Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

Flashing lights or zigzag lines appear in your field of vision. Perhaps you lose your peripheral vision or are not able to see at all. Your limbs may feel weak or like they dont belong to you. Speech may be slowed or impossible.

These symptoms are often followed by a feeling of nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and finally an intense headache on one or both sides of the head.

You may be having a migraine headache, which may then cause you to wonder: Why do some people get these painful episodes, while others do not? What distinguishes migraines from more typical headaches? And lastly, what can you do to treat them?

More than 37 million people in the United States, and about 1 billion people worldwide, suffer from migraine headaches, according to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF). At least one person in an estimated one out of every four households is impacted by the disorder, and one in eleven children experience migraines.

According to research published in Headache: Journal of Head and Face Pain, almost 15 percent of the population worldwide experiences some form of migraines. Even more people may be affected, as it is under-diagnosed.

In Taos County, with a population of 32,771 (U.S. Census 2021) that means there are close to 5,000 people here who suffer from migraines.

Migraine is an inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by over excitability of specific areas of the brain, according to the AMF website.

Although it is not fully understood what happens in the brain to bring on a migraine, people who are affected are more likely to be influenced by certain factors, called triggers. These can include bright lights, changes in the weather, allergies, smells, hormonal fluctuations, some foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress and sleep problems. Through tracking foods and other factors, some people are able to discover their triggers and work to reduce or eliminate them.

About one out of every three migraine sufferers experiences visual disturbances, including flashing lights, zigzag lines, or temporary loss of vision. A headache, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound can follow (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Some who experience migraines become increasingly sensitive to triggers and may develop a pattern of chronic or even daily migraines.

What can you do about them?

Jamie Sampere, family nurse practitioner at Taos Whole Health Integrative Care, says that when people come to the practice with migraines, the first step involves looking at methods that avert the headaches at their onset. The triptan family of drugs is the first line of defense, explains Sampere.

These drugs, which include the medications sumatriptan and zolmitriptan, block pain pathways in the brain. If these medications arent enough to address the problem, she suggests that the patient see a neurologist to look more closely at the type of headache and potential causes. There are a lot of clinical trials because the condition is so common, Sampere says. There are injectable approaches including Botox that works because it helps relax the muscles near the jaw and diffuse tension that can trigger a migraine. Other drugs that may be used preventively include antidepressants, like amitriptyline.

In addition to medication, Sampere suggests looking at lifestyle to identify possible triggers, such as coffee, gluten, levels of activity and stress, time spent on electronics and family issues.

Consider lifestyle changes such as reducing stress and improving levels of activity to see if that can help alleviate symptoms, she recommends.

As Sampere notes, treatments that have been developed for other uses are also being used to address migraines. However, for the first time, a migraine-specific medication was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018. Called Aimovig, this preventative treatment for adults with migraines is given by monthly self-injection. Aimovig is the first medication to be approved by the FDA from a new class of drug that works by blocking the activity of a peptide (a short chain of amino acids), which is involved in migraine attacks. Research has shown that the medication reduces the number of migraine days for many patients, according to the FDA.

To find relief from migraines, people also sometimes look to alternative therapies that can replace or be used in conjunction with medication and lifestyle changes. Although there are fewer clinical trials involving these types of therapies, some patients have found them to be effective.

Rob Hawley, co-founder of Taos Herb, explains that treating migraines is complicated. The causes are manifold, including hormones, food, chemical additives, stress, traumatic neck and head injuries, and vascular irregularities in the blood vessels," he said. "There is no single answer in complementary medicine to address all these different kinds of migraines, but there are a number of things worth trying.

Hawley emphasizes that it is important to work with your physician if you have migraines as they may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Additional causes to consider are food allergens, as well as airborne allergens, such as pollen and pet dander, among others. These can cause inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate many conditions. Looking at anti-inflammatory diets and adding healthy fats, like omega-3s, can reduce inflammation and lead to overall better health. Moderate exercise is also helpful but excessive activity can lead to an increase in inflammation. Reducing stress alone can lessen migraines.

Because tension in the neck can trigger a migraine in someone who is predisposed to get them, Hawley suggests stretching and massaging the neck and applying heat. Muscular tension can worsen if a person is dehydrated or has an imbalance in electrolytes, so drinking plenty of water is important.

Avoiding possible triggers, such as fermented food, wine, food additives and nuts like cashews may be worth exploring as well. Hawley explains that, along with complementary medicine, avoiding these triggers is a critical part of avoiding migraines. Certain lifestyle changes, like eating whole foods rather than sugary or processed foods, can make a big difference.

Hawley adds that increasing magnesium levels through supplements can help relax the muscles and reduce migraines.

Essential oils, such as lavender and sweet birch, when applied to the temples and back of the neck, can help soothe migraines as well, he said. But Hawley emphasizes that essential oils should be used in small quantities and kept out of the eyes.

Hawley also says that feverfew has aspirin-like qualities. Feverfew, in combination with butterbur, can be found in supplements like MigraEze at Taos Herb. With the availability of CBD oil, more people are using liquid preparations like Kinetic Gate CBD drops made in Taos and available at Cids and Taos Herb to treat migraines as they begin. Hawley points out that while CBD may have broad medicinal applications, there are not yet many studies that allow us to understand all of its components and its effectiveness. CDB does seem to reduce inflammation and pain in some people, says Hawley.

Acupuncture can also be used to regulate migraines, says Dr. Keith Christian, DOM at Taos Chiropractic. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points in the body. These points have been mapped by Chinese practitioners over the past 2,000 years, according to the American Society of Acupuncturists. The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating migraines is supported by research reported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2020.

Techniques like biofeedback, which involves monitoring body functions and learning to relax under stress, has shown promise in reducing the incidence of migraine headaches with 62 percent of patients in one study showing either a major or total improvement in the incidence of migraine. The researchers found that this method worked better than medication in reducing migraines, according to a 2010 study in Behavioral and Brain Functions Journal.

In the award-winning 2017 documentary film Out of my Head, health practitioners explore various healing approaches and recommend techniques like reflexology (which involves the application of pressure to the feet or hands), stress management, mindfulness and meditation and yoga as ways to help calm and regulate the nervous system.

The documentary reports that there are 113 million lost workdays per year in the US that results in a loss to the economy of $13 billion annually. Students sometimes have to miss school because of migraines. Anxiety and depression can also occur alongside migraines or serve as triggers.

Migraines are estimated to be the third most common disease in the world by the Migraine Research Foundation. But, with new medications, as well as lifestyle changes and alternative therapies, there is hope that migraines can be managed in such a way that those who suffer from them can lead healthier and happier lives.

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Migraine headaches: What causes them and how to treat them - taosnews

A woman holds a handful of marijuana flower buds in Vancouver. Photo: Don MacKinnon / AFP

The first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marijuana for medical use and research in 2018, Thailand is set to loosen its laws around cannabis further as it advances towards full legalizationwith plans to remove the plants flowers and buds from its banned narcotics list announced last week.

What we have achieved so far is to declare that cannabis stems, roots, leaves and sprigs are not drugs, said public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, also the deputy prime minister of Thailand, speaking at an agricultural event aimed to promote the cultivation of cannabis.

Starting next year, we will remove everythingstems, roots, sprigs, leaves, buds, flowers and seedsfrom the narcotics list.

A cannabis flower in Kingston, Jamaica. Photo: Angela Weiss / AFP

The tycoon-turned-politician once said that legalizing cannabis would be a win-win for Thais. The country became the first in Southeast Asia to legalise the drug for medical use and research in 2018. On this most recent legalization of the use and sale of cannabis flowers and buds, he said that it was an initiative that would help those hit hard by the pandemic.

When the economy is picking up and we dont have new products as alternatives, people will keep doing the same things and competing with one another, he said.

But if we offer them a choice, they can learn to build on it, creating new products and business models, which will in turn speed up the economic recovery.

Its new narcotics code, which officially came into effect on Dec. 9, no longer lists cannabis and hemp. And as early as next year, cannabis flowers and buds will be legal to use, process and sell outside of medical and research settings. Its a move that, according to Bangkok-based cannabis entrepreneur and legalization advocate Kitty Chopaka, was a savvy economic decision that was long overdue.

If we are going to fully legalize all parts of the cannabis plant for commercial purposes next year, it will still be with a lot of caveats, Kitty, founder and CEO ofElevated Estate, told VICE World News, adding that the move was only a small first step.

The ministries are testing the water first, but they do realize that if they dont allow for full access, Thais will know other ways to go about finding it.

Unlike stems, roots and leaves, cannabis flowers are typically rich in THC and are considered by scientists and experts to be the most potent part of the plant. This makes them highly sought-after as they can be consumed in numerous ways, including smoked in pipes and vaporizers, or rolled as joints and incorporated into edibles.

Because [previously] only medical marijuana had been legalized, Thai government officials sought to prevent people misusing parts of the plant to get high, Kitty explained.

Cannabis cultivation is currently strictly controlled in Thailand. Under an agreement facilitated by hospitals, universities and government officials, cannabis flowers and buds are removed at harvest. They are then either given to local hospitals to be made into alternative medicine, sent to medical units and facilities at local universities across the country for research, or disposed of completely.

In a region with some of the harshest drug laws globally, cannabis entrepreneurs and vendors in Thailand have cashed in on loosened laws since 2018, with a boom in cannabis-based products. With the new law enabling licensed growers of cannabis to use the entire plant for medicinal and commercial purposes, that boom is set to grow as producers can create products like edibles, oils, cosmetics and even K-Y Jelly lubricant.

The developments mean that the cannabis industry in Thailand is growing and will only get bigger, Kitty said. We could probably see a cannabis and hemp-related Thai company that might go into the stock market and big companies slowly making their way into Thailand as we become an actual market.

The entrepreneur also warned of competition should Thailands neighbors catch a whiff of the potentially lucrative trade.

Everything else should slowly follow, and if Thailand does well and others in the region like Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia see this, what makes us think that they wont jump on board?

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Cannabis Buds and Flowers Will Soon Be Legalized in Thailand. Heres What That Means. - VICE

Diana Mazionyte was diagnosed with liver and colon cancer earlier this year after experiencing stomach pain.

The mum-of-two and her family were completely shocked as Diana has been healthy throughout her life.

"I was shocked, I cried," said Diana. "I rang home and told my husband, and he said it has to be a mistake, you're healthy."

The cancer she has is very rare and at stage four.

Diana wants to be present in her children's lives, and she is seeking alternative options to chemotherapy.

"I made the decision in my head, I'm going with alternative medicine," said Diana. "I didn't want to be at home sick for six months minimum after chemo, maybe longer after radiation or surgery. I don't want that life.

"I have two young kids, I don't want to be like bag of stones on their shoulder or a patient in the house."

This decision worried her children, but they did come around to the idea.

Diana has sought Oxygen/Ozone therapies, Infra-Red sauna therapy, intravenous vitamin C treatments, mistletoe therapy, herbal treatments as well as healthier diet choices and supplements. She has been on a juice diet to help her stomach, but she has been able to gradually move back to solid foods.

Diana has already begun weekly various Ozone therapies which are very expensive. She is also in the process of receiving vitamin C injections soon, which could greatly benefit her.

"I'm feeling much better already," said Diana. "I'm getting psychotherapist sessions, which helps me a lot."

She is so thankful for the donations she has received so far which have helped her so far with her treatment, however she is now looking into experimental treatments abroad.

These types of treatment are available Germany and Mexico, but they are also very costly.

"These clinics provide some of the best cancer treatments in the world," said Diana.

You can check out Diana's fundraiser here.

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Galway mum suffering with liver and colon cancer appeals for help to seek treatment abroad - RSVP Live

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Dec. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Inovio(NASDAQ: INO), a biotechnology company focused on bringing to market precisely designed DNA medicines to help protect people from infectious diseases and treat cancer and HPV-associated diseases, today announced updates on the Phase 3 program for VGX-3100 for HPV-associated cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), including a one-year follow-up of efficacy and safety data in participants from REVEAL1, completing enrollment in REVEAL2, and advancing its pre-treatment biomarker candidate for VGX-3100 to be further developed with QIAGEN. In addition, INOVIO's development partner within Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan), ApolloBio Corp. ("ApolloBio"), dosed the first participant in a separate Phase 3 trial in China.

Key Updates for VGX-3100:

- REVEAL2 INOVIO's second global Phase 3 clinical trial of VGX-3100 for cervical HSIL is fully enrolled and top-line efficacy and safety data are expected to be available in 2H22.- REVEAL1 INOVIO completed the 52-week safety follow-up of participants in REVEAL1, INOVIO's first global Phase 3 trial of VGX-3100, and the safety profile of VGX-3100 observed at Week 36 remained well-tolerated through Week 88. In addition, participants treated with VGX-3100 who met the primary endpoint at Week 36 remained clear of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 at Week 88.- Pre-treatment Biomarker INOVIO and QIAGEN have made progress in biomarker development by identifying candidate biomarker signatures for VGX-3100 with the intent of selecting a final signature in a pre-treatment in vitro diagnostic to improve the primary clinical outcome for biomarker-positive patients with cervical HSIL.- Phase 3 Trial in China The first participant has been dosed in the Phase 3 trial of VGX-3100 for cervical HSIL in China. This trial is being run by ApolloBio and is similar in design to REVEAL2. The trial is expected to enroll up to 84 participants.

Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO of INOVIO, said, "We are making strong progress in developing INOVIO's immunotherapies treating HPV-associated cervical HSIL. Left untreated, cervical HSIL may progress to cancer. VGX-3100 has the potential to be the first approved immunotherapy and non-surgical alternative for women with cervical HSIL and we look forward to advancing our efforts from our Phase 3 studies through commercialization."

Dr. Jeffrey Skolnik, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Program Lead for VGX-3100, added, "Completing enrollment for REVEAL2, and reporting on our long-term data from REVEAL1, are important milestones for VGX-3100 and an opportunity to advance women's health, given the lack of a non-surgical therapeutic for cervical HSIL. With our two Phase 3 studies now fully enrolled, INOVIO remains on target for the topline efficacy readout from this study in the second half of 2022."

INOVIO's Phase 3 program in cervical HSIL is assessing the efficacy of VGX-3100 to regress cervical HSIL, a direct precursor to cervical cancer, and to eliminate the HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 infection that causes these lesions. The REVEAL studies are prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating adult women with HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 positive biopsy-proven cervical HSIL. REVEAL1 provided one-year post-endpoint safety data for a minimum of 198 participants randomized, while REVEAL2 will provide efficacy and one-month safety data for a minimum of 198 participants. For more information on the REVEAL1 and REVEAL2 studies, please visit clinicaltrials.gov (search identifier NCT03185013 and NCT03721978, respectively).

INOVIO completed the 52-week safety follow-up of participants in REVEAL1 and showed that the safety profile of VGX-3100 at Week 36 remained well-tolerated through Week 88. In addition, participants treated with VGX-3100 who met the primary endpoint at Week 36 remained clear of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 at Week 88. There was no substantial change in the per-protocol assessment of primary efficacy from the mITT analysis that was previously reported for REVEAL1 (link).

Additionally, INOVIO is advancing its partnership with QIAGEN to co-develop a liquid biopsy-based diagnostic product based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to guide clinical decision-making for the use of VGX-3100 in cervical HSIL. This biomarker, if validated, has the potential to increase the probability of clinical response in biomarker-positive women with cervical HSIL. QIAGEN offers an extensive expertise in technologies from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to NGS for diagnostic development. INOVIO anticipates having additional information on its biomarker development in 2022.

Separately, INOVIO's partner ApolloBio dosed the first participant in the Phase 3 clinical trial of VGX-3100 in China. The Phase 3 trial in China is similar in design to REVEAL1 and REVEAL2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled. The trial is expected to enroll 84 participants. In 2018, the companies signed an agreement providing ApolloBio with the exclusive right to develop, manufacture and commercialize VGX-3100 within Greater China (link).

About INOVIO

INOVIO is a biotechnology company focused on rapidly bringing to market precisely designed DNA medicines to treat and protect people from infectious diseases, cancer, and diseases associated with HPV. INOVIO has clinically shown that a DNA vaccine candidate can be delivered directly into cells in the body via a proprietary smart device to produce a robust and tolerable immune response. INOVIO is evaluating candidate VGX-3100 in two Phase 3 trials for precancerous high-grade cervical dysplasia caused by HPV-16 and/or HPV-18. INOVIO is also evaluating INO-4800, a DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial; the Phase 3 segment of which has received regulatory approvals to proceed in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, India, Thailand, and the United States. INOVIO's partners, Advaccine Biopharmaceuticals and International Vaccine Institute, are also evaluating INO-4800 in ongoing clinical trials in China and South Korea, respectively.

Partners and collaborators include Advaccine, ApolloBio Corporation, AstraZeneca, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense/Department of Defense, HIV Vaccines Trial Network, International Vaccine Institute, Kaneka Eurogentec, Medical CBRN Defense Consortium, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Ology Bioservices, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Plumbline Life Sciences, Regeneron, Richter-Helm BioLogics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, University of Pennsylvania, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and The Wistar Institute. For more information, visit http://www.inovio.com.

CONTACTS:

Media: Jeff Richardson, 267-440-4211, jrichardson@inovio.comInvestors: Ben Matone, 484-362-0076, ben.matone@inovio.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to our business, including our plans to develop DNA medicines, our expectations regarding our research and development programs, including the planned initiation and conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and the availability and timing of data from those studies and trials, and our ability to successfully manufacture and produce large quantities of our product candidates if they receive regulatory approval. Actual events or results may differ from the expectations set forth herein as a result of a number of factors, including uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, product development programs and commercialization activities and outcomes, our ability to secure sufficient manufacturing capacity to mass produce our product candidates, the availability of funding to support continuing research and studies in an effort to prove safety and efficacy of electroporation technology as a delivery mechanism or develop viable DNA medicines, our ability to support our pipeline of DNA medicine products, the ability of our collaborators to attain development and commercial milestones for products we license and product sales that will enable us to receive future payments and royalties, the adequacy of our capital resources, the availability or potential availability of alternative therapies or treatments for the conditions targeted by us or our collaborators, including alternatives that may be more efficacious or cost effective than any therapy or treatment that we and our collaborators hope to develop, issues involving product liability, issues involving patents and whether they or licenses to them will provide us with meaningful protection from others using the covered technologies, whether such proprietary rights are enforceable or defensible or infringe or allegedly infringe on rights of others or can withstand claims of invalidity and whether we can finance or devote other significant resources that may be necessary to prosecute, protect or defend them, the level of corporate expenditures, assessments of our technology by potential corporate or other partners or collaborators, capital market conditions, the impact of government healthcare proposals and other factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and other filings we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that any product candidate in our pipeline will be successfully developed, manufactured or commercialized, that final results of clinical trials will be supportive of regulatory approvals required to market products, or that any of the forward-looking information provided herein will be proven accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inovio-highlights-key-updates-on-phase-3-program-for-vgx-3100-its-dna-based-immunotherapy-for-the-treatment-of-cervical-hsil-caused-by-hpv-16-andor-hpv-18-301443997.html

SOURCE INOVIO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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INOVIO Highlights Key Updates on Phase 3 Program for VGX-3100, its DNA-based Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Cervical HSIL Caused by HPV-16 and/or...

SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Dec. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "Lianhua Qingwen capsules conferred preventive effects on those exposed to COVID-19", claimed an article titled "Efficacy and Safety of Lianhuaqingwen Capsules for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Prospective Open-Label Controlled Trial", published November in the journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

According to the article, this is the first clinical trial that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of LH capsules in subjects who have had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients. Overall, treatment with LH capsules for 14 days resulted in a significantly lower rate of positive nucleic acid tests from nasal and pharyngeal swabs during the quarantine medical observation period. In addition, LH capsules had a favorable safety profile for the prevention of COVID-19.

"We included 1976 patients, including 1101 in the treatment group and 875 in the control group. The rate of positive nucleic acid tests in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.27 % vs. 1.14%)", the article said.

As claimed by the article, Lianhua Qingwen, a TCM developed and produced by Yiling Pharmaceutical, was used for the treatment of influenza during the H1N1 flu outbreak. In a study of prophylactic drugs among 20,553 close contacts and the people around them in Langfang, Hebei Province, China, the incidence rate of symptoms in the LH group was 1.2%, while that of participants who took other drugs was 6.8%, and that of those who did not use drugs was 8.8%, indicating that LH has a good prophylactic effect. The LH has also shown good clinical efficacy for the treatment of COVID-19, the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. LH was included in the Diagnosis and Treatment Programs for COVID-19 (from the fourth to eighth editions) formulated by the National Health Commission of China, which was published with the intention of preventing and treating viral influenza.

SOURCE Yiling Pharmaceutical

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Research shows Lianhua Qingwen capsules conferred preventive effects on those exposed to COVID-19 - Yahoo Finance

Reports of sporadic resistance to modern malaria drugs have begun appearing in recent years, and are now confirmed in Rwanda and Uganda. The Conversation Africas Ina Skosana asked infectious diseases experts Deus Ishengoma and Fredros Okumu to explain this development and what the implications are.

Resistance occurs when the effectiveness of a drug is reduced and it no longer provides a full cure against the targeted infection. It usually starts with only a few mutated parasites that survive treatments in an area. But it can spread rapidly because these resistant parasites continue to reproduce, while the susceptible ones are killed by the treatments.

For example, chloroquine was once considered to be the magic bullet against malaria. But malaria parasites evolved to survive it. The resistance spread in the 1980s and 1990s. It took more than 20 years of gradual failure before African governments and the World Health Organisation (WHO) agreed to change the guidelines and stop using chloroquine.

One reason for this was that the alternative medicines, notably artemisinin combination therapy (ACTs), were way too expensive and out of reach for most patients in the low-income countries

The other alternative drug at the time, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, was also showing signs of failure.

The methods for diagnosing malaria were less accurate and not always available back then. So children with fever were commonly treated as if they had malaria. This situation required a low-cost and widely available medicine, even if imperfect.

An even bigger problem was the lack of real-time data on the extent, impact and magnitude of drug resistance. The delayed appreciation of drug resistance caused an unnecessarily large number of severe malaria cases and preventable deaths across Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The WHO then recommended the use of artemisinin combination therapy (ACTs). These are cocktails, in which the most important ingredients are derivatives of artemisinin, a plant extract first synthesized in 1972 by the Chinese chemist, Tu Youyou, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2015. Because the ACTs are mixtures, it is difficult for malaria parasites to resist them.

Soon after the introduction of ACTs, reports of resistance to artemisinins started to emerge. These were initially in south-east Asia.

Since 2006, the WHO has been advising countries not to use single drugs (especially any artemisinin drug on its own). Instead, countries should use mostly combination therapies.

Unfortunately, for management of severe malaria, there are still no alternatives, so the recommended options still consist of only one active ingredient instead of mixtures. Examples are artesunate injections or the rectal artesunate capsules recommended for low income remote settings to buy families time and save lives of babies before reaching appropriate care.

These single drug options are the ones most threatened by the emerging resistance to front-line treatments for severe malaria in Africa. Moreover, new evidence now suggests that rectal artesunate capsules may actually not reduce malaria deaths unless the underlying health systems are sufficiently strong. Therefore, new options are even more urgently required here.

In Africa, most malaria-infected people who receive treatment in good time are fully cured and suffer no long-term effects. However, a minority can be unresponsive to standard treatments. Scientists and health practitioners are increasingly concerned that the situation may worsen in the years to come.

Professor Abdoulaye Djimde is the director of the Malaria Research and Training Centre at the University of Bamako in Mali. He was among the experts who first demonstrated (in 2001) how certain genetic changes in malaria parasites were linked to resistance against chloroquine. We recently asked him about the evidence for resistance to artemisinins in Africa. He thought deeply for moments before stating sadly that the lights are yellow. By this he meant that front-line drugs remain largely effective, but the likelihood of widespread failure is growing fast.

Efforts to develop new medicines have gained momentum, but no new drugs are expected in the market for at least several years.

The good news is that resistance to artemisinins has not spread widely in Africa. A recent review by a consortium of African scientists concluded that African malaria parasites already have the genetic changes potentially associated with resistance to artemisinins. But the frequency of these changes is still very low. Surveillance of these genetic elements must be ramped up and performance of drug treatments closely monitored.

It matters because of the scale of the potential problem. There are 241 million malaria cases resulting in 627,000 deaths annually even without widespread drug resistance in Africa, where nearly all these deaths occur.

First, we must recognise the urgency of this situation and develop a plan. In a recent conversation, Prof. Pedro Alonso, the director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, reminded us that the drug resistance in Africa is emerging independently of the situation in south-east Asia, and we should not wait until complete failure emerges in Africa.

Prof. Alonso also recommended the following four measures.

Accelerate research and development for alternative medicines and other tools to control malaria.

Maintain healthy markets to attract more manufacturers to produce malaria medicines.

Continuously improve the quality of care for malaria patients and reduce the use of single medicines also known as monotherapies.

Enhance surveillance to track drug resistance within and across borders.

There are now low-cost rapid diagnostics for detecting malaria even in rural settings. There are also far better scientific methods for monitoring performance and safety of malaria medicines.

More importantly, molecular surveillance allows us to detect the resistance signals in circulating malaria parasites long before the medicines begin failing. This way, public health authorities and drug developers can stay ahead of the game, by adjusting treatment guidelines.

One example is a programme we recently established in Tanzania to track genetic changes in the circulating malaria parasites and how these parasites respond to current treatments.

Countries must endeavour to prevent as many cases as possible and limit the likelihood of severe malaria.

The WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Group has emphasised the need to intensify investigations into artemisinin resistance in Africa and urged the Global Malaria Programme to consider what to do if partner drugs become less effective.

Beyond this, we must learn from history and from recent trends. Most importantly, we all need a honest reflection of what it will really take to eliminate malaria. The overriding lesson is that problems such as resistance are merely symptoms of greater challenges. Medicines, insecticides and nets may deliver short-term anti-malaria goals. But sustainable progress towards elimination requires more holistic approaches.

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The warning lights are on for malaria medicines in Africa - The Conversation CA

ANALYSIS

Right now, there is a concerted effort to change the American public's attitude towards psychedelic drugs. Turn on Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services, and you're likely to find shows and documentaries on the usefulness of drugs like LSD (acid), DMT (spirit molecule), MDMA (ecstasy or mollies), and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). These shows are the first public signs that we are being primed to accept the recreational and "prescription" use of psychedelics to solve both our mental and spiritual ills.

Since the Nixon years, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has marked psychedelics as schedule 1 substances because they lack clinical value, can be addictive, and hold the potential for long-term physiological and psychological damage, including schizophrenia-type symptoms.Given this classification, how does one change public opinion about a class of drugs associated with images tucked firmly in the American consciousness of spun-out flower children whirling around the grass at Woodstock or loitering aimlessly on the streets of Haight-Ashbury?

According to Edward Bernays, the father of public relations and nephew to Sigmund Freud, in order to "manipulate the public to think a certain way, it needs to be taught how to ask for what it (the manipulator) wants." Robert Worchester, a political analyst, described public opinion by making a distinction between attitudes, opinions, and values. He noted that a person's values are the most impervious to change; however, through continued exposure, thought, and discussion, these too can be shaped.

When it comes to influencing our view about psychedelics, what could possibly compete with the images of dancing hippies? What about a growing body of scientific literature that claims the use of these drugs can help resistant anxiety, posttraumatic stress, depression, alcohol, and tobacco abuse?For the past 30 years, research studies involving psychedelics were not backed by public fundsuntil recently. Studies have been popping up in clinicaltrials.gov. There have even been several reports, with small sample sizes, touted as "success stories" for reducing mental health symptoms by microdosing these drugs.

Mental health is certainly a concern for Americans. This week, a Gallup poll found that Americans rated their mental health at an all-time low, with only 34 percent giving themselves an excellent score. Aside from this poll, we know that our society is facing significant mental health challenges, with nearly 20 percent of the population suffering from anxiety disorders and suicide ranked as one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States.

The media is not the only group riding high on our mental health problems. Groups like Mind-Medicine, a pharmaceutical start-up, are seeking FDA (national) approval for psychedelics, under the expectation that the drugs will provide an alternative treatment to the aforementioned mental health conditions. Veterans and first responders have already been enlisted in these studies.

The co-founder of Mind Medicine stated their goal is to "get the average person to realize that these are not evil drugsthey can be used as medicines and be successful at treating unmet medical needs."

Aside from the attempt to lend credibility to these drugs through science, there has already been a push to legalize psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Some states and cities have already moved to legalize these substances for recreational use. These places include Denver, Colorado; Oakland and Santa Cruz, California; Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, Michigan; Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; and Oregon. Seattle is the largest city to decriminalize all psychedelic plants and fungi for religious, spiritual, healing, or personal growth practices.

California is currently proposing its own measures to legalize psilocybin mushrooms, truffles, sclerotia, and mycelium. Iowa is following suit, but with an additional bill that would reclassify psilocybin, ibogaine, and MDMA for medicinal purposes.

The real goal here is to nationalize the use of these drugs, which have the potential to significantly alter our society and offer bad treatment for those suffering from trauma, anxiety, and depression. The strategy we are seeing to promote psychedelics has been taken right out of the playbook of Big Marijuana. Rather than fight the arduous battle of changing the schedule 1 designation at the federal level, there's a major push to make these drugs respectable. Research studies and popular media will continue to promote medical benefits associated with these drugs, but the endgame is for psychedelics to be legalized at every local and state level for recreational use.

Fighting major pharmaceutical and research industries may seem like an uphill battle. However, there are important steps that we can take to slow this fast-moving train:

Dr. Jennifer Bauwens serves as Director of the Center for Family Studies at Family Research Council. In her role, she researches and advocates for policies that will best serve the health and well-being of families and communities.

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The Public Is Being Primed To Feel Groovy About Psychedelic Drugs - CBN News

Posted on Dec 12, 2021 | Author Dr. Dipti Mody

Many women feel physical or mood changes during the days beforemenstruation. When these symptoms happen month after month, and they affect a woman's normal life, they are known aspremenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Emotional symptoms

Depression.

Angry outbursts.

Irritability.

Crying spells.

Anxiety.

Confusion.

Social withdrawal.

Poor concentration.

Insomnia.

Increased nap taking.

Changes in sexual desire.

Physical symptoms

Thirst and appetite changes (food cravings).

Breast tenderness.

Bloating and weight gain.

Headache.

Swelling of the hands or feet.

Aches and pain.

Fatigue.

Gastrointestinal symptoms.

Abdominal pain.

Who gets PMS?

As many as three in four women say they get PMS symptoms at some point in their lifetime.For most women, PMS symptoms are mild. Less than 5% of women of childbearing age get a more severe form of PMS, called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMS may happen more often in women who:

Have high levels of stress.

Have a family history ofdepression.

Have a personal history ofpostpartum depression.

Does PMS change with age?

Yes. PMS symptoms may get worse as you reach your late 30s or 40s and approachmenopauseand are in the transition to menopause, called perimenopause. This is especially true for women whose moods are sensitive to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. In the years leading up to menopause, your hormone levels also go up and down in an unpredictable way as your body slowly transitions to menopause. You may get the same mood changes, or they may get worse.PMS stops after menopause when you no longer get a period.

What causes PMS?

No one knows for sure what causes PMS. As the symptoms start mid-cycle after ovulation (when the egg is released) it is thought that the hormonal changes which normally occur during each menstrual cycle may produce a variety of symptoms.

These hormonal changes (the main hormones are called estrogen and progesterone) affect women differently and can be further altered by lifestyle, hereditary factors, nutritional status, and the emotional state of the woman at the time when PMS symptoms appear. That is why some women have very mild symptoms and other women have severe symptoms impacting them for days at a time.

More studies are being carried out to determine the cause of PMS. Many of the symptoms are similar to those experienced by women during pregnancy, and in the years before and duringmenopause.

How does PMS affect other health problems?

About half of women who need relief from PMS also have another health problem, which may get worse in the time before their menstrual period.These health problems share many symptoms with PMS and include:

?Depressionandanxiety disorders:These are the most common conditions that overlap with PMS. Depression and anxiety symptoms are similar to PMS and may get worse before or during your period.

?Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS):Some women report that their symptoms often get worse right before their period. Research shows that women with ME/CFS may also be more likely to haveheavy menstrual bleedingand early orpremature menopause.

?Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):IBS causes cramping, bloating, and gas. Your IBS symptoms may get worse right before your period.

?Bladder pain syndrome:Women with bladder pain syndrome are more likely to have painful cramps during PMS.

PMS may also worsen some health problems, such as asthma, allergies, and migraines.

What dietary changes can be made to help relieve PMS symptoms?

?Eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. A complex carbohydrate-rich diet may reduce mood symptoms and food cravings. Other examples are barley, brown rice, beans, and lentils.

?Add calcium-rich foods, like yogurt and leafy green vegetables, to your diet.

?Reduce your intake of fat, salt, and sugar.

?Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

?Change your eating schedule. Eat six small meals a day rather than three large ones, or eat slightly less at your three meals and add three light snacks. Keeping your blood sugar level stable will help with symptoms.

Can PMS be treated?

If your symptoms are mild to moderate, they often can be relieved by changes in lifestyle or diet. If your PMS symptoms begin to interfere with your life, you may decide to seek medical treatment. Treatment will depend on the severity of the problem.

Can exercise help lessen PMS symptoms?

For many women, regular aerobic exercises and meditation lessens PMS symptoms. It will reduce fatigue and depression. Aerobic exercise, which includes brisk walking, running, cycling, and swimming should be done. Exercise regularly, not just during the days that you have symptoms. A good goal is at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

What complementary or alternative medicines may help relieve PMS symptoms?

Some women report relief from their PMS symptoms with yoga or meditation. Others say herbal supplements help relieve symptoms. Talk with your doctor or nurse before taking any of these supplements. They may interact with other medicines you take, making your other medicine not work or cause dangerous side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal supplements at the same level that it regulates medicines.

Some research studies show relief from PMS symptoms with these herbal supplements, but other studies do not. Many herbal supplements should not be used with other medicines. Some herbal supplements women use to ease PMS symptoms include:

?Black cohosh:The underground stems and root of black cohosh are used fresh or dried to make tea, capsules, pills, or liquid extracts. Black cohosh is most often used to help treat menopausal symptoms,and some women use it to help relieve PMS symptoms.

?Chasteberry:Dried ripe chasteberry is used to prepare liquid extracts or pills that some women take to relieve PMS symptoms. Women taking hormonal birth control or hormone therapy for menopause symptoms should not take chasteberry.

?Evening primrose oil.The oil is taken from the plants seeds and put into capsules. Some women report that the pill helps relieve PMS symptoms, but the research results are mixed.

Treatment

A symptom diary:Treatment aims to relieve your particular symptoms. Keeping a daily record will help you clarify what your main symptoms are and when they occur. This information will help you and your doctor decide what treatment may suit you best. Make a note of things such as:

?Whether you are taking an oral contraceptive?

?What and when do you eat?

?Whether yousmoke,drinkor take other recreational drugs, andif so, how much?

?Yourstresslevels at work or home.

?At what stage of your menstrual cycle do you first notice symptoms of PMS?

?The amount and type of exercise you do.

?See -symptom diary.

Medication

Prescription medicines: Prescription medicines can also be helpful for women who have not been able to control their symptoms with lifestyle changes. Diuretics (water pills) have been given in the past to reduce the bloated feeling. This is not such a popular choice now, but is still prescribed occasionally. Some doctors prescribe hormones in the form of tablets.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants are another form of medication. Any medication requires regular medical supervision, so remember to have a six-monthly check-up with your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, seek further assistance from your doctor.

Calcium or vitamin B6: Some women findcalciumor vitamin B6 useful in controlling PMS symptoms. Calcium can be taken every day and vitamin B6 can be taken a few days before PMS symptoms start and continue until your period commences. Evidence from studies suggests the effective dose of calcium supplementation for PMS symptoms is about 1000mg per day; there is also some evidence that a calcium-rich diet may be beneficial for symptoms, e.g., four servings of low-fat dairy products a day.

Let your doctor know if you are taking either of these supplements

Dr. Dipti Mody

M.B.B.S

dr.diptimody@gmail.com

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Premenstrual Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment - Rising Kashmir

Laura Bottini, the founder and practitioner of Our Body Wise

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on all of us in many, many different ways. We all are concerned with the dramatic loss of human life worldwide and an unprecedented challenge to public health, economy and the world of work. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating: according to WHO, tens of millions of people are falling into extreme poverty facing an existential threat. Without the means to earn an income during lockdowns, many have been unable to feed themselves and their families. Those who have been luckier are still facing multiple challenges financial, personal or health related.

These challenges can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during the pandemic people have been facing psychological stress caused by fear and anxiety due to the high transmission and mortality rate of the disease, the social isolation, economic problems, and difficulties in reaching health services. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Fears related to COVID-19 (coronavirus fears) have emerged as a new psychological effect of the pandemic and have been associated with psychological distress and impairment. Other adverse effects include an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms and the respective disorders.

Over the past few months fear has been consistently topping the list of reasons why people ask for psychological help. This fear can cause multiple related conditions, such as anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration; some people experience changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests, others - difficulty sleeping or nightmares. It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The question is, how do we choose to deal with it and how we can can help ourself and others.

While some people turn to medications, others are naturally reluctant to take prescription pills to deal with their mental conditions. For those who prefer other ways of addressing their fears and anxiety there are alternative approaches to healing not only mental health but also emotional and physical ailments. I myself truly believe that we are so much more than our mind and body; we are multidimensional beings, and therefore I prefer the holistic approach of alternative medicine. My conviction comes from travelling abroad and studying with international teachers and healers as well from understanding the need for connection we all have.

After over 12 years of experience working in holistic medicine and more than 18 years of experience teaching and working with people of all ages, I learned different healing modalities. I understood how energy works, and the way it affects our body, mind, and spirit as well. Every cell of our body is filled with all our memories, experiences, emotions, and thoughts. And whenever there is an imbalance, by using the right tools, we can get to the root of the issue and I can help to detect what needs to be reviewed or overcome.

I have always been curious about how we can naturally overcome physical and psychological challenges, and while I was living in the UAE, I discovered PKP Kinesiology. Then I learned to not only muscle test but to listen to the body on a whole new level. PKP Kinesiology is the art and science of energy balancing, grounded in the study of anatomy and physiology, Chinese medicine, and coaching. Following an energy model which recognizes that people are much more than just symptoms kinesiology tests clients muscles to detect and release stress and energy imbalances in their bodies, restore the flow of natural energies, and help them achieve their full potential.

Kinesiology has proven to be extremely effective in helping patients deal with fear and anxiety. In my experience, when kinesiology is combined with other approaches, such as Pranic Healing, Sound Therapy, or Cleansing and Consecrating Physical places, the effects are particularly impressive. In Our Body Wisewe combine different techniques centered on a holistic approach, that provides with a wide range of alternative medicine disciplines and preventative measures.

It is amazing to see how through holistic medicine we can not only help overcome fear, but also improve energy balance and alignment, recharge and restore body, mind, and spirit. Over and over again I see evidence of how by creating new neural pathways that support us at all levels we can improve our energy levels and boost our sense of connection and belonging. This is much more than just dealing with COVID-related anxiety it is a way to keep your body in the best shape at all levels.

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ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AS A WAY OF DEALING WITH CORONAVIRUS FEARS" - Bangkok Post

Acupuncture is a type of complementary medicine that uses needles inserted at specific sites on the body to help relieve pain and treat other health concerns. These needles aren't the same as the ones you're used to seeing at a doctor's office they are solid, very thin, and flexible.

"The needles don't really hurt. Most people feel peaceful and calm during a treatment. They usually end up taking a nap," says Sam Soemardi, a licensed acupuncturist at The People's Acupuncture of Asheville.

It's believed acupuncture originated in China approximately 3000 years ago. More recently, it continues to receive interest in the United States as research expands and Americans increasingly seek out complementary and alternative medicine.

And indeed, research does suggest that acupuncture can have benefits for certain conditions, but many people find it effective for issues beyond those supported by research.

"Pain relief is the most common reason people come to my clinic, but I also see all sorts of health and wellness concerns, from autoimmune disease to insomnia to gynecological issues. People are just trying to find a way to feel better," Soemardi says.

Here are eight conditions acupuncture may benefit.

Anxiety disorders affect about 18% of Americans each year. Common treatments include talk therapy, medication, and according to some preliminary research acupuncture.

In a small 2015 study of 36 people with chronic anxiety, participants reported a decrease in anxiety symptoms after receiving acupuncture for 10 weeks. This improvement lasted through follow-up 10 weeks later.

Acupuncture may also have benefits for easing dysmenorrhea, or painful periods:

Numerous studies show that acupuncture may help relieve different digestive concerns:

Acupuncture is safe to receive during pregnancy, and research suggests it can help relieve the low back and pelvic pain pregnant people commonly experience.

It could help with other common pregnancy concerns, too.

"Moms-to-be come to see me for nausea, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, and aches and pains," says Nic Pitts, a licensed acupuncturist who operates the private practice Onward Acupuncture.

Everyone experiences stress sometimes, but finding ways to reduce or cope with stress can offer plenty of health benefits.

Acupuncture works to relieve stress by regulating the autonomic nervous system, which helps get the body out of the flight or fight response.

"This could be as simple as feeling your heart rate slow and breath lengthen, or it could be that you fall asleep. I tell patients that this feeling may stay with you and slowly fade for the rest of the day," says Pitts.

Acupuncture is increasingly used as an integrative approach to cancer care.

According to the National Cancer Institute, acupuncture can help with both cancer-related symptoms and side effects of treatment, including:

Up to 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in life, and many studies have explored the benefits of acupuncture for low back pain:

Evidence also suggests acupuncture can ease persistent head pain:

When choosing an acupuncturist, you'll want to make sure they attended a three or four-year accredited graduate program and hold a current state license.

What's the cost? Acupuncture treatments usually cost between $75-$150 for a 45 to 60-minute session. You can also look for low-cost community acupuncture clinics that focus on accessibility by offering low-cost acupuncture in a group treatment setting.

Before getting started, take the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the process. They'll tell you what to expect, and they should also clearly communicate a treatment plan.

Your acupuncturist should also use pre-wrapped, single-use, sterilized needles and dispose of these needles safely immediately after your session. This reduces the risk of infection and blood-borne diseases.

Feel free to ask what experience they have treating the issue you're seeking help for some practitioners might have more experience treating specific conditions or symptoms.

"Make sure your acupuncturist is someone you can connect with. It's very important to be comfortable with who you choose to work with," Pitts says.

Evidence supports acupuncture's effectiveness in treating some common ailments, and research on this treatment continues to expand.

That said, it's generally recognized as a safe form of complementary medicine with few side effects, so if you're considering alternative treatments for pain, anxiety, or digestive concerns, it could be worthwhile to give acupuncture a try.

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8 benefits of acupuncture and how to find an acupuncturist - Insider