Neuropathy Prognosis

Getting a diagnosis is sometimes difficult enough but asking your doctor for a prognosis will more often than not result in a symbolic shrug of the shoulders. Of course they will tell you that this that and the other can help with the symptoms and wil try to present a positive outlook to keep you from becoming too depressed but a prognosis of how the disease itself will develop in your particular case, is nigh on impossible. It's just one of those diseases at the moment, where the specialists just can't tell you that any one particular treatment will cure your neuropathy. Hopefully, research will throw up a once-and-for-all cure in the future, maybe in the field of gene therapy but until then, it's still a question of 'suck it and see'.
This article from Medifocus Health (see link below) presents quite clearly, the current attitude towards giving a prognosis for neuropathy patients.

Prognosis for Peripheral Neuropathy

The prognosis for patients with peripheral neuropathy ranges from very promising, where neuropathy resolves completely, to less promising in more severe cases where the pain and other symptoms do not respond to treatment and may persist for many years. Various medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, lidocaine patches, and others are available to relieve pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but they do not work for everyone. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms, particularly the pain, dysesthesia, and muscle weakness, cause a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

The progression of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is highly variable depending on the etiology of the neuropathy as well as on individual variation. Most types of peripheral neuropathy progress slowly over time. Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy may progress or may remain at the level where it was first diagnosed. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is progressive, but careful glucose control is usually effective in at least partially managing the symptoms and possibly slowing progression.

Physical and occupational therapy are valuable tools for maintaining limb mobility and daily living activities. Lifestyle modifications may be needed to accommodate new symptoms as they develop. Some patients may benefit from psychological counseling. Although peripheral neuropathy may cause intense discomfort and interference with quality of life, it typically does not cause serious ongoing disability and is not a life-threatening condition (except for Guillain-Barre syndrome).

http://www.medifocushealth.com/NR021/Treatment-Options-for-Peripheral-Neuropathy_Prognosis-for-Peripheral-Neuropathy.php

ACTIVATING HAIR GROWTH BY MODIFYING IMMUNE CELLS

How to restore hair loss is a task not undertaken exclusively by beauty practitioners. The discovery, now published by a group from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), reveals a novel angle to spur hair follicle growth. This also adds new knowledge to a broader problem: how to regenerate tissues in an adult organism, especially the skin.

 The group has discovered an unexpected connection--a link between the body's defense system and skin regeneration. According to the authors of the study published today in PLOS Biology, cells from the immune system called macrophages-- those in charge of devouring invading pathogens, for example--are also responsible for activating skin stem cells and induce hair growth.

The regenerative ability of stem cells allows skin replenishment during a lifetime. But different factors can reduce their regenerative properties or promote their uncontrolled growth. When things go wrong, this can lead to aging and disease, including skin carcinomas. The discovery that macrophages activate skin stem cells may also have further implications beyond the possibility to develop therapeutic approaches for hair loss, but may also be relevant for cancer research.

The authors of the study are Mirna Perez-Moreno and Donatello Castellana, from the Epithelial Cell Biology Group of the BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Programme, along with Ralf Paus, a hair immunobiology expert from the University of Manchester and Münster.

"We have discovered that macrophages, cells whose main function is traditionally attributed to fight infections and wound repair, are also involved in the activation of hair follicle stem cells in non inflamed skin," says Perez-Moreno.

The researchers did not investigate the relationship between macrophages and hair for fun. This work emerged more than four years ago from an observation made by Perez-Moreno while working on another research project. The mice she had been working with at that time received anti-inflammatory drugs, a treatment that also reactivated hair growth. Convinced that the explanation could reside in the existence of close communication between stem cells and immune cells --the Perez-Moreno's lab began to experiment with the different types of cells involved in the body´s defense system.

After years of investigation, they discovered that when stem cells are dormant, a fraction of macrophages die, due to a process known as apoptosis. This stimulated the secretion of factors from dying and living macrophages, which in turn activated stem cells, and that is when hairs began to grow again.

Reproducing natural process

Macrophages secrete a number of factors including a class of proteins called Wnt.

Researchers demonstrated the participation of macrophage-derived Wnts by artificially reproducing the natural process by treating macrophages with a Wnt inhibitor drug encapsulated in liposomes. As expected, when they used this drug, the activation of hair growth was delayed.

Although this study has been completed in mice, the researchers believe their discovery "may facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies" for hair growth in humans.

The possibility of attacking one type of cell to affect another might have broader applications that go beyond "just" growing hair. Furthermore, the use of liposomes as a way of drug delivery to specific cells, is a very promising line of experimentation, which may have implications for the study of several pathologies, says Donatello Castellana.

From a more fundamental perspective, this research is an effort to understand how modifying the environment that surrounds adult skin stem cells can regulate their regenerative capabilities. "One of the current challenges in the stem cell field is to regulate the activation of endogenous stem cell pools in adult tissues to promote regeneration without the need of transplantation," says Perez-Moreno.

Biochemical dialogue

It is now known that macrophages are key cells involved in the biochemical dialogue that exists in the environment surrounding stem cells.

"Our study underlines the importance of macrophages as modulators in skin regenerative processes, going beyond their primary function as phagocytes [immune system cells]," say the authors in PLoS Biology.

The researcher´s next goal is to characterise the class of macrophage(s) that are involved in the activation of skin stem cells and their implications in the regulation of stem cells under pathological conditions, including skin carcinomas.

As Perez-Moreno explains, "macrophages are a very diverse cell population. It was only less that ten years ago that scientists discovered that besides from the bone marrow, macrophages originate from the yolk sac during pregnancy, and there are even other macrophages that proliferate within tissues. The diversity of the sources from which skin resident macrophages originate is not fully understood."

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR DRY SKIN

Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by scaling, itching, and cracking. It can occur for a variety of reasons. You might have naturally dry skin. But even if your skin tends to be oily, you can develop dry skin from time to time.       

Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks- sides of the abdomen- and thighs . . It happens most often in the winter when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity. Forced air furnaces make skin even drier. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel or become irritated and inflamed. Bathing too frequently , especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. Eczema may cause dry skin.

Causes

Dry skin (xerosis) often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases also can significantly affect your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:

·         Weather. Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. But the season may not matter as much if you live in desert regions.

·         Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.

·         Hot baths and showers. Taking long, hot showers or baths can dry your skin. So can frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.

·         Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil.

·         Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin.

Symptoms

Dry skin is often temporary — you get it only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong condition. Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem. Dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:

·         A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming

·         Skin that feels and looks rough

·         Itching (pruritus)

·         Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling

·         Fine lines or cracks

·         Gray, ashy skin

·         Redness

·         Deep cracks that may bleed

Risk factors

Anyone can develop dry skin. But you may be more likely to develop the condition if you:

·         Are in your 40s or older. The risk increases with age — more than 50 percent of older adults have dry skin.

·         Live in dry, cold or low-humidity climates.

·         Have a job that requires you to immerse your skin in water, such as nursing and hairstyling.

·         Swim frequently in chlorinated pools.

Complications

Dry skin is usually harmless. But when it's not cared for, dry skin may lead to:

·         Atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you're prone to develop this condition, excessive dryness can lead to activation of the disease, causing redness, cracking and inflammation.

·         Infections. Dry skin may crack, allowing bacteria to enter, causing infections.

These complications are most likely to occur when your skin's normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, severely dry skin can cause deep cracks or fissures, which can open and bleed, providing an avenue for invading bacteria

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES

Homoeopathic medicines are effective for dry skin and its associated symptoms. They are safe, no side effects and cure the condition permanently .Some of the important remedies are given below.

SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is one of  the top remedies  for dry, itchy skin. Sulphur is effective for both itching and dryness of skin. Sulphur is prescribed   where the skin is excessively dry and itchy. Itching leads to scratching and itching usually worsens at night Sulphur is effective  for  a burning sensation in skin. The skin also looks very dirty and is very unhealthy. An aversion to bathing may be noticed in people needing Sulphur. This Homeopathic medicine will help to get rid of itching as well as dryness of skin.

ALUMINIA 200- Aluminia is another effective remedy for dry skin where the skin is chapped and dry tottery. There is intolerable itching when getting warm in bed. The patient scratch until it bleeds, then it becomes painful.Brittle skin on fingers.

PETROLEUM 200-Petroleum is the best medicine  to deal with dry skin occurring in winter. The main symptoms for the use of this  remedy are dry, rough and cracked skin. The skin feels harsh to touch. Petroleum, thus, is the ideal Homeopathic remedy for dry skin in winter   season and is of great help in restoring the normal texture of skin. Petroleum also gives excellent results in persons who have cracks on hands due to extremely dry skin. The skin is sensitive and rough to touch. The cracks can be deep enough to cause even bleeding.

ARSENIC ALBUM 200-Arsenic alb is prescribed for dry skin with itching , burning and swelling. The skin is dry, rough and scaly which is worse from cold and scratching. The patient have great anxiety and restlessness. There is a thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals.

BRYONIA ALB 30-Bryonia alb is effective for dry and chapped lips.  Cracks appear on lips and  Bryonia heals the chapped lips and restores them to their normal state.Another leading symptom excessive thirst for cold water in large quantites is characteristic .

SARSAPARILLA 30-Sarasaparilla is best for dry skin when dry skin with wrinkles is present. Here the  skin is dry to a great extent with a shrunken and shriveled appearance. The skin is hard and rough to touch. The skin also seems to be present in folds with wrinkles

MALANDRINUM 200-The nosode Malandrinum is effective for treatment of skin with cracks on hands and feet.  The cracks appearing in winter season respond very well to this medicine. Malandrium, thus, is the best  remedy for all the patients who have dry, cracked skin on feet and hands. Itching may also be an accompanying feature

NUX MOSCHATA 200- Nux moschata is effective for extreme dryness on mucous membrane and skin. The tongue adheres to roof of mouth but no desire for water.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT-  Keep baths or showers short. Use warm , not hot water. Use a little soap as possible. Limit its sue to face, armpits, and genitals. Dry your skin throughly but gently. Take baths or showers not often. Use bath oils and moisturizers at least daily. Thick , greasy moisturizers work best. Avoid products with alcohol. Apply just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp. Drink plenty of water through out the day. Apply cool compresses to itching areas

TOP HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PTOSIS

Ptosis refers to the dropping of one or both eyelids. The dropping may be barely  noticeable or the lid can descend over the entire pupil. It is caused by weakness of the muscle responsible for raising the eyelid , damage to the nerves which control those muscles or laxity  of the skin of the upper eyelids

Causes – A ptosis  can be present at birth, part of the aging process, injury  to the eye , after effect of cataract or other eye  surgery, defective  blood vessels in the brain, neurological disorders, systemic diseases – diabetes, progreesive muscle weakness- myasthenia gravis

Symptoms- dropping of eyelid, difficulty in seeing- depending on how severely the lid droop, increased tearing

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

GELSEMIUM 30—In my  experience this is the top remedy for this condition. Heavy drooping eyelids. Eyelids heavy, can hardly open eyes. Muscular paralysis  of the eyes due to diphtheria , meningitis, emotion, exposure to cold or wet weather

CAUSTICUM   10 M—An excellent remedy for ptosis. Paralysis of ocular muscles after exposure to cold. Paralysis one eyelid, especially right. Heavy drooping eyelids

RHUS TOX   30—Ptosis in rheumatic patients as result of getting wet

MORPHINE  30—Paresis of recti internal . Look unsteady. Bluish, drooping eyelids

Exercise to Help Ease Neuropathy Symptoms

As promised yesterday, today's post deals with exercise as a means of relieving neuropathic problems. In the past it was not advised to exercise too much (especially weight bearing exercise) because of the risk of exacerbating various neurological problems. However, more and more specialists now believe in the old adage that, 'if you don't use it, you lose it!' and therefore, advise that it's important to keep your muscles and joints in the best shape possible to avoid atrophy and further invalidity. All well and good for some but I can hear the groans of those for whom every movement is torture and the idea of subjecting your anaesthetised, or painful feet to exercise regimes seems to be just asking for falls and broken bones. It seems reasonable therefore to say, that you must tailor your exercises to your own ability at any given time - you can only do what you can do - but you should at least try the best you can. It's logical that the weaker your muscles and joints become through lack of action, the more restricted your life's going to be.
The article comes from the same source as yesterday; Grandtimes.com (see link below) and refers once again to the book, 'Numb Toes and Aching Soles' by John A.Senneff.

Numb Toes & Aching Soles

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
by John A. Senneff

Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy

It may not be possible for us to feel like we once did before we got stuck with this atrocious ailment— at least not yet, not until some true cure comes along— but there is much we can do now to improve the quality of our lives.

Benefits of Exercise

Most clinicians think the benefits of exercise stem largely from the improvement in blood circulation it produces. This improvement permits oxygen to be carried to various parts of the body (including nerve tissue) where it's needed most. Also a good exercise program will almost inevitably lead to a loss of weight— a desirable goal in itself for most people and one which is believed especially important for people with neuropathy. In any event, as one PNer said plaintively : "At least one good thing about weight reduction is there is less of you to hurt."
Of course beyond any particular PN benefits, there are a number of general health boons from exercise. These include the reduction of low density lipids (LDLs) and triglycerides, the increase of favored high density lipids (HDLs), and the lowering of blood pressure. David C. Nieman, professor of health and exercise science at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, also points out that moderate daily exercise can boost the body's immune system.
I found one formal study on the value of exercise to PNers. As reported in the October 1997 issue of Physical Therapy, 28 subjects with peripheral neuropathy between the ages of 23 to 84 were followed through a six week period during which half completed a home exercise program. Dr. Richard K. Shields, a professor in the Physical Therapy Graduate Program at the College of Medicine, University of Iowa, was the principal investigator in the study.
Subjects were given stretching bands to exercise the upper body, gradually increasing resistance, with a goal of 10 daily repetitions. They also were instructed to exercise aerobically up to 20 minutes each day, either by walking or bicycling, with enough intensity to achieve a heart rate of 60 to 70% of their estimated maximum heart rate (220 minus their age).
Study conclusions were based on impairment measures which included average muscle scores, handgrip force, walking time and "forced vital capacity." A health survey was also used which dealt with quality of life perceptions.
At the end of the six week period those in the exercise group showed moderate improvements in their strength impairment measures, as could be expected. What was noteworthy were the significant improvements reported in the quality of life surveys. Exercise participants indicated on average a meaningful change in "physical and mental role limitations" (self perceptions of physical and mental disabilities) and "social function limitations" (self perceptions of interference with normal social activities). The study did not, however, demonstrate any overall pain reduction for those participants. From an analysis of the results Dr. Shields concluded that a home exercise program should be an important component of treating people with peripheral neuropathy.
I think the message from this study is that, apart from any direct physical benefits (which can be significant), exercise makes us feel better about ourselves, that perhaps we figure we are not quite as hobbled by our PN as we previously thought, that we look better, have more energy, are generally healthier and happier, etc.

Types of Exercise

Of the various forms of exercise, most PNers seem to agree water aerobics (such as running in deep water while wearing flotation devices) or simply swimming laps, or a combination of the two, is best since it takes the weight off of painful feet while you're exercising. Also it's easier to stretch and work muscles in the water. If you prefer to exercise in the shallower end of a pool you might consider buying a pair of water shoes to give your feet some protection and traction. (Occasionally people simply use old tennis shoes for this purpose.) To get the full benefit of any water workout it's suggested you spend at least 30 minutes in a pool, daily if possible but at least several times a week.
If our feet can handle walking— the faster the better— that also is an excellent form of exercise. Unfortunately running or jogging must remain a memory for most of us who used to enjoy those pursuits. A treadmill provides much the same walking experience but under controlled conditions. (I used to have one but my feet couldn't take it anymore.)
The Stair Master is a step removed (no pun intended) from walking. This machine eliminates the foot impact of walking— though it can still put stress on your feet as you push down. I personally prefer a machine called the Precor, where you slide your legs back and forth in a gliding motion while your feet are planted on "skis." With the Precor you can increase the resistance or raise or lower the height of the ski tips on the control panel. Another so-called elliptical machine is the Body Trek which involves the use of arms as well as legs.
Easier on the feet yet are exercise bikes. A type many favor, me included, are recumbent models where you plop yourself in a "chair" and pedal while sitting back with your legs pumping horizontally. You can read, watch TV or just listen to music, all while getting a great workout.
Many PNers also use strength-building routines such as weight lifting. Well equipped fitness centers offer all kinds of equipment for this purpose.
Physical therapy experts maintain that gradual stretching and strengthening exercises help relieve the stress of chronic pain. An organization called Stretching, Inc., has a web site (www.stretching.com) offering various helpful books on stretching and body building techniques. Incidentally it is always a good idea to have a trained physical therapist formulate your exercise program.
One other form of exercise some PNers use is the Chinese martial arts routine called tai chi. This is a training exercise involving slow, graceful movements such as seen performed in Chinese parks early in the morning. These movements are derived from the movements of animals and follow a natural, relaxed pattern. They increase the body's motion range and are said to exercise the internal organs. (Don't ask me how.) According to practitioners the slow meditative routine aids relaxation, stress reduction, balance and posture, and increases blood flow.
Diabetic PNers are again reminded to check with their physicians prior to engaging in exercise programs.

http://www.grandtimes.com/numbtoes.html

Is Cramping Normal In Early Pregnancy

Blood Clots Menstrual Period

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