory and Cutaneous Nerve Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Though these symptoms develop over time in the majority of patients, some report neuropathies as early as when the drug is first infused.

To get a better sense of how oxaliplatin affects nerve cells, Polydefkis and his colleagues recruited eight cancer patients about to begin oxaliplatin treatment at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. All had been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.

Before their first oxaliplatin infusion, each patient underwent a comprehensive neurological examination, including nerve conduction testing, a clinical exam to look for signs of nerve damage, and a punch biopsy that removed tiny (3-mm diameter) portions of skin near their knees and ankles. Once oxaliplatin treatment began, consisting of infusions over two days once every two weeks for 12 cycles, the researchers performed the same tests after 30, 90 and 180 days. Another 180 days after they finished with treatment, the patients received one final exam.

Test results showed that each of the patients' nerve function and neuropathy symptoms worsened over time and that results from the punch skin biopsies neatly mirrored the side effect arc. Using a microscope, the researchers saw that nerve cells' long extensions, called axons, degenerated over the course of oxaliplatin therapy. This progression persisted after treatment stopped. Even 180 days after their last doses, seven out of the eight patients' axons continued to wither.

"This drug has rapidly become the standard of care for people with advanced colon cancer, but we really knew little about how oxaliplatin affects nerves over time," he says. "With people living longer lives on oxaliplatin, it's important to know more about these neurological side effects so patients and their physicians can make educated choices on how this drug is used, and perhaps suggest ways to limit the damage."

The new study strongly suggests that punch skin biopsies could be an easy and inexpensive way to follow nerve cell degeneration, a crucial prerequisite for testing the effectiveness of drugs currently in development to trace, prevent or slow nerve damage.

"Skin biopsies can be done pretty easily, uniformly and cheaply anywhere, including hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics, and those places can have the tissue sent to Hopkins for analysis," Polydefkis says. "High-quality neurological testing isn't nearly as easy or economical to do, so it's possible that the biopsies could play a pivotal role in bringing neuroprotective drugs to fruition."

Other Johns Hopkins researchers who participated in this study include Ahmet Z. Burakgazi, M.D., Wells Messersmith, M.D., Dhananjay Vaidya, M.D., Ph.D., Peter Hauer, B.S., and Ahmet Hoke, M.D., Ph.D.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110928105911.htm

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INFLUENZA

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

For most people, influenza resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include

·        Young children under 5, and especially those under 2 years

·        Adults older than 65

·        Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

·        Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum

·        People with weakened immune systems

·        People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes

·        People who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

Causes

Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you've had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you've encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity.

But antibodies against flu viruses you've encountered in the past can't protect you from new influenza subtypes that can be very different immunologically from what you had before.

Symptoms

Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.

Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

·        Fever over 100.4 F (38 C)

·        Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs

·        Chills and sweats

·        Headache

·        Dry, persistent cough

·        Fatigue and weakness

·        Nasal congestion

·        Sore throat

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of developing influenza or its complications include:

Age. Seasonal influenza tends to target young children and older adults.

Living conditions. People who live in facilities along with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more likely to develop influenza.

Weakened immune system. Cancer treatments, anti-rejection drugs, corticosteroids and HIV/AIDS can weaken your immune system. This can make it easier for you to catch influenza and may also increase your risk of developing complications.

Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems, may increase your risk of influenza complications.

Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Women who are two weeks postpartum are also more likely to develop influenza-related complications.

Obesity. People with a BMI of 40 or more have an increased risk of complications from the flu.

Complications

If you're young and healthy, seasonal influenza usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as:

·        Pneumonia

·        Bronchitis

·        Asthma flare-ups

·        Heart problems

·        Ear infections

Pneumonia is the most serious complication. For older adults and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can be deadly

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are effective for treating and the prevention of influenza . Some of the important remedies are given below--

ACONITUM NAPELLUS 30-Aconite is prescribed for Influenza when sudden cold air exposure is the cause. The exposure is followed by immediate fever and watery nasal discharges. Extreme anxiety and restlessness accompany the fever.

ANAS BARBARIAE 30- Controlled scientific studies have proven this remedy effective in treating the flu. It is particularly effective if it is taken during the first 48 hours of onset . There is primarily helpful when the flu has a rapid onset, bursting headache, a painful cough, or when flu symptoms begin after being exposed to a cold wind.

ARSENICUM ALBUM 30- Arsenic Album is one of the excellent remedies for Influenza.It is prescribed when there is a thin watery discharge from the nose. The discharge leads to a burning sensation and most of the times it is accompanied by sneezing. The person’s condition gets worse in cold air. Being in a warm room can provide some relief to the person.Another striking symptom are restlessness with  thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals.

GELSEMIUM 1x—Gelsemium is one of the top remedies for influenza.  Gelsemium is prescribed when there is   running nose, which is bland and sneezing accompanied by pain in eyes and head. The patient may also experience weakness and drowsiness.There is frequent and violent chilliness up and down the back, face flushed and dark red. Aching pain in muscles. No thirst but severe headache that is a leading symptom.

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM 2X- Eupatorium Perfoliatum is of great help to treat the fever in Influenza when the patient experiences severe deep  pain in bones , relieved by pressure and movement. It is also indicated in fever with chill followed by vomiting of bile. Shivering runs down the back and spreads to extremities. The patient also has coryza with sneezing , hoarseness and loose cough. The patient feels dryness of the body.

RHUS TOXICODENDRON 30-Rhus tox is another effective remedy for Influenza.There is constant chilliness as if cold water was poured over the body or as if the blood ran cold through the veins , with pain in limbs. Another prescribing symptoms are restlessness and the patient tosses about in bed which gives relief. The tongue is dry with triangular tip. There is hard tickling cough.

DULCAMARA 30-Dulcamara is one of the best remedies in acute form. It is brought on by wet or change to cold weather. Other symptoms are – eyes suffused, throat sore, cough hurts due to muscular soreness.

BAPTISIA TIN. Q- Baptisia tic. Is effective in epidemic Influenza with besotted countenance , bleary eyes, aching head, sore throat, pains and soreness all over the body and profound prostration. Stupid look with stupor from which it is difficult to arouse the patient.

CAUSTICUM 1000- Causticum is also effective when there is high fever , flushed face, no chilliness, much prostration, could hardly get out of bed. Nose stopped, coryza free , watery. Hoarseness. Dry hacking cough which is persistent.

INFLUENZINUM 200- Influenzinum is a nosode and should be given as an itercurrent remedy when other well selected remedies fail to improve the condition.It is given as preventive in epidemic form of flu. It also cures. Treatment may be started with this remedy.

BRYONIA ALB. 30-Bryonia alb is indicated when flu is complicated with pneumonia. There are shooting pains in muscles which are aggravated by least movement. Dry hacking cough causing much pain in the lungs and chest. There is sweating of the body.

KALI BICHROMICUM 30-Kali bichromicum is indicated for cough after fever which is not dry. Sticky phlegm which can be drawn into a thread. There is weakness , ulceration of the mucus membrane of the nose with pain in the root of the nose and clinkers .

AMMONIUM CARB 200--Ammonium carb. is indicated cough after Influenza when Bryonia and other remedies fail. For such a cough Ammonium carb. should be tried first.

CARBO VEG. 200- Carbo veg is an excellent remedy for post Influenzal symptoms such as prostration, lack of energy, residual bronchitis, burning in soles of feet as if from a red pepper

PREVENTION—Homoeopathic remedies are found to be very effective for the prevention of Influenza. Give Influenzinum 200, in the first day , second day onwards give Arsenic alb 200 two times daily ( morning  and night ) for one week