Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme expressions of anger, often to the point of uncontrollable rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. IED is marked by several discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of property. It occurs most often in young men.

IED should be distinguished from Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition, Aggressive Type, which is diagnosed when the pattern of aggressive episodes is judged to be due to the direct physiological effects of a diagnosable general medical condition.

IED attacks are out of proportion to the social stressors triggering them and are not due to another mental disorder or the effects of drugs or alcohol, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

This is more common than once thought, according to study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health in a June 2006, but is relatively rare in people aged 60 and older. Intermittent explosive disorder "is very widely distributed in the population rather than being concentrated in any one segment of society," one researcher writes.

People with intermittent explosive disorder may have an imbalance in the amount of serotonin and Testosterone in their brains. Individuals with Intermittent Explosive Disorder sometimes describe intense impulses to be aggressive prior to their aggressive acts.

Signs and symptoms--

Explosive eruptions, usually lasting 10 to 20 minutes, often result in injuries and the deliberate destruction of property. These episodes may occur in clusters or be separated by weeks or months of nonaggression.

Aggressive episodes may be preceded or accompanied by:

- Chest tightness

- Head pressure

- Hearing an echo

- Palpitations

- Tingling

- Tremor

Causes--

Most people with this disorder grew up in families where explosive behavior and verbal and physical abuse were common. Being exposed to this type of violence at an early age makes it more likely for these children to exhibit these same traits as they mature.

There may also be a genetic component, causing the disorder to be passed down from parents to children. Other conditions that must be ruled out before making a diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder include delirium, dementia, oppositional defiant disorder, antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, panic attacks, and substance withdrawal or intoxication. Lives have been torn apart by this disorder, but medications can help control you or your loved one's aggressive impulses.

Many psychiatrists do not place intermittent explosive disorder into a separate clinical category, but consider it a symptom of other psychiatric and mental disorders. Many psychiatric disorders are associated with impulsive aggression, but some individuals demonstrate violent outbursts of rage, which are variously referred to as rage attacks, anger attacks, episodic dyscontrol, or intermittent explosive disorder.

Explosive episodes may be associated with affective symptoms such as irritability or rage, increased energy, and racing thoughts during the aggressive impulses and acts, and rapid onset of depressed mood and fatigue after the acts. Some individuals may also report that their aggressive episodes are often preceded or accompanied by symptoms such as tingling, tremors, palpitations, chest tightness, head pressure, or hearing an echo.

Some disorders have similar or even the same symptoms. However, women also have problematic impulsive aggression, and some women have reported an increase in intermittent explosive symptoms when they are premenstrual. The aggressive episodes may take the form of "spells" or "attacks," with symptoms beginning minutes to hours before the actual acting-out. If a patient appears to be intoxicated by a drug of abuse or suffering symptoms of withdrawal, a doctor may order a toxicology screen of the patient's blood or urine to determine the possible source of the acting -out.

Age, race and socioeconomic status don't seem to be factors in predicting who suffers from IED-but gender does: Studies find nearly twice as many men display symptoms than women. Clinicians may be at fault for concentrating on secondary symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, and not asking about outbursts of anger. Sometimes what appears as discipline problems are symptoms of a pathology.

Risk factors--

People with other mental health problems - such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and eating disorders - may be more likely to also have intermittent explosive disorder. Substance abuse is another risk factor. This disorder may result in job loss, school suspension, divorce, auto accidents or incarceration.

IED, an imbalance in brain chemicals, affects up to one in 20 people -- more men than women. IED-related injuries occur 180 times per 100 lifetime cases and is significantly comorbid with most DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance disorders.

Individuals with narcissistic, obsessive, paranoid or schizoid traits may be especially prone to intermittent explosive disorder. As children, they may have exhibited severe temper tantrums and other behavioral problems, such as stealing and fire setting.

IED can fuel road rage, spousal abuse, etc., and may also predispose people to other mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, and substance abuse problems. IED could very well be an overlooked explanation for the frequency of violent crimes committed by violent offenders.

Individuals with intermittent explosive disorder may attack others and their possessions, causing bodily injury and property damage. Later, they may feel remorse, regret or embarrassment about the aggression.

Screening and diagnosis--

The diagnosis is based on these criteria:

- Multiple incidents in which the person failed to resist aggressive impulses that resulted in deliberate destruction of property or assault of another person.

- The aggressive episodes aren't accounted for by another mental disorder, and are not due to the effects of a drug or a general medical condition.

- The degree of aggressiveness expressed during the incidents is completely out of proportion with the precipitating event.

Other conditions that must be ruled out before making a diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder include delirium, dementia, oppositional defiant disorder, antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, panic attacks, and substance withdrawal or intoxication.

People with intermittent explosive disorder may have an imbalance in the amount of serotonin and Testosterone in their brains. They may also show some minor irregularities in neurological signs and electroencephalograms (EEGs).

Treatment--

Many different types of drugs are used to help control intermittent explosive disorder, including:

- Anti-anxiety agents in the benzodiazepine family, such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax).

- Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).

- Antidepressants, such as Fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil).

- Mood regulators like lithium and propranolol (Inderal).

Group counseling sessions, focused on rage management, also have proved helpful. Some people have found relaxation techniques useful in neutralizing anger.

Treatment could involve medication or therapy including behavioral modification, with the best prognosis utilizing a combination of the two. Treatment with antidepressants, including those that target serotonin receptors in the brain, is often helpful, along with behavior therapy akin to anger management.

If the patient appears to be a danger to himself or others, he may be committed against his will for further treatment. Researchers found that although 88% of individuals with IED studied were upset by the results of their explosive outbursts, but only 13% had ever asked for treatment in dealing with it.

Since the cause(s) of IED are not fully understood as of the early 2000s, preventive strategies should focus on treatment of young children (particularly boys) who may be at risk for IED before they enter adolescence. These patients often need psychological treatment along with medication treatment, and it is often very helpful to base their psychological treatment on addiction-based models.

Some patients with IED, often adult males who have assaulted their wives and are trying to save their marriages, are aware that their outbursts are not normal and seek treatment to control them. Younger males with IED are more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment by school authorities or the juvenile justice system, or brought to the doctor by concerned parents.

The success of treatment with lithium and other mood-stabilizing medications is consistent with findings that patients with IED have a high lifetime rate of bipolar disorder. Given its earlier age-of-onset, identifying IED early - perhaps in school-based violence prevention programs - and providing early treatment might prevent some of the associated psychopathology.

While 60 percent of people with IED seek professional treatment for a mood or substance problem, only about 29 percent receive treatment for their anger.

Mark Huttenlocker, M.A. is a family therapist who works with parents of strong-willed, out-of-control teens and preteens. If your child is out-of-control and you're at your wits end, then feel free to use Mark as your own personal parent-coach. Get permanent solutions to your child's behavior problems within 15 seconds from now by visiting his website: http://www.MyOutOfControlTeen.com

A Message from Mark-

"Dear Parents: For many years now I've been running a very successful "off-line" parent program, but I wanted to take it a step further. I wanted to reach out to parents worldwide and help them discover that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. That's when I came up with "Online" Parent Support (OPS). Since its launch in 2004, OPS has overwhelmed users and success rates have been phenomenal."

Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into the legs. The bed sheets feel uncomfortable on your feet and you toss and turn, hoping to drift away into a pleasant slumber. But, the "fire-like" sensation in your toes keeps you awake. You switch positions, wiggle the toes, prop a pillow under the legs, but nothing seems to help. You can only lie in bed and watch the hours on the clock pass by.

Background


Burning, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, shooting and electrical pain are common sensations felt in the feet in individuals with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDN). Neuropathy is an abnormality of the nervous system. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes and is described as a loss of sensation that starts in the tips of the toes and gradually works its way up the legs. Diabetic neuropathy is sometimes referred to as a stocking glove neuropathy because it progresses as if one was pulling on a stocking. Diabetic neuropathy can affect both the hands and the feet.

There are three types of nerves affected in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sensory, motor and autonomic. Sensory nerves allow people to feel sensation, like pain, hot or cold or touch. Motor nerves control the muscles and allow movement. Autonomic nerves control bodily functions without our awareness or control. In the feet, an autonomic nervous response would be sweating. Neuropathy can affect all of these nerve group types, but sensory nerves are typically the first and most often affected.

Statistics

Almost twenty-one million Americans have diabetes. About sixty to seventy percent of diabetics have some type of nerve damage and about thirty percent of diabetics over forty years of age have diabetic peripheral neuropathy (CDC, 2005). Five percent of diabetics will experience painful diabetic neuropathy and the incidence increases with age. Over forty five percent of individuals who have had diabetes for over twenty five years will experience some symptoms of PDN.

The Cause


The exact cause of diabetic neuropathy is not clearly understood. Many theories exist, but the general school of thought is that high blood sugar causes chemical changes in the nerves and damages blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, impairing nerve function. A not so new theory, which is gaining in popularity is the idea that diabetics are susceptible to nerve compression. The susceptibility is thought to be due to the increased volume of the nerve from the abnormal glucose metabolism within the nerve. In layman's terms this is as if the nerve is swelling and the surrounding tissues and ligaments are pressing on the nerves, resulting in a loss of function.

Treatments


Currently, there are no treatments to reverse diabetic neuropathy and there are no treatments that will eliminate the numbness. There are, however, many treatments to decrease the symptoms associated with PDN.

Medications


There was hope of reversing or significantly improving neuropathy with medications like aldose reductase inhibitors, myoinositol, protein kinase C inhibitors, C-peptide, vasodilators and nerve growth factors. Unfortunately, the research did not show consistent or effective results.

The mainstay of medical treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy is to manage the symptoms with medications. For those individuals with painful diabetic neuropathy, prescription medications may be needed to manage the pain. Classic medications used for treatment include amitriptyline, desipramine and nortriptyline. These have been used to help decrease pain and to help with sleep. Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertralene and citalopram tend to be better tolerated, but are also tend to be less effective at relieving pain.

In September of 2004 the FDA approved duloxetine, known as Cymbalta. This was the first drug approved for specifically treating PDN. Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, has been a successful treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy. Originally approved as an anti-seizure drug, it became a popular treatment in painful diabetic neuropathy. There was a controversy surrounding this medication when the manufacturer started marketing this medication to treat PDN, which is an off-label use. Many physicians still use this drug as a treatment. A newer medication has emerged called pregabalin, also known as Lyrica. Pregabalin was FDA approved to treat pain caused by nerve damage and many feel pregabalin is superior in effectiveness and has fewer side effects than Neurontin. Tegretol and Dilantin, common seizure medications, can be used in more severe cases.

Therapy


Anodyne infrared therapy uses light energy to increase the circulation to the small vessels in the feet. Diodes are fit into flexible pads which can be applied directly to the skin on multiple areas of the foot. The theory is that light energy helps to increase blood flow which restores function to injured nerves. Initially released in 1994, Anodyne was met with mixed reviews, but has gained in popularity in more recent years. Some studies have shown great results with reduction in pain and relief of overall symptoms of neuropathy. Anodyne has also been used for treatment of diabetic ulcers, with some encouraging results.

Surgical


Nerve decompression has been increasing in popularity in recent years as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This surgical treatment was initially not met with much enthusiasm. Earlier studies showed poor surgical results and many surgeons were hesitant to perform elective surgery on diabetics. A new surgical approach has been introduced and surgical success rates have improved dramatically. The theory that diabetics are more susceptible to nerve compression, may warrant decompression of those nerves to give relief of the symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Natural Alternatives


There are numerous natural alternative treatment options for diabetic neuropathy. Many diabetics have had success with their use, but studies have not given consistent results showing their effectiveness. For painful diabetic neuropathy, red pepper powder can help decrease the pain experienced at night. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chile peppers. When applied to the feet it acts as a counter-irritant and can help decrease neuropathic pain. Capsaicin can be purchased at your local drug store. Alpha lipoic acid is an effective anti-oxidant that has been shown in some studies to relieve pain associated with neuropathy. Gamma linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid, typically sold in the form of evening primrose oil. Most of the studies have shown modest results, but the possibilities are still encouraging. Side effects of long term use at higher doses may include inflammation, thrombosis (blood clots), or decreased immune system functioning. It is important to note that even if a product is labeled "natural" it does not necessarily mean that it is safe. Always talk with your physician before beginning any new supplements.

Prevention


As with all diabetic complications, prevention is the best treatment. Keeping the blood sugar levels within a normal range is the most important tool in treating and preventing peripheral neuropathy. Even with tight control, most diabetics will develop some level of neuropathy. Considering the severity of the complications associated with neuropathy (ulcers, infections and amputations), the associated pain in PDN, tight blood sugar control is of the utmost importance. Along with a healthy diet, exercising for 30 minutes each day will also help to increase circulation and stimulate the growth of new vessels, which may help slow the progression of neuropathy.

Treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very difficult and many of the above mentioned therapies should be tried and combined. Don't expect any "cures" and make sure you give each therapy a chance to work. It is recommended to talk with your physician or podiatrist to discuss these treatment options.

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book, visit Ski Publishing To learn more about diabetic foot care and peripheral neuropathy, visitNorthcoastFootcare.com/PDN

How to Improve Your Memory With 5 Easy-to-Find Memory Supplements

Are there memory supplements, memory enhancement drugs, or

memory enhancers, that actually improve memory, lessen the risk

of age-associated memory loss, as well as help concentration?

In a word, yes. But...caveat emptor.

In this article, I will give you basic, core information on

memory supplements that actually work as well as vital

information on those so-called memory aids you should avoid like

a telemarketer.

Needless to say, there's been a lot of information, not to

mention disinformation, floating around in this Information Age

regarding dietary supplements and natural health remedies at

large.

It's often difficult to know what's good, what's bad, and who is

just trying to make a fast buck. So, with that in mind, what are

the best memory boosting pills you should take? They are:

• Ginkgo Biloba
  
  
• Phosphatidylserine
  
  
• Piracetam
  
  
• Omega 3 fish oils
  
  
• Gotu Kola
  
  

"So, what are the so-called memory supplements I should avoid," you ask? Avoid the following:

• Vincamine
  
  
• Phenytoin
  
  
• Growth hormone
  
  

Let's discuss the five legitimate memory boosters first.

Good Memory Supplements - Ginkgo Biloba Herbal Remedy

The popular Ginkgo Biloba herbal remedy is fast becoming one of the best memory supplements in the world. It is by far the most popular alternative remedy for memory problems as well as memory enhancement.

To be concise, this herbal memory remedy has been shown in

clinical tests to improve memory, concentration, and retention

-- even in Alzheimer's patients! It reestablishes and enhances

chemical messaging between neurotransmitters in the brain.

It also increases blood flow to the brain so if you're taking

aspirin or another blood thinner, consult with your doctor

before taking this supplement or any supplement for long-term

use.

(If you have a blood clotting disorder like hemophilia or a

vitamin K deficiency, you especially should talk to your doctor

before using any new memory supplement or drug.)

If Ginkgo Biloba's tremendous memory-boosting powers weren't

enough incentive to use it, it's also a potent antioxidant,

helping to slow aging.

This supplement is actually medically prescribed in Germany and

elsewhere in Europe for the memory impaired. It's good to see

that and while its popularity is growing here in the US as well

one wonders what Big Pharma's next move will be.

Recommended dosage for Ginkgo Biloba per day is approximately

120 mg to 240 mg a day. Some prescribe less, some more but that

is a good, general guideline.

Phosphatidylserine

Unlike many supplements, this substance has

been tested extensively on both healthy as well as

memory-impaired adults. Phosphatidylserine has consistently

shown itself to both improve memory and concentration without

the serious side effects that so characterize many drugs today.

This remarkable substance, like Ginkgo Biloba, facilitates

communication between neurotransmitters as well as lowering the

production of cortisol, a stress hormone that researchers

believe interferes with cognitive function. If it's not a memory

supplement, it's certainly a great memory-enhancing drug.

Piracetam

Piracetam is actually not a nutritional supplement but

a prescribed drug. It is also among the first memory boosting

pills that was marketed in Europe. It must be prescribed by a

doctor but is available online.

What's remarkable about this drug is that it doesn't have any

serious side effects -- there's very few drugs that can make

that claim.

Originally prescribed as a motion sickness aid, piracetam has

been shown to significantly improve age-related memory problems

-- even with those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. It

also helps with improving chronic cerebral ischemia, or

decreased brain blood flow.

Mild side effects include insomnia, nausea, headaches, tremors,

nervousness, etc. The severity of the side effects are reported

as mild.

This one's a keeper.

The recommended dosage is 2,400 mg to 4,800 divided in three

separate dosages.

Omega 3 Fish Oils & Omega 3 Supplements

What about Omega 3 supplements?

There are many health benefits of Omega 3 fish oil

supplements including reducing blood pressure, lowering

cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improved brain function

is one of them. Omega 3 fish oil supplements are not memory

supplements per se.

However, this versatile supplement is pound for pound the most

capable nutritional supplement in the world. It is also very

affordable. If your budget is tight and you want to optimize

your budget, consider fish oil supplements.

TIP: Studies have shown the fatty acid DHA as the primary

precursor for improved brain and heart function in Omega 3

supplements. So, make sure your fish oil supplement has DHA over

EPA. In addition, make sure your fish oil pills are molecularly

distilled. This ensures that it is free of contaminants. Also

look for memory boosting pills that are made from deep-water

fish like the hoki.

Yes, omega 3 fish oils are fantastic. They not only help your brain function but also limit the severity of manic depressive episodes in those thus afflicted. It should be in your arsenal of regularly used memory supplements.

This one's a keeper too.

Gotu Kola Extract

Gotu Kola extract comes from an herb that is

red-flowered that grows in the southern US, China, middle and

southern Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Australia.

African elephants have a strong disposition to this plant, which

may help account for the saying, "memory like an elephant."

But if it's good for elephants, is it good for humans? Yes, it

is.

This versatile herb while helping memory function primarily as

it helps increase blood flow to the brain, it also helps build

connective tissue, soothe burns and wounds, and is believed to

contribute to longevity. It's even been used to help those with

cirrhosis of the liver.

This article thus far has dwelt upon the good, but what about

the bad and the ugly? What scams or feigned memory boosting

pills should you avoid you ask? They are:

• Vincamine
  
  
• Phenytoin
  
  
• Growth hormone
  
  

Let's first talk about Growth Hormone. This is a protein that is

secreted by the pituitary gland. It promotes cell growth, which

of course is vital to good memory function. However, not only

does it not increase cognitive function, but the risks of using

this supplement are significant.

Growth hormone causes blood sugar issues, fluid retention, and

high blood pressure. Research also shows it stimulating the

growth of cancerous tumors -- even if they're microscopic in

size.

Consensus? Avoid growth hormone like you would the Ebola Virus.

It may have its place but it should not be classified as a memory supplement.

Phenytoin, or Dilantin as it is also known by, is a

anticonvulsant drug prescribed to treat epilepsy. Even though

there are no clinical studies to date to support the claim that

this is a memory boosting drug like Piracetam, it is wrongfully

promoted as such.

Side effects of this drug are substantial and even deadly. It

harms the liver, blood, and the thyroid causing in some cases

death. It also causes severe insomnia and incites slurred

speech. You should not take this drug unless prescribed by a

knowledgeable physician.

This one's not a keeper -- avoid it like the tax man.

Last but certainly not least is Vincamine. This is actually an

herbal supplement that is made from the periwinkle plant. It's

purported to enhance concentration, memory retention, as well as

increase blood flow to the brain -- critical to good memory

enhancement.

While Vincamine does increase cerebral blood flow, long-term

usage of this herbal can cause severe sleep problems including

insomnia. It can also induce life threatening and irregular

heart beats.

In summary, while there are certainly fantastic herbals,

nutritional supplements and drugs that enhance mental function,

there are also alternatives that could literally be deadly.

Don't buy the sales hype, think for yourself and don't buy

impulsively. As this article has shown you, there are great

memory supplements out there and now you know which ones to use

and which ones to avoid.

Glenn Reschke is the webmaster of Baby Boomer nutritional Supplements Info, a website in the top 3% of all websites offering info on general health as well as herbal, sports, and baby boomer nutritional supplements.

Why You Need To Detoxify Your Body

Open the Doors to Healing & Rejuvination

Our society foolishly prizes itself upon eating a high protein, meat-based diet; excessive consumption of dairy products; refined grains (rich in gluten that literally converts into glue in your colon); starchy foods (that stiffen the body); refined sugars (that literally corrodes your brain); salt (which is really crude oil [petroleum] extract); genetically-engineered and grafted, pesticide laced produce (fruits and vegetables).

Food-stuffs saturated with harmful chemicals (flavor enhancers, preservatives, coloring agents, etc.) such as MSG (which causes severe headaches); aspartame and saccharin (cancer causing agents); blue, green, yellow and red lake # dyes (derived from petroleum); propylene glycol (used in car antifreeze solutions and for other industrial purposes); aluminum (which causes Alzheimer's' disease).

Consuming harmful beverages such as soda pop (which Y has a pH of 2 making it very acidic and which kills the kidneys and also has a high phosphoric acid content that eats up your bones which results in osteoporosis); coffee (also very acid-forming, causes cancer of the esophagus, kills the central nervous system, and shoots out the adrenal glands); milk and milk-based beverages (which are very acidic and therefore mucus forming, causes leukemia, puts extra, synthetic female hormones into the body causing a host of reproductive area cancers, especially in women); alcohol beverages which are also very acidic and processed with harmful chemicals such as ether (sleeping gas) and methanol (which converts inside the body to formaldehyde [embalming fluid], a neurotoxin).

Please do forget about the people who smoke cigarettes (which contain over 700 ingredients including civet cat absolute, nicotine, sugar, salt, opium, caffeine, etc.).

Now add all of the above to the following list of horrors - pumping gas at the gas station and inhaling cancer causing fumes from such chemicals as MTBE, lead, etc.; inhaling the exhaust (carbon and nitric oxides) from cars, trucks, and buses; breathing in air full of pollutants; using household cleaning supplies that are made with harmful ingredients that weaken the immune/defense system.

Dousing ourselves with personal hygiene products that are made with cancer causing chemical ingredients such as propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate, lead, aluminum; color lake dyes; mineral oil, petroleum jelly and lanolin (all of which suffocate the skin); DEA; fluoride (chief ingredient in rat poison) that is in almost all toothpastes -read the warning on the back of the tube!; expensive perfumes and colognes (that do not list the ingredients on the box or bottle) that seep into the skin and pollute the blood and lymph fluids; underarm antiperspirants (made with acetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and aluminum) that toxify the lymph system and causes breast cancer in women due to wearing bras that hamper circulation in the breast area.

Please do not forget modern technology and the inundation of radiation that it provides us in exchange for convenience via such items as microwave ovens, television sets, radios, cell phones, alarm clocks, etc.

Last but not least -products that make up the largest and most profitable industry -pharmaceutical drugs, that kills over 300,000 people a year. Aspirin use burns a hole in your stomach and causes ulcers and internal bleeding; Prozac and Valium causes suicidal tendencies; birth control pills causes female cancers and hormonal imbalances; Dilantin causes strokes; Viagra causes eye disorders and heart attacks.

And how could we ever forget vaccinations? That's right, those serums that we trust to prevent diseases which are the true cause of the diseases they are supposed to prevent and are made from such substances as pig blood, cow tumors and pus, dog kidneys, aborted fetal tissue, mercury, etc.

What Are the Benefits of Detoxifying Your Body?

When you detoxify your body, you open the door to healing and rejuvenation; in other words, you're turning back the hands of time on aging or degenerating. Ideally, we as humans should reach and live a life longevity of at least 120 years; however, most people will be happy just to reach age 65 (the federal retirement age).

Detoxifying our bodies answers our body's prayer for us to give it an internal shower and tune up. We are conscious about cleaning the external body, but not the internal body. Detoxifying our bodies helps us to eliminate toxic waste accumulations, mucus, parasites and worms (that steal what little nutrition we get or have in our bodies), excess fat, fluid buildup (cellulite), old and hardened fecal matter buildup, and many more unsightly and odorous things that play a pivotal role in sabotaging our health.

The results after detoxifying include more resilient skin and complexion, weight loss (10-50 pounds), less headaches, more energy, clearer sense of feeling and thinking; a more positive outlook on life, more willpower; less diseases and sicknesses throughout the year, and many more salubrious things.

What Does Full Body Detox Consist Of?

The Full Body Detox consists of seven (7) potent, safe, and effective herbal formulas. The seven formulas include: (1) Blood and Lymphatic, (2) Cardiovascular, (3) Liver and Gallbladder, (4) Lungs, (5) Kidneys and Bladder, (6) Colon Conditioner, and (7) Carbon [activated Charcoal]. These seven formulas (along with the recommended diet during the detox) are all that you need to begin the healing process with your body, turning back the hands of time (aging). The Full Body Detox kit comes complete with herbs, instructions on how and when to take the herbs, a recommended diet (all raw foods - fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, etc.) - everything you will need to get started and to complete the program.

After three (3) weeks of successfully following the program regimen, you are guaranteed to feel and see the results. No matter what disease or so-called 'incurable' disease you may be presently afflicted with - diabetes, genital herpes, AIDS, bronchitis or asthma, cancer, obesity, fibroid tumors, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons', Alzheimers', impotence, infertility, STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, warts, etc.), dysmenorrheal or amenorrhea, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, dermatitis, epilepsy, hepatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, breast cancer, prostatitis, diverticulitis, kidney disease, etc., the Full Body Detox will start the healing and eradicating process.

Remember, in our opinion, there are no diseases on earth that cannot be cured. Ninety percent (90%) of today's diseases that we suffer from in the U.S. are diet related, stemming from poor and deficient diet which means that if we change our eating, thinking and living habits, we can change our health. DETOX TODAY!!

...Experience Healing

THE HOME OF THE FULL BODY DETOX:http://www.officialfullbodydetox.com/

Staring-Spell Seizures: They're Not All the Same

Most people understand that there are multiple types of epileptic seizures. The best known variety--and certainly the most spectacular--is often termed "grand mal," which is French for "major illness." In these attacks the patients lose consciousness, fall to the ground and experience convulsive jerking of their bodies that lasts for 1-2 minutes before subsiding. These attacks are more properly termed tonic-clonic seizures.

A less dramatic form of epilepsy also involves loss of consciousness, but without a fall to the ground or convulsive movements. These attacks are aptly called "staring spells" because the patients stop what they're doing, lose eye-contact with other people, and appear to stare into space. If spoken to during attacks, the patients do not respond.

What is often under-appreciated is that more than one kind of epileptic attack can take the form of a staring spell. And the differences between them can be crucial in understanding the underlying causes as well as the best treatments.

Staring-spell seizures are often lumped together in public awareness under the heading of "petit mal" epilepsy. Petit mal is French for "minor illness," reflecting their more subtle appearance. However, using current terminology, there are two main kinds of staring-spell attacks--absence seizures and partial-complex seizures. Absence attacks correspond to the original "petit mal" designation, while partial-complex seizures were once called "psychomotor seizures" and "temporal lobe epilepsy." The "temporal lobe" label reflects the fact that most seizures of this kind emanate from one of the two temporal lobes, the portions of the brain nearest the tops of the ears.

Although both absence and partial-complex seizures involve staring and unresponsiveness, that's where the similarities end. The attacks differ in the following ways:

• usual ages of onset



• duration



• symptoms recalled by the patients



• movements or behaviors during the attacks



• after-effects



• electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns



• underlying causes



• most effective treatments

Absence seizures begin in childhood, and often in the pre-school years. They usually disappear by the time the individuals who have them reach their twenties. Partial complex seizures can begin in either childhood or adulthood, including late in life. So if a middle-aged person has staring-spell seizures, they are almost always of the partial-complex type.

The duration of the attacks also separates the two kinds of seizures. Absence seizures are shorter. Most of them end within 10 seconds, and they almost never continue for 30 seconds. In contrast, partial-complex seizures are longer than 30 seconds, and typically last 2-3 minutes.

Most children with absence seizures are unaware of having them, though might notice a loss of time. The relative lack of symptoms in absence seizures, along with their brevity, can cause them to be overlooked. Teachers, noticing episodic loss of eye-contact, are often the first to detect them. But children and adults experiencing partial-complex seizures often recognize them due to specific, recurrent--and often complex--symptoms. One person with partial-complex seizures might notice a sudden, particular odor that no one else can smell. Another patient might experience a sudden sense of familiarity with their surroundings, a perception that they had been there before (also known as "d�j� vu," a French term meaning "already seen").

Another point of distinction is that the patient's movements or behaviors during attacks are different. In absence attacks there might be a brief flutter of the eyelids or a minimal shiver, and that's all. In fact, absence seizures are more notable for inactivity than for extra movements. But in partial complex seizures, the behaviors can be elaborate--and complex. There can be facial movements like chewing or puckering of the lips. The patient might repeatedly pick at a button or a pant-leg, or recurrently peer beneath a table. For any one patient with partial-complex seizures the behaviors are the same with each attack.

Yet another difference concerns after-effects. After absence seizures, children resume their preceding conversations or activities as if nothing had happened. There are no after-effects. But following partial-complex seizures, patients can be confused for a few minutes and then often head for bed, complaining of tiredness.

If brain-waves are monitored during attacks, then the two kinds of epilepsy show completely different patterns of abnormality. Absence attacks show characteristic electrical discharges simultaneously generated by both sides of the brain, cycling at a rate of three per second. These can even be induced during an EEG recording by having the child hyperventilate. But in partial-complex seizures, one side of the brain is abuzz with rapid, electrical discharges, while the opposite side is barely affected. Also, hyperventilation is not an effective trigger.

Absence seizures, which occur on both sides of the brain at once, are usually inherited and the underlying problem is invisible to MRI scans. But in patients with partial-complex seizures MRI scans sometimes reveal defects in brain anatomy. Because just one spot in the brain--usually within a temporal lobe--is generating the seizure activity, MRI scans can show defects in the brain near the hot-spot. Some defects, like strokes or tumors, might require treatments of their own. Others, like holes, scars or even just under-developed tissue, have no specific treatments.

Finally, the medications that best control the two kinds of seizures can differ. For example, ethosuximide, also known by its brand name Zarontin, is effective in preventing absence seizures, but has no effect whatsoever on partial-complex seizures. Two other medications--phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol)--are useful in controlling partial-complex seizures, but can actually worsen absence seizures. So it's important to get it right.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

Proton Pump Inhibitors - Drug

Type of Drug

Proton pump inhibitors (PPls); gastric (stomach) acid secretion inhibitors.

How The Drug Works

PPls reduce gastric acid secretion significantly and for a prolonged period by blocking the final step of acid production by the stomach lining.

Uses

For short-term treatment (8 weeks or less) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, the reflux of stomach contents into the food pipe, which can cause heartburn), and to maintain healing and reduce relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with erosive or ulcerative GERD.

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for esomeprazole and omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) or to maintain healing of inflammation and erosion of the food pipe (erosive nsophilqitis).

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole: In combination therapy with antibiotics for treatment and elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated active duodenal ulcer and to reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence.

Lansoprazole: For short-term treatment (up to 12 weeks) to reduce the risk of NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) of active benign gastric ulcers; to treat and reduce the risk of gastric ulcers associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Iansoprazole only).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole: For long-term treatment of hypersecretory (increased acid secretion) conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Rabeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 4 weeks or less for lansoprazole, rabeprazole) of active duodenal ulcers; to maintain healing of duodenal ulcers (Iansoprazole only).

Other Uses: These agents may increase the effectiveness of pancreatic enzyme replacements used to treat the "fatty stools" of patients with cystic fibrosis. Omeprazole has been prescribed to treat laryngitis.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits out weigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if proton pump inhibitors are excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from PPI, decide whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Omeprazole can be used in children 2 years of age and older.

Safety and effectiveness of other agents have not been established.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over � the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with these drugs. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with these drugs:

Ampicillin (eg, Principen)

Clarithromycin (eg, Biaxin)

Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam)

Cyclosporine (eg, Neora/)

Disulfiram (eg, Antabusn)

Iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate)

Phenytoin (eg, Dilantin)

Sucralfate (eg, Carafate)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; constipation; gas; belching.

Nervous System: Dizziness; headache; weakness.

Other: Rash; back pain; upper respiratory tract infection; cough; high blood sugar.

Guidelines for Use

Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.

Do not stop takingor change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.

Usually taken once daily, at least 1 hour before a meal. Dosages and dosing regimens may vary depending on condition being treated.

Take rabeprazole after the morning meal when treating duodenal ulcers.

Take pantoprazole with or without regard to food.

There medicine must be taken daily to be effective in treating and preventing acid-related gastrointestinal diseases. Do not take on an "as needed" basis.

Antacids may be used as needed with these medicines.

Do not chew, crush, or split capsules or tablets. Swallow whole. If you have difficulty swallowing esomeprazole, omeprazole, or lansoprazole capsules, they maybe opened, sprinkled on 1 tablespoon of apple sauce, Ensure pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, or strained pears, and swallowed immediately without chewing the granules. Lansoprazole capsules can also be emptied into a small glass of either orange or tomato juice (60 ml; approximately 2 oz), mixed briefly, and swallowed immediately. To ensure complete ingestion, rinse the glass with 4 or more oz of juice and swallow the cOntents immediately.

Orally-disintegrating tablets - Place tablet on the tongue. Allow to melt with or without water until particles can be swallowed.

Lansoafazole suspension - Empty the packet contents into a container with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water. Do not use other liquids or foods. Stir well and drink immediately. More water can be added if material remains in the container; drink immediately.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

PPls should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to taking sucralfate.

Store at controlled room temperature (59� to 86�F) in a tightly closed container. Protect from light and moisture.

Author has an experience of more than 4 years writing about drug interactions He also holds experience writing about benefits of drugs and side effects of drugs

Treating Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into your legs. The bed sheets feel uncomfortable on the feet as you toss and turn, trying to get some rest. Your feet felt numb throughout the day, but now feel like they are on fire. Nothing seems to help as you watch the hours on the clock pass by, hoping to fall asleep.

Burning, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, shooting and electrical pain are common sensations felt at rest in painful peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is an abnormality of the nervous system. There are many different types of neuropathy, but the most common neuropathy effecting diabetics is peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is described as a loss of sensation that starts in the tips of the toes and gradually works its way up the legs, and in severe case into the hands. It is sometimes referred to as a stocking glove neuropathy because it progresses as if one was pulling on a stocking.

Sixty percent of diabetics have some type of neuropathy in their feet. Five percent of diabetics will experience painful diabetic neuropathy and the incidence increases with age. Over 45% of individuals who have had diabetes for over 25 years will experience some symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy.

The cause of diabetic neuropathy is not clearly understood. Many believe that the damage to the small vessels surrounding the nerves, from the diabetes, causes damage to the nerves. Others believe the increase in blood sugar causes damage to the nerves. Despite the different theories, studies have shown better blood sugar control helps prevent progression of the neuropathy.

There are currently no treatments to help reverse diabetic neuropathy. There are no treatments which help reduce the numbness. But, there are many treatments to help decrease the pain associated with the neuropathy.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help with the pain. There are many options, but until recently none were FDA approved for the treatment of painful neuropathy. Cymbalta(R), duloxetine HCl, was recently approved by the FDA in September of 2004 for use in diabetic peripheral neuropathy at doses of 60 and 120 mg per day. This is the first drug approved for this use. Similar medications, like amitriptyline, desipramine and nortriptyline, have been used to help decrease pain and help with sleep.

Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin(R), has been a successful treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy. Neurontin(R) was originally approved by the FDA for adjunctive use in seizures, but the benefits of this drug for other conditions, like neuropathy, soon became known. The manufacturers of Neurontin(R) were caught up in a controversy regarding their marketing tactics for this off label use. Many physicians still use this drug despite the controversy. Tegretol and Dilantin, common seizure medications, can be used in more severe cases. New treatments include lidocaine 5% cream, acetyl-L-canitine, nerve growth factor and Annodyne (R), infrared therapy.

To help treat painful peripheral neuropathy without prescription medications, consider the following tips:

1. Keep your blood sugar in control: Studies have shown that when blood sugars remain high, or roller coaster from high to low, peripheral neuropathy will worsen.

2. Exercise. This is probably the last thing you wanted to hear. Exercise helps increase circulation and stimulates the growth of new vessels which help slow the progression of the neuropathy. Exercising also helps to increase your pain threshold and to provide a distraction from the nerve pain in your feet.

3. Eat healthy. Besides helping to control your blood sugar, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will add anti-oxidants to your diet. Anti-oxidants will combat the damaging oxidative effects glucose has on your nerves. In particular, try dark-green, leafy vegetables, yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes.

4. Try red pepper powder. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chile peppers. When applied to the feet it acts as a counter-irritant and can help decrease neuropathic pain. Capsaicin can be purchased at your local drug store. If you cannot afford capsaicin, try mixing 1 tablespoon of dry chile powder with 2 tablespoons of baby powder. Place the mixture in a sock and use the socks at night.

5. Try alpha lipoic acid. ALA is an effective anti-oxidant that has been shown to relieve pain associated with neuropathy in multiple studies. To help relieve pain, the dose must be at least 600mg a day. It is advisable to start with a lower dose, as higher doses can cause nausea, stomach upset, fatigue, insomnia and can lower blood sugar. In general, ALA is a safe supplement.

6. Try gamma linolenic acid. GLA is an essential fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Most of the studies have shown modest results, but the possibilities are still encouraging. Take 360mg/day. Many indications require higher dosages, but side effects with long term use at higher doses may include inflammation, thrombosis (blood clots), or decreased immune system functioning.

Treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very difficult and many of the above mentioned therapies should be tried and combined. Don't expect any "cures" and make sure you give each therapy a chance to work.

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book visit SkiPublishing. To learn more about diabetic foot care visit NorthcoastFootcare/diabetes