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Colitis
Colitis is an
inflammation of the colon. The colon is the large
intestine and is the largest part of the digestive tract.
Colitis is of two kinds ; ulcerative colitis and mucus
colitis. Colitis is caused by several factors like
heredity, diet, infection, the immune process, stress and
habitual use of purgatives. The symptoms of colitis are
frequent excretion of loose and offensive stools
containing mucus and traces of blood followed by fever.
Discomfort and a sense of fullness are commonly present
in the lower part of the abdomen. The discomfort is
generally worse after meal and is relieved after passing
stools. The treatment lies in cleansing the entire
system, particularly the colon and the whole intestinal
tract thereby allowing the inflamed mucus membrane to
heal. Then a strict diet of natural foods must be
followed. Consult treatment chart.Bacillary
Dysentery
A bacteria
infection in the large intestine, bacillary dysentery is
spread by unhygienic sanitary conditions. It is sudden in
onset, with diarrhoea,lower abdominal cramps and a
feeling of need to pass stool but unable to do so. There
may be blood or mucus in stool, loss of appetite and
tiredness. If unchecked, the patient progressively
becomes weaker and dehydrated. The causes are mainly
wrong eating, infection, constipation, fear, stress and
anxiety.To treat dysentery, give buttermilk enema, may be
2-3 times during the first day and no food should be
taken except a little orange juice or some other fruit
juice (non-irritant/sour), sweet buttermilk / curds for
at least two days and no starch is to be used for at
least a week. Also see treatment chart.
Amoebic
Dysentery
It is caused by
the parasite amoebae and hence the name amoebiasis.
Transmission of infection occurs by consuming
contaminated food and water (hotels/restaurants are a
common source). Person to person contact also results in
infection ; hence, all members in the house should take
adequate care.
In mild to moderate cases, semi-solid stools with a bad
odour, mucus( no blood), abdominal cramps, flatulence and
fatigue are present. This may occur periodically. In
severe cases there is an increased frequency of stool,
with mucus and streaks of blood. Such cases may be fatal.
In chronic cases of ameobiasis, the parasite may be
transported to the liver through the blood stream. This
can lead to amoebic liver abscess.
The patient should take raw diet comprising of fruits,
vegetables, sprouts, juice and soups, besides buttermilk.
The system should be thoroughly cleansed along with
prolonged fasting depending on the severity of the
symptoms as explained in the chart. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY
NOTHING THAT DRUGS CAN DO. Amoebae (parasites) are to be
eliminated through continuous torturing and draining out
by means of treatments like cold hip bath, mud pack,
abdomen pack, enema followed by vigorous exercises to be
continued life long after the cure is achieved. For more
information on this subject, please see Chapter II.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis
means inflammation of a diverticulum - a condition in
which food residues stay in the large intestine and are
turned aside into small pouches which form on the walls
of the bowels, resulting in abnormal pressure and
distension. The trapped material, later on may ferment
and putrefy causing the damaged mucus membranes to become
inflammed, leading to diverticulitis. Chronic
constipation and a diet lacking in vegetable fibre are
the major causes. In allopathy, the patient is given
medicines, pills and tablets liberally and ruthlessly
which only suppress the disease while ignoring what is
surely self-evident, that pain, discomfort and
malfunction are Natures warning signs, pointing out
that something is amiss. Such shortsightedness is akin to
switching off a fire alarm and doing nothing about the
fire, praying God that fire does not spread.
It must surely be self-evident that a condition such as
diverticulitis does not develop suddenly or even in the
course of a few months. The human body has a tremendous
capacity to withstand abuse and misuse and it has a
remarkable ability to adapt its complex functions and
systems in order to neutralise the effects of potentially
harmful habits and practices.
Treatment is very simple but requires some sacrifice. A
short period of fasting, say for 4-6 days,with enema
every morning to remove bowel obstructions and relieve
congestion followed by a further brief period of dietary
restrictions to reduce the inflammation. A coordinated
programme of exercises to strengthen the supporting
muscles and stimulate the blood and lymph circulatory
systems should be followed strictly. Besides, simple
treatments such as mud pack, cold hip bath, abdomen pack,
rest and relaxation should be taken for about 10 days and
thereafter intermittently. Strict diet control and
exercises, even after cure are a must.
Pancreas
Disorder
The pancreas is a
very important digestive organ. It works both as an
endocrine gland ( like the thyroid, adrenal, pituitary
glands), secreting hormones directly into the blood
stream and also as an exocrine gland like the liver,
secreting digestive enzymes through a duct in the small
intestine to assist the digestive process.
As an endocrine gland it secretes insulin which regulates
the blood sugar. When too much insulin is produced, it
causes low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.When too little
insulin is produced, diabetes results.Both these
conditions are, to a great extent, influenced by diet.
Some people inherit diabetes, while others acquire it.
Our diet infact determines the health of this gland. High
consumption of sugar, sugar-based products and refined
starches put stress on the insulin producing cells which
first over-stimulate them (leading to low blood sugar)
and if continued over a long period of time, exhaust them
( leading to high blood sugar) . Diabetes is the final
outcome. Over-eating in general, a common problem
mentioned in earlier chapters, also exerts strain on the
digestive function of the pancreas.
There are several digestive enzymes secreted by the
pancreas to assist the small intestine in breaking down
starches, fats and proteins. Eating less, avoiding sugar
and eating natural "complex carbohydrates "
ensure a healthy pancreatic function.
Diabetes
Mellitus
Symptoms are :
Exhaustion or feeling of weakness, excessive thirst,
increased frequency in urination, excessive hunger, slow
healing of wounds and boils.
Due to deficiency of insulin secretion or reduction in
its biological effectiveness, there is increased
concentration of glucose in the blood stream. This
condition is known as diabetes mellitus.Diabetes is a
failure of the bodys energy-regulating system and
it affects every part of the body. The normal blood sugar
range is - fasting 90-110 and PP (after meal) 120-160 mg
per 100 ml. Heridity, overweight, irregular diet patterns
and stress are the contributing factors for diabetes.
Exercises decrease insulin requirements of a diabetic. By
avoiding sugar intake and with regular brisk walk and
consumption of not more than 1500 calories a day, many
diabetics can effectively control blood sugar levels
within the safer limits. Eat more natural fibre-rich
food, low in fats and proteins. Use whole grain products,
potatoes, pulses, salads, sprouts and vegetables. On
rising in the morning, take one teaspoonful of broken
fenugreek granules (methi dana) with water, not in powder
form. Avoid refined and processed food. For treatment
particulars -consult chart.
Liver
Disorder
Liver is a very
tough organ and it has two and half times the capacity
than what we normally need.It is damaged only when
excessively overloaded or affected through alcoholic
indulgence, etc. The livers best known function is
secretion of bile which is indispensable for the
emulsification and digestion of fats. It also produces
enzymes, which control a large number of chemical
processes that go on in the body. It is the major
detoxifying organ. Consumption of alcohol over a long
period does great harm and may lead to Cirrhosis of the
liver. Too much food also harms the liver cells.
Excessive eating, drinking and drugs have probably caused
far more casualties among human beings than all the
bullets and bayonets of our civilization. Eating less
never causes harm, but only does good. Two common
causes of death in many diseases are livery and kidney
failure.The body is increasingly unable to excrete waste
materials and toxins adequately . Naturopathy uses
intensive detoxification to eliminate wastes and toxins
and to help regenerate the liver. For treatment please
see chart.
Jaundice
-Hepatitis
Jaundice is
actually not a disease, but a symptom or a sign of an
underlying disease - viral hepatitis (infectious or
serum), gall stones, Cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholic
hepatitis, cancer of the bile duct, tumours of the
pancreas and even drug reactions.
Ineffective hepatitis or viral hepatitis is the commonest
cause of jaundice. Contaminated water /food is a source
of infection, spreading the virus that is responsible for
the problem. The patient suffers from fever, nausea,
vomitting, loss of appetite,discomfort in the upper
abdomen, yellowish discoloration of the eyes, tongue and
skin. The liver is enlarged. Inadequate treatment leads
to chronic liver disease.
Adequate sanitary measures for those coming in contact
with the patient are necessary. ( e.g.washing hands after
handling contaminated clothes,utensils etc.) to prevent
spread of infection. The remedial measures are to improve
the hygienic conditions and pure potable water to be made
available along with complete bed rest for 4-6 weeks.No
alcohol, smoking, drugs or heavy diet. Consume sugarcane
juice liberally. The incubation period varies between 4-6
weeks. See treatment chart.
Obesity
Obesity, which is
defined as generalised accumulation of excess fat in the
body, invites disability, diseases and premature death.
Excess fat is as much a physical hindrance as carrying a
load of the same weight day and night. Life expectancy
diminishes with excess weight. Life insurance statistics
bear out the fact that an extra inch at the waistline is
a year less of the lifeline. ( See TABLE II - HEIGHT
-WEIGHT TABLE). Many diseases are much more common in
obese individuals - two most well known among them being
diabetes and high blood pressure that lead to a greater
risk of cardiac /kidney failure. IN addition, obese
individuals are more liable to have swelling in the legs,
veins, pain in weight-bearing joints, premature onset of
arthritis and poor balance , with the accompanying risk
of falling down and breaking bones.
Obesity, obviously, is a curse and a serious disease by
itself. If you dont modify your life style and
choose the right food on a regular basis, the weight you
lose on any diet will come right back. Almost 70 per cent
of those who diet, regain their lost weight within a
year, and have to diet all over again.Constant losing and
gaining of weight in the battle of bulge is frustrating
and demoralising. It often leaves serious psychological
scars. You can help yourself to be fit and not fat by :
- replacing animal fats
with vegetable fats.
- replacing full cream
milk with dry or fresh skimmed milk.
- replacing hard cheese
with cottage cheese.
- replacing blended
oils/ghee/butter with vegetable oils like
sun-flower, safflower and corn oil.
- replacing frying with
grilling.
- replacing roasting
and stuffing with baking,steaming and boiling.
- replacing cream with
yoghurt.
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