Section
1
|
DEBILITY (Weak, Debilitated Conditions)
SYMPTOMS—A feeling of exhaustion all or much of the time.
CAUSES—This can be caused by a number of dietetic, physical, or hormonal problems, some of which are mentioned below. See "Chronic Fatigue" for much more information.
TREATMENT—
• Some weak individuals only need rest, fresh air, sunshine, pure water, nutritious meals, and freedom from worry.
• Some need to clean the toxins from their body. Those who do so, may feel weaker for a few days, but afterwards will generally feel much better and stronger.
• Over-indulgence in sex is an excellent way to debilitate the body. Worry wears out the life forces. The use of coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and processed and junk foods are also sources of trouble.
• Trust in God, obey the Ten Commandments, and live as healthfully as you can.
• A good program of better nutrition, more rest, less tension, and taking time to go outdoors and work or walk 30-60 minutes at a time will do much to build the body. A cold morning shower invigorates the body.
• As an aid in rebuilding the body after acute or chronic illnesses, the following herbal formula is quite helpful. It combines nutritional benefits with herbal tonics:
Mix together 1 oz. parsley root, 1 oz. alfalfa; 1/2 oz. of each of the following: dandelion root, comfrey root, yellow dock root, burdock root, nettles leaves, and dulse. Place in an uncovered pot with a quart of water and simmer for 20 minutes. Let it cool, then strain. Place the liquid back in the pot and simmer uncovered for one hour or until it is reduced to one cup.
Stir in one cup of unsulphured blackstrap molasses and refrigerate. Take one tablespoonful 3 times a day.
• A variant method would involve taking the powdered, mixed, dry herbs (not having gone through the cooking stage), place them in #00 capsules, and take 2-4 caps with each meal.
HYDRO—Here are water treatments, explained in the author's Water Therapy Manual (see order sheet), which will increase endurance: Tonic frictions, which include Wet Hand Rub, Cold Mitten Friction, Cold Towel Rub, Wet Sheet Rub, Dripping Sheet Rub, Ice Rub, and Salt Glow (WTM, pp. 97-105). In cases of severe exhaustion, bed rest for a time, proper diet, plus carefully graduated tonic cold applications, especially Percussion Douche to spine (p. 228).
ENCOURAGEMENT—No one understands as well as Jesus your problems. He is watching over you, and if you are willing to be guided by Him, He will throw around you influences for good that will enable you to accomplish all His will for you.
EMOTIONAL FATIGUE SYNDROME
SYMPTOMS—A variety of symptoms could be involved: continual tension and stress, anxiety, depression, loss of interest, no zest for life, inability to cope with everyday problems, mental and physical fatigue, loss of confidence, fear of failure, panic attacks, a sense of hopelessness, mood swings, muscle spasms, sensitivity to noise, negative attitudes, and constant worrying.
CAUSES—Emotional stress depletes the nervous system, weakens emotional stability, and fatigues the body. Such stress weakens the functions of the body organs (such as the stomach and liver). This in turn results in malnourishment and a release of toxins into the system. Primary causes would include constipation, autointoxication, nutritional deficiencies, a negative outlook on people and circumstances, and negative input from other people.
TREATMENT—
• Learn to relax, as well as exercise out-of-doors. Do everything with an attitude of thankfulness toward and trust in God, believing that He will work everything out for the best.
• Eat high fiber foods, fruits, vegetables, juices, sprouts, grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. Vitamins A, D, C, and E are important. Take a multivitamin tablet twice a day. Make sure you are getting enough calcium, magnesium and potassium.
ENCOURAGEMENT—Learn all you can about the laws of health, and obey those laws. Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on Jesus for help. God can help you.
CHRONIC FATIGUE
SYMPTOMS—A continual feeling of exhaustion.
CAUSES—Fatigue is a symptom pointing to other problems; it is not a disease itself. Chronic fatigue is generally caused by a high-fat and refined carbohydrate diet, along with emotional stress. Any of the following only adds to the exhaustion: drugs, caffeine products, smoking, alcohol, poor eating habits.
Chronic fatigue can forewarn of an undetected problem such as anemia, hypoglycemia, diabetes, allergies, malabsorption of nutrients, candidiasis, poor circulation, hypothyroidism, Epstein Barr virus (EBV), mononucleosis, or cancer.
It can also be caused by weight loss, obesity, and, if characterized only by a lack of energy, boredom.
TREATMENT—
• Obtain adequate rest, exercise, and a well-balanced diet.
• Deficiencies of vitamin B complex, C and D, or iron may cause fatigue. Also needed: vitamins A, pantothenic acid, B12, folic acid, C, E, iron, calcium, magnesium. Acidophilus is very helpful to improve digestion and the production of certain B vitamins in the bowel.
• Exercise every day outdoors. Try to induce some perspiration. Also helpful are ice-cold foot baths, daily morning bare-foot grass walks, alternative hot and cold showers, "salt glow" skin rubs, and a dry friction rub with a skin brush.
• Helpful herbs include American ginseng, lavender, rosemary, sweet flag, pasque flower.
—Also see "Epstein Barr Virus," which is a different "chronic fatigue syndrome," although having the same name.
ENCOURAGEMENT—The whole family of heaven is interested in the family here below, and messengers from the throne of God attend our steps every day. They seek to protect us from our mistakes, amid the problems we daily encounter. By faith in Christ, obey God's Ten Commandment law, and know that He will work everything out for the best.
EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
SYMPTOMS—Recurrent upper-respiratory tract infections, exhaustion, extreme fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, achy joints and muscles, memory loss, low-grade fevers, headaches, poor concentration, night sweats, irritability, and deep depression. Because the symptoms resemble flu and other viral symptoms, EBV is not always diagnosed correctly. In fact, it is frequently misdiagnosed as hypochondria, depression, or psychosomatic illness.
CAUSES—Chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). This condition has become widespread in America. the CDC in Atlanta estimates that tens of thousands of people are infected with it. Yet they are unaware of it since symptoms are frequently not prominent.
This virus is also the cause of infectious mononucleosis. When mononucleosis occurs, the person becomes very ill for two to four weeks, or longer if the diet is not corrected. (See "Mononucleosis.")
EBV is a type of herpes virus, and is related to the viruses that cause genital herpes and shingles.
Keep in mind that chronic fatigue syndrome can also be caused by certain other factors: candida albicans (yeast infection), anemia, chronic mercury poisoning from dental amalgam tooth fillings, hypoglycemia, insomnia, and hypothyroidism. (All of the above problems are dealt with in articles in this book.)
Once EBV is contracted, it always remains in the body. Fortunately, most people develop antibodies to it. The problem occurs when they become run-down and overworked—and then the dormant EBV strikes. It is more likely to reveal its presence when other diseases are also present, such as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, cancer, or AIDS.
EBV causes the body to overreact, resulting in a burn-out of the immune system.
Epstein Barr virus is very contagious, and can be transmitted by close contact, kissing, sharing food, coughing, and through sex.
Blood tests for antibodies against candida albicans, EBV, HBLV and CMV are available for specific diagnosis. Yet the fact remains that EBV symptoms are similar to those for many infections, anemia, parasites, endocrine diseases, and AIDS.
TREATMENT—
• Antibiotics do not help since EBV is a virus. Recovery takes time, rest, and good nutrition. Drink lots of water; at least 8 glasses a day. Regularity in bowel movements are essential. Add fiber to the diet. Cleansing enemas should be used occasionally. Get plenty of rest. Do not overexert yourself with heavy exercise.
• Remove from the diet all junk foods, processed foods, fried foods, stimulants (coffee, tea, soft drinks, sugar), and white flour products (bread, spaghetti, etc.)
• It is said that 60 percent of those with EBV also have candida (see Candidiasis), therefore it is best to eat some form of acidophilus. Eliminate sugar, alcohol, mushrooms and all fungi, molds and yeast, fermented foods such as sauerkraut, soy sauce, dry roasted nuts, potato chips, soda pop, bacon, pork, lunch meats, and all types of cheese.
• Eat some brand of "greens" tablets. Chlorophyll is vital to proper diet and healing. Make green drinks from whizzed up greens and pineapple juice.
• Take no aspirin, since it may induce Reye's syndrome (especially in children).
• Helpful herbs include red clover to cleanse the blood, echinacea to help the glands, garlic as an antibiotic, and saffron to help reduce pain.
—Also see "Lyme Disease," which has similar symptoms. Also see "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."
ENCOURAGEMENT—The heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, cries out continually for a deeper draught. How thankful we can be for His love and care over us.
CANDIDIASIS (Yeast Infection, Candida, Thrush, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
SYMPTOMS—Symptoms include bad breath,
constipation, chronic infections, depression, fatigue,
food cravings, gas, headaches, adrenal and thyroid problems,
hiatal hernia, indigestion, insomnia, mental confusion,
discomforting odors, panic attacks, and menstrual problems.
CAUSES—This is an infection caused by candida albicans, a normally harmless yeast (saprophyte) found in your intestines. Some of it is also regularly found in your mouth, throat, and genital tract. But this organism goes wild when its competitors, the normal bacteria of the intestines, are killed by long term use of antibiotics. This enables the candida to greatly increase in number.
Stress causes a reduced production of stomach acid, which lets candida enter the stomach—a place where it normally is never found. As a result, less digested food enters the intestines, much to the liking of the candida which feeds upon it.
This yeast-like substance proliferates so massively that it enters the blood stream and is carried to many parts of the body, weakening the immune system and causing various problems.
In the oral cavity, candida is called thrush. White sores may develop on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks.
In the vagina, it results in vaginitis. Large amounts of a white, cheesy discharge and intense itching occur.
Other effects are food allergies, athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, and even diaper rash.
Candida is not transmitted sexually, but mothers may pass thrush on to their newborn children. The baby's tongue will appear red and be covered with white spots (generally appearing 8-9 days after delivery) that will appear like milk spots. On the buttocks, thrush may resemble diaper rash.
Because their vaginal environment is more conducive to the growth of yeast, diabetic women can contract candida easier than diabetic men.
You may wish to request a blood test for antibodies against C. albicans. A skin test, similar to a TB tine test, is also available. A positive result is clear-cut. Unfortunately, a negative one provides less certainty that one does not have it. Candida is difficult to diagnose, since a culture cannot be used. This is because this yeast is a normal constituent of everyone's intestines.
TREATMENT—Try to eliminate food allergies, hypoglycemia, any infections, and indigestion.
• Replant Lactobacillus acidophilus. This is the friendly intestinal bacteria which the "wonder drugs" earlier killed off. Lactobacillus is a primary competitor of candida for food in the intestine. Use a retention enema containing 4 oz. warm water and 10 billion organisms (empty twenty 500,000 organism capsules into the water). Use 3 times weekly, 10 minutes each time.
• Helpful herbs include burdock, echinacea, ginger, golden seal, bee pollen, kelp, lobelia, passion flower, pau d'arco, psyllium, slippery elm, ginkgo, and suma.
• Useful nutrients include vitamin B complex with extra biotin: 100 mg 3 times a day. / B12 lozenges: place 2,000 mcg lozenge under tongue 3 times a day between meals. / Essential fatty acids: Wheat germ oil, primrose oil, etc. / Garlic capsules: 2 caps 3 times a day. / Multivitamin cap, 2-3 times a day. Take vitamin C up to bowel tolerance.
• Also helpful: vitamin A: 25,000 IU one to two times a day; B6: 100-250 mg one to two times daily; vitamin E: 400-800 IU daily; biotin; aloe vera juice: 2 oz. four times per day.
• Do not use oral contraceptives while you have candida. Do not use sugary foods. Do not use cheese, alcohol, chocolate, fermented food, gluten grains (wheat, oats, rye, and barley). Do not use meat, pickles, raw mushrooms, vinegar, or any yeast products.
• Yeast thrives on sugars and carbohydrates. A vegetarian nondairy diet of protein, unrefined grains, and vegetables is best. Onions and garlic are very helpful. Fresh, raw garlic is the best. Avoid meat-based proteins, since these are associated with abnormal bowel flora development. Avoid yeasted grain foods.
• Avoid antibiotics and steroids, because they destroy the competing bacteria and allow candida to overgrow.
• Wear cotton underpants, rather than close-mesh synthetic or silk.
• An alternative to douching is the sitz (sitting) bath. Fill a shallow tub to the hip with warm water, then add salt (enough to make the water taste salty, about 1/2 cup) to match your body's natural saline state. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to help rebalance the vaginal pH to 4.5. Then sit in the water, knees apart, until it gets cool. The bath will do the cleansing. Douching can be done with a similar mixture (4 teaspoons vinegar to 1 pint of water).
INFANT THRUSH—Four percent of infants have oral thrush. Keep rubber nipples clean, as well as all objects going into baby's mouth. If bottle-feeding, boil nipples and bottles 20 minutes after thorough washing (candida spores are heat resistant). Give plain water to cleanse the mouth after every feeding. Inspect the mouth before each feeding, and begin treatment if thrush is seen. Swab infected areas with saturated solution of baking soda 3-4 times a day. Garlic overpowers candida, so it may be swabbed on the lesions several times a day.
—Also see "Vaginitis," "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."
ENCOURAGEMENT—Our God delights to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. He will care for you through this crisis. Trust Him and, by His enabling grace, obey His Scriptures.
JET LAG
SYMPTOMS—Fatigue, lethargy, irritability, inability to sleep, trouble concentrating and making decisions, perhaps even diarrhea and a lack of appetite.
CAUSES—Jetting across several time zones produces a sudden violation of your body's inner clocks. If, from America for example, you fly to Australia or Europe, you will experience jet lag—for you will suddenly be thrust into meals and wakefulness in the middle of "your night," and awake when your body tells you it is time for sleep.
DEALING WITH IT—Here are several suggestions, one or more of which may help:
• Get extra sleep beforehand. Drink plenty of fluids and be quiet and relaxed during the flight. Fly by day, arrive at night—and then soak up some extra rest. Get out in the sunshine the next day; this will help your body adapt. Obtain some exercise after arriving. Some people try living by their home clock—but most cannot do that.
• Try to avoid important decisions during the adjustment days. The general rule is that it will take one day of adjustment for each time zone crossed. So be prepared.
• When crossing only two or three time zones, it is known that going west is easier on the body than going east. This is because it is easier to get more sleep on arriving, since you experience more hours that particular day.
ENCOURAGEMENT—We should ever seek to realize that the Lord is very near us. He can help us as no other one can. Trusting Him and obeying His Word, we can have the help we need.
# TONIC EFFECTS, OBTAINING
HYDRO—Hot and Cold to the Spine (pp. 68-69 in the author's Water Therapy Manual (see order sheet) is a revulsive compress and acts as a strong stimulant and tonic, and is used in a large number of conditions needing such a treatment.
The Wet-hand Rub, the Cold Mitten Friction, the Cold-towel Rub, the Wet-sheet Rub, the Dripping-sheet Rub, and the Ice Rub (p. 98, etc.) are all used to increase body circulation and heat. The first four are the mildest and best.
The Revulsive Shower (p. 129) and Alternate Hot and Cold Shower (p. 130) are also beneficial.
The Sun Bath (p. 143) and Sea Bathing (p. 144) are also good.
The Sun, Air, and Water Bath, Wet Grass Walk, and Summer Spray (pp. 144-145) are equally useful.
Caution should be exercised in giving the above treatments if the patient is frail, diabetic, or has a heart condition. See that book for much more information.
The 4th
update of this encyclopedia is bigger and better than ever!