Benefits of Bladderwrack

Benefits of Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is a type of brown algae that is abundant on
the North Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States
and the coasts along the Baltic Sea in Europe. Its thallus
or main stem, usually tough and with air-filled pods, is
priced for its medicinal value. Although it is commonly
called kelp, this term is considered inaccurate. This
seaweed contains about 0.1 percent of cellulose, mannite,
mucilage, volatile oil, soda, iodine, and bromine compounds
of sodium and potassium. It is noted for its rich iodine
content when harvested at the end of June.

Traditionally, bladderwrack's main stem or thallus is used
as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is said to soothe the
irritated tissues of the body. Because of its rich iodine
content, it is known for its curative effects on
hypothyroidism. For years now, people who live in villages
near the sea, has always been known to have low rates of
hypothyroidism. In the past, it has also been used as a
laxative. Maybe that's why it is also used against obesity
since this seaweed is known for its stimulus of the thyroid
glands. Recent studies have proved this true, as
bladderwrack have amazing weight loss-inducing qualities.
Of course, like all alternative medicines, there still has
to be a lot of research done to qualify the healing effects
of bladderwrack.

Aside from possessing rich iodine, bladderwrack also
contains alginic acid and fucoidan. Its iodine content
depends on its location in the sea. That is because some
parts of the sea contain more iodine than in some parts.
Iodine is an important mineral, as it helps maintain the
health of the thyroid glands. That is why people who suffer
from an iodine deficiency are recommended to take
bladderwrack as a supplement.

Alginic acid, on the other hand, has fibrous qualities that
can help cure constipation and diarrhea. Although it's
effectiveness on treating such digestive disorders has not
been medically proven, bladderwrack is also used as
treatment for indigestion and its special element, calcium
alginate or calcium salt in alginic acid, has been proven
to speed up wound healing in humans. This acid has also
been known to lower bad cholesterol levels and has been
used a thickening agent in cosmetics, food, and
pharmaceuticals.

Another dietary fiber present in bladderwrack is the
sulfur-rich fucoidan. It also can help lower cholesterol
levels, blood sugar levels, and it possesses
anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, anticoagulant, and
antibacterial properties. And that's a whole lot of "antis"
there for bladderwrack, though these antis are not yet
scientifically proven. Thus, to use them against the
mentioned conditions is not yet advisable.

Since iodine is the main chemical element in this seaweed,
it is noteworthy that our body only needs only 150 mcg. of
iodine from all sources. This being the case, it should not
be used until further tests have proven its healing quality.

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Patricia McDougall B.Sc. is a Chartered Herbalist and
graduate of the Dominion Herbal College, British Columbia,
Canada. Originally from Peru, Patricia is the Director of
Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC of
Newark Delaware.
http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Wellness_s/48.htm

What Does A Home IV Therapy Nurse Do?

What Does A Home IV Therapy Nurse Do?
Home IV therapy nurses provide medical and nursing care for
patients in their own homes. Medication that is
administered intravenously is called IV therapy, and since
patients receive this care at home, the home IV therapy
nurse specialty was created. There is a huge demand for
this type of nursing since the cost for patient care is
diminished but the quality of the care remains high when a
home IV therapy nurse is involved in the patient's care.

Most people think that the home IV therapy nurse only
provides intravenous medication. For example, most of us
realize that any cancer patient receiving medication at
home is being seen and cared for by a home IV therapy
nurse. So what else does a home IV therapy nurse do?

In addition to administering medications to patients, a
home IV therapy nurse implements doctor's orders. These
orders may be diverse and usually consist of performing
venous and arterial punctures, administering blood
products, and providing the patient transparenteral
nutrition (also called total parenteral nutrition and
abbreviated TPN) via a medical infusion pump. TPN is
administered to people who cannot or should not eat due to
their illness. TPN provides essential nutrients and is
tolerated more easily by a patient who is weak or has a
compromised immune system.

Home IV therapy nurses also monitor patients for infections
at dressing and infusion sites, initiate emergency
treatment if needed, assess the patient for allergic drug
reactions, assess the patient for any medical complications
and alert the doctor when needed, and document the
treatment plan that has been carried out and how well the
patient has responded to that treatment.

IV therapy nurses work in varying settings, such as at
hospitals, for home health agencies, and at physician's
offices. The home IV therapy nurse must be technically
adept to handle patients with various illnesses and varying
conditions. This type of work appeals to a person who
craves autonomy, is creative, loves to educate patients,
loves to work in different environments, enjoys travel from
site to site, and communicates well with all people
involved in the patient's care. Empathy and compassion are
key personal traits that enhance patient care provided by
the home IV therapy nurse.

The educational training provided by a home IV therapy
nurse is essential for good patient home care. The patient
and family members can be trained by the home IV therapy
nurse to administer the IV medication(s).

Educational requirements desired for a home IV therapy
nurse are an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN),
a diploma, or a degree such as a Bachelor's Degree in
Nursing (BSN). Medical-surgical nursing experience is
desirable which should include IV, venous access, and
phlebotomy training.

Working as a home IV therapy nurse is challenging but
always rewarding. Consider this special niche in nursing
if you like to travel, educate patients and their families
and make a significant contribution to patient care.

----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ruff-King is an author who has worked in the medical
field for many years. Nursing is a field which is wide open
for opportunity and advancement. For further information on
nursing specialty fields and related articles/information,
about nursing schools please visit
http://www.nursingmasterycenter.com

A Review of Laser Prostate Procedures

A Review of Laser Prostate Procedures
There is good news for sufferers of BHP (Benign Hypertrophy
of the Prostate) and other prostate conditions - new laser
treatments are available that have significantly less side
effects than the previous treatments (TURP/TUNA), and much
shorter recovery durations. In addition, the new laser
techniques are ideal for patient who are on blood thinning
medications - a not uncommon coincidence, as both
conditions tend to crop up in men over fifty.

You should, however, know that there are two laser
technologies currently in use for prostate reduction or
enucleation: the Holmium (YAG) laser, and PVP (KPT) laser
(otherwise known as "Green Light".) The differences between
the two are in the wavelength of the lasers used, and the
nature of the energy transmitted to the tissues.

PVP LASER (Green Light)

The PVP (KPT) laser has a somewhat long wavelength that
penetrates the tissue more deeply - in fact, the energy
penetrates more deeply than it ablates (removes). What this
means is that tissue that is left behind has been affected
by the laser. The result can be a phenomenon known as
necrosis of the affected tissue: the remaining tissue dies
and may require further treatment of other means to remove,
down the line.

This can be a serious side effect. PVP laser treatment is
considered viable for smaller prostate conditions, but not
for larger, as the possibility of necrosis is higher.

HOLMIUM LASER

The Holmium (YAG) laser has a shorter wavelength and
penetrates less deeply than the PVP. Energy from the laser
is imparted only to the the tissue that is ablated
(removed). As a result, there is no necrosis concern.

In a panel discussion of noted urologists comparing the two
technologies for HoLAP procedures[1], the experiences of
all came down positively for the Holmium vs. the PVP laser.

HoLEP - ENUCLEATION OF THE PROSTATE

With the Holmium laser, it is now possible to completely
remove the prostate with minimal side effects. This is
called enucleation. The procedure entails making a pair of
incisions in the bladder, going in with the flexible laser
instruments, and detaching the prostate completely from the
surrounding tissues. It is then sectioned, and the sections
are brought into the bladder through the incisions, where
they are broken up into passable bits (the bits are passed
through the catheter.)

This is becoming the new "gold standared" treatment,
replacing the TURP procedure in many advanced urological
centers. Side effects are minimal, and, according to one
study[2], sexual function (ability to gain and maintain an
erection) may actually increase, depending on the nature of
prior dysfunction, if any.

WHERE TO GO?

One consideration is going overseas for treatment. HoLEP
is available in at least one group of urolotical hospitals
located in India, using exactly the same procedures and
equipment as in major US facilities. The procedure can be
done for as little as a fifth to a tenth of that in the US.

[1]Urological Times [2]Journal of Andrology

----------------------------------------------------
Garrick Berger is the managing director of Overseas Medical
Connection (http://www.overseasmc.com), a company dedicated
to assisting prospective patients evaluate their overseas
treatment/medical tourism options. The company also
maintains a forum (http://forum.overseasmc.com ) for those
wishing to exchange research and experiences on medical
treatment overseas.

Hungry for Forbidden Foods

Hungry for Forbidden Foods
IMAGINE you could eat whatever you want whenever you want.
Just think for a few moments about what would happen. Yes,
you probably would gain weight the first week or two,
because you were finally allowing yourself all the treats
you have forbidden yourself for so many years. Now, (work
with me here): if you can eat those cookies whenever you
want, do you really think you need to eat them all the time?

If you are willing to risk this, you may find that, over
time, food will lose its power over you. If you can have
that bowl of ice cream whenever you want, you won't want it
as often. You will find that when you do have it, you don't
need as much to fill your hunger. You will find that what
you have been hungry for is "the forbidden," which makes
you feel guilty. Once the food is no longer forbidden you
will no longer feel guilty, and you will be able to have
smaller portions. It will taste wonderful and you will be
satisfied. Try it.

This whole attitude came to me when I was in graduate
school. My friend Anna and I were walking around the golf
course. (I felt compelled to walk long distances then; I
was in the health field, for heaven's sake). We were
talking about a book entitled Fat is a Feminist Issue.
Part of the book discusses women and weight in detail.

The author suggests an idea that seemed crazy at the time
(the one discussed above): If you could eat whatever you
wanted whenever you wanted, food would eventually come to
lose its power over you, and it would assume a normal place
in your life-instead of being an obsessive, time-
consuming, guilt-producing activity.

Doesn't this seem outrageous? Scary? But, like I said
above, try thinking about it! After the first week or two
of letting go of this behavior, you will no longer need to
eat as much of those cookies, the ice cream, or the potato
chips. If you can eat them whenever you want, you will find
that suddenly you don't want them as much or as often. You
will find that these foods lose their power over you, they
no longer control you, and now you are able to control your
urges over them. These foods will now take a normal place
in your everyday life, as a treat you enjoy, and not as a
food that gives you guilt.

This food philosophy isn't for everyone, I know. Many
people crave structure, and it's risky to try and live this
way. It is difficult to trust yourself to make the correct
decisions about the foods your body needs and the foods you
want. It is scary to think you actually will be able to
have the correct balance of foods in your life.

But I tried it. I let go of my guilt over food about 25
years ago. I've lost 30 pounds since then and I have kept
it off-and I still eat chocolate and ice cream.

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For free tips to becoming At Peace With Food™, articles,
and links to nutritional resource websites, visit
http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html