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The net work of veins carrying blood around the body is prone to inflammation , if circulation is poor , resulting in chilblains , varicose veins and piles , the heart at the center of the system , can also be affected by conditions such as angina and palpitations. Many people suffer these days from pain of Cardiovascular origin; I have discussed below some of the commonest causes of Pain due to CVS origin.
Angina, Known medically as angina pectoris, it causes severe chest pain, usually across the upper part of the body or felt centrally behind the breast bone. The chest pain is described as tightness or feeling of constriction and in about half the patients' pain will radiate down one or both arms and occasionally to the throat or jaw. The arm pain is often described as a numbness, typically the pain is related to exertion, a heavy meal or excitement, it usually passes off after a few minutes rest , but if it continues , a heart attack may have occurred, The pain comes on suddenly during exercise, very occasionally at rest and can be viewed as similar to "cramp" in muscles elsewhere.. It stops once the exercise ceases and rarely lasts for more than a few minutes. Severe angina can be very distressing but is not fatal, and is different from a heart attack when the pain lasts longer, occurs when the patient is at rest and is the result of actual death or infection of muscle tissue.
It occurs in middle aged men more than women and is commoner in those who smoke. It is caused by blockage of the arteries which is the result of "furring up" of the tiny vessels from the deposit of atheroma -a fatty substance related to high cholesterol and other lipid (fatty) substances in the blood. Spasm of the arteries can occur from sudden emotional tension - fear or anger or as the result of long term stress and is thought to be common in those individuals classed as having an "A" type personality (competitive, aggressive, ambitious, time conscious, individuals who very rarely relax and take things easily).
Angina must be taken seriously for if untreated it can lead to heart attacks. So one should always consult a doctor, if chest pain develops for no obvious reason.
Self-Help: It is important that a proper medical examination and diagnosis is made before you embark on a self - help program, but such a program can be of great benefit and be complimentary to any medical treatment.
If you have an attack, stop all activity and lie down to rest, taking slow, regular, diaphragmatic breaths, stop smoking and cut down your alcohol intake. Reduce weight and go on a whole food, caffeine free diet, avoid heavy meals. Learn a relaxation exercise and practice it at least once a day.
Avoid anger - inducing situations and try not to lose your temper. Start a gentle, gradual exercise regularly; avoid sudden intense aerobic exercises (squash, aerobics, and competitive sports).
A practitioner will advise a course of weight reduction diet, exercise and relaxation, raw juice fasting and hydrotherapy will help generally but avoid very cold baths or very hot saunas that put undue stress on the heart.
Dietary and nutritional therapies: Healthy eating advice applies particularly strongly for every condition involving the heart and arteries, eat salads, fish, garlic, red wine, vegetables and fruit. Taking regular supplements of antioxidant nutrients has been shown to have both preventive and recuperative benefits. The main ones are the vitamins A, C and E; the minerals selenium, zinc and magnesium ; the amino acid lysine, the essential fatty acids EPA ( from fish oils ) GLA ( from star flower and evening primrose oils ) and lecithin .
Homoeopathic Medicine:
- Extreme anxiety and fear with palpitations and intense pain in the region of the heart, radiating down the left arm, with numbness in the fingers---- Aconitum
- Pain radiates to the region of the left elbow ---Arnica -montana
- Chest feels as if it is constricted by an iron band, a suffocating feeling with a cold sweat ------Cactus grandiflorus
- Angina pains with associated asthma and muscle cramps -----Cuprum metalicum
- Pain radiates from the back of the breast bone to the arms, much flatulence and labored breathing ------Dioscorea villosa
- Slightest exertion brings on the angina, Palpitation and shortage of breath may also be present ----Glonoine
- Violent cramping pain extending to the armpit and down the arm to the fingers with a numb sensation in the arm -----Latrodactus mactans
- Angina with pain in the right arm ----Lilium tigrinum
- Constricting pains around heart ------Magnesia phos
- Pain extends to the nape of the neck, left shoulder and arm, great anxiety and fear of death ------Naja tripudians
- Pain is sharp and lancinating , angina alternates with voice loss ----Oxalic acid
- A drink of hot water relieves the pain which is violent and greatly aggravated by motion ------Spigelia.
Palpitations are rapid and / or irregular heart beats. The anxiety they cause can often be more serious than the physical problem itself. Palpitations can have a psychological cause such as worry or panic, although they are just as likely to be the result of an infection or having eaten or drunk some thing - such as tea, coffee, alcohol or certain prescribed drugs - that brings on an attack.
Relaxation techniques slow, deep breathing and bio feed back techniques help aid relaxation.
Phlebitis, Inflammation of the veins, usually in the legs, is described as phlebitis. It is linked to varicose veins although it may occur at the site of an injection. Although painful, phlebitis is harmless and normally passes on its own. Effective treatment is simply to raise the leg; wearing elastic stockings and similar supports.
Raynaud's Disease: A pain full condition, Raynaud's disease (known as such when the symptoms develop with no known cause) makes the small arteries of the fingers and toes contract suddenly, and the hands and feet go cold, numb and white, it is associated with exposure to cold and affects mainly young women. Raynaud's phenomenon shares the same symptoms as the disease, but the cause is known.
Dietary and Nutritional Therapies : Iron rich foods such as liver , chicken , dark green leafy vegetables , soyabeans and black kidney beans can help as multivitamin and mineral supplements containing vitamins C, E and B-complex , along with copper, iron and selenium. Caffeine rich drinks such as coffee and tea constrict blood vessels and reduce iron absorption, so are best avoided. Smoking also impairs circulation by constricting the blood vessels and causing hardening of the arteries.
Bio feed back: Learning bio feed back techniques enables you to improve circulation by controlling muscular tension. Elevating the leg is the simplest and most effective way of easing pain caused by phlebitis but make sure that the no pressure on the calf. Avoid prolonged rest in which may lead to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
The Mediterranean diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, garlic and a little red wine is beneficial to the "Cardiovascular system".
Poor circulation: Aches and pains in parts of the body other than the heart are occasionally the result of poor or interrupted circulation. The hands, legs and feet are commonly affected, medical advice is necessary, since interruption may lead to tissue death. Poor circulation any where in the body can be helped by diet, taking regular cardiovascular exercise and stress reduction.
Chilblains: Caused by a combination of extreme cold and poor circulation, chilblains appear as reddish-blue swellings that itch and burn. They usually occur on the hands and feet. If you have been exposed to extreme cold, seek medical advise to rule out frost bite, in which tissue loss can occur.
Homoeopathic medicines found useful in chilblains are:
For burning, itching and inflamed skin apply Rhus tox and Graphitis cream twice daily. Take Agaricus-mus every 3 hours or Carbo-veg if chilblains feel worse in a warm bed. For split or cracked skin apply Tamas ointment and Petroleum 3 times daily for 2 weeks.
Naturopathy: Mix the white of an egg and a table spoon of flour with glycerin and honey, work it into a paste and spread it over the affected part (do not rub), cover with a cloth or bandage and leave for 24 hours. Foods rich in vitamin E such as seeds, nuts, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and wheat germ or supplements and the herb Echinacea can also aid recovery.
Dietary and Nutritional Therapies: Healthy eating advise applies particularly strongly for every condition involving the heart and arteries, along with a "Mediterranean" diet onion, ginger, chillipeppers and alfalfa seeds have all been shown to aid circulation if eaten regularly. Taking supplements of antioxidant nutrients also has proven benefits; the main ones are the vitamins A, C and E, the minerals, selenium, zinc and magnesium, amino acid- lysine, the essential fatty acid (from fish oils) and GLA, lecithin.
Varicose Veins: Varicose veins are small pockets of congestion in the veins, caused by poor circulation, the veins show as lumps that can be both painful and itchy and may lead to phlebitis. Women suffer far more than men, with pregnancy being a common cause, other causes are not taking enough exercise standing still for long periods and being over weight.
Dietary and Nutritional Therapies: Drinking combinations of vegetable juices is claimed to be effective for varicose veins.
Try the Following Blends : carrot , celery and parsley , carrot , celery and spinach ; carrot , spinach and turnip ;carrot , beetroot and cucumber juiced water cress on its own may also help . Raw beet apricots, cherries, rosehips, blackberries and buck wheat are also all claimed to be beneficial, taking supplements of vitamins C and E along with lecithin is advised.
Atherosclerosis: The arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries occurs as part of the natural process of ageing , as the arteries lose their elasticity and become more rigid and hard. If this is accompanied by the deposit of cholesterol and the fatty substance on the artery walls, it may lead to atherosclerosis which will reduce blood circulation to different parts of the body, leading to angina or strokes. Narrowing of the arteries in the legs leads to cramp on walking or ulcers on the legs and eventually gangrene.
Preventive and Self-Help: Follow a strict diet to help reduce your cholesterol, you should also take plenty of exercise, cut out smoking and learn to relax or meditate.
Food To Avoid: butter, animals fats, lard milk, cream, meat (especially red) high fat cheese, fried food, white bread, cakes and biscuits, white sugar, salt, too much alcohol.
Healthy option: vegetable oil, margarine, semi-skimmed milk, yogurt, soya milk, fish, pulses, chicken, tofu/soya, cottage cheese, curd cheese, grilled and boiled food, whole meal bread, oats, honey or molasses, low sodium salt only one or two glasses a day . Add onion and garlic to diet.
Stroke:
Caused by a sudden cutting off the blood supply to part of the brain, strokes vary according to the area involved and the amount of damage to the brain tissue. The symptoms can be any thing from loss or diminution of muscle power in the affected part of the body to total coma and eventual death. As well as using homoeopathic treatment, first aid procedures should be carried and while waiting for medical assistance.
Homoeopathic Medicines:
Anxiety in the early stage of a minor stroke -----Aconitum 30 C - one dose as soon as possible after the event, followed in the first few days by Arnica montana 30 C - three times a day for three days.
If unconscious - Arnica Montana 200 C -give one crushed tablet under or on the tongue.
If dusky, flushed and collapsed with a slow pulse and dilated pupils -Opium 200C, give one crushed tablet under or on the tongue.
If known to have high blood pressure -Strychninum 200C, take one crushed dose under or on the tongue.
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