Jane Seabrook Illustration

Jane Seabrook Illustration

JANE SEABROOK is an illustrator and designer who lives in Auckland, New Zealand. In recent years, her artwork has focused on paintings of wildlife for the Fury Logic series of books. She shares her life with her husband, two teenage children, and a growing menagerie of assorted animals. Following are some excerpts from her Fury Logic books.

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt...

15 Remedies for Back Pain Relief

15 Remedies for Back Pain Relief

By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/chronicpain/a/back_pain.htm
Updated September 25, 2011

Almost everyone has back pain at some point in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the second most common neurological disorder in the United States -- only headache is more common.

If you have back pain, the first step is to be properly assessed by your primary care provider. Back pain has many causes, from muscle strain to more serious conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylosisthesis, osteoporosis, or a tumor, so it's important to find out what is causing the back pain.

1) Acupuncture

A study conducted at Sheffield University in the United Kingdom looked at the long-term symptom reduction and economic benefits of acupuncture for persistent low back pain. An average of 8 acupuncture treatments were given to 159 people, while 80 people received usual care instead.

After one year, people receiving acupuncture had reduced pain and reported a significant reduction in worry about their pain compared to the usual care group. After two years, the acupuncture group was significantly more likely to report that the past year had been pain-free. They were less likely to use medication for pain relief.

How does acupuncture work? According to traditional Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along energy pathways of the body, which are unblocked when acupuncture needles are inserted along these invisible pathways.

A scientific explanation is that acupuncture releases natural pain-relieving opioids, sends signals that calm the sympathetic nervous system, and releases neurochemicals and hormones.

An acupuncture treatment generally costs between $60 and $120. Acupuncture is tax-deductible (it's considered a medical expense) and some insurance plans pay for acupuncture.

If you want to try acupuncture, plan on going one to three times a week for several weeks initially.

* Find an acupuncturist
* More about acupuncture

2) Capsaicin Cream

Although you may not have heard of capsaicin (pronounced cap-SAY-sin) before, if you've ever eaten a chili pepper and felt your mouth burn, you know exactly what capsaicin does. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers.

When it is applied to the skin, capsaicin has been found to deplete substance P--a neurochemical that transmits pain--causing an analgesic effect.

In one double-blind study, 160 people were treated with capsaicin for 3 weeks, while another 160 people used a placebo. After 3 weeks, pain was reduced by 42% in the capsaicin group compared to 31% in the placebo group. Investigators rated capsaicin significantly more effective than placebo.

Capsaicin cream, also called capsicum cream, is available in drug stores, health food stores, and online. A typical dosage is 0.025% capsaicin cream applied four times a day. The most common side effect is a stinging or burning sensation in the area.

If possible, wear disposable gloves (available at drugstores) before applying the cream. Be careful not to touch the eye area or open skin. A tube or jar of capsaicin cream typically costs between $8 and $25.

* Capsaicin cream profile
* Find capsaicin online
3) Vitamin D

Chronic muscle pain can be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is found in fish with small bones, fortified milk and cereal, and exposure to sunlight.

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are:

* darker pigmented skin (e.g. Hispanic, African American, Asian) does not convert UV rays efficiently to vitamin D
* digestive disorders, such as celiac disease
* use of glucocorticoid medications for conditions such as lung diseases and allergies
* minimal sun exposure (elderly, institutionalized, homebound, veiled or heavily-clothed individuals)
* latitude and season - for example, people in Boston do not produce vitamin D from sun exposure between November and February

A study by the University of Minnesota looked at the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in 150 people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Researchers found that 93% of patients had vitamin D deficiency. All people with darker pigmented skin (African American, East African, Hispanic, and Native American origin) had vitamin D deficiency.

Another interesting finding was that the majority of people with severe vitamin D deficiency were under 30 years of age. Season was not a significant factor.

The researchers concluded that all people with persistent, non-specific musculoskeletal pain should be screened for vitamin D deficiency.
4) Music Therapy

Music therapy is a low-cost natural therapy that has been found to reduce the disability, anxiety, and depression associated with chronic pain.

A study evaluated the influence of music therapy in hospitalized patients with chronic back pain. Researchers randomized 65 patients to receive, on alternate months, physical therapy plus 4 music therapy sessions or physical therapy alone.

Music therapy significantly reduced disability, anxiety, and depression. Music had an immediate effect on reducing pain, although the results were not statistically significant.

What Is Anemia?

Understanding Anemia -- the Basics
What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen to organs. If red blood cells are also deficient in hemoglobin, then your body isn't getting enough oxygen. Symptoms of anemia -- like fatigue -- occur because organs aren't getting what they need to function properly.

Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects about 3.5 million Americans. Women and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of anemia. Important factors to remember are:

* Certain forms of anemia are hereditary and infants may be affected from the time of birth.
* Women in the childbearing years are particularly susceptible to a form of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia because of the blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy.
* Seniors also may have a greater risk of developing anemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions.

There are many types of anemia. All are very different in their causes and treatments. Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia -- like the anemia that develops during pregnancy -- are even considered normal. However, some types of anemia may present lifelong health problems.
What Causes Anemia?

There are more than 400 types of anemia, which are divided into three groups:

* Anemia caused by blood loss
* Anemia caused by decreased or faulty red blood cell production
* Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells

Anemia Caused by Blood Loss

Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding, which can occur slowly over a long period of time, and can often go undetected. This kind of chronic bleeding commonly results from the following:

* Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and cancer
* Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirinor ibuprofen
* Menstruation and childbirth in women, especially if menstrual bleeding is excessive and if there are multiple pregnancies

Anemia Caused by Decreased or Faulty Red Blood Cell Production

The body may produce too few blood cells or the blood cells may not function correctly. In either case, anemia can result. Red blood cells may be faulty or decreased due to abnormal red blood cells or the a lack of minerals and vitamins needed for red blood cells to work properly. Conditions associated with these causes of anemia include the following:

* Sickle cell anemia
* Iron deficiency anemia
* Vitamin deficiency
* Bone marrow and stem cell problems
* Other health conditions

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that affects African-Americans. Red blood cells become crescent-shaped because of a genetic defect. They break down rapidly, so oxygen does not get to the body's organs, causing anemia. The crescent-shaped red blood cells also get stuck in tiny blood vessels, causing pain.

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs because of a lack of the mineral iron in the body. Bone marrow in the center of the bone needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen to the body's organs. Without adequate iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. The result is iron-deficiency anemia. This type of anemia can be caused by:

* An iron-poor diet, especially in infants, children, teens, vegans, and vegetarians
* The metabolic demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding that deplete a woman's iron stores
* Menstruation
* Frequent blood donation
* Endurance training
* Digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease or surgical removal of part of the stomach or small intestine
* Certain drugs, foods, and caffeinated drinks

Vitamin-deficiency anemia may occur when vitamin B-12 and folate are deficient. These two vitamins are needed to make red blood cells. Conditions leading to anemia caused by vitamin deficiency include:

* Megaloblastic anemia: Vitamin B-12 or folate or both are deficient
* Pernicious anemia: Poor vitamin B-12 absorption caused by conditions such as Crohn's disease, an intestinal parasite infection, surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestine, or infection with HIV
* Dietary deficiency: Eating little or no meat may cause a lack vitamin B-12, while overcooking or eating too few vegetables may cause a folate deficiency
* Other causes of vitamin deficiency: pregnancy, certain medications, alcohol abuse, intestinal diseases such as tropical sprue and celiac disease

During early pregnancy, sufficient folic acid can prevent the fetus from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Bone marrow and stem cell problems may prevent the body from producing enough red blood cells. Some of the stem cells found in bone marrow develop into red blood cells. If stem cells are too few, defective, or replaced by other cells such as metastatic cancer cells, anemia may result. Anemia resulting from bone marrow or stem cell problems include:

* Aplastic anemia occurs when there's a marked reduction in the number of stem cells or absence of these cells. Aplastic anemia can be inherited, can occur without apparent cause, or can occur when the bone marrow is injured by medications, radiation, chemotherapy, or infection.
* Thalassemia occurs when the red cells can't mature and grow properly. Thalassemia is an inherited condition that typically affects people of Mediterranean, African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian descent. This condition can range in severity from mild to life-threatening; the most severe form is called Cooley's anemia.
* Lead exposure is toxic to the bone marrow, leading to fewer red blood cells. Lead poisoning occurs in adults from work-related exposure and in children who eat paint chips, for example. Improperly glazed pottery can also taint food and liquids with lead.

Anemia associated with other conditions usually occur when there are too few hormones necessary for red blood cell production. Conditions causing this type of anemia include the following:

* Advanced kidney disease
* Hypothyroidism
* Other chronic diseases -- examples include cancer, infection, and autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Anemia Caused by Destruction of Red Blood Cells

When red blood cells are fragile and cannot withstand the routine stress of the circulatory system, they may rupture prematurely, causing hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia can be present at birth or develop later. Sometimes there is no known cause (spontaneous). Known causes of hemolytic anemia may include:

* Inherited conditions, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia
* Stressors such as infections, drugs, snake or spider venom, or certain foods
* Toxins from advanced liver or kidney disease
* Inappropriate attack by the immune system (called hemolytic disease of the newborn when it occurs in the fetus of a pregnant woman)
* Vascular grafts, prosthetic heart valves, tumors, severe burns, chemical exposure, severe hypertension, and clotting disorders
* In rare cases, an enlarged spleen can trap red blood cells and destroy them before their circulating time is up

Ginger Tea Helps Digestive Problems

Ginger Tea Helps Digestive Problems

Ginger is a fairly well known root, used in preparing many dishes. I even had ginger pancakes when I was in Holland (can't say that I was a big fan, but they certainly were memorable). But did you know ginger can help with digestive ailments? Here's what Anil Minocha, M.D. has to say in Natural Stomach Care:

"Ginger--This ubiquitous and delicious root helps just about any digestive problem you can think of. Use it as a general stomach tonic, as an anti-inflammatory for the bowels, as a digestive stimulant, and as an aid for leaky gut. Westerners prefer the dried or crystallized root, but the more potent form is prepared the Eastern way by purchasing a stalk of fresh ginger root, peeling, slicing a one-inch piece into several smaller pieces, and boiling for twenty minutes. Add some honey and drink a cup of fresh ginger tea twice a day."

Herbs and Pregnancy

Herbs and Pregnancy

Over the last 40 years, the popularity of herbal and natural remedies has been increasing. But if you're pregnant and looking to go the herbal route, how do you know what's safe for you and your baby? Does ginger help with morning sickness? Are there really that many green tea benefits? Here, we examine four popular herbal remedies that pregnant women might want to take.

St John's Wort
Originally thought to relieve the body of evil spirits, St John's Wort has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used to help premenstrual syndrome, minor wounds and burns, hemorrhoids, ear infections, viral encephalitis and seasonal affective disorder, among others. St John's Wort is also a popular home remedy for people suffering from mild depression.

Very little information about the effects of St John's Wort on a developing fetus exists. Since sufficient tests have not been done, most doctors will recommend that you not take St John's Wort while you are pregnant. There is some evidence that the herb causes uterine contractions in pregnant animals who have been given St John's Wort, which could indicate a risk of preterm labor in pregnant women who take the herb.

Echinacea
Also called purple coneflower, echinacea is commonly used to boost the immune system and ward off infection. While it has been shown to be mostly ineffective in fighting colds (the most common use), echinacea may be useful in the treatment of other infections, such as athlete's foot.

There has been one study on the effects of echinacea on pregnancy: between 1996 and 1998, a Canadian study followed 412 women, 206 of whom had taken echinacea during their pregnancy, and 206 of whom had not. Of the 206 who did take echinacea, 112 had taken it during their first trimester. Researchers found that there was no appreciable difference in the rate of minor and major birth defects, delivery method, gestational age, infant birth weight, maternal weight gain, fetal distress, or pregnancy outcome. The conclusion is that if you wish to take echinacea while pregnant, you may do so, but should probably check with your doctor just to be sure.

Ginger
Used by people the world over, ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is a popular remedy for indigestion, nausea, gas, arthritis pain, and cold and flu symptoms.

Because of its anti-nausea properties, ginger is a popular natural remedy for pregnant mothers suffering from morning sickness. The findings on the safety of taking ginger as a remedy during pregnancy have been mixed. Some studies claim that it is no more effective than a placebo, while two separate double-blind studies have found that ginger does significantly reduce nausea in pregnant women.

If you would like to take ginger during pregnancy, know that most medical experts agree that low doses of ginger should be safe for pregnant women. But, as always, when in doubt, check with your doctor before you start yourself on a ginger-regime.

Green Tea
Hailed by many as a wonder beverage, green tea has several medicinal and person applications. It's antioxidant effect helps to prevent cancers, reduce cholesterol levels, fight infections, improve the immune system and sooth arthritis pains. As a mater of course, many people enjoy a cup of green tea every day; so is it necessary to stop if you're pregnant?

In general, if you drink coffee, or any caffeinated beverage, it is recommended that you switch to decaffeinated while pregnant. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it may deplete your water, which could harm you and your baby. That said, there is no evidence that caffeine causes birth defects, though it can potentially cause other complications, therefore it is safe to consume green tea while pregnant, but in moderation. If you usually drink a pot a day, try to limit yourself to one cup and remember to balance any caffeine consumption with extra water consumption.

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/herbs.html

What is BPA?

How is BPA used?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical building block that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight, high-performance plastic that possesses a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance. Because of these attributes, polycarbonate is used in a wide variety of common products including digital media (e.g., CDs, DVDs), electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment, reusable food and drink containers , and many other products.

BPA is also used in the production of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins have many uses including engineering applications such as electrical laminates for printed circuit boards, composites, paints and adhesives, as well as in a variety of protective coatings. Cured epoxy resins are inert materials used as protective liners in metal cans to maintain the quality of canned foods and beverages, and have achieved wide acceptance for use as protective coatings because of their exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability, and chemical resistance.

How much BPA is produced?

In 2002, approximately 2.8 million tons of bisphenol A (BPA) was produced globally (Source: Chemical Market Associates, Inc. (CMAI)). Most BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.



Has BPA been tested for safety?

Yes. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today. BPA has been safely used in consumer products and researched and studied for over 40 years. The weight of scientific evidence clearly supports the safety of BPA and provides strong reassurance that there is no basis for human health concerns from exposure to BPA.



Does BPA pose a risk to human health?

Safety assessments of bisphenol A (BPA) conclude that the potential human exposure to BPA from polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins is more than 400 times lower than the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This minimal level of exposure to BPA poses no known risk to human health.

The use of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins for food contact applications has been and continues to be recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, and other regulatory agencies worldwide.



Am I exposed to BPA from polycarbonate plastics?

Researchers from government agencies, academia, and industry worldwide have studied the potential for bisphenol A (BPA) to migrate from polycarbonate products into foods and beverages. These studies consistently show that the potential migration of BPA into food is extremely low, generally less than 5 parts per billion under conditions typical for uses of polycarbonate products. At this level, a consumer would have to ingest more than 1,300 pounds of food and beverages in contact with polycarbonate every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consequently, human exposure to BPA from polycarbonate plastics is minimal and poses no known health risk.

The use of polycarbonate plastic for food contact applications continues to be recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, the Japan Ministry for Health and Welfare and other regulatory authorities worldwide.




Am I exposed to BPA from can linings?

Government and industry researchers have reported that bisphenol A (BPA) is generally not detected in canned beverages and only extremely low levels (generally less than 37 parts per billion) of BPA have been reported to migrate into some canned foods. At these levels, a consumer would have to ingest more than 500 pounds of canned food and beverages every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consequently, human exposure to BPA from can coatings is minimal and poses no known health risk.

Can coatings continue to be recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.K. Food Standards Agency, the EU Scientific Committee on Food and other government bodies worldwide.




Does BPA leach out of dental sealants?

Several studies have reported that trace levels of bisphenol A (BPA) may be released from certain dental sealants, but only during a short time period immediately after application of the sealant. In addition, the highest level of BPA exposure reported from dental sealants is more than 50,000 times lower than levels shown to cause toxicity in animal studies. Based on these findings, human exposure to BPA from dental sealants is minimal and poses no known health risk.



What about claims that very low-dose exposure to BPA has resulted in reproductive effects in laboratory animals?

The low-dose hypothesis for bisphenol A (BPA) has been thoroughly tested with a series of comprehensive, carefully conducted studies. This research includes definitive large-scale studies as well as studies aimed at replicating the results of studies reporting low-dose effects. The consistent lack of low-dose effects found in these studies demonstrates that the low-dose hypothesis is not valid.

The weight of scientific evidence clearly supports the safety of BPA and provides strong reassurance that there is no basis for human health concerns from exposure to low doses of BPA.



Is BPA used in pesticides?

No. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency records, bisphenol A (BPA) has not been used as an inert ingredient in pesticide products in the U.S. since at least 1994. BPA's status as an (inert) pesticide ingredient was recently rescinded by EPA, according to the June 11, 1999 Federal Register. According to the notice, BPA was removed from a listing of approved inert substances because it was not in use as an additive.



Is BPA found in the environment?

Although the vast majority of bisphenol A (BPA) is converted at manufacturing sites into products, low-level releases of BPA to the environment are possible. Government researchers have reported that, when detected at all, BPA is found in water at levels generally well below 1 part per billion.

Extensive testing and environmental monitoring shows that BPA is rapidly biodegraded in the environment. The weight of scientific evidence shows that the trace amounts of BPA that are sometimes detected in waterways pose no risk to the environment.


http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html