High Fever

A high fever is generally sign of infection or illness, and not always a cause for alarm. But if your child’s fever does not budge after treatments such as a lukewarm bath and over-the-counter medication, it’s time to call the doctor. On the other hand, if your child is eating and drinking as usual, is responsive, alert, and is as passionate about playtime as ever, he’s likely okay.

Chronic Headaches

Although parents often assume headaches are an adult ailment, they sometimes occur in young children. Typically, a headache is triggered by lack of sleep, skipping meals, or excessive play, particularly in the sun. It’s not likely that a brain tumor is causing your child’s headache, although an ear infection, sinus infection or flu might. If your child complains of headaches often, and if they become progressively worse and are accompanied by changes in vision, tingling sensations, fever or weakness, it’s best to see a doctor.

Allergic Reactions

Food allergies afflict approximately 4 to 8 percent of children in the United States, according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. The most common offending foods include peanuts, shellfish, wheat, milk, and eggs. Allergic reactions to these foods often emerge around an hour after mealtime, and may bring a bevy of symptoms, including hives or skin rashes, swelling in the lips and face, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, a child might experience vomiting, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. These are signs of anaphylaxis, a rapidly worsening and potentially fatal reaction. Call 911 or head to the emergency room immediately.

Diarrhea/Vomiting

Whether it’s diarrhea or vomiting, your child’s losing fluids and is at risk for dehydration. Occasional bouts of either are normal. Offer your child an electrolyte beverage to restore fluid and salt levels, but seek help if he stops urinating or his lips, mouth and tongue become dry or cracked.

Head Injuries

A bump on the head is a common playground malady, typically requiring little more than a soothing stroke and a sweet treat for good measure. If, however, your child becomes lethargic, unusually irritable or unsteady preceding a head injury, consult a doctor to rule out a concussion.

Abdominal Pain

While abdominal pain could be the sign of a simple tummy ache, or the effects of a rough game of dodge ball, it might also indicate a potentially fatal inflammation of the appendix, or appendicitis. If abdominal pain begins around the naval and moves downward and to the right, worsening with movement, call your doctor promptly.

Mara Gerke

Egoscue studied anatomical physiology after spending several months in rehab. Of course, his rehab was a result of the war injury he suffered. Because he did not want to become reliant on pain medications or undergo invasive surgery, he developed several exercises – E-cises – and wrote several books. These include “the Egoscue Method of Health Through Motion,” “Pain Free at Your PC,” “Pain Free for Women” and “Pain Free.” Each book covers chronic pain and developing strategies to deal with or reduce the level of pain.

Here is a quick and handy description of the Egoscue Method of exercises or E-cises developed for those who suffer from chronic pain. First, you should understand that these E-cises have been adapted from a series of exercises, stretches and yoga poses. Egoscue developed some from his own experiences with chronic hip pain and his lengthy rehabilitation program.

One E-cise derived from an exercise is the abdominal crunch. Another is the “ air chair” or “air bench.”  One stretching E-cise is the “static back,” in which you lie flat on your back as you rest the backs of your thighs against a solid object. This object should be tall enough for you to rest your calves against it as you are lying down. The “downward dog” comes from yoga. Spread your feet hip-width apart and bend down at your waist. Press your hands on the ground and “walk” your hands, palms down, so that your head is close to the ground, your legs and arms are straight and you are stretching the backs of your legs. Your heels should be as close to the ground as possible. This E-cise helps stretch your body, which may help bring your skeleton and muscles back into alignment.

This leads into the basis for the Egoscue E-cises: Bringing the body back into balance and alignment, which helps relieve much of the pain you are experiencing. Think of how you responded to an injury: You limited your movement of the injured area, which led to the pain spreading beyond the immediate area of injury.

If you have CRSD or RSD, the limb that was injured continues to show several symptoms, such as swelling or edema, a whitening of the skin and extreme sensitivity to unusual stimuli. When you begin working on the E-cises, you begin bringing your body back into balance, which may help you address your CRSD or RSD pain – and reduce the level of sensitivity you experience.

Egoscue has developed the “load-bearing joints” theory – that is, he states that the ankles, shoulders, knees and hips are load-bearing joints which should, ideally be in alignment. His book, “Pain Free” contains about 40 E-cises that he developed to return your body to strength, balance and flexibility, particularly in the four load-bearing areas. His book is organized to describe several different body areas – The neck and head, elbows, wrists and hands, shoulders, back, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Reading farther through the book, you start to learn about the E-cises, grouped by different sports, such as swimming, golf, running, gymnastics, tennis, ice skating, volleyball, weight training and many more.

Depending on your physical condition, you may experience different bodily responses to some of these exercises. Your body’s response may not be the same as another person’s body response. In other words, static poses, such as “downward dog” might help increase your rate of breathing and your blood flow to different areas of your body. Thus, while you may believe that a “posing” E-cise may not be doing much to increase your level of endurance, you are actually benefiting much more than you believe.

You may also feel pain relief because these exercises and poses actually stimulate endorphin production in your brain –this is the “feel good” – neurotransmitter produced in your brain. Your body also responds with increased secretion of adrenaline, which works to reduce the pain you are feeling.

Depending on the exercises you select to address your chronic pain, you may begin feeling pain relief after only a few E-cise sessions. For instance, if you develop leg cramps, some of the leg stretches in the “Pain Relief” book might help you develop fewer leg cramps. If you have not exercised for a long time, you may develop good results more quickly.

These E-cises also improve blood flow to your limbs, which may be beneficial for many types of chronic pain because the tiny capillaries begin to recover. It’s important to mention that a healthy, nourishing diet, low in sugars and starches, may also contribute to an improvement in your pain level once you begin the E-cise program.

Because these E-cises improve blood flow to your limbs, which is very beneficial for CRSD and RSD patients, the tiny capillaries begin to recover. It’s important to mention that a healthy, nourishing diet, low in sugars and starches, may also contribute to an improvement in your pain level once you begin the E-cise program.

The “Pain Relief” book is organized by body part E-cises, sport E-cises and maintenance E-cises. You can try out all 40 E-cises, then choose the ones that target your body’s pain and develop your own program. It is best to do so with input from your doctors. They can show you where your body is misaligned and too tight.

If it helps you to organize your E-cise program into exercises that depend on your activity, you can group them into sitting E-cises or standing E-cises. Look at these different body positions so you can choose the E-cises you need:  Lying on your side, lying on your stomach, lying on your back, kneeling, sitting and standing. As you can see, the exercises you select are dependent on what you are doing.

Many individuals with CRPS or RSD have contacted me mentioning that they did the Egoscue E-cises regularly and found it beneficial. With CRPS or RSD, the limb that was injured may continue to show several symptoms, such as swelling or edema, a whitening or a purpling of the skin and extreme sensitivity to unusual stimuli. When one of our limbs hurts, we have a natural tendency to limit the movement of the injured area which can lead to stress on other areas of the body. Some people felt that doing the Egoscue method helped to bring their body back into balance, which helped them with their overall pain and reduced the level of sensitivity they experienced.

Share Guide: Interview with Pete Egoscue http://www.shareguide.com/Egoscue.html
Subdude-Site: Poses, Stretches, Exercises of the Pete Egoscue Book “Pain Free” http://www.subdude-site.com/WebPages_Local/RefInfo/StretchExerciseEtc/Egoscue/Main_Egoscue.htm

Lidocaine is an anesthetic that helps to block the pain sensation. You’ve probably received an injection before undergoing dental work or getting stitches for an injury. It worked so well that you were not able to feel the work being done to your tooth or skin. In the same way, lidocaine, in an intravenous infusion, can help to treat the pain you experience. Your pain might originate from phantom pain after a limb amputation, diabetic neuropathy or post-herpetic neuralgia.

Can a Lidocaine Infusion Help

Blue Cross of Idaho descripbes a lidocaine intravenous infusion as “one or more courses of IV infusion . . .  administered over a period of several hours or several days.” (See Blue Cross Idaho) Your doctor or pain specialist are the best medical professionals to decide if this therapeutic approach might be helpful for your pain condition.

A therapeutic lidocaine infusion works by desensitizing the pain pathways in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Doctors have relied on sympathetic ganglion blocks with lidocaine for years as they treat chronic pain conditions such as RSD or CRPS. Treating chronic pain using this approach is different from using a continuous subcutaneous or an IV infusion.

Your pain specialist may choose to give you an intravenous anesthetic medication using a sub-anesthetic dosage after giving you a bolus injection, or a large dose, of lidocaine to bring the concentration of the drug in your bloodstream higher. Once he has achieved this effect, the sub-anesthetic doses help to maintain a constant level of medication in your body, thus relieving your pain.

Patients who receive a lidocaine infusion can experience a significant level of pain relief – in the RSD Alert website, one patient reports a 70 percent reduction in pain in about two months of treatment. (See RSD Alert website) Because of RSD in the left arm now moving into the left back, this patient has experienced “severe” flare ups of pain related to weather changes, such as wind speed and humidity, she has been prescribed lidocaine patches. Her doctor helps her position the patch so she receives the most optiomal effects on her RSD symptoms. She prefers the lidocaine treatment over her previous medications, which made her nauseated and affected her ability to think and function. She does have to combine the patches with her oral medications, and is now able to function more normally.

Your doctor may use a sympathetic block to stop the sympathetic nerve impulses from reaching the limb that is affected by RSD. When they choose to use lidocaine, it can affect your skin by causing flushing, warming your skin and preventing your limb from sweating. You’ll know that the sympathetic block has been successful when your pain symptoms begin to go away after half an hour. Your doctor knows the block is successful when you develop what is called the ipsilateral Horner Syndrome. Once the pain impulses have been blocked, you can begin physical therapy. The interruption of pain will last for only a few hours, but the positive benefits may last for much longer – as much as several days, writes the Medscape website. (See Medscape website) When you begin, you can anticipate undergoing one to two blocks per week, for an average of four to five blocks total before you receive permanent relief.

Precautions

If you and your doctor decide that a lidocaine infusion could be an appropriate therapeutic treatment, you do need to be watchful of several adverse effects. These include:

– Sleepiness

– General fatigue

– Dizziness

– Respiratory depression

– Tinnitus

– Muscle twitching

– Headache

– Periorbital and limb numbness and tingling

– Nausea and vomiting

– Tremors

– Blood pressure and pulse changes

Severe adverse effects might include:

– Arrythmias

– Psychosis

– Seizures

– Loss of consciousness

– Confusion

– Death

For this reason, your doctor will want to make sure that you have a normal conduction on an ECG; you should also have normal serum electrolyte concentrations in your blood so you don’t run the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition, your doctor will let you know that you might not be a good candidate for a lidocaine infusion – it can slow your heart rhythm.

For the patient with RSD who experienced a 70 percent reduction in pain symptoms, her side effects were a barely noticeable headache and slight nausea. She experienced more of a need to sleep.

Not all patients will respond to therapeutic lidocaine infusion. Because RSD is an unpredictable condition and controlled treatment trials are few in number, therapy and treatment relies on the doctor’s specialty.  Especially when the origin of RSD in the individual patient is not known,  doctors may not know if lidocaine infusion will work – all they can do is try the treatment. Early treatment is critical and must be started before you have reached what is called the “chronic fibrotic” stage.  The severity of your condition can be controlled and reduced with early prophylactic therapies, including immediate and aggressive movement of the affected limb, using passive, then active range-of-motion physical therapy.

https://www.bcidaho.com/providers/medical_policies/pd/mp_50116.asp Blue Cross of Idaho: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/drugs/Lidocaine.htm  RSD Alert: Lidocaine
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/334377-treatment  Medscape: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Treatment & Management

Mara Gerke

While narcotic pain medications and opiate medications can help some patients, for others, they dont make a dent on the degree of pain they are experiencing. The medications in this class are most effective when used with other medications. Talk this issue over carefully with your doctor, because opiate and narcotic pain medications come with their own risks.

Constipation

Opiates slow down your bodily functions  including those of your digestive system and bowels. Medications such as morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, vicodin and methadone can lead to constipation if you take them for more than a short time period. If you do choose to use opiate medications and you become constipated, this can lead to an impaction of your bowels which could require surgery to correct. (An impacted bowel is one that is full of accumulated feces that your body has not been able to excrete because of your constipation.) Your gastrointestinal system does not develop a tolerance to opioid medications, which means, if you develop constipation when you start taking the medication, it will not get better while you are prescribed the medication.

Addiction

Opioid painkillers come with one very big caveat  addiction. Because these drugs work on your brains pain receptors, they change how your brain perceives the pain you are feeling. One common opioid medication is oxycodone (generic name: Endocet).

Because of the risk of addiction, your doctor must supervise you very carefully as you take this medication. Your body becomes used to the dosage you are taking. When this happens, that dosage is no longer effective in controlling your brains reaction or perception of your pain. This means you require a higher dosage, and so the cycle goes. Eventually, you require much higher dosages over time.

Physical Side Effects

Opioid medications act on the emetic trigger zone  this is the zone in your brain that triggers vomiting. All opioid medications come with this unpleasant and undesired side effect, according to the RSD Foundation website. Another side effect could be urinary retention, caused by the increased smooth muscle tone of your urinary pathways and of the sphincter in your bladder. This develops more frequently when your medication is delivered via intraspinal injection.

Central nervous system (CNS) effects can include confusion, dizziness, tiredness or fatigue, impaired ability to think and mood impairment. You can also develop slowed reaction time when you take an opioid medication. (Pain patients in Germany are not allowed to drive vehicles while on narcotic or opioid pain therapy.)

Unusual Side Effects

Some patients develop severe itching, which may be the effect of the opiate medication on the central nervous system. Again, this is more common when the medication is given via an epidural or intrathecal injection. Increased sweating can also develop. Seizures  after using meperidine can develop.

Some patients experience involuntary myoclonic muscle contractions while others experience what is called an opioid-induced muscle rigidity. Narcotic and opioid medications c an affect the endocrine system. Young women can experience the stopping of their menstrual cycles or the production and flow of breast milk. Men can experience erectile dysfunction.

Rare Side Effects

Severe joint pains after the use of spinal opioid medications can, on rare occasions, develop. Why this happens is still not well-understood, but the cause is thought to be a suppressed cortisol release. A very small number of patients report that they develop increased pain sensations or pain to uncommon stimuli after taking larger narcotic doses for a long time.

Some patients develop analgesic asthma. Others develop a depressed ability to breathe (respiratory depression). Some patients might experience an accumulation of fluid in their lower extremities. 

Some pain patients have developed hallucinations or psychotic symptoms when they took narcotic pain medications for their neuralgic pain condit ions.

Some Thoughts

While some of these side effects are much more serious than others, you should remember that your doctor knows about the possibility of side effects and he will prescribe the lowest possible dose to control your pain. In addition, you can ask for a sustained-release or slow-release formulation rather than an immediate-release formulation. If you still experience severe side effects, you have the option of refusing further narcotic therapy. If the medications do reduce your pain, a rotation of opioid medications may make treatment easier for you. That is, your doctor will frequently change which opioid medication you take every so often.

Consequences of Exceeding Maximum Dosages

The maximum dosage of an opiate medication is the highest possible dose you can take without the risk of harm. If you do begin taking more than the maximum dosage, you can place yourself at risk of to xic side effects, which includes kidney damage, stomach ulcers, liver damage, chemical imbalance or death.

Poor Opioids

Some narcotic pain medications are not effective for chronic pain. These include Talwin and Demerol. Talwin has a ceiling effect  beyond a maximum dose, it gives no additional pain relief. It can cause withdrawal symptoms. Demerol can put you at risk of seizures if you use it for more than a few days.

A Good Option

Tramadol is an opioid medication that is less likely to lead to some of the side effects caused by other opiate medications. It may be one of several medications used to treat your CRPS or RSD pain, according to the University of Iowa. If your doctor prescribes Tramadol, you are at lower risk of respiratory depression and constipation. Because it is a weaker opiate, you are also at decreased risk of dependency and abuse. Its most common si de effects include dizziness, nausea, sedation and occasional seizures. If you have a history of seizures, you should not use this medication; if you take SSRI or tricyclic medications, use caution if you are prescribed Tramadol.

For more information, you can view the link on The American Chronic Pain Association’s website on Using Opiods Safely.

I also found the following YouTube clips interesting as well

References: The University of Iowa: Neuropathic Pain; Practical Pain Management: Medications for Chronic Pain;  RSD Foundation: Use of Opioids (Narcotics) to Treat RSD/CRPS; eMedicine Health: Chronic Pain

Mara Gerke

Potential Causes of Vertigo

The following are some of the reasons a person may experience vertigo:

• Low blood pressure
• Damage to the inner ear
• Motion Sickness
• Tumors in the inner ear 
• Brain diseases or disorders, including migraines, stroke or psychiatric diseases
• Acoustic nerve disorders
• Allergies
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Meniere’s Disease

Vertigo and Diet

Doctors generally recommend low-salt diets for vertigo sufferers with Meniere’s disease. Because high-salt diets can encourage fluid retention and cause fluid buildup in the inner ear, certain foods can worsen vertigo. For this reason, vertigo sufferers are encouraged to limit sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams daily or less, which helps lesson vertigo, the occurrence of vertigo and reduce the severity of attacks. Avoiding caffeinated beverages, which have a stimulant effect, also helps reduce symptoms in some vertigo sufferers.

Supplements for Vertigo

Certain supplements help treat vertigo. The following are some options to discuss with a professional:

• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin C
• CoQ10
• Ginger
• Ginkgo biloba

Home Care Measures for Vertigo

In conjunction with supplements and diet changes, use home care measure to prevent falls caused by vertigo. When you feel dizzy, sit or lie down immediately. Because driving can be dangerous for the vertigo sufferer, talk to a doctor about the safety of operating a vehicle when vertigo arises. You might also ask about assistive devices, such as canes or garb bars, which may help you maintain stability around your home. Nonslip bath mats are also helpful.

Mara Gerke

References: MayoClinic.com: Meniere’s Disease: Treatments and Drugs; LifeExtension: Vertigo Maintaining a Steady Outlook

Epsom Salt

Most people know Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, as an all-purpose product, a soothing foot soak and natural laxative for occasional constipation. Although many pharmacies and grocery stores sell the salts in large quantities at low prices, they have significant value. As essential minerals your body needs to produce energy, magnesium sulfate activates enzymes and regulates calcium and nutrient levels. Your kidneys, heart and muscles, along with all your bodily organs, require the compounds to function normally.

Constipation Relief

Epsom salt works by increasing water in the intestines, thereby relieving minor constipation. Use the product by dissolving a single dosage in 8 ounces of water, stirring rapidly to distribute the crystal-like compound. To improve the taste, Drugs.com recommends adding a splash of lemon juice. Drink promptly and experience relief in 30 minutes to six hours.

Side Effects and Cautions

Although Epsom salts are safe for most people, some people experience stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Additionally, allergic reactions are possible. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience rashes, swelling or difficulty breathing. Using more than the recommended amount of Epsom salts can cause dangerous, even life-threatening complications. Because the salts make it harder for your body to absorb oral medications, you should avoid using it within two hours of your other drugs.

Additional Preventive Measures

In conjunction with Epsom salt, consider using other measures to treat and prevent constipation. Add more fiber to your diet, drink more water and take frequent walks if you are not already exercising. If these changes do not help, consult your doctor for a diagnosis. In some cases, medications are the culprit.

References: NDDIC : http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/
Drugs : http://www.drugs.com/mtm/epsom-salt.html
UMMC : http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/magnesium-000313.htm

Mara Gerke

Anti-inflammatory Foods

Anti-inflammatory foods are those that trigger specific hormones that control the body’s inflammatory response. Eating foods that prevent inflammation helps control symptoms common in inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and eczema. Some acne sufferers say certain foods can help prevent outbreaks, although experts claim foods are not the cause of acne—the overproduction of hormones is generally the problem. In any case, following the plan has yielded positive results for many people. Examples of anti-inflammatory foods include:

Fresh foods–including fruits and vegetables, which are preferred over processed selections because they are free from additives that may lead to inflammation.

Omega-3 rich foods–including nuts, oils and fish. These foods are widely known for their ability to reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease, some types of cancer, arthritis and cognitive damage. In fact, the University of Maryland Medical Center says omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and are significant to brain memory and performance. Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP says that omega-3 fatty acids are lacking in modern diets. Pick recommends consuming an omega-3 fatty acids supplement because it is one of the simplest and safest things you can do to quell chronic inflammation. 

Anti-inflammatory Herbs

Herbs containing anti-inflammatory compounds are a considerable component to anti-inflammatory diets. Herbs such as oregano, turmeric, garlic and ginger contain bioflavonoids and polyphenols that inhibit the production of cell-damaging molecules known as free radicals. People with chronic inflammatory conditions often use such herbs as adjuncts to other therapies, including medications and exercises. In some cases, herbs are enough to manage inflammation and subsequent pain.

 Considerations

Even people who are symptom-free and in great health can benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. In an article for WebMD, Russell Greenfield, M.D. says, “Inflammation clearly plays a role in much more than we thought concerning certain maladies.” Because inflammation is considered a silent epidemic, it may be damaging your body long before you feel its effects”.

Mara Gerke

References: University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
Women to Women: http://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/naturalantiinflammatories.aspx

The Many Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Because tea tree oil is a natural anti-fungal, it is often used topically to relieve the symptoms of tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot. The soothing oil is found in over-the-counter creams for inflammation, burning and itching. According to Medline Plus, approximately half of those who try tea tree oil for four weeks are able to cure athlete’s foot with a solution of 25 percent or 50 percent. Stronger topical applications taken for longer periods are able to cure fungal infections of the nails, which can cause embarrassing yellowing and thickening of the nail.  The toenails are more susceptible to this kind of infection, and are more common among people who wear closed footwear or have a weakened immune system. Nail changes that indicate a fungal infection include:

• Crumbling of the nail
• Lifting or loosening of the nail
• Changes in the shape or color of nails

Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most commonly used medicines in over-the-counter and prescription strengths, due to its ability to kill bacteria that leads to acne. And while benzoyl peroxide is highly effective and easily accessible, it is also irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin. The burning, redness and peeling can be enough for some users to abandon the products and suffer with the acne instead. As a natural antiseptic, tea tree oil is an effective alternative to bothersome benzoyl peroxide. A 5 percent solution is shown to work as well as products containing 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. And while tea tree oil takes longer to clear acne, it is much gentler on the skin.

Considerations

Some tea tree users find that the oil helps ease bronchial congestion when added to bath water. Others use tea tree oil to treat cold sores, skin abrasions, scalp irritation, ringworm, and vaginal infections. There are countless uses for tea tree oil. Which of them will you attempt?

Mara Gerke

References: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/113.html

Eucalyptus Oil for the Common Cold

Eucalyptus oil helps loosen phlegm and ease breathing, which is why it is a common cold remedy in the Unites States and Europe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As a main ingredient in chest rubs and vapor baths, eucalyptus products and can be applied directly to the nose or chest for fast relief. Herbalists offer the plant’s fresh leaves to cold sufferers with sore throats and other bronchial symptoms. Others use it in place of conventional medicines, as a treatment for sinusitis or other chronic conditions.

 Other Uses for Eucalyptus Oil

Although eucalyptus oil is most widely known as a cold and flu remedy, there are hosts of other ways to use the oil. The following are some of the conditions you might treat using eucalyptus oil or other parts of the plant.

• Skin wounds, boils or acne lesions
• Ulcers
• Bleeding gums
• Fever
• Bladder diseases
• Liver problems
• Arthritis pain and inflammation

 Eucalyptus for Diabetes

Eucalyptus is sometimes used to treat diabetes. In fact, animal studies indicate the herb has a blood-sugar lowering effect and is able to increase insulin production as well, according to the National Institutes of Health. Diabetics should talk to a trusted health care adviser about using the herb as an adjunctive therapy.

Potential Dangers

For most people, eucalyptus is a safe and effective remedy when used as directed, although the oil can be toxic and even fatal if not diluted. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use eucalyptus oil without a professional’s consent. Because the herb may interact with other herbs or drugs, you should always discuss its use with a medical professional.

Mara Gerke

References: University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/eucalyptus-000241.htm
National Institutes of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/700.html

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning are often given a treatment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO therapy), which increases the level of oxygenation to the cells and tissues of the body. Researchers from the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and the Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey carried out a double-blind study to determine whether HBO therapy would be an effective treatment for CRPS and RSD.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and its Effectiveness

In this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, research doctors tested the effectiveness of HBO therapy in patients diagnosed with CRPS. The patients assigned to the HBO group received 15 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. After the final therapy session, they were reassessed for several symptoms and indicators, to include edema, pain and range of motion. Each of of these arreas were assessed before and after HBO therapy. After Day 45, patients experienced a “significant” decrease in both pain and edema. In addition, they were able to move their wrists much more freely than before HBO sessions began. The patients in the HBO therapy group were then compared to the patients in the other groups (receiving plain air). The patients who had undergone HBO therapy had much better results – in the area of wrist extension, the HBO patients’ results were mot much different from the group of patients receiving ordinary air.

HBO therapy works to reverse hypoxia (oxygen starvation) by oversaturating the body’s tissues (hyperoxia), leading to less tissue swelling and a constriction or a narrowing of the blood vessels. Along with these effects, HBO therapy helps to increase tissue partial oxygen pressure.

In a study carried out on healthy volunteers, researchers studied the effects of HBO in conjunction with sympathectomy. Volunteers received HBO2 in a hyperbaric chamber twice with their sessions separated by at least one week. Each volunteer received transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide in the forearm. Blood flow in the axillary artery was monitored with angiodynography before and after HBO2 sessions. Before one session, volunteers received a sympathetic block of lidocaine into the upper arms. On the second visit, they received a placebo injection of isotonic sodium chloride solution into the same location on their arms. The skin temperature of the backs of their hands was tested and recorded.

Each testing volunteer showed a small and significan increase in skin temperature of 2.5 percent. Their upper limb blood flow increased by an average of 23 percent after the lidocaine injection, but not after the placebo injection.

During treatment with HBO2, transcutaneous oxygen was markedly higher after a lidocaine injection; the levels of carbon dioxide did not change very much after an injection of lidocaine.

Adding a sympathetic nerve block before HBO therapy can significantly increase the delivery of oxygen to body tissues during hyerbaric oxygen treatment. In cases of peripheral vascular insufficiency, this may be an additional benefit to HBO therapy.

A Case Study

A woman who had suffered from acute smoke inhalation was referred for HBO therapy to treat the symptoms related to the smoke inhalation. When she was admitted to the University of Baltimore Medical Center’s Hyperbaric Medicine Department, she was also found to be suffering from RSD centered in her left foot and ankle.

The patient received 46 minutes at 60 feet of sea water (FSW). When she was 15 minutes into her treatment, she told medical personnel she felt less pain in her foot and ankle. When the medical staff assessed the appearance of her foot, they noticed less cyanosis (blue color) of the skin. The skin of her foot was warmer to touch and more pink than it had been for several years. She also reported being pain-free. Doctors asked her to keep a journal of pain relief and skin “pinkness”. She reported that she remained pain-free for 18 hours and that her foot stayed pink and warm for eight hours after her HBO treatment.

At her next HBO session, she received 90 minutes of pure oxygen at 33 FSW. Her foot stayed warm and pink for one hour following this session. She remained pain-free for two hours. At her next HBO therapy session the following week, she received pure oxygen at 45 FSW for 30 minutes. After this session, she reported that her foot remained pain-free, pink and warm for 30 hours.

Because this patient had allergies to NSAID medications, steroids and all narcotics, her treatment options were limited. Vasodilator medications were not very effective in her case. However, she responded well to HBO therapy.

Is HBO Therapy a Realistic or Justified Treatment?

If your RSD or CRPS has not responded well to other treatments or if you cannot take some medications because of sensitivity or allergy, HBO therapy “may be used in selected patients . . . after carefully weighing potential benefits against the risks of treatment,” state Drs. Senol Yildiz, Gunalp Uzun and Mehmet Zeki Kiralp in a special report on the Future Medicine website. This report was published on the website in September, 2006.

Mara Gerke

References: http://www.energywellnessproducts.com/hyperbarricoxygen.htm; http:://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/field/jimr/2004/00000032/00000003/art00004; http://www.rsdtreatment.com/MedicalResearch.html; http://www.rsds.org/researchlibrary.html#HBOT; http://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/14750708.3.5.597; http://hbot4u.com/reflex1.html