What does it feel like when you are ungrounded?

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    Following on from my blog last week on inner elbow issues, I want to talk about outer elbow pain or discomfort. Pain or discomfort around your outer elbow [...]

  • A potential alternative to antibiotics

    I am sure you are aware of the current level concern about the rise of antibiotics resistance and the need to find new antibiotics or alternatives.  So I read with interest that a traditional indian herb is being studied by scientists as an alternative to antibiotics. The herb, andrographis, which is known at the "king of the bitters" grows in India and Sri Lanka.  It is thought to be responsible for combatting the Spanish flu epidemic that reached the Indian subcontinent in 1919. Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK have recruited 20 primary care facilities to participate in a trail, which will be using andrograhpis supplements.  It will be tested as a natural remedy against colds and flu - and treating these commong problems like these with antibiotics is bringing the era of drug-resistant superbugs closer to reality. Its a placebo-controlled study - which means patients could be given the real herb or a fake version -  that will look at the herb's ability to treat acute coughs, sore throats and sinusitis. The study could lead the way for a larger study involving more patients with acute respiratory infections.  

  • Stress and the immune system – Part 3

    In part 1, I explore the immune system and in part 2 the impact of short term or accute stress on the immune system.  In this post I want to explore the impact of chronic or long term stress on the immune system. 1. Distant Stressors – traumatic experiences that occurred in the past yet are still causing long lasting change in both emotional and cognitive behaviours that result in modification of immune system function.  For example, having been a prisoner of war. 2. Chronic Stressors – these pervade a person’s life and there is no awareness of when it might end.  This for of stress suppresses both specific and natural immunity.  Some examples of chronic stressors are

    • demanding jobs
    • financial difficulties
    • challenging relationships
    In summary the stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g. lowers the number of lymphocytes). Stress can also have an indirect effect on the immune system as a person may use unhealthy behavioural coping strategies to reduce their stress, such as drinking and smoking. Managing stress therefore is intrinsically linked to wellbeing and keeping well. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/