Health news blog

Nitric oxide is a molecule derived from the amino acid arginine that has been discovered in recent years to have myriad functions in the human body. More than 10,000 articles have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals in the past ten years on nitric oxide, which acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, a targeted chemical in the immune system, and a messenger molecule throughout the body. Altered nitric oxide function has been implicated in diseases ranging from cancer to AIDS to heart disease and hypertension.Nitric oxide is released by the endothelial cells lining the arteries and arterioles. Although its effects are short-lived, nitric oxide is one of the most powerful vasodilators known. By relaxing the smooth muscles and thus increasing the diameter of the blood vessels, nitric oxide is a principal regulator of blood pressure. It is also a player in atherosclerosis, the stiffening and narrowing of arterial walls, as it protects the arteries by preventing the adhesion of platelets and white blood cells. Conversely, arteries that have been damaged by atherosclerosis have impaired synthesis of nitric oxide. In addition, nitric oxide has powerful antioxidant activity. Therefore, this substance plays multiple roles in hypertension.*14/313/5*

SUCKLE stands for the soul quality of adaptability. In positive Honeysuckle state the person is adaptable to change in circumstances, change in conditions and does not find himself stuck up in the memories of the past when the present calls for action due to change of circumstances. Not that he washes his hands clear of his past life or his past experiences. He remembers them alright, and makes use of his past experiences for the benefit of the future—he does not repeat the mistakes for which he suffered; he does not trust the “friends” who betrayed him and does not ignore those who were sincere to him. He has a rational mind. He understands that “change’ is the very essence of life. It is only the dead who do not face any change except decay. They adapt themselves to the present-day changed circumstances and keep on moving towards then destiny guided by their Higher Self.*120\308\8*

Every knee patient should have an X ray, a photographic image of inside the body. X rays are important for several reasons. First, they help to rule out other conditions such as tumors or fractures. In fact, there are several reported cases of people being treated for knee problems who in reality had tumors that went undiagnosed because they had never been X rayed. Second, because X rays provide a good view of large bones, they are excellent for diagnosing alignment problems and detailing later stages of arthritis. If the joint spaces are abnormally small, that is, if the bones are too close together, it’s a good indication that the articular cartilage is worn away and the patient is arthritic.In order for an X ray to be useful, however, it must be taken correctly, and that’s easier said than done. Many of the X rays I see are incomplete, especially those that are taken in an emergency room. Very often, they show only one or at most two views of the knee, and that simply does not offer enough information to make an intelligent diagnosis. A good set of knee X rays should include several views of the knee in various positions, extended and flexed, from the front, side, and back. In addition, in the case of an older person who might be arthritic, the X ray should be taken standing up. If the patient is sitting or lying down, the joint spaces could look normal, and only when the person is standing will the joint spaces narrow.If you are getting an X ray and the technician only takes one or two views, I think it’s a sign that something is not being done correctly. In many cases—especially if the X ray is being done in a hectic emergency room—the technician may be cutting corners or he simply may not know the right way to X ray a knee. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Ask to see an orthopedist, or at the very least say, “If you’re concerned enough to order an X ray of my knee, I want it read by a radiologist or an orthopedist.” In reality, the orthopedist is quite often more informed than a radiologist who does not have a primary interest in orthopedic radiology.X rays are good for looking at bones, but they are unable to provide a good view of soft tissue, such as ligaments and muscles. If your doctor feels that your problem is not bone related and she is unable to diagnose it with a thorough physical examination, she may order additional tests.In a bone scan, a radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and the patient is placed on a board in a scanner—a long narrow tube—and must lie still for about 30 minutes as the scanner “picks up” the radioactive material at the appropriate sites. Some of the newer scanning machines are open and slowly move over the patient. As the radioactive material travels through the blood, the physician can scan the phases of the blood flow. From this test, the physician can see how the blood pools in any particular area as contrasted to normal values. Changes in the normal values may be indicative of infection, avascular necrosis, or some bone tumors.*14\185\2*