Loss of Biodiversity | Health Crisis: Piles - Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Behold, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food! Genesis 1:29

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No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:24-25.

How true are the words of Yashua (Jesus), who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases! [Psalm 103:3]

We are at the brink of the most dangerous times ever! It’s a twilight zone! Our land, water and entire biodiversity is facing the risk of degradation. Natural resources are systemically looted from the natives of the land just for the sake of money and power. It is all done in the name of privatization.

“The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat – Lily Tomlin

Our world is shrinking. True sense of national sovereignty exists no more. Every nation is heading toward the global-edge in its economy and power at the cost of subjugating and overthrowing its true values, once their founding fathers fought and sacrificed their lives for, just to incorporate their global agenda. Due to this on-going economic globalization, and with trade liberalization policies, our governments are trading nature, which is our God-given right (every common man’s right) to habitat, with transnational and international companies and corporations. Natural resources, which used to be under public control, are now widely and increasingly losing its control over to privatization.

Deforestation by lumber industries causing loss of biodiversity

Though privatization promises economic stability to developed countries, it has far-reaching consequences – one of them is degradation of biodiversity at global scale. It is happening at an exponential pace. Before we know, we will be there. Economic stability, then, will mean only martial power – nothing more or less. The inherent factor behind privatization is economy – a system of economy, a decisive step towards globalization.

In this system of economy, sustainability of biodiversity is out of its prospect. If this system continues, the ramifications are unparalleled. This race, which is heading towards apocalypse, has to stop before it’s too late!

Now let’s get back to the case study, a guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, we started in one of our previous articles. This time we will conclude the case study to draw some important nutritional and pathological facts as an introduction to the next case study for our next article.

Case (i) – A guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever

This is none but me. Suffering for about 10 years, as explained in the previous articles, with immunoglobulin shots, running high on its side effects, and giving up on main line medicine! Trying alternative medications, with no results. And then with the help of some blood tests, confirming anaemia... and finally realizing the new found key – “the life of every creature is in its blood…” Leviticus 17:14.

The key hit me naturally. Nothing really spooky happened, but I had been praying and meditating the Word. It was my only source of hope and comfort amidst my ill health, fatigue and constant feeling of being unwell for almost a decade.

Ten years were enough for me, so I thought, and moreover, it was about time. I realized that if only I can have my blood – deficient in nothing but wholesome in every element, I can thrive vibrant! Out of this resonating impulse, I rushed to a nearby physician. He scribbled a prescription of iron tablets for a course of two months. In a week or two, I was able to feel something good, tangible. My metabolic activity was promising. I was able to breathe, unlike before, without being afraid of allergies, cold or even jasmine fragrance, or any other smells. However, like Job resents, “what I feared the most has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” Job 2:11, something uninvited swat me really, really bad. It was my iron supplements!

What really happened? What went wrong? I had no clue. All I knew was going to the rest room at my work and severe constipation. Feeling of awfully uneasiness was steaming up. Severely fatigued, I wasn't able to focus at my work but vacillated. So I took permission and headed back to home.

          At home, I completely cut off on solid foods, and relied on fluids like fresh fruit juice and ice-cream shakes for the fear of chronic constipation (I didn't know ice-creams were junk, then); constipation did not improve, though. Rather, a feeling of incomplete evacuation of stools agitated, defecation became my nerve-wracking task. Little protrusion from the inflamed haemorrhoid, commonly known as piles, was hurting me really, really bad. Though, I tried some ointment to ease defecation, protrusion was getting worse from tender to rigid. Besides the pain, down-beat of disgust and deject was mounting. Nevertheless, I consulted a doc at a local piles clinic. He recommended no alternative than the immediate removal of piles using banding and ligation procedure. I was reluctant to it for the fear that I might develop gangrene. So, I went for a second opinion in a hospital where I could get admitted.

          The hospital wasn't bad, except for travel and long hours of waiting for the surgeon to attend the patient. 

          Initially, the trainee doctors, after history taking and observation, suggested the same as the local piles clinic doc had recommended to me. However, my faith, that pain medication and right diet alone should suffice, didn't allow me to accept their advice. So, I was put on pain therapy, hot-tub sits, and fiber-rich diet. 

Here is the diet that I followed at the hospital.

Morning Beverage & Breakfast	Green tea with lemon and gooseberry flakes (with a pinch of salt or honey, or both). Brown bread, or unrefined whole wheat bread toast with fruits.
Post Breakfast Snacks	Peanuts with sugarless fresh citrus fruit juice.
Appetizers or Starters for Lunch / Dinner	Nicely chopped cucumber and carrots with a piece of fresh lemon squeezed.
Lunch	Any food made out of unrefined or very low processed whole grains like rye, pearl millet, sorghum, wheat; lots of fresh vegetables and esp., leafy ones with cooked tomato sauce and garlic, generously dressed with fresh coriander leaves.
Post Lunch / Evening Snack	Dry fruits like dates, figs; or cookies made of whole grain along with a cup of green tea.
Dinner	Same as lunch but light.
Vegetables/Fruits	Do not buy green harvested, hybrids, or genetically modified foods. Natural or organic is safe.
Cooking Caution	Ban the use of microwave ovens! Make sure your vegetables are always half cooked and not completely cooked. This helps retain its micro nutrients and minerals.
Fresh Fruits	Consumption: before meal (Recommended) Citrus fruits, papaya, fresh fig fruit shakes, custard apples, pineapples, etc.
Green Tea	Consumption: After meal Additives: Lemon, gooseberry flakes, honey, salt, cumin.

Diet Chart 1: Aimed at achieving high micro nutrients and minerals with rich dietary-fiber

Besides the diet, I also took some fibre supplement, Isapgol husk powder, which the doc had prescribed. The dosage was 1-3 times with sufficient water and caution as it might trigger some adverse side effects.

Results:-

With strict adherence to the diet mentioned, I was able to see some improvements in just about two days. In less than a week, the hard piles started turning tender, and gradually, the inflammation began fading and disappearing. Further diagnoses were made to determine any anomalies in my GI tract, and the findings showed normal.

So, what caused the haemorrhoid inflammation or piles? It could be:

i.                Intake of iron supplements

ii.              Fast food diet

iii.            Constipation

However, other causes for developing piles include:

iv.            Constant stress

v.              GI tract anomalies

vi.            Pervert sexual practices

vii.          Lack of exercise

viii.        Obesity

ix.            Heavy weight lifting, and

x.              Anything that increases or builds up pressure in the veins of rectum and anus.

Some docs claim that the cause for haemorrhoid inflammation is as similar as that for varicose veins. However, others promptly admit that what causes it in particular, or what deficiencies may cause the inflammation, is still unknown.

Nevertheless, we needn't wait for the symptoms like constipation, feeling of incomplete evacuation of stools, or soreness, it’s always high time that we get our lifestyle and eating habits right, before it’s too late.

Also, in any case of health issues, it’s important that we consult our physicians and have a thorough diagnosis done. And although we understand, while reliance on a healthy diet is definitely a complementary, it’s not to be mistaken as an alternative medication.

In our next article, we’ll study the case of vitamin deficiency and severe anaemia in a patient under psychiatry treatment. Until then, live wholesome and thrive vibrant! HASHEM BLESS US ALL!!

PS: Dear readers, please feel free to leave your comments, or to share any related scriptures, or any tips that can help improve one's health. We just encourage you to keep learning and living vibrant health everyday. Never lose the joy, the passion, and most importantly, never let anybody say that you can't live life to its fullest. Because that's just not true. God Bless You!!

High Stress-Culture | Anaemia & Iron Deficiency

The Lord will sustain him upon his sick bed; In his illness, You restore him to health! Psalm 41:3

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Constant stress – work pressure, busy schedules; no time for fun, family or a day of rest; emotional trauma, undealt anger, hatred, resentment and alike – wreaks havoc on our health. Stress itself is not malignant, but a lifestyle of constant stress, evident in our present society, is. During our ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, a hormone called cortisol, which has vital and varied functions, is secreted by adrenal glands into our blood stream. It causes a quick burst of energy and increased immunity, heightened memory function and lower sensitivity to pain, and helps maintain homeostasis in our body. However, it’s important that our body’s functions return to normal, to avoid collateral damage, following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high stress-culture, our body’s stress response is activated so often that our body doesn't always have a chance to return to normal; and this leads to chronic stress and morbidity.

Most people under stress realize the need to relax their bodies. Unfortunately, many of them resort to either deceptive habits or to a bleak and irresolute lifestyle, as a quick fix. This only leads to a seared mind, body and soul, adding to the already ruining health. For example, alcohol, smoking, excessive use of caffeine, nicotine, or tobacco, or any other drug abuse will only further impair our health. On the other hand, pornography, paedophilia, premarital or extramarital relationships, or any other pervert pursuits will only abandon us either to quarantined and incurable depression or to be abusive and monstrous psychopaths. Therefore, it’s exceptionally imperative that we take care of our health, and meet the needs of our mind, body and soul the right way. Only then can we achieve wholesome and thrive vibrant. Remember, our body is the temple of The Spirit of Holiness and we are not our own [1 Corinthians 6:19.]

Now, let’s continue with our case studies that we started in the previous article – three different anomalies with a common condition, anaemia.

(i)                A guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever;

(ii)             A woman under psychiatry treatment; and

(iii)           Pregnancy.

Case (i) – A guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever

Suffering allergic rhinitis for about ten years, as mentioned in my previous articles, and with the help of some tests I came to know I was anaemic too.

Red Blood Cells - Iron deficiency anaemia

Anaemia is a deficiency in the number or healthy red blood cells, or erythrocytes. The cytoplasm of healthy erythrocytes contain iron-rich protein called haemoglobin, which functions in carrying oxygen from lungs to dispensing the same throughout the circulatory system to every part of our body, organ and cell.

There are several types and classifications of anaemia. The one we’re concerned here with is iron deficiency anaemia, which is common among adolescents, children, patients aged over the age of 50, and women during pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms:

1. Reduced amounts of oxyhaemoglobin in skin and mucous membrane – Pallor
2. Anxiety, irritability or a low feeling, fatigue, general weakness, constant feeling of being unwell, and sleeplessness or insomnia
3. Allergic to certain smells, pollen, dust, weedy air, etc.
4. Constipation, common cold, runny nose, wheeze, and breathing difficulty

Causes:

1. Lack of iron in diet
2. Food with very low or zero nutritional value
3. Inability to absorb iron due to intestinal disorder. Since iron from food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine, intestinal disorder could be the cause.
4. In patients over the age of 50 and adults in common can suffer anaemia due to gastrointestinal disorders
5. Loss of blood caused by heavy menstruation among women
6. Initial stomach cancers can also bleed into the stomach. Losing blood over a period of time can result in anaemia

Anaemia could be very subtle. Blood tests only reveal reduced level of haemoglobin, but not its actual cause. We should never interpret it as a mere iron deficiency. 

   Moreover, our current medicine and research still lacks the sophistication to detect the root cause, if it’s anaemia due to cancer. With our current endeavor in medicine, cancer can go undetected for almost a decade.

   Personally, I've suffered irrevocable loss. It is this subtleness of anaemia, and the unawares of how limited our medical venture is, that took my dad away from me. Sadly, there are numerous cases of such mortality, where the true cause goes undetected, and finally when detected, it’s too late.

Treatment for Anaemia and Side effects:

Prescription of iron supplements seems to be the usual practice. However, running the risk of its side effects is high. Side effects include diarrhea or constipation leading to piles or fissures, and epigastric abdominal discomfort.

Iron overdose can be fatal to both children and adults. The absorption of excessive quantities of ingested iron results in systemic iron toxicity: cellular toxicity. Severe overdose causes impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial dysfunction, which can result in cellular death. The liver is one of the organs most affected by iron toxicity, but organs such as the heart, kidney, lungs, and hematologic systems also may be impaired.

This raises the question of how to combat iron deficiency anaemia safely.

In a case of severe anaemia, consulting a gastroenterologist would be salvific for diagnosing intestinal disorder. Otherwise, intake of iron-rich foods, that has high nutritional value, along with supplementing multivitamins must help fight anaemia more effectively than iron supplements: the quick fix with long term consequences.

In the successive articles, we will further discuss anaemia and its undetected root cause, if any, and the precautionary measures to save unawares.

However, in the next article, we’ll continue with the same case study and build a strong and detailed emphasis for food and nutrition. Until then, HASHEM BLESS US ALL!!!

PS: Dear readers, please feel free to leave your comments, or to share any related scriptures, or any tips that can help improve one's health. We just encourage you to keep learning and living vibrant health everyday. Never lose the joy, the passion, and most importantly, never let anybody say that you can't live life to its fullest. Because that's just not true. God Bless You!!

Blood and Diseases

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. To Him belongs eternal praise! Psalm 111:10

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What does it mean when the Bible says that the life of every creature is in its blood…?

Per the World health statistics 2012 report, one in three adults worldwide suffer raised blood pressure – a condition that causes about half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease, and one in ten adults suffer diabetes. In this article, we’ll focus on blood and diseases, and my personal experience that eventually led me to create this blog.

Our blood is the principal focal point in exploring our health. Blood tests reveal anomalies, sometimes obvious and sometimes hidden, that we might be suffering. However, a medical practitioner’s interpretation of it is vital. Diagnosis and follow up tests are crucial. A mistake could mean wrong treatment. Wrong treatment fails to nail down the monster deteriorating our health, and this could succumb to serious morbidity, putting our life in jeopardy. I can’t describe the horror, if any of our loved ones should go through it. God forbid! This blog is, expressly, created to educate and equip us in defense against non-communicable disease, or NCD, which is the leading cause of the present mortality (of all ages) in the world, representing over 60% of all deaths. The only shield against this global threat is wholesome and vibrant health.

The good news, though, is that wholesome and vibrant health is not only possible but affordable too.

Blood - an important fluid connective tissue

Our blood comprises of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets, and other chemical and biological components. Together, the complex composition and the intricacies of its various function, dispensing life to our body, is undoubtedly an absolute masterpiece; and it is beyond the scope of this blog to attempt any discussion over the subject. However, we will discuss the existential issue of pain and suffering that creates a twilight zone, heaping an emotional trauma, and leaving us susceptible to chronic diseases. We will do lots of case studies of various chronic and pre chronic conditions, one at a time. We will study their related blood deficiencies and ailing symptoms (in lay terms, of course); and, our definite and practical steps in defense against such disorders and, thereby, achieving wholesome and vibrant health.

Let’s begin with anaemia, a condition where the level of haemoglobin in the blood is below the normal range. If we are anaemic, the symptoms could be constipation, leading to internal or external pile or fissure; allergies, common cold and runny nose; itchy eyes/nose/ears, sore throat, wheezing and breathing difficulty; fatigue and constant feeling of being unwell.

Among women, anaemia during pregnancy is a common health concern and significant contributor to maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide.

Now let’s take up three different cases, one at a time, facing a common threat, anaemia:

(i)                A guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever;

(ii)             A woman under psychiatry treatment; and

(iii)           Pregnancy.

Case (i) – A guy with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever

This is none but me. Suffering for about 10 years, as explained in the previous article, with immunoglobulin shots, running high on its side effects, trying alternative medications, and then with the help of some blood tests, confirming anaemia, and finally with the new found key – “the life of every creature is in its blood…” Leviticus 17:14.

The key hit me naturally. Nothing really spooky happened, but I had been praying and meditating the Word. It was my only source of hope and comfort amidst my ill health, fatigue and constant feeling of being unwell.

Ten years were enough for me, so I thought, and moreover, it was about time. I realized that if I can have my blood – deficient of nothing – but wholesome, then I can thrive vibrant! Out of this resonating impulse, I rushed to a nearby physician. He scribbled a prescription of iron tablets for a course of two months. In a week or two, I was able to feel something good, tangible. My metabolic activity was promising. I was able to breathe, unlike before, without being afraid of allergies, cold or even jasmine fragrance or other smells alike. However, like Job resents, “what I feared the most has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” Job 2:11, something uninvited swat me really, really bad. It was my iron supplements!

In the next article, we’ll continue with our case studies, beginning with my misadventure; and how it all worked together in leveraging me in the right direction – a direction toward wholesome and vibrant health. Until then, HASHEM BLESS US ALL!!

PS: Dear readers, please feel free to leave your comments, or to share any related scriptures, or any tips that can help improve one's health. We just encourage you to keep learning and living vibrant health everyday. Never lose the joy, the passion, and most importantly never let anybody say that you can't live life to its fullest. Because that's just not true. God Bless You!!

Health and Allergies

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

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December 1st, World Aids Day, an opportunity for us worldwide to unite and fight against HIV. Promoting awareness of how to protect oneself, from its epidemic, via various preventive measures, what are we doing about those children, women and men, who are infected and suffering morbid immunity, deteriorating to death? 

If you are a volunteer or medical professional assisting and helping the persons, who are infected, with their health, please feel free to share information, in the comments, related to immunity status/role once a person gets infected and the scope for maintaining it to par. 

What does it take to be in good health? I believe, it's not just a good question, but categorically vital that we ponder, research and live out the answers. In this article, we'll not focus on HIV, but the rising issue of health worldwide, and my personal experience, which led me to create this blog. 

Today, both developed and developing countries alike are facing global threat, which is unprecedented. It is not HIV/AIDS, though we have marked December 1st as World Aids Day, or some other infectious disease, but non-communicable disease, or NCD, meaning, it's non-infectious and non-transmissible between persons. However, ironically, per World Health Organization (WHO), it's by far the leading cause of mortality (of all ages) in the world, representing over 60% of all deaths. 

Dying too long and living too short, best characterizes NCDs. NCDs may be chronic diseases of long duration and slow progression, or they may result in more rapid death as in some types of sudden stroke. They include autoimmune diseases, heart disease, stroke, cancers, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and more. And this blog is dedicated to promote lifestyle that fights against and defies all these chronic conditions – belaboring toward a true preventive measure; motivating you (or, your loved ones) get back to your vibrant health or a whole brand new opportunity to exciting and enduring health!

A view of KGF Club

Growing up in Kolar Gold Fields, or KGF – one of the oldest mining areas in India, I suffered allergies and cold. At times, I wouldn't even get sleep – wheezing all night, with spasm in my lungs, I would literally feel my lungs shattering every time I sneezed or coughed. It was really, really painful and hurting to death. And then, as usual, this would follow up with doctor’s consultation, diagnosis and medication. When I asked, why I’m prone to it while none of my parents or grandparents suffered any allergies? I would only get eluded and pointed to the polluted air caused by weedy pollen and huge hilly dumps – decades of mining deposit; and I’m simply susceptible to it. I would feel I was simply shushed and made to follow a dogmatic diet of "avoidance". I didn't know back then if it was reasonable. So, I strictly followed the dogma. Most food items that I had to abstain from were – curds, peanuts, lemons, lady’s finger (or okra), fruits and fruit salads, chocolates, etc. Though the diet helped me control my allergies for a while, I was growing weaker and weaker – fatigued to do even the simplest chores of everyday. The worst part was during rainy and winter, I would catch hay fever, or allergic rhinitis – feeling feverish with runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, sleeplessness, and wheezing. I can never forget the ENT specialist, or Otolaryngologist, without having me referred to allergy tests, administering those immunoglobulin shots. That is it! My body ran high on its side effects – blocked nose and tightness of chest causing breathing difficulties, feverish, and a constant feeling of being unwell.

At this point, I completely gave up hopes on mainline doctors, and started seeking help from alternative medications like Homeopathic and Ayurvedic. In spite of all these efforts, nothing seemed to change my health. I suffered allergies yet more, and grew more fatigue.

One of my friends suggested that I have my blood checked. So, I went through a couple of tests and found my haemoglobin level was way below par, a condition called anaemia, and I was suffering its symptoms – constipation and very low immunity. I knew this was the key.

Ten years, by then, it was an odd journey of constant distraction and discouragement! Despite all hell, there was one true hope and comfort that I usually received. It was from God’s very own word that He made me and knew everything about me (Psalm 139). Since I knew God’s word, I was able to relate my blood test results to my new found key – “the life of every creature is in its blood…” Leviticus 17:14. The key was always there and I knew it. However, it never occurred to me until then. 

In the succeeding articles, you’ll read about my trial and error attempts to achieve wholesome health. And with the new found key, being my common denominator, you’ll see how it all led to a progressive expedition of learning, application and adventure! Until then, HASHEM BLESS US ALL!!!



PS: Dear readers, please feel free to leave your comments, or to share any related scriptures, or any tips that can help improve one's health. We just encourage you to keep learning and living vibrant health everyday. Never lose the joy, the passion, and most importantly never let anybody say that you can't live life to its fullest. Because that's just not true. God Bless You!!