Can I Cure Cold Sores Once and for All?

The quick and easy answer is NO! But please read on, you might find some good tips on how to be asymptomatic.

Some Science

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus type-1, generally associated with labial herpes is widely spread. Approximately 70% of the population carries the virus!

The HSV-1 virus hides in the trigeminal nerve (nerve system) out of reach of your immune system. Everybody who is infected carries the anti-bodies to fight the virus, but they can only attack when the virus gets out of its hideout.

When the virus successfully replicates in the cells at the end of a nerve (you can generally feel a tingling during this phase), a cold sore outbreak occurs. Your immune system fights the virus for a couple of days and wins the battle, but not the war. The rest of the viruses stay or return to their favorite hideout, your trigeminal ganglion and go dormant for a while, until the next outbreak.

But why I'm the only one with returning cold sores?

You're not alone! 30% of the infected population suffers from recurrent outbreaks.

Why?

It has been stated by a team of researchers from the University of Utah and the University of Massachusetts that people with recurrent cold sores may have a subtle genetic deficiency. They discovered that a gene called C21orf91 (part of the Chromosome 21) was associated with susceptibility to oral herpes. They identified five major variations of C21orf91, two of which seemed to protect against HSV-1 reactivation and two of which seemed to increase the likelihood of having frequent cold sore outbreaks. People affected by this mild deficiency still carry the anti-bodies to fight the virus but their cells are more vulnerable to the HSV virus.

The good news is that with some efforts, you can be asymptomatic (no outbreaks). Suppression of the symptoms is the closest you'll ever be to a 'cure'.

Those efforts can consist of:

· Trying lysine therapy along with other dietary supplements (like zinc, vitamin c etc...).

· Maintaining a balanced diet to keep your immune system in good shape

· Antiviral medication like Acyclovir or Valacyclovir (Be aware of the side-effects)

· Manage your stress! Too much stress can a negative impact on your immune system

Beware of miracle 'cures'

Many products out there preach miracle herpes cures without any medical proof. Please be careful and inform yourself before buying!

Renal Failure Symptoms: What Exactly Are They And How Do They Occur?

The kidneys are vital organs. So humans seem to be surviving after sacrificing one kidney, but nobody can live with neither of these. The kidneys help support the stability of electrolytes in the blood, eliminate toxins from the body and can trigger either the removal or preservation of water, among a few more functions. When kidney failure develops without having medical treatment, death is highly expected due to organ failure and toxicity. As a result, renal failure symptoms appear as the body executes several last-ditch efforts to reduce the wastes accumulating in the bloodstream. In the earliest levels of kidney disease, there are usually no symptoms therefore kidney disease becomes difficult to detect initially. The human body is actually fairly tolerant, and is able to manage the blood very efficiently. For example, while normal blood quantities of waste product generally known as creatinine are between 0.5-1.2 mg/dl for a healthy person, and approximately 1.9 for a person with only one kidney, they can go up to 10.0 mg/dl before a person demands kidney dialysis. Since renal failure symptoms are really produced by the body as a reaction to this buildup of toxins in the blood, it takes some time for toxins to build up enough to result in symptoms. This is why treatment is significant once renal failure symptoms become visible as by this time renal damage can be so advanced that that the kidneys may not be capable to function effectively independently.

Meanwhile, the body works very hard to maintain the right balance of many necessary factors in the blood vessels. The kidneys are responsible for managing fluid levels within the body therefore among the first renal failure symptoms will probably be swelling, as the body retains water. This is most frequently observed in the limbs such as feet and ankles, but even puffiness around the eyes in the morning. As this progresses, fluid can end up diffusing into the lungs, triggering shortness of breath and potentially eventual congestive heart failure. Another crucial task for the kidneys is balancing of electrolytes. Many people know these are needed for appropriate hydration, but the fact is that minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium are needed for regular muscle and nerve function too. As levels of potassium increase, as noticed in renal failure, heart arrhythmias is common renal failure symptom. These include dangerous arrhythmias, like ventricular fibrillation. This can probably cause death from cardiac arrest. Calcium levels drop during kidney failure, which can lead to mental renal failure symptoms including confusion due to hypocalcaemia.

When the kidneys can't purify the blood effectively, metabolic acidosis increases. This happens when the body's capability to buffer itself is thrown off kilter, causing the bloodstream to become more acidic than it should be. There are many widespread symptoms of acidosis, and those that relate to the kidneys and can be seen as urinary problems, high blood pressure, gout, immune problems and low energy.

For most kidney disease patients, over time anemia can develop. It is because the kidneys are necessary to make up the hormone EPO, which helps produce red blood cells. When poor quantities of red blood cells are made, the body's capability to utilize oxygen decreases. This can lead to weakness, lethargy, and shortness of breath, which are standard symptoms. As kidney failure continues, the body might even try to reduce waste by excreting it from the skin. In this case skin rashes and itching are common. Uremic frost can develop on the skin as urea compounds and other metabolic wastes are pushed out through the capillaries in the skin, especially on the face. This normally happens to be severe as well.

As you can see there are a wide array of symptoms that can manifest. This is not a complete list of potential problems, as they can vary between individuals. Nevertheless, it may offer you relief to know that there is a way. Natural therapies can help protect your kidneys from further damage and relieve these. In some cases they can even enhance kidney function at this late point - herb nutrients and dietary changes will be of value at any period of kidney damage.

Keeping Your Liver Healthy

We are bombarded with many stressors and toxins on a daily basis. Whether in the food we eat, the air that we breathe or the products we use, these factors place stress on the liver. The liver controls over 500 internal functions. It is the largest internal organ of the body. Everything that we ingest and digest is processed through the liver. If your liver is unhealthy and filled with toxins, you may experience some of these symptoms: fatigue, jaundice, headaches, food allergies, mental confusion and depression.

Liver Functions: There are many functions performed by the liver. The liver cleans the blood, produces and stores important substances such as vitamins, hormones and enzymes and keeps the digestive system clean by converting amino acids to urea which is then filtered through the kidneys. The detoxification role of the liver is extremely important to the overall health of the body. If the liver becomes damaged it can scar which results in a condition known as cirrhosis.

Tests for Liver Damage: There are many ways that liver damage can be medically tested. A liver enzyme test checks for elevated enzymes. In more serious cases, a liver biopsy could be performed. A heightened enzyme level does not necessarily indicate liver problems or damage. Therefore working closely with your medical doctor is crucial in determining if there are problems with your liver.

Methods to keep the liver healthy: There are key things you should do for liver health. Limit alcohol usage, drugs and avoid as many toxic substances as possible. If you drink too many alcoholic beverages it would be wise to limit your intake. Try switching to drinking more water which will help flush toxins from your body. Use cleaning products that do not contain harsh chemicals. If you have to work with chemicals such as a painting project, always be in a well ventilated area and wear gloves and a face mask to limit your exposure. Hair and skin care products should be free of toxic chemicals that your body will absorb on contact. There are numerous affordable products now available that are organic and chemical free that you can switch too.

Prescriptions and Supplements: If there is liver damage it is harder for the liver to process substances such as medications and supplements. It is extremely important to inform your medical provider with all information regarding anything that you are taking so as to avoid toxicity or potential drug interactions that can harm you and your liver.

Good Food Choices: Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet to help keep your liver healthy. Avoid raw seafood and highly processed foods. Limit caffeine consumption. If you have cirrhosis you may have to limit the amount of protein you consume. Small healthy meals are best with limits on fatty and spicy foods. Chemically laden foods will stress your digestion system and slow down your ability to detoxify. Good food choices could include fresh steamed vegetables with olive oil and lean proteins such as chicken, turkey and eggs. Meals that are salad based with a little added protein are an ideal choice as well as complex carbs such as brown rice. Foods that are considered natural detoxifiers include cabbage, broccoli and kale. Substitute salt with fresh herbs to flavor your meals and limit your sugar intake.

Exercise: Incorporate regular exercise into your life. Avoid strenuous exercise but focus instead on activities such as walking, bike riding or swimming. Exercise will help to remove toxins and waste from your bloodstream and increase your oxygen levels, both of which will help to keep your liver healthy.

Positive Outlook: One of the staples of good health is a healthy attitude. Research has shown that a positive mental outlook can benefit your immune system. Be sure to also get adequate rest. Create a life that focuses on balance in all areas. These simple guidelines will help to keep your liver healthy and if damaged may also help to heal it. Remember to always consult with your medical provider if you are currently taking any prescription medication or supplements and to help you make the best choices for your liver health.

Syncope (Fainting) Syndrome

Syncope does not always appear to be a complete loss of consciousness, but may be just an altered state of consciousness. The individual, although they have fallen, will usually recover spontaneously within a brief time period. In some instances, the individual may not lose consciousness, but have an impending sensation that they are going to faint. Syncope can be caused by both cardiovascular or noncardiovascular diseases or conditions. cardiovascular conditions such as, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, etc. are generally related to syncope. Fright or extreme stress that is not due to cardiovascular conditions, may cause a condition known as a vasovagal attack, due to a vasovagal depression of the vagal nerve.

Another causative factor may be, Orthosatic hypotension, whereby the individual has sudden drop in blood pressure when getting up suddenly from a sitting or lying down position. This is more likely to occur in the older individual. In these individuals, syncope can occur due to many other causes. An inconsequential cause such as a tight collar may act as a trigger to cause a caotid sinus episode that can cause syncope, or the feeling of syncope. In the older male who may have prostatic hypertrophy and is straining to urinate can also lose consciousness.

There are many other conditions that can be causative factors. Congenital factors, such as epilepsy, may be trigger in these episodes. In some individuals, the cause may never be determined, even after going through every test known at this time. Some individuals have gone through CT scans, MRI's, Tilttable test, etc. and still have not had a definitive diagnosis. These individuals go through their everyday lives with a variety of symptoms. They can feel a sudden giddiness, the room seems as if spinning around them. They can break out in sweats. They may have a sudden dimming of vision, and become nauseous, and in some instances will vomit.

In some individuals, the condition may be caused by "Vertigo", a condition usually caused by the balance mechanism in the middle ear. In this case, the individual needs to see a specialist to determine if there might be a viral infection or other defect of the inner ear. If a viral infection is found the they will probably be treated with an antibiotic. In many instances the condition may be due to some irregularity of the inner ear mechanism. At times certain movements of the head by the doctor will correct or improve the condition.

When an individual undergoes a state of syncope, and they are on the ground, good Samaritans, should not attempt to sit or stand these individuals up. They should instead, raise their legs in order to help restore their blood circulation to the head and brain.