MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs.
Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.

MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION

Vaccines are the most effective prevention tools available to doctors. However the success of a vaccination program depends on it being highly accepted.

More and more Americans are refusing vaccines, and their children are at an increased risk for measles and pertussis. How can parental decision-making be changed? Most parents get their information from health providers, and are not satisfied. Some doctors even discontinue their relationship with patients who refuse vaccines for their children.

High immunization has resulted in great declines in preventable diseases. The public thinks that since a disease is no longer severe, their child is not susceptible to it. At the same time, the public is very concerned about the harmful effects associated with vaccines. This has resulted in an increase in number of people refusing vaccines, or delaying vaccinations for their children.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The first US law to require a smallpox vaccination was passed in 1809 (to prevent frequent smallpox outbreaks). In 1850 there were many challenges to vaccinations, and the use of smallpox vaccinations declined dramatically.

Many states then started enforcing their existing laws. This resulted in increased opposition vaccinations. Compulsory vaccination laws were repealed in states as California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In 1905 the US Supreme Court endorsed the rights of states to pass and enforce compulsory vaccination laws. In 1922 they also found school immunization requirements to be constitutional.

When measles was difficult to control in 1969, 17 states required children to be vaccinated against measles before entering school. 12 states legally mandated requirements for vaccination against all six-childhood diseases.

Children, who did not comply with immunization requirements during measles outbreaks, were excluded from school. Since there was no backlash, vaccination immunization requirements for all vaccines were more vigorously enforced. By the beginning of the 1980s, all 50 states had school immunization requirements.

Each state differs in terms of the vaccines included, their authority to introduce new vaccines, the reasons for exemption, and the procedures for granting these exemptions.

As of March 2008, all states permit medical exemptions from school immunization requirements. Forty eight states allowed religious exemptions, and 21 states allowed exemptions based on personal beliefs. In states that allowed exemptions for personal beliefs, the exemption rate increased from 1% to 2 1/2% between 1991 and 2004.

Instead of refusing vaccines, some parents delay vaccination, or skip the administration of some vaccinations for their child. Many parents follow their own vaccination schedules, instead of that of their pediatrician or immunization provider. Between 1987 through 1998, children with exemptions were 22 times as likely to have measles, and six times as likely to get pertussis. Interestingly, in Colorado, Eleven percent of the nonexempt children who acquired measles were not affected through contact with an exempt child,

The unvaccinated children were more likely to be white males belonging to high-income households, having a married mother with a college education, and living with four other children. These families intentionally refuse vaccines.

Some of the parents of exempt children thought their children had a low susceptibility to diseases and the severity of the diseases was low. They also worried about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine itself.

They were more likely to find doctors who offered complementary or alternative healthcare. They obtained information from the Internet and groups opposed to immunization. Seventy percent of the parents thought the vaccine might cause harm, believed that children receive too many vaccine.

Primary care providers caring for their vaccinated child were less likely to have confidence in vaccine safety. Many health providers have a positive effect on the decision-making regarding vaccination of their children. Some doctors have discontinued their provider relationships with families who refuse vaccination.

In a national pediatric survey, 40% of doctors said they would not provide care to a family that refused all vaccines, and 28% said they would not provide care of a family that refused some vaccines.

High exemption rates occur now because immunization requirements and policies vary greatly among states. School immunization requirements ensure vaccinations are completed by the time the child enters school, but do not influence the kind of vaccinations preschoolers get.

Vaccine refusal may increase the individual risks of disease, but also increase the risk for the entire community. Since doctors influence parental decision-making, and understand the benefits and risks of vaccine, they should anticipate questions that parents may ask about safety.

COMMENTARY

There is still a lot of fear that vaccines cause autism, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and demyelinating polyneuropathy, and transverse myelitis.

Most of us take vaccinating our child for granted. When we bring him in for a well baby visits, we expect the child to be vaccinated. We assume that vaccinations are safe, effective and also mandatory.

Yet, the safety of vaccines is questionable. its effectiveness varies, and vaccinations are not mandatory.

This is the only medical treatment where you don't have to sign a consent, and you don't have the right to make a truly informed decision about what is injected into your child.

You deserve the right to make an informed decision, since you will have to live with the consequences. Many children do reactive vaccines, and sustain brain damage, a reversible injuries, seizures, allergic reactions, and even death. Yet, doctors generally dismiss reactions to vaccines. Fortunately these reactions are rare and a small price to pay for the protection vaccines offers your child. However, when a severe reaction happens to your child, the risks are 100%.

Very little research is done to find out why some children are injured by vaccines. Out of the current CDC vaccine budgets of $1 billion 99.5% is spent on vaccine purchases and promotion, and 0.5% is spent on vaccine research. Why we don't evaluate the rate of complications in those unvaccinated bewilders me.

Because of the lack and the will to conduct research, links to severe central nervous system diseases and autoimmune diseases as arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and thrombocytopenia, have never been disproved. Long-term studies of vaccinations (usually only done for four months), concentrate on the vaccine’s efficacy and not its safety.

There are no double-blind placebo-controlled studies found involving childhood vaccines.in Less than 10% of doctors report the adverse effects from vaccines that they give.

Parents are concerned that many vaccines are cultured on animal tissue or other animal cells (most often from monkeys, pigs, cows and chickens). Cross species transfer of viruses, results also in transfer of animal RNA and DNA to the vaccines themselves (which may alter our genetic makeup). Some vaccines are cultured on embryonic lung cells or human type blood cells taken from aborted fetal tissue. Any human tissue or any blood product transfer carries contamination risks.

Patients ask themselves if it's wise to inject vaccines in their children if they contain known carcinogens and toxins, (including mercury, formaldehyde, and aluminum). We may be trading one set of diseases for another one that is chronic and debilitating to our children.

The effectiveness of vaccines vary, depending on the vaccine, how it's stored, as well as on the recipient's immune system. Some vaccines have a very high efficacy rate at first, but over time, boosters are required. There have been outbreaks of diseases as measles in fully vaccinated populations.

What information does the parents get regarding the legitimate safety and efficacy of vaccinations? Usually a 1 to 2-page handout is given, frequently containing misinformation and half-truths, along with scare tactics.

You, the parent, should be able to read about the safety issues involved with vaccinations, and review the studies, product inserts, and reports on the vaccine's effectiveness.

This would let you determine what vaccine they want their children to have, and when they want their child to get it. They should not have to search dinner Internet for this information.

COMMENTARY

Doctors must respectfully listen to parental concerns, explained the risks of non-immunization, and discuss the specific vaccines that concern the parents. Their refusal, after adequate discussion, should be respected.

You must do as much as possible to make informed decisions that fit your belief system and your family situation. You must be comfortable with your decisions since you are the one who has to live with them.

Insist on making an informed vaccination decision, and it will motivate you to exert pressure on vaccine manufactures and on the government to develop safer vaccines not just more vaccines. Your child deserves it.

Why not run a double-blind study of kids who are not getting vaccines and those who are getting all the vaccines? In a couple of years we have all the answers of whether those receiving the vaccines have been increased autism rate than those who do not.

Visit www.drneedles.com for more information on controversial medical subjects and visit below, related posts on this subject.

RELATED DR NEEDLES BLOG POSTS:

THE H1N1 SWINE FLU VACCINE 9/16/09

SWINE FLU HYPE 9/10/09

THE GREAT SWINE FLU PANDEMIC 8/24/09

FLU SHOTS, GOOD OR BAD? 2/23/09

FIGHTING CANCER 12/2/08

AUTISM FEARS ABOUT VACCINES10/15/08

IMMIGRANTS MUST GET HERPES VACCINATIONS 10/05/08

AUTISM PATHOGENESIS 7/23/08

SHOULD GRANDPA GET A SHINGLES VACCINATION? 1/07/08

HERPES VACCINATIONS FOR YOUR DAUGHTER? 12/1/07

Sources:

Science 5.15.08

New England Journal of Medicine May 7, 2009

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Parents Guide to Childhood Immunization) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, revised 1994.

THE HIDDEN WORLD OF MAKING VACCINES

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.

THE HIDDEN WORLD OF MAKING VACCINES

Our government has spent $1 trillion to purchase 195 billion units of vaccine to be given to prevent a swine flu epidemic. They also paid $700 million, to drug companies, for a supply of adjuvants there would be added to the vaccines, if the vaccines were too weak.

Clinical studies were not done, until after all this happened. Recent studies found that one dose of swine flu vaccination gave adequate immunity, and two were not necessary So, the adjuvants purchased will not be used, and we now have enough swine flu vaccine for 200 million Americans.

The swine flu immunization program is as successful as the health reform plans and the stimulus package despite recent evidence that the swine flu season is not really an epidemic, the push is now to sell and use all these purchased 200 million vaccinations.

Drug drugstores, as CVS and Walgreen’s, are now giving the vaccinations at $25 a dose. This is a markup of 500% from the government's purchase price. Doctors are not giving the vaccinations, since it is not covered by insurance.

You will not be reimbursed through your prescription drug plan for a physician to administer the vaccination, since this vaccination is a preventative measure, and not necessary for diagnosis or treatment of the condition.

If you have a harmful reaction, don’t count on your doctor handling it, since he did not give you the vaccination. Don’t plan on suing the Drug Company or provider for damages, since mass vaccinations are now exempt from litigation, (Drug companies got this one through.)

What about the $700 million purchase of adjuvants by the government?

The FDA just recently approved the use of adjuvants after the government purchase. Since the government has already purchased $700 million worth of adjuvants, you can be sure that they will begin to be added to our immunization programs.

These products boost the immune response to the vaccinations. Europe has been using adjuvants for the past 10 years, and there have been numerous side effects from adjuvants that are not reported in the media.

WHAT ARE ADJUVANTS?

Adjuvants are compounds that intensify the body's immune response when combined with vaccine antigens. Since they are foreign to the body they cause body destruction when the immune system is over activated. They result in less antigen vaccine needed and thus reduce significantly the drug company production costs of the vaccine.

The most common adjuvant is called alum, an aluminum salt from aluminum phosphate. Toxic effects of aluminum were recognized for over 100 years: they have been linked to Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. Prior to 1980, dialysis patients often developed severe neurotoxic problems, as a result of the use of an aluminum containing dialysate (now discontinued). Premature infants receiving prolonged intravenous feedings with solutions containing aluminum developed neurological problems from the alum.

NEW AND STRONGER VACCINES NEEDED

Since drug companies now use purer recombinant or synthetic antigens instead of killed whole viral organism in their vaccines, they need improved and more powerful adjuvants than aluminum in their vaccines.

Oil-based adjuvants are now being considered for vaccinations. By injecting even a few molecules of oil into the body the immune system becomes severely disturbed. Their use has up to now been restricted to experiments with animals.

Animals injected with oil-based adjuvants developed terrible allergic neuritis and other autoimmune disorders. Adjuvants disable the immune system so that it loses its ability to distinguish what belongs to the body and what is foreign. The immune system then turns relentlessly on self-destruction of the body it is supposed to defend.

By over activating the immune system chaos is created, an extremely powerful response makes the immune system go haywire and start attacking elements it would normally ignore. Since the body contains many types of oily molecules and lipids, when the oil is injected, the immune system destroys all the oil compounds found in the body, including the natural oils. This results in the destruction of the nerve wrapping (myelin causing diseases, as multiple sclerosis).

GULF WAR SYNDROME

Since 1987, thousands of US troops have been injected with an experimental unlicensed anthrax vaccine containing squalene. The US military decided because they had a weak and ineffective anthrax vaccine, the vaccine needed a serious boost to increase its effectiveness.

Adding squalene to their new anthrax vaccine made it more powerful, but it did not make it a better vaccine-- but it did make a biological weapon. Soldiers complained of arthritis, fibromyalgia, lymphadenopathy, rashes, photosensitive rashes, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, abnormal body hair loss, non-healing skin lesions, ulcers, dizziness, weakness, memory loss, seizures, mood changes, neuro-psychiatric problems, anti-thyroid effects, anemia, elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), Raynaud’s phenomenon, Sjorgren’s syndrome, chronic diarrhea, night sweats and low-grade fevers. Did the squalene cause the symptoms?

Squalene is oil-based adjuvants, known for decades to cause severe autoimmune diseases in laboratory animals. When it is injected into the body, the immune system sees it as an enemy to be attacked and eliminated.

Studies at the Sweden’s Karolinska Institute proved that an injection of benign molecules like squalene can stimulate a self-destructive immune response, even though they occur naturally in the body. (1999, immunologist, Dr. Johnny Lorentzen)

The University of Florida Medical School showed that in animals, squalene alone could induce production of antibodies specifically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

MOLECULAR MINIMI CRY

This phenomenon occurs when the immune system forms antibodies against itself. It continues to attack its own molecules in the body (that resembles the one in the germ, as with squalene), as being an identical substance as is naturally present in the body. This self destructive process never stops as the body continues to make molecules that the body image system is now trained to attack.

The immune system is sensitized to attack myelin, the insulating fat covering around nerve fibers. The body immunizes itself against itself, over and over again, giving booster doses of something that the immune system now keeps wanting to get rid of.

Myelin is now the enemy, and the immune system is programmed to obliterate it. This results in MS (multiple sclerosis), and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The scary part is that: squalene is in the prototype recombinant vaccines set for production for HIV, malaria, herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus and human papillomavirus. Some of these prototypes like HIV, malaria and influenza are now intended for mass immunization around the globe.

NEW GENERATION OF ENHANCED POTENCY VACCINES

Recently, a new adjuvant has been developed, ( AS04), for use in high potency hepatitis B vaccines. It will be used for people with poor immune responses, like dialysis patients. The potency of the vaccine is increased, allowing two doses rather than three to be given. ASO4 is a derivative of the lipid A molecule, MPL, found in gram-negative bacteria. It is extracted from the bacterial cell walls and is one of the most potent regulators of the immune system.

By stimulating a hyperactive immune response one can get a stronger antigenic response. The adjuvant itself causes more damage to the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. This may cause a new epidemic of neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases that we never have imagined before.

COMMENTARY

Adjuncts, being chemically modified synthetic compounds, now have intellectual property protection. A vaccine containing an adjuvant has a new level of legal protection that was never afforded traditional vaccines. (Meaning you cannot sue the manufacturer of the vaccine for any harmful reactions you might encounter.)

A long list of overreactions occur when vaccines are potentiated with immune boosters as squalene and other adjuvants.

Balance can’t be achieved, even if we fully understood the immune system. Nature has developed effective immune responses to diseases without vaccinations. Yet we, without respect for nature, cause more ourselves more harm than good.

Vaccinations are a highly political motivated non-science. Practitioners are only interested in vaccinating you: there is no interest or care as to the harm is causes. There is very little data collection on the reactions that occurs. The ineffectiveness of the vaccines to prevent diseases are glossed over.

Adjuvants are toxic, tremendously lower the costs a production by the drug companies, and result in severe unintended simulation of various parts of your immune system.

Your comments are always appreciated. Visit www.drneedles.com for more discussion of controversial medical subjects.

RELATED DR NEEDLES MEDICAL BLOGS

THE H1N1 SWINE FLU VACCINE 9/16/09

SWINE FLU HYPE 9/10/09

THE GREAT SWINE FLU PANDEMIC 8/24/09

FLU SHOTS, GOOD OR BAD? 2/23/09

FIGHTING CANCER 12/2/08

AUTISM FEARS ABOUT VACCINES10/15/08

IMMIGRANTS MUST GET HERPES VACCINATIONS 10/05/08

AUTISM PATHOGENESIS 7/23/08

SHOULD GRANDPA GET A SHINGLES VACCINATION? 1/07/08

Sources

Viera Scheibner, Ph.D, The Adverse Effects of Adjuvants in Vaccines, Nexus Magazine Dec. 2000 vol.8, No.1 http://www.whale.to/vaccine/adjuvants.html

Vaccine Adjuvants: current state and future trends, Volume 82: Number 5: October 2004 – Issue Immunology and Cell Biology http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/icb

DYNAMICS OF A SAUNA

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs.
Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/vkc3sairh8 for more detailed information on healing

GETTING HOT MAY BE DANGEROUS

Everyone loves hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. They are great ways to relax after a strenuous workout. They relieve muscle aches and pains from exercise. But--------they come with built in dangers. Protect yourself by being aware of what could go wrong. Extreme sweating can produce a 4 to 6 pound loss in one hour. This weight loss method is dangerous and has no long-term benefits.

EFFECTS OF HOT ENVIRONMENTS

Sweat is lost water, not lost fat. Water loss is temporary and must be replaced. Since the body is about 60 to 70% water, the body can compensate for the water loss if it is less than 2% of your body weight is lost. When more water is lost, the fluid around the cells of your body decreases to dangerously low levels. This makes the fluid inside the cells leave, in an attempt to restore balance. This is called “dehydration” and can lead to heat stroke and death.

A hot environment can also stress your cardiovascular system. Blood flow increases to move the heat out of your body, and your blood vessels in the skin increase in size. As a result of massive amount of blood shunting to your skin, your heart output increases by 50% to 75%, and your pulse increases 60%,

Saunas are dry heat, and allow this your sweat to evaporate. This cooling effect of sweating is short-lived; because the sauna temperature may be double that of your skin. You will keep sweating until you run low of body water.

In a steam room, there is less heat loss, and more accumulation of body heat. The air is saturated with water in a steam room, so sweat does not easily evaporate. As sweat collects on your skin, sweating and diminishes.

In a hot tub, sweat does not evaporate because the skin is wet. The high water temperature prevents heat loss from your body. This results in you actually gaining heat from the water.

One should never exercise in a sauna or steam room. Exercise increases your inside body temperature for a long time. Since you are already dehydrated after a workout, exercising could spell disaster.

To monitor your sweat loss, weigh yourself before and after your workout. If your weight loss is over 2% of your body weight, do not enter the hot environments. A 5- pound weight loss equates to 5 pints of water lost, and it all needs to be replaced within the next 24 hours.

HOT TUBS

Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water; it shouldn’t rise above 104 degrees.

If you start coughing, feel chilly and hot, and are short of breath, you may be getting a condition called "Hot Tub Lung." Bacteria getting into the steam of the hot water, polluting and infecting your lungs, cause it.

To keep the water clean and sanitary, be sure to change the water in your hot tub often and use the chemicals that are recommended by the owner's manual.

If you develop a red skin rash that becomes sore and blistered, particularly in the areas where your body is covered by clothing, you may be getting "Hot Tub Rash". Drain covers safety devices may cause the rash.

While soaking in a hot tub can help relieve muscle aches and pains and wash away the stress of the day, it can also cause you injury and even death if you're not careful.

Many hot tubs are fiberglass containers designed to hold water for an extended period of time. The water is heated either by electricity, natural gas, and sometimes-just firewood; all have potential dangers.

If the water temperature rises above 110ºF, you become very sleepy. Such high temperatures can also cause heat stroke, heart attack, skin burns and even brain damage. This, in turn, can lead to accidental drowning; it is the number one cause of injury and death in hot tubs. Children with long hair can be sucked into the drain cover fitting, especially if the drain is on the floor of the tub. (fitting should be on the wall). The heated water causes your blood vessels to dilate; this in turn, drops your blood pressure, causing you to pass out.

The combination of heat and alcohol can lead to catastrophe. Modern hot tubs can be heated to a maximum of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Drinking too much can cause drowsiness, blackouts, unconsciousness, and even drowning. Drowsiness can also occur if you are taking: aspirin, barbiturates, certain anti-depressants, tranquilizers, antihistamines, and cold and allergy medications.

Heat expands the blood vessels and increases the body's temperature. Alcohol also expands the blood vessels and increases the body's temperature. The combination of the two may be too much for your body to take, raising your body temperature so high that it results in a stroke or heart attack.

A normal healthy man makes 1,200 sperm per heartbeat. If you want to have a baby, better to stick to cold showers. The high heat of a sauna or steam bath, can cause a severe decrease in sperm count, leading to infertility.

SWEATING

Sweating is the body's natural way to release toxins from the body. So don't see perspiration as an enemy. Start seeing it as a friend. It is estimated that as much as 30% of bodily wastes can be eliminated through perspiration

Sweating helps your body rid itself of wastes caused by: anti-perspirants, artificial environments, smog, synthetic clothing, and a sedentary lifestyles. They all help clog up your skin pores and inhibit the healthy flow of sweat.

Hitting the sauna after a grueling workout relieves sore muscles. Saunas flush toxins from your body and also alleviate arthritis, the frequency of colds, asthma, and chronic fatigue. Twenty minutes should be enough to work up a good sweat. Always re-hydrate yourself by drinking two to four glasses of cool water afterward.

HEAT EFFECTS OF SAUNAS

The heat of a sauna (or steam bath) boosts the temperature of the surface of your body, causing blood vessels to dilate and the circulation in your skin to increase. As resistance to blood flow through the veins and capillaries drops, your blood pressure goes down. In response, your heartbeat goes up, trying to keep your blood pressure normal. The heat can also ease muscle stiffness, and you may notice an increase in energy, a decrease in stress, and improved sleep.

STEAM SAUNAS

People around the world have been using steam in the form of steam baths for thousands of years to promote good health and well-being.

Steam (or hyperthermia) helps to open up the pores so as to release toxins from the body via the skin. Heat speeds up the body's natural processes and is one of the best ways to detoxify your body.

Heat, radiating through the water, causes your muscles to relax and your pores to open. As your body's pores open up, numerous sweat glands start to excrete toxic waste products that have built up. In one session, as much as 30% of bodily waste can be eliminated by sweating.

Steam makes breathing easier, relieves stress, and muscle aches and pains; it increases your body circulation, cleans your skin, and boosts your immunity ((by increasing blood cell formation). Take a shower before entering the sauna, but don't use soap or shampoo. The perfumes used in soap will evaporate in the sauna and others may be offended.

Steam saunas that have tile must be treated daily with chemicals to keep mold down and kill bacteria. Be aware, you will also be breathing in some chemical fumes when in a steam sauna.

Dry saunas are almost always made with cedar wood. Cedar itself has a volatile organic chemical in it that is toxic, the same way that pine has a toxic organic chemical in it. All sauna wood is treated with arsenic and many other chemicals to preserve it from molds, termites, and other forms of decay. When you go into a cedar wood sauna that has treated, you may be inhaling arsenic and a lot of toxic fumes.

INFRARED SAUNAS

Instead of a stove, an infrared sauna has a special heater that generates infrared radiation, and warms the body rather than the surrounding air (as sunlight does).

You will sweat three times more than in a traditional sauna or steam room, resulting in a greater release of stored fats and toxins. One session is equivalent to running 10 to 15 miles.

STEAM BATHS

Doctors prescribe moist heat packs to treat muscle spasms and tension. People, who engage in vigorous physical activities, find steam baths ease their sore muscles and prevent them from cramping.

Steam baths relieve stress and increase circulation and help you sleep better, especially if you are dealing with insomnia. Your metabolism and immune system are raised, and your skin is cleansed of dirt and bacteria.

DEHYDRATION

Steam and sauna baths lead to dehydration. The heat makes you sweat a lot. In the process important salts as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron are literally sweated out.

Many think that drinking water before and after entering a sauna bath prevents dehydration. The truth is: no amount of plain water intake can replace the loss of your vital body salts. Since body water contains electrolytes (i.e. sodium, potassium etc.) drinking plain water can’t prevent dehydration.

Sweating causes your blood volume and, blood pressure to drop, resulting in less circulation and less oxygen to your vital body tissues, making you feel dizzy, nauseated, and weak. Sweat emulsifies the fat of your skin's glands and cleanses away the fat, oils, bacteria, impurities, and toxins the glands contain.

VASCULAR EFFECTS

Steam treatments stimulate the body's cardiovascular system. Within 15-20 minutes, the heart's pulse rate can increase from 75 to between 100 and 150 beats per minute.

The heat from the steam increases blood flow, causing the tiny blood vessels in the skin to expand - And this dual effect of increased blood flow and capillary dilation allows the bloodstream to carry greater amounts of nutrients to the skin making the skin healthier and glowing.

SKIN EFFECTS

The skin is the largest organ of elimination, followed by the bowels and kidneys. Steam heat helps clear dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, herpes zoster (shingles), acne, and pimples.

Skin eruptions are the body’s way of dumping toxins from the body. Skin problems mean major eliminative channel (organ) problems (mainly colon or intestinal problems). If you are not dumping, eliminating, or excreting from the rectum, then chances are you are dumping these toxins through your skin.

Regular dry heat will and does dry the skin, but steam washes toxins from the skin rather than allowing them to dry or bake back in. Steam also prevents dehydration of the delicate tissue of the lungs and respiratory system.

FACIAL STEAMING (TINTING)

If you suffer from sinus congestion and can’t breathe, try facial steaming (called "tinting") for 10-15 minutes. You can do this at home, by boiling a pot of water (to the point of steam), placing a large towel over your head, and inhaling the vapors of the steam. Add a few drops of essential oil of Eucalyptus (or White Camphor) and Pine to the boiling water to enhance the healing effect.

THE HEALTH CLUB

The Health Club provides a healthy alternative for indoor physical activity when it gets cold and outdoor activities as long and brisk walks become impossible.

Health clubs have activities that certainly make you more fit. You may enjoy a workout in the gym, a steam or sauna bath, or a scientific massage. It is not a resort for obese person to shedding extra pounds of fat.

Health club activities may prove unhealthy and dangerous if you are greatly overweight. Heavy exercise, weight lifting, and strenuous workouts can overload an already overburdened and may prove fatal.

PRECAUTIONS

ENTER THE SAUNA BATH WITH YOUR HEAD COVERED WITH A MOIST TOWEL Exposing your head to a body temperature average 98.4o F), can upset the delicate temperature regulating centre in the hypothalamic region of your brain.

NEVER BE ALONE IN A SAUNA BATH.

Sudden lowering of blood pressure brought in by excessive sweating and loss of precious salts from the body can make you collapse. Someone present in the sauna bath at that time can come to your rescue

NEVER LIE DOWN WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED IN A SAUNA BATH.

If you get a heat stroke or feel weak and giddy due to sudden lowering of blood pressure brought on by excessive sweating and loss of precious salts, it will not be noticed if you are lying down with your eyes closed.

COMMENTARY

Steam baths and saunas have become a popular part of modern spa and beauty culture. They have several health benefits including deep skin cleansing, detoxification and relaxation. However, too much of a good thing can be bad.

The very art of removing water from the body is medically wrong. It is highly risky and damages the body as large proportions of water lost through sweating comes from the blood. Circulatory capacity is adversely affected as sweat loss progresses, and is manifested by a decrease in circulating blood volume, a compensatory increase in heart rate, and decrease heart output.

Relaxation is central to sauna taking. Saunas can clear your mind, refresh the body, and leave you feeling rejuvenated. With this in mind, don't use the sauna to talk about business or controversial subjects as health reform. It's a place to get away from the world so keep conversation light and friendly.

Saunas are a time-proven method of bathing and are safe for just about everybody. The general rule, though, is that if you feel uncomfortable at any time, leave the sauna right away. Taking a sauna is not a contest, and there can be dangers if you stay in.

If it is a nice day, go outside and exercise, the fresh air and sunlight can be the boost you need.

VISIT www.drneedles.com for more discussion of medically controversial subjects. Your comments are always appreciated.

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PUT MEDICAL CHOICES IN YOUR HANDS

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs.
Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing

PUT MEDICAL CHOICES IN YOUR HANDS

We still have the best medical services in the world. We do however need to revamp our health system to make private insurance more accessible competitive, and portable, --not tied to any job nor any state.

Here in America we lead the world in innovation, cutting-edge diagnostic technology and effective new medicines to cure more diseases than ever before.

Washington bureaucrats are pointing at “Canada care” as the perfect model we all need. It is a fact that Canadian, British, and European health systems all ration and delay medical care for their citizens. There is limited access to cutting-edge diagnostic services and medication.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME STATISTICS

For the top 16 different types of cancers in Europe and the United States, we lead the world in treating breast and prostate cancers. Women with breast cancer here have a 14% higher survival rate than in European women. Prostate cancer survival is 28% higher than in Europe. We have a 66% five-year survival rate for all 16 of these types of cancer, but Europe has only a 47% five-year survival. After a cancer diagnosis, American women have a 63% chance of living five years compared to 56% for European women.

Out of five major cancers, (breast prostate, thyroid testicular and melanoma) there is a 90% survival rate in the United States. In Europe only testicular cancer has a 90% survival rate.

During the last 11 years over 50% of new cancer drugs were first launched here in the United States. Our innovation benefits the entire world for cancer therapy. Between the years 1995 and 2005, we launched 12 new cancer drugs, compared to 1 in Britain, three in Switzerland, two in Germany, and only one in France.

New technologies for diagnostic imaging are more available here in the United States than in Europe or Canada. American patients see specialists and have diagnostic tests a month sooner than patients in other countries with nationalized health care.

MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer survival rates are higher if cancer is caught early. After 40, most American women have mammograms every year to detect cancer at early stages.

90% of middle-aged American women have a mammogram compared to 72% in Canada. Britain only allows a mammogram every three years only for women from the ages of 50 to 70. After that, you are too old for screening. (That's why deaths from breast cancer are higher in Britain).

HEALTH CARE DELAYS

In Canada urgent consultations for special studies like MRIs are put on a waiting list that take months. In 2007, Canadians waited an average of over 17 weeks from seeing a primary care doctor to getting a specialist appointment. The wait for a hip replacement is between 12 to 24 months.

People come here from around the world for state-of-the-art care not available in their countries. Canada only has a government-run system, with no private pay options. They come here when they need services quickly or services are not available in their government systems.

COMMENTARY

We Americans have remarkable creativity in solving problems. Let's apply our positive attitudes to fixing the current problems without destroying what is working.

We must have more say over our medical care, and allowing free markets and competition to keep the costs down. If we provide tax incentives, so we can purchase their own health insurance based on their own immediate needs( as we do for car insurance). We need less government intrusion and bureaucratic regulations not more.

We will demolish the entire health care system if we continue to push our extraordinarily innovative and flexible health care system into becoming a rigid cookbook one standard fits all government run bureaucracy, We do need reform by putting medical choices and privacy in the hands of you and your doctors, not our government.

Lets not throw out the baby with the bath water. Our medical care is working for 90% of Americans who are satisfied with their health care. All we need to do is fix the problems that affect 5 to 10% of the population.

Visit www.drneedles.com for more information on controversial medical subjects. Your comments are always appreciated.

Source Lancet Oncology, 2007 cancer treatment and survival statistics.

YOUR NAILS TELL YOUR HEALTH STORY

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs.
Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.

LOOK AT YOUR FINGERNAILS FOR CLUES TO YOUR HEALTH

Nails are often considered ‘lifeless’ structures, but they are extensions of the skin. Nail inspection can give a great deal of information about the internal working of the body. How they look and discoloration of the fingernails can provide clues to various health problems.

WEAK NAILS

People have always looked for an easy way to strengthen the natural nail plate. Nails are made of protein called keratin, and a deficiency of protein can show up as soft, fragile, or brittle nails.

Since gelatin is a form of protein, the logic is that the protein would help strengthen nails. This has never been proven to be the case. Since nails contain no calcium, there is no rationale for taking calcium to strengthen nails. Several studies have shown the vitamin biotin can make nails stronger.

BRITTLE NAILS

Brittle Nails show vertical splitting or separation of the nail plate layers at the distal (free) edge of the nail plate. Overexposure to water and chemical solvents such as household cleaning solutions can cause the nails to become brittle.

VERTICAL RIDGES

Most of the time, the natural aging process causes nail splitting and vertical ridges. As we age, the nail bed's natural flow of oils and moisture is greatly reduced. This oil and moisture is the cement that holds the nail platelayers together and gives the plate its inherent flexibility.

WHITE SPOTS

White spots on the nail are perhaps the most common nail disorder (leukonychia). The most common cause of white spots on the nail is minor injury to the nail matrix. These spots grow out from the matrix with the nail plate and eventually disappear.

Over-vigorous pushing back of the cuticles with a metal or wooden instrument can also cause it. Always soften the cuticles first with a lotion or warm water before pushing them back, and never use anything but gentle pressure.

NAILS LIFTING FROM THE NAIL BED

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed (onycholysis) is usually caused by a fungal infection (usually the yeast fungus Candida), psoriasis, trauma, and sensitivity to certain nail products.

Usually, nails will not reattach on their own unless the causative factor is eliminated. Sometimes the nails never reattach. If the cause of the lifting is allowed to continue affecting the nail, it can eventually create a scar in the nail bed and the nails will never reattach.

CLAW TYPE NAILS (NAIL ATROPHY)

Claw-type nails (Onychogryposis) have a thickened nail plate and are caused by trauma. This type of nail plate will curve inward, pinching the nail bed.

GREEN NAILS

Pseudomonas bacterial infection can occur between the natural nail plate and the nail bed, or between an artificial nail coating and the natural nail plate. It is generally caused from air pockets under the nail plate that allow moisture to get in. The discoloration is simply a by-product of the infection and is caused primarily by iron compounds. It is not a mold. Pseudomonas thrives in moist places; it feeds off dead tissue and bacteria in the nail plate, and high moisture levels allow it to grow.

The infection will cause the nail plate to darken and soften underneath an artificial coating. The darker the discoloration, the deeper the bacteria have traveled into the nail platelayers. If the bacteria have entered between the nail plate and the nail bed, it may cause the nail plate to lift from the nail bed.

YELLOW NAIL BEDS

Yellow nail beds are often seen with lymph edema, lung effusions, or chronic chest infections. The nails become thickened and yellow, and can become separated from the nail bed.

BROWN LINES

Small hemorrhages between the nails result in narrow red or reddish brown lines running along the nails length and occur in people with heart valve infections.

A brown streak along the length of the nail can be seen with ingestion of some antibiotics as mynocycline. Some pigmentation is found in people with diseases of the adrenal glands, and fungal or bacterial infections. A pigmented line in a nail can be sign of a malignant melanoma or other skin cancer. Brown nail beds occur in chronic kidney disease.

WHITE SPOTS

White spots on the nail, (leukonychia), is perhaps the most common nail disorder The most common cause of white spots on the nail is minor injury to the nail matrix, caused by trauma or minor injury. These spots grow out from the matrix with the nail plate and eventually disappear.

It can be caused by your nail technician over-vigorous pushing back your cuticles with a metal or wooden instrument. Always have the cuticles softened first with a lotion or warm water before pushing them back, and only use gentle pressure. White nail beds are seen with liver or kidney problems. Blue nail beds are often seen in treatment with the drug heparin.

HORIZONTAL DARK LINES (Beau's Lines)

Horizontal lines of darkened cells and linear depressions are caused by trauma, illness, malnutrition, chemotherapy, or some major metabolic condition, or other damaging event. The protein formation of the nail plate is interrupted.

HALF AND HALF NAILS

Kidney failure may cause the bottom half of the nails to turn white and the top half of the nails to turn pink or appear pigmented (half-and-half nails.

CONCAVE RIDGES

Concave ridges (Koilonychia) are usually caused by iron deficiency anemia. These nails show raised ridges (Beaus lines), and are thin and concave.

VERTICAL PIGMENTED BANDS

Vertical pigmented bands (Melanonychia), often described as nail 'moles', usually form in the nail matrix. It could signify a malignant melanoma or lesion. Dark streaks may be a normal occurrence in dark-skinned individuals, and are fairly common.

BROWN- BLACK STREAKS

Called "subungal (under a nail) melanoma" by dermatologists, this form accounts for about 2% of melanomas The most common early warning sign is the appearance of a brown to black-colored streak underneath the nail, which is often mistaken for a bruise.

VERTICAL RIDGES

Vertical Ridges are also characteristic of aging, although are not limited to the aged or elderly. The nail plate grows forward on the nail bed in a 'rail and groove' effect, much like a train rides on its' tracks. As we age, the natural oil and moisture levels decline in the nail plate, and this nail and groove effect becomes apparent.

RED NAIL BEDS

Red ligulae (the white area at the base of the nail) are seen in heart failure. If blue, it usually is copper accumulation.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Nail fungus becomes more common with age. As we age, our nails begin to grow more slowly and start to thicken, making them more susceptible to attack by fungi.

Nails that are kept moist and warm have a higher risk of developing fungal infections. People who perspire heavily, work where their hands are frequently in water, wear tight socks or shoes that don’t provide ventilation, or who frequent locker rooms, swimming pools, or other public bathing facilities have a higher risk of developing fungal infections.

COLD WEATHER

One consequence of cold weather is decreased circulation to the fingers resulting in Reynard’s Phenomenon. The fingers become discolored, alternating from red to white to blue and are often painful. Wearing gloves helps to keep the fingers warmer and improving the blood flow to the nail area.

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis of the nails results in raw, scaly skin. It is sometimes confused with eczema. When it attacks the nail plate, it leaves the nail pitted, dry, and crumbly. The plate separates from the nail bed and appears red, orange or brown, with red spots in the lunula.

The changes result in separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis) and thickening of the nail bed (subungual hyperkeratosis). Often splinter hemorrhages, reddish-brown discoloration of the nail bed, and white spots on the nail plate will appear. If you have nail psoriasis, you should not wear acrylics because your condition can be aggravated.

ARTIFICIAL NAILS

Acrylic nails are safe: they can be dangerous if there is repeated exposure to the chemicals on the skin. Most of the chemicals used to make artificial nails are acrylic-based. Certainly they would be dangerous if ingested, but no significant amount of the products can go through the nails into the bloodstream. The danger is only when products are applied improperly.

Extension products that do not fully cure or harden, whether acrylics or gels, can cause an allergic reaction. It is important to prevent products from repeatedly touching your skin. There are no components in the products used to create artificial nails that cause bacterial and fungal infections of the nails.

NAIL SALONS

Nail and hair salons can spread fungal infections. Contaminated instruments as scissors, nail files, and razors can spread fungi. Be sure that instruments are properly sterilized between clients. Good hand washing habits are also important.

COMMENTARY

About 50% of nail deformities are caused by fungal infections. The remainder results from various causes as: trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and occasionally cancer. Drugs, infections, and diseases can cause discoloration of the nails (chromonychia).

Your doctor can often make a diagnosis by examination. However, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor he must take fungal scrapings and perform a culture.

Between paintings, look at your nails and see that the real you is healthy!

Visit www.drneedles.com for more information on controversial medical subjects that may affect your health.