West Gazette

There are many different types of treatments that parents can try when they have a child with autism, however some can be controversial. Autism B12 vitamin therapy seems simple and safe enough, but it is important to be aware that problems may arise if it is administered improperly.

Perhaps the biggest danger in utilizing B12 vitamin therapy for the treatment of autism is the possibility of an overdose.

We all need vitamins, but is wrong to assume that these vitamins are safe no matter how they are used. Though vitamins are indeed good for us, with many being essential for optimum health, they can be dangerous too; particularly when someone takes too many.

The majority of the vitamins and minerals we need are obtained from a healthy varied diet. However when there is a deficiency in certain minerals or vitamins it is possible to supplement them.

The risk of taking supplements is that too much of a good thing can actually be harmful to health. When the body has an oversupply of vitamins that it can not use it excretes the excess via the liver. When excess vitamin consumption occurs on a regular basis, the liver may not keep up and the excess vitamin may then become a toxin that the body is unable to expel.

When taken in correct doses however, B12 vitamin therapy may be beneficial for a child with autism. Some believe that autism can be caused or symptoms worsened by severe nutritional deficiencies.

What this means is that the body is not receiving enough of certain vitamins, or that it is not able to absorb the nutrients that are fed through the system; causing the body to lack the essential elements it needs to function properly.

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for healthy brain function.  It is important in helping to manufacture the myelin sheath - a protective layer surrounding nerves in the brain – and it also helps the brain to produce neurotransmitters, which are vital for communication within the brain.
 
When taken intravenously, some feel that vitamin B12 therapy can improve a range of functions including the absorption of all essential nutrients into the body. This then helps the nervous system to work as it should, allowing potential benefits and improvements in behaviors to be seen.

On a cautionary note, so far, many positive stories about the improvement in individuals after receiving B12 vitamin therapy are still only anecdotal.  While parents and individual doctors have noted some encouraging progress, there have only been a handful of controlled studies involving small groups of children regularly injected with vitamin B12.  Though some have shown improvement in social communication, overall the results have deemed to be inconclusive.
 
Therefore, while formal tests are still in the early stages, if carried out safely, there is no reason why parents cannot try this autism B12 vitamin therapy under their doctor’s close supervision and guidance. Even if there seems to be no improvement in the symptoms of autism, parents may notice better overall health in their children, and that may be reason enough to continue safely with the therapy.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans’ brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about the autism B12 link and for information on autism resources please visit The Essential Guide To Autism. 

When eating a low purine diet that avoids the common gout triggers, taking your medications, and doing all you can to prevent gout attacks does not seem to be working for you, you can be left feeling frustrated with the effect this condition is having on your life. However, have you thought about taking a natural approach to treatment? There are some proven gout home remedies that you can try, and most of them are rather simple and very effective when other methods of relief seem to fail.

One very simple remedy can work wonders when you are in the midst of an attack and the pain is unbearable. Place a bag of ice on the effected joint to effectively help numb the pain and reduce the swelling, though you may have to reapply this as needed. To apply, use crushed ice put into a baggie and sealed, and then wrapped with a towel and placed over the joint. The towel is needed to stop the ice from ‘burning’ your skin. This has a numbing affect that helps with the pain for a time. You can leave it on for about ten minutes and then remove and repeat as needed.

A similar remedy that some sufferers find helpful is to alternate hot and cold on the joint, with submersion in cold and then hot water or by using an ice pack and heat pad. This can help lessen both pain and some swelling. Alternate the hot and cold every ten seconds for about five minutes - two or three times a day. Try adding some vinegar to the hot water.

Celery seed is another popular natural approach that many sufferers use to find relief. Celery see can be found in the form of a supplement, and is often used for a remedy for gout when other methods of controlling the condition are not working well, or may not be working at all. One of the very best things that celery seed can do for your gout symptoms is to help ease inflammation, which is part of the reason gout is so painful. Follow the supplement directions and see how it goes for you. You may need to take more, or less, depending on how it works in your system. Please note that celery seed may be dangerous for pregnant women, so make sure you talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming so.

Another common gout home remedy is taking vitamin C. As with other medications, too much of this can have a detrimental effect, so discuss this option with your doctor before trying this remedy. You should never exceed 2,000 mgs a day, and for some people, even that is too much. Vitamin C works well for gout because it lowers levels of uric acid in the body, and helps prevent uric acid crystals from forming in your joints. It is best used as a preventative measure as once an attack is underway it probably won’t help much to reduce the pain.

There are plenty of other gout home remedies that gout sufferers have found to be helpful for both preventing and controlling gout attacks. However, it is important to check with your doctor before taking any home remedies to ensure they won’t react to any medications that you may already be taking.

Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell’s brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about gout recipe and for information on rid of gout please visit Cure Gout Now.

For many acid reflux sufferers a visit to the doctors results in a prescription medication for acid reflux to treat the symptoms, however little is usually offered in the way of preventing or treating the underlying cause of why acid reflux developed in the first place.

Acid reflux medication can be very effective in dealing with symptoms however, it is usually only prescribed in short course of 4 –8 weeks. Unless the cause of the acid reflux is addressed it’s likely that there will be many more trips to the doctor in the future for a repeat prescription. Is this something you want to have to do over and over again as you go through life?

There are many people who have an aversion to taking any type of medication. Some won’t bother with a painkiller when they have a headache, and would rather let it go away on its own. Others fear what medications can do to their bodies in the long run and rarely think it is a good idea to take anything. For others, cost is an issue – repeat prescriptions can start to get rather costly. If the thought of being reliant on medication to control your acid reflux concerns you then you’ll have to find an alternative way of dealing with the issue.

If you really want to avoid taking prescription medication for acid reflux, making some simple lifestyle changes can successfully address the underlying cause of your condition. You may find it beneficial to take medication to get your reflux under control initially, especially if there is damage to the delicate esophagus lining, but implementing lifestyle changes at the same time means that you’re targeting the cause immediately.

If you are overweight, you should try to lose the excess weight. The extra weight can weigh heavily on your stomach and esophagus, especially when lying down. This can place excess pressure on the muscle at the top of the stomach (lower esophageal sphincter) that holds your stomach contents in, leaving it weakened and unable to close properly.

Plus, if you’re a smoker, you should aim to stop or at the very least cut down significantly as smoking also acts to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Diet also plays an important role when controlling acid reflux symptoms naturally. There are a number of common trigger foods that can bring on symptoms in most acid reflux sufferers including:
Alcohol
Chocolate
Fatty or fried foods
Spicy or rich foods
Fatty red meats
Tomatoes and tomato based sauces
Onion and garlic

When and how much you eat can also have an impact on your acid reflux symptoms and can be just as important as what you eat. Rather than having 3 large meals a day aim for 5 – 6 smaller meals and don’t rush your food. By eating smaller meals more frequently and chewing food thoroughly, you reduce the risk of developing acid reflux symptoms.

Eating your evening meal earlier can also help you avoid acid reflux or heartburn symptoms when you get into bed at night. Try to eat at least 3 hours before you go to bed to allow your food time to digest and leave your stomach.

Sleeping with the upper part of your torso elevated allows gravity to do its job and keep acid in your stomach where it belongs. Try this by either propping up your bed head with some bricks (making sure it’s sturdy) or through pillows – either purpose bought acid reflux pillows or by stacking ordinary pillows. Sleeping on your left-hand side can also help to reduce the risk of nighttime acid reflux.

These simple lifestyle steps can help you keep acid reflux at bay, however it’s important never to stop taking prescription medication for acid reflux without first consulting your physician.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about natural cure for heartburn and for information on acid reflux relief please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.

One of the first warnings you may get from your doctor when diagnosed with gout is to watch out for foods high in uric acid producing properties known as purines. Purines, when metabolized, lead to the development of uric acid. When excess levels of uric acid are reached it can result in the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. As you know this can make your condition worse and multiple the number of attacks you have to suffer through. Some doctors may provide you with a list of common gout trigger foods that can exacerbate your condition. While following the list recommendations should offer relief, there are new thoughts about the different types of foods that are known to be higher in purines. Some foods high in purines that previously where on the ‘do not eat’ list are now considered safe additions to your diet.

The foods high in purine that should still be avoided are those that fall into the meat category. But even here there are degrees of avoidance. The most important meats to avoid due to their likelihood of triggering a gout attack are any type of organ tissue. Seafood is also best avoided, especially shellfish. Red meat, game and fatty meat are also best avoided but a small amount infrequently maybe okay. Remember, purines are only part of the total equation when it comes to experiencing or controlling a gout flare-up.

There are many foods high in purines that were once thought to be as bad as organ meats, red meats, and seafood, but following recent research are now considered to form an acceptable part of a gout sufferers diet.

In 2004, the New England Journal Of Medicine released findings stating that vegetables which are high in purines do not have the same effect as the meats and seafood that gout sufferers are advised to avoid. The same report found that low fat diary products are beneficial to those who suffer from gout, and may offer a measure of relief in the long run.

During studies that measured the effects of foods high in purines, many vegetables with higher levels of purines did not bring on gout attacks, as they were not processed in the same way by the body as meats and seafood. The studies also confirmed that meats, organ meats, and especially seafood were most likely the common culprits for raising uric acid levels with the body, and may directly increase a gout sufferers risk of experiencing a gout attack. Diets low in dairy products were also seen to increase the risk of suffering from a gout attack.

As a result, the food recommendations for gout sufferers have been revised. It is still recommended that patients with gout, or who are prone to gout due to family history and other issues, maintain a low consumption of red meats, yeast breads, seafood, alcohol, and organ meats. These foods are all still potent foods high in purine that lead to increased uric acid levels. However, many of the high purine vegetables like peas, spinach, and mushrooms that were once on the list of foods to avoid are now items that gout sufferers can reintroduce to their diet without much concern about the affect they will have on uric acid levels. Dairy and these vegetables may in fact aid a gout sufferer in their quest for better health.

Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell’s brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about gout symptom and for information on gout home treatment please visit Cure Gout Now.

Sometimes, acid reflux is something that is a nuisance, but can be controlled with medications, changes in diet and sleep habits, or possibly by using homeopathic methods. However, when reflux has been left unchecked for some time, or when it is severe, bigger problems can occur. Sinus problems can be a complication, and some sufferers may find that they are prone to respiratory problems because of acid damage within the lungs. Even more troublesome for many is that they have, as a result of acid reflux, difficulty swallowing.

Acid that escapes the stomach and works its way up the esophagus can be very damaging to many of the tissues that it encounters. It can burn and damage the esophagus. The lungs and voice box might not fair too well, and some damage in the throat can scar over. When this scarring occurs, it may not be reversible by just treating your acid reflux. The muscles and tissues must flex for swallowing, and when scarred, they can no longer do that.

If you think you’re having difficulty swallowing as a result of acid reflux, you should make sure you see your doctor. As you can imagine, this is a serious situation that means you need medical evaluation and treatment. Difficulty swallowing can be indications of other more serious conditions and these may need to be ruled out before treatment can begin.

To determine why you’re having difficulty swallowing an endoscopy is usually carried out. This is where a tube with a small camera is inserted into your throat to see what is causing the obstruction in your throat or esophagus. That helps a doctor gauge the damage and also to see what they might have to do to fix it. Many things can happen next. In some cases, they may believe the issue will clear up on its own, and there are times the esophagus can be stretched with a special tool to loosen any tight scar tissue.

When the obstruction is severe, you may face surgery. While treatment is on-going, you may be told to eat only soft foods, to crush your mediations, and to get as many calories as you can in liquid form.

Thankfully, acid reflux difficulty swallowing is actually a very rare occurrence. When reflux is bad enough to cause such damage, it is very painful otherwise, and most seek treatment and get it under control before it becomes a problem. When you think about all of the things that the acid can do to your body, you can see why it is wise to seek help and take preventative measures. The problem of reflux can be considered just an inconvenience and not that serious in nature, but that is exactly what it can become if left untreated.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about diet for gerd and for information on acid reflux syndrome please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.

When you seek assistance from a doctor for your acid reflux problem, they generally do an examination, and in some cases further testing. When they determine that acid reflux is the cause of symptoms, the advice is often to make some changes to the way you eat and the way you sleep, and they may also give you a prescription. The most popular prescription is a proton pump inhibitor that slows down acid production while allowing your esophagus and other tissues to heal. However, not everyone wants to take a medication, and sometimes, they simply don’t work. When this happens, you might want to look into some acid reflux homeopathy remedies to ease your suffering.

Medications can work, but some worry about side effects, and others don’t want to take something that will only be a temporary fix before they are right back on the same medication all over again. That is quite understandable. The difference between western medicine and homeopathy is that medicine is given based on condition, and homeopathy is often given on the basis of the symptoms. The thought is that by healing each symptom, the entire problem can then be put under control.

You may be seeing your doctor for your acid reflux, and that is a great idea, even if you are feeling well. You should also consider homeopathy for your acid reflux as something that needs guidance as well. You can find a homeopathy doctor in many communities. They will go over your symptoms, as well as ask questions about your whole state of health. They can give you natural herbs and remedies, and they may also suggest other methods like acupuncture or massage therapy in some cases.

There are times when acid reflux is aggravated by slow digestion. This means speeding things up to the normal speed at which your digestive system works. You can do a few things to aid in digestion, and you may find they are all that you need. You may find increasing your intake of digestive enzymes, either through eating raw foods or taking a supplement or having ginger as a digestive stimulant helps. Think about eating smaller meals, and not eating within a few hours of bed time. That will help the supplements work better and will keep your stomach moving.

There are other problems that can be a result of leaking acid that acid reflux homeopathy may also address. This could be an ailment like a sore throat, leakage into and damage of the lungs, excess gas, indigestion, and painful bloating. Those are all treatable, and usually targeting the digestive system can eliminate them. A good homeopathic doctor knows what to do and how to do it, and will go by your current health and state of being as well as your past medical problems when deciding on your treatment.

Remember that acid reflux homeopathy is not just about supplements and herbs. It is also about balancing the harmony of your body, and ridding you of your symptoms. If you find you are healed, remember to continue to see both your medical and homeopathic doctors on occasion to check for any reoccurrence of the problem. You can feel really great when you get your acid reflux under control, but it can return if you don’t solve the root cause of the problem.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about heartburn acid reflux and for information on acid reflux relief please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.

When you are dealing with acid refluxing up into the esophagus, you know there can be many painful problems that follow. Acid can travel up to the top of the throat and may leak into the lungs, causing all kinds of breathing problems, and even lowering lung function. You may have problems with your sinuses, and you know all about the pain in the chest that comes with reflux. You may also notice that it hurts to swallow sometimes, and that can be due to damage in the upper esophagus and throat. When that happens, you want to find something for immediate relief, and that means finding good ways to soothe acid reflux throat irritation.

The first thing you should consider when thinking about acid reflux throat pain is that you have to get your reflux under control if you have not already done so. If you don’t stop the root of your throat irritation, nothing is going to help you. The biggest problem you may have with your throat is that it hurts in the morning. This is because acid has leaked into the esophagus while you were sleeping, and has sat in your throat. Start taking medications or natural remedies to combat acid reflux, which ever you are more comfortable with using.

You will still experience some acid reflux throat irritation while you are working to get your reflux under control. That is when you can think about things that can soothe your throat until the acid is not doing any more damage. Once the acid is contained, your tissues will heal, but it might not happen right away. However, depending on the state of the damage, it might not mean complete healing.

Here are five tips for soothing your acid reflux throat pain and irritation:

- Think about minimizing your throat damage by elevating the head of your bed. Find something you can use to raise the top of your mattress so that the upper half of your body is elevated by at least six inches. You have to make sure you elevate the entire upper torso, and not just your head. This helps keeps acid down into the stomach and out of the esophagus while you are sleeping.

- Sometimes a sore throat can be aggravated by dry air. When sleeping, many of us breath through our mouths without realizing it. What might help is having a humidifier going while you are sleeping. This puts moisture into the air, and helps the throat from drying over night.

- There are a few drinks you can use to soothe your throat irritation in the morning. You can try gargling with salt water, or you can try any number of teas. You only need about a half a teaspoon of salt per tall glass of water for gargling, and when drinking tea, add some honey.

- You can also try zinc cough drops or lozenges. These should not be relied on, and should not be used all day, but can be used when pain is bad and you need to take the edge off.

- Lastly, increase your daily fluid intake. This isn’t a direct cure for acid reflux throat irritation, but it does help in the long run. You should drink plenty of water each day, and it has more benefits that just helping with a sore throat. Aim for eight glasses a day, and drink more if you can.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about heartburn acid reflux and for information on acid reflux relief please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.

As a sufferer of acid reflux, you may be taking pills, and you may have been taking them for a very long time. This can start to become expensive. You might even wonder what the long-term effects of taking medication might be. Acid reflux is wide spread, and there are many who simply don’t want to take another pill, and want to try natural remedies to see if they can find another way to keep symptoms under control. Many believe that a ginger acid reflux remedy is all they need to feel better each and every day.

Ginger is a natural product that you probably already have in your home, and you are probably familiar with it. You can get ginger in its whole root form or as ground ginger. Ginger is very popular in Chinese and Asian cuisine, and therefore the root is in demand. It’s a very versatile plant root and if it helps you with acid reflux, that is one more great use it can have.

You may already have had some experience with using ginger as a digestive remedy. Though not as common today, many moms used to give flat ginger ale to their children when they had an upset stomach. The ginger in the drink would calm and sooth the stomach. It was important that it was flat, because the carbonation would have the opposite affect. Many moms swore by that remedy, and many still do. Also, ginger has long been used as an effective anti-nausea treatment and pregnant women find it helpful to combat morning sickness. So if you suffer with nausea as a symptom of acid reflux ginger can help with that too.

You may find that if you add a ginger acid reflux treatment to your day, you won’t have to take your pills any longer. Some recommend that if you have at least 500 mgs of ginger with a meal you will see a reduction in your reflux symptoms or you might find relief right away. Ginger also helps with indigestion and gas, which might be the root of your reflux problem.

If you want to try something other than a ginger supplement you can make your own ginger tea. You can buy this is the store, but when you make it on your own, you can be sure it is as pure and fresh. Simply buy ginger root (you can find it in the produce section at the store), peel about half and inch, slice finely and add to hot water and steep. Once you are done, you have a lovely tea you can have before each meal to help with your indigestion and reflux problems. If the taste is not that palatable for you add a small amount of natural honey. Try Manuka honey as this has good antibacterial properties.

Another benefit of a ginger acid reflux remedy is that ginger can help your stomach work more efficiently. During digestion the walls of the stomach move, and ginger acts as a stimulant for this process. It doesn’t mean your stomach will cramp from the motions, it just means the gentle movement needed will be enhanced. This results in faster digestion, and less problems with acid, gas, and your food will not be sitting there making you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Ginger is one natural remedy that you can try without too much worry, and you should be able to tell rather quickly if this is something that is going to work for you.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about acid reflux in toddlers and for information on acid reflux symtoms please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.

You may or may not have heard about the MSM and gout connection, but MSM is being used for many conditions. Many of them are conditions that affect the joints much like gout does. MSM stands for Methyl Sulfonyl Methane - a natural sulfur compound. Though this is much like traditional sulfur, you will be glad to know that the smell normally associated with sulfur is not present when you use this is a natural remedy for gout. There are on-going studies on this treatment, but it is safe to try for the most part and usually inexpensive.

What MSM and gout have in common are your joints and connective tissues. This substance is works to aid the body in building or repairing many essential proteins and some collagen that keeps skin and tissues supple and joints moving. It helps with the overall health of your joints, tendons and other similar tissues in the body.

At the same time, it can help with more than gout. MSM can aid in vitamin absorption, and you may find additional benefits are strong and healthy nails and hair. You may even find that taking it as recommended will help give your immune system a small boost. MSM also helps to reduce inflammation and pain and aids the liver in processing toxins.

MSM is often found in some of the foods that we eat, though in rather small doses. It comes in food items like milk, which probably has the highest amounts of MSN of all food sources. It is also in some meats and fish, and many fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of this is lost when the foods are cooked, so meats might fall off the list as a possible source of MSM, especially if you’re currently avoiding high purine foods. Thankfully, MSM is also available as a supplement in powered form, which you can add to drinks, or in capsule form that you can take like a pill. Alternatively, there are creams you can purchase that contain MSM, which can be applied to the effected joints.

When thinking of MSM and gout relief, you have to think in the long term. It is generally recommended to start out small with dosages that gradually increase. As with most natural supplements it can take a few weeks or months for levels to build up in the system properly to have the right effect. As far as supplements go, this might be one of the safest, but that does not mean you should take more than recommended. You should always talk with your doctor about what you are going to try so that they can give you some pointers, and even help you monitor the progress you may or may not be making.

Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell’s brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about gout symptom and for information on gout remedy please visit Cure Gout Now.

Those suffering from back pain usually think that this type of pain is associated with muscular or skeletal problems exclusively. This might lead them through all types of testing and pain medications, only to find the problem is not getting any better, and in fact, might be getting worse. What isn’t always known is that there can be a connection between acid reflux and back pain, especially for those who have had GERD for a long time, and whose symptoms are not kept under control.

For the most part, the association between back pain and acid reflux is an indirect one, but unless that link is found, the condition may continue to get worse.

There is a lot of information about GERD and treatments, as well as things you can do to help with the problem. Though medications and dietary changes are the most common and helpful things you can do, there are other steps you can take that will help, but in return, may be contributing to back pain in some.

One common thing that has been shown to help with acid reflux is sleeping with your head and chest elevated to help keep acid from refluxing at night. This approach can be very successful, but if you do it wrong, you could be putting pressure on your back in the wrong way. This can lead to muscle strain and other problems that contribute to the aching pain in the back that some feel.

Sleeping on you left side also seems to improve acid reflux symptoms, however, sticking to this one sleeping position can lead to back pain as well.

Other times, back pain is simply caused by regular reflux pain when reflux is left untreated. When the pain becomes intense, it might feel like it is radiating around in to the back.

Generally, those who have their acid reflux under control, who are taking medications and have modified their diet, won’t feel back pain for this reason.

If you are sure there is no other reason for your back pain, you may want to consider it is related to your heartburn. The first thing you should do is to be sure that you have your acid reflux under control through the guidance of your doctor. This means taking any medications as directed and also learning to avoid those foods and beverages that cause your symptoms to flare.

After that, you can help your acid reflux and back pain by being sure you know what you are doing when you are trying to position your body as you sleep. Stuffing two pillows under your head is not the way to stop acid from flowing up the esophagus. This will only cause back pain. Instead, find a way to gently raise the mattress from underneath so the entire top of your torso is slight elevated. Some people also tend to slouch when the have acid reflux pain, and that not only makes the reflux worse in many cases, it can also contribute to back pain. With the proper lift of the mattress, and proper posture, back pain from acid reflux can be a thing of the past.

Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker’s brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about acid reflux syndrome and for information on acid reflux cough please visit Stop Acid Reflux Now.