Want To Know How To Cure Herpes?

No one knows how to cure herpes, although many scientists have been studying the herpes simplex virus in order to hopefully develop an effective vaccine that either prevents transmission or eliminates the presence of the virus in the body. Will there ever be a cure for genital herpes? That remains unanswered, but it is evident that a lot of research is being done to hopefully make the answer to that question "yes."

Currently, the closest things available to knowing how to cure herpes are the variety of medications and herbal treatments that temporarily cure and suppress the symptoms of herpes outbreaks.

Many of the drugs that can be prescribed to treat herpes infections aid a great deal in decreasing the number of outbreaks that occur in those who have the condition. They also alleviate the severity of outbreaks when they do occur. These medications are antiviral agents that also tend to reduce the frequency of viral shedding, which is when the body can actively transmit the virus even though no signs or symptoms occur. Valtrex is currently the most popular form of herpes medication.

Some people think that a vaccine will be the answer to how to cure herpes, and several vaccines are currently being investigated. They are, for the most part, only going to aid in the prevention of herpes, and those who already have the virus will probably not be able to rid themselves of it by being vaccinated post contamination.

Glaxo-Smith Klein launched a campaign in 2002 to develop a trial study for Herpevac for Women, which is currently the leading potential for an effective vaccine, however it appears that it will only be effective for women. Isoniplex is a vaccine that is currently available in most countries, but not yet in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration is currently working to determine whether or not this vaccine should be manufactured and distributed in the United States in the near future.

Some natural treatments are being studied, and many are currently being used to assist people in the treatment of their genital herpes. Whether or not natural methods will answer the question of will there ever be a cure for genital herpes remains uncertain, but it is clear that significant progression is being made in the area of natural treatments. Zinc, lysine, and vitamin C combinations have been shown to effectively speed up the recovery process for breakouts. Olive leaf, andrographis and echinacea combinations help to boost the body's immune system, which ultimately fights the virus and reduces the amount of outbreaks and symptoms that occur.

It seems that we are not far away from finding out how to cure herpes, we just haven't completely arrived there yet. Researchers continue to work to better understand the very complex herpes simplex virus, and so far their studies have provided us with important information to help us better manage the virus. Hopefully within the next few years we will no longer be asking ourselves how to cure herpes or will there ever be a cure for herpes?

How To Cure Candida Albicans Naturally

Candida Albicans is a type of parasitic yeast-like fungus that inhabits the intestines, genital tract, mouth, esophagus and throat. Normally this fungus lives in healthy balance with the other bacteria and yeasts in the body, however, certain conditions can cause it to multiply weakening the immune system and causing the infection known as Candidiasis. When Candida infects the vagina it results in Vaginitis characterized by large amounts of white, cheesy discharge and intense itching and burning.

When the fungus infects the oral cavity, white sores may form on the tongue, gums and inside the cheeks. In a baby, the white spots of oral thrush may resemble milk spots. It is most common in babies and in persons with compromised immune symptoms. Virtually all people with AIDS have some type of fungal infection. Anyone who has been on long term antibiotic therapy, or has taken antibiotics often, probably has an overgrowth of Candida somewhere in the body. Antibiotics weaken the immune system and also destroy the "friendly" bacteria that normally keep Candida under control. As Candida spreads the fungus releases toxins that weaken the immune system further.

Symptoms:

Constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, impotence, memory loss, canker sores, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, nagging cough, acne, night sweats, burning tongue, and white spots on the tongue and in the mouth

Recommendations:

• Raw, organic garlic inhibits and destroys Candida Albicans. Two separate studies showed that that garlic inhibited the growth of candida albicans in vitro. Appl Environ Microbiol, 53(3), march 1987, p. 615-617. AND Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 30(3), September 1986, p.499-501
• Eat plenty of raw vegetables and gluten-free grains such as brown rice and millet. See foods that heal.
• Drink distilled water only.
• To prevent re-infection, replace your toothbrush every 30 days and wear white cotton underwear as synthetic fibers lead to increased perspiration which creates a hospitable environment for Candida.
• Herbal colon formulas may be helpful in cleansing the intestinal tract which can help eliminate a yeast infection. If interested, click here to take a look at a high quality colon cleanse.
• If you have chronic and/or unusually persistent Candida infections, consult your healthcare provider.

Things to Avoid:

• Avoid foods that destroy, including aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods, chocolate, dried fruits, ham, pickles, soy sauce, raw mushrooms, and nut butters.
• Eliminate citrus and acidic fruits such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, tomato and limes from your diet for one month.

References:

1) James F. Balch, M.D, Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," (1997)

2) S. yoshida, et al., "Antifungal Activity of Ajoene Derived from Garlic," Appl Environ Microbiol, 53(3), march 1987, p. 615-617.

3) M. Adetumbi, et al., "Allium Satvium (garlic) Inhibits Lipid Synthesis by Candida Albicans," Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 30(3), September 1986, p.499-501

Types of Raw Food Diet

You probably know the advantages that raw food diet brings about. A raw food diet is a type of dietary plan of which the literally involves the consuming of uncooked, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, sprouts, seaweed, nuts and juices. The main idea behind the raw food diet is that cooking and processing removes the much needed vitamins, enzymes and nutrients that our bodies need in order to have a healthy life. Below are types of raw food diet that you may want to try.

Fruitarian

This is probably one of the most interesting types of raw food diet. Fruitarians essentially mean the consumption of foods that primarily consist of fruits, nuts and grains or a "fruit only diet". Fruits provide nourishment and are quite refreshing. They don't obstruct the circulatory system of the body; in fact, they clean the arteries and blood vessels.

Juicearian

Drinking fruit and vegetable juice is considered as the best way to remove toxins. Juice is a type of concentrated nutrition. Individuals who drink prefer this type of diet opt for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sproutarian

This type of raw food diet focuses more on consuming sprouts. You may not know it but sprouts are rich in vitamins and nutrients. As a matter of fact, contain all of the required elements a plant needs for it to live and grow. The seed of the sprout acts like a depot of carbohydrates, protein and oil. And when the seed develops; the seeds is then filled with predigested amino acids and natural sugars that provide nourishment to the plant. Sprouts are rich with energy that will provide us with additional vigor and life.

Raw food diet is the best way to give your body the nourishment it needs. Most of the people in the United States nowadays are overweight. Being overweight does not mean you have all the nourishment that your body needs, as a matter of fact overweight individuals usually crave for the essential nourishment that their body needs. The reason that they are overweight is because of the processed foods that they consume and the way the foods served. Almost all of the processed provide only a small amount of what the body really needs. Therefore, they tend to consume more processed food than what their body needed and still do not have sufficient nourishment. And in order to be healthy, you must have a healthy diet.

Snacks That Raise the Bar

You may be familiar with health professionals suggesting that you eat snacks throughout the day, and 'snack bars' seem like an obvious choice. But walk into that aisle of the grocery store and you are bombarded with bright colors, health claims, and messages on each and every box. Which ones are better choices and which ones are more like camouflaged candy bars?

One main ingredient to look for in snack items is fiber. It helps fill you up and keep your system moving. Current recommendations suggest that adults need 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. A product or a food item can be labeled "high fiber" when it contains more than 5g of fiber per serving. And bran, the outer layer of the whole grain, is fiber rich. However, they don't make it easy – just seeing the words "fiber" or "bran" on the food package does not guarantee a well-balanced product.

In addition to a good amount of fiber, you also want a snack bar to have several grams of protein and fat to balance out the carbohydrates from the grains and not to have too many grams of sugar (aim for 10 grams or less).

Quaker makes an easy lesson for us with its "Breakfast Cookies." At least they are not hiding anything with this product - with 220 calories and 19 grams of sugar, this breakfast item surely is just a cookie fortified with a handful of vitamins. You will find that other bars are often little more than vitamin-fortified Rice Krispies Treats.

The new Oats and Chocolate Fiber One Bar touts 35% of the daily value of fiber in huge print on the front of the box. I give this product an honorable mention. With drizzled chocolate on top and chocolate chips inside, this bar is a sweet and tasty treat. The nutritional information is 140 calories and 9 grams of fiber, but it also has 10 grams of sugar and only 2 grams of protein. In addition, these bars contain high fructose corn syrup, as well as hydrogenated coconut oil. On the other hand, I highly recommend Fiber One cereal as a breakfast food or snack (mix with nuts and dried fruit for a fantastic homemade trail mix). One-half cup has only 60 calories and 15 grams of fiber.

All-Bran also has a bar that I will give an honorable mention. It advertises 20% of your daily fiber needs on the package. Each bar has about 130 calories, 5 grams of fiber, only half a gram of saturated fat, and no refined grains. It has moderately high sugar at 11 grams, but at least it comes with a decent dose of fiber. In contrast, Post Raisin Bran Cereal Bars have only 3 grams of fiber and some refined "wheat flakes" mixed in with their whole grains. Even lower on the continuum would be Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch bars – they have more white rice than any whole grain, leaving each bar with only one gram of fiber. Why even use bran in the name of that bar?

Kashi is a current favorite brand of mine. They now have hot and cold cereals, granola bars, snack bars, and yes, you heard it here, cookies!, all made with their signature seven-grain blend. A cookie with 3-4 grams of fiber may be a nutritionists dream come true. Their TLC crunchy and chewy granola bars, as well as their GoLean snack bars are great choices for snacks on the run. The granola bars have 4 grams of fiber, 7 grams of protein, and 5-7 grams of sugar. The snack bars have 6 grams of fiber and 9-12 grams of protein. (Numbers vary depending on the flavor). In addition, all of the ingredients are natural – no manufactured sugars or hydrogenated oils.

As you can see, it is all relative. Kashi remains my top choice of brand. However, keep in mind these guidelines when checking food labels: Look for at least 4 or 5 grams of fiber and protein and less than 10 grams of sugar. Read over the ingredient list. Is it nice and short? Can you pronounce all of the words? Going with the old adage that "we are what we eat," it is nice to at least be able to pronounce what we are putting inside our bodies.

Snack on! Without constant sources of energy throughout the day, your mental clarity and mood are sure to suffer. If you don't believe it – ask your coworkers or family. They may hint at a few mood swings, depending on the last time you have eaten that day.

Recognizing The Signs Of Herpes & Treating The Virus Effectively

There are a variety of common signs of herpes. Some of them are very noticeable, such as in most cases of oral herpes, and some are less obvious, as is the case for genital herpes. Still, additional signs and symptoms of herpes can develop in the forms of ailments and illnesses such as fever and headaches.

When a person is afflicted with oral herpes, the outbreaks that are associated with the virus are usually very visible to others. The initial symtoms of herpes begin on an average of four days after a person initially comes in contact with the virus. An itching or burning sensation in, on, or around a person's mouth usually indicates the onset of an outbreak.

Shortly after these first signs begin to develop, small red bumps appear on the infected area and quickly progress into larger blisters. The blisters ulcerate, and then become scabs and remain that way until the healing process completes its course. Some accompanying signs of herpes of the mouth include the swelling of gums and lymph nodes in the neck, and a sore throat.

The genital herpes infections are usually caused by HSV-2, while oral herpes is usually a result of an HSV-1 infection. General indications of genital herpes outbreaks appear in a similar way to those of oral herpes in regards to the sores that occur on the genitals of men and women.

The signs and symptoms of herpes caused by HSV- 2 differ very slightly from those caused by HSV – 1 in that they usually cause more severe symptoms to develop as well as a higher frequency of outbreaks. Additionally, females who have fallen victim to the condition are susceptible to developing symptoms inside their vaginal cavity. This often results in the misdiagnosis of the symptoms as herpes, and in some cases, the herpes virus is not identified at all by the infected person.

In addition to the visible signs of herpes, symptoms similar to those of the flu may develop. Body aches, headaches, and fevers often develop in conjunction with the earliest indications of a herpes contraction. These signs are, in general, not associated with the virus. As a result, they are often not thought of as symtoms of herpes until the physical manifestations of the virus develop. In some cases, sufferers may develop nerve twitching in the area that is affected by the virus both prior to and during an outbreak.

In order to manage the effects of the various signs and symptoms of herpes, a vast array of treatment options are available. For most people, prescription drug treatment is the treatment of choice. Combined with an over the counter pain reliever or topical cream, this treatment method usually results in a lessening of the frequency of outbreaks, as well as a means of easing pain during outbreaks.

Natural treatments are becoming an increasingly popular way to remedy signs of herpes, as they are usually not accompanied by any additional side effects. Consultation with a doctor is always recommended before any form of treatment is used.

What is Acid Reflux? - The Question Behind a Story

There's most commonly a very personal story behind the question "what is acid reflux?" I say that because those who have a very real reason to believe that they may be suffering from the complaint are the ones who pose the question.

Most commonly they may believe that they are suffering with a bout of heartburn and this has been going on for a seemingly extended period. The end result is stomach acid seeping into the esophagus. The potent stomach liquids are pushed into the esophagus and hence the delicate lining is not designed to cope with industrial strength acid that belongs in the stomach.

During your research, and while asking, "what is acid reflux decease?" for that is what you are most likely doing right now; you also come across the term "gastroesophageal reflux disease" and the acronym "GERD".

A few weeks ago I visited a good friend of mine and I had the occasion told him just how tired he looked on that day. I thought that he had been overworking lately but his wife joined the conversation and continued to tell me that he had just spent the last night in hospital with a suspected heart attack. During the night he had experienced severe chest pains and in the end he had to call the emergency services, believing he was suffering from a heart attack.

It turned out to be a severe case of heartburn and the doctors told him that the symptoms were very similar. That's the case; actually some of the symptoms of acid reflux decease are similar to a heart attack.

What is acid reflux? The esophagus, or what you might commonly refer to as the throat, joins the stomach; you will find a restricting valve known as the lower esophagus sphincter. The purpose of this valve is to prevent stomach acid seeping into the esophagus. It's a one-way traffic system that permits food into the stomach and prevents acid leaving the stomach. For a variety of reason, stomach acid may occasionally find its way past the lower esophagus sphincter. The guarding sentinel is known to give way on occasions. The sensitive ling of the esophagus is then irritated to cause severe pain in the lower chest area. That is why there is sometimes a mistake and people think that it's a heart attack.

No matter if you find yourself with severe chest pains call the emergency services and let them tell you that it's simply acid reflux. While you're there you may want to ask the medical staff the same question: "what is acid reflux?"

You will find that the symptoms of acid reflux can be considerably worsened when in a lying down position, such as when you are in bed. That is why people complain more about it during the night than at any other time. That is why some many restless nights are experienced and why my friend looked so tired while I visited him. In fact the acid reflux will occur at any time of day but lets be thankful for our old friend gravity. Not only does it prevent the human race flying off into outer space to meet our maker but also it keeps stomach acid where it is meant to be - in the stomach.

I'm sure that you'd like to know more about acid reflux and how you can help yourself to combat the complaint then visit http://www.treatacid.com

Heartburn - Is it Heartburn or GERD?

Do you experience frequent heartburn? You should ask your doctor whether something more serious might be going on, even if the antacids you take knock it out quickly. Of particular concern is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly. The LES is basically a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. When it doesn't close tightly, stomach contents can leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The result? For many folks, it's the chronic pain of heartburn.

Not One Symptom

Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD, but it is important to know that some people can have the disorder without feeling any acid indigestion. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that other symptoms may include pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning and trouble swallowing. You may even feel as though you are choking or have food stuck in your throat. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath. And as bad as these symptoms make you feel, the potential repercussions are, alas, even worse: bleeding, ulcers, scars from tissue damage, difficulty swallowing, and, possibly, cancer.

What Causes GERD?

Though no one knows for sure what causes GERD, researchers have discovered that one contributing factor may be a hiatal hernia. This happens when the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest is forced out of position and ends up above the diaphragm. The diaphragm usually helps the lower esophageal sphincter keep acid from coming up into the esophagus, but the hernia interferes with this, and reflux is the result.

Other recognized potential triggers include: alcohol use, excess weight, pregnancy and smoking.

In addition, acid reflux may be triggered by eating certain foods such as citrus; chocolate; caffeinated drinks; fatty and fried foods; garlic and onions; mint and mint flavorings; spicy foods; and tomatoes and tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, chili and pizza.

What Can Be Done?

The first step is to go see your doctor. An exam can help determine whether you are suffering from simple heartburn or GERD. According to NIDDK, over-the-counter (OTC) antacid medication may help people in the short term.

However, if it's GERD, prescription medication might be your best bet. Your doctor may prescribe meds that are more effective than OTC ones; he or she may also perform tests to help determine the best treatment course for you. You'll want to get to the doctor sooner rather than later, since GERD is a very treatable problem. Whether you have heartburn or GERD affects your treatment. If you're not sure, see your doctor. ©REMEDY, Spring 2007