Holidays, Stress, Adrenal Fatigue,

1 pill per day keeps stress at bay!

What are Adrenal Glands? Adrenal glands are glands within the endocrine system that reside on top of each of your kidneys. The endocrine system is in charge of making hormones and secreting them directly into your blood. The ovaries, testes, thyroid and pituitary are also glands of the endocrine system. The medulla (core) of the adrenals produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and nor epinephrine, which are responsible for the "fight or flight" response. The cortex is the area surrounding the core and is responsible for fluid and electrolyte balance in the body using corticosteroids. These corticosteroids are responsible for the proper metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates and are anti-inflammatory in nature.

Be at work, finances, relationships or health issues, most of us experience stressful events at some point in our lives. But today, researchers are witnessing levels of stress that is virtually unprecedented! A startling 80% of Americans now report experiencing intense, chronic stress over personal finances and the economy! The problem is global:  WHO estimates that stress related disorders affect nearly 450 million individuals worldwide! The effects of this pandemic on public health is profound. The cumulative impact of stress to the host of age-accelerating conditions and degenerative diseases.

Stress-like behavior, memory, attentiveness and learning are all mediated through the adrenal glands. This pathway is especially useful in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, who clearly exhibit characteristics of liver wind (darting about and being unable to focus clearly). This pathway is also useful for our hypertensive chronically irritable patients, as well as those with refractory eye problems such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. This pathway is particularly useful in the treatment of those patients who are crippled by their irritability and anger, or who spin their wheels and never move forward.

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the body is subjected to excessive amounts of stress. When we are overly stressed, our adrenal glands are overworked by producing cortical in answer to that stress response. They cannot then produce the other hormones that we need to function in our daily lives.

So what are the signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue?

People with this problem do not feel well in the morning without several cups of coffee. They feel like they need a nap in the afternoon. They always feel like their energy is lacking and they are not able to perform all the tasks that they need to do on a daily basis. Other symptoms of adrenal fatigue include craving a large amount of carbohydrates and being so wired that they have to stay up until the middle of the night even though they feel exhausted the next day.

Adrenal fatigue seems to be more prevalent in women than in men but it does affect both sexes.

Stress related illness can be defined: as any illness whose root cause can be attributed to chronic excessive release of stress-related neurotransmitters.

Such illness can include common problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability, inability to focus or concentrate, poor memory, sweet cravings, thyroid problems, insomnia, hostility, always feeling cold, low back pain, chronic low grade infections, weight gain or loss, hypoglycemia, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as less clearly medically defined problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and even auto-immune diseases.

When we experience a particularly trying event, the memory is encoded by means of unique combinations of chemical transmitters (neurotransmitters, immunotransmitters, hormones and other chemical substances found in many different tissues in the body). If the memory is too painful for our conscious minds to deal with, it may be stored (and effectively buried) in particular places in our bodies. As long as the memory is still encoded in the body, it may try to bring itself to our attention by causing pain, dysfunction or imbalance in that place where it was stored.

How Can TCM Help?

First, we can diagnose the medical illness, imbalance or problem that brings the patient to us. We are obligated to use our Western diagnostic skills and modalities, to determine whether we are dealing with a functional illness; with something that is surgically correctable; or even a life-threatening condition like pneumonia, sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis or cancer.

Second, we can diagnose the energetic imbalance, using the system to which we best relate. We may use five-element diagnosis or Traditional Chinese Medicine signs and syndromes. In the end, if we diagnose correctly, we will all come to the same conclusions about the imbalance, although our plans of treatment may be different, depending on which system we are using.

Third, we treat the whole person: body, emotions, mind and spirit.

Treatment

If the disease or problem exists primarily on the emotional level, then our acupuncture treatment is directed at this emotional level, as well as the physical level.

Adrenal fatigue is seen in Chinese medicine as a Kidney deficiency. It is treated with the Kidney Yin building herbs in the first step of the treatment which lasts for a period of two to four months. This phase is followed by treatment with the Kidney Yang tonics. Acupuncture points can be stimulated for the kidney and may be self-applied just inside the ankle between and the Achilles tendon by massaging the area clockwise for five minutes on each side of the foot daily.

What and when should you eat?

For many people, there is a correlation between adrenal fatigue and low blood sugar, so it is important to eat good wholesome natural and organic foods at regular intervals to avoid a drop in blood sugar, which can exasperate your condition. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to eat first thing in the morning. While you're sleeping, your body is using up its reserved energy and you need to replenish it as soon as you can. The energy you give your body from breakfast is used up quickly, so it's a good idea to have an early lunch or at least have a nourishing snack a few hours after breakfast.

It's important that all of your meals contain protein, fat and carbohydrates. You need all three components to fuel your body throughout the day. Eating organic foods is your best choice, but this can also get really expensive. If you cannot afford to buy all organic, it is highly recommended that you eat organic meats and dairy products. There are too many preservatives, hormones and antibiotics added to institutional meat. 6-8 servings of vegetables a day is also recommended. Try to eat as wide of a variety of them as you can. Eating seasonal vegetables is always a great idea, so check out your local farmers market.

For those that suffer from adrenal fatigue due to blood sugar issues, you should be careful about what and how much fruit you eat. Due to high sugar levels, people with adrenal fatigue should avoid bananas, grapefruit, dates, figs, raisins and oranges. Better choices are apples, mango, papaya, plums cherries and pears. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, you may find yourself in constant need of that next cup of coffee. Unfortunately, this can further deplete the adrenals, spiraling your health downward. Coffee, chocolate, alcohol and soft drinks should all be avoided. Water is your best choice. Other healthy choices are green tea, herbal teas, natural vegetable juices and goat's milk.

Several other ways to slash Stress:

1/ Start your day with meditation

2/ Manage your mood with diet and herbs (stress-adaptogen)

3/ Suppress stress with positive thinking

4/ Get stress out of your head and on paper

5/ Unblock tension with physical exercise

6/ Retreat to avoid burnout

7/ Perspective from the Natural World

Conclusion

TCM is extremely useful in the treatment of many chronic stress related illnesses, not only because of its effectiveness in treatment of the physical body, but also (and perhaps more importantly) because of its ability to penetrate the layers of defense and coping mechanisms which our patients exhibit. Once the defenses are penetrated, the patients have the opportunity of choosing to deal differently with their issues. Since, as we have demonstrated, the mind and the body are one inextricably connected entity which uses the emotions and their attendant neuropeptides as the vehicle for communication, it is clear that by treating the physical body, we can penetrate deeply into the emotions. By releasing the emotions, we can help our patients change their response to stress, and thereby enable them to heal that physical entity known as the body-mind.

Natural compounds in particular have been shown to reduce stress levels, enhance attention, and productivity and lower many stress-related factors associated with risk of death. I use an effective stress-adaptogen herbal product that includes Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Green tea, Bacopa and Ashwagandha. 1 pill per day keeps stress at bay! How to get this herbal product, please contact: Dr Csoka at info@biorient.com

Personally, I hardly ever get a cold! And I always decline getting the free flu vaccine. Maybe, because I spent over 30 years in the healthcare field, I have met all kinds of “bugs” and got naturally immunized. I do not know, really. But, I do know, that I will not get the flu this year either!

Using my mind to stimulate the body’s natural self–healing mechanisms is one way to take command of my physical problems. It gives me a method for working actively on my own behalf. It cannot possibly hurt, and the benefits are surprising.

But, here are some notes for all of you, who believe that getting the flu is “natural”:

Facts:

The definition of common cold by biomedicine: is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. If it's not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the above. In fact, because any one of more than 100 viruses can cause a common cold, signs and symptoms tend to vary greatly.

Treatment:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a more colorful history of preventing, diagnosing and treating the seasonal cold and flu. Traditional texts such as Shan Han Lun and Wen Bing Xue provide guidance to effectively treat Wind Heat and Wind Cold patterns.

Disease causes: natural endowment insufficiency (kidney essence deficiency), habitual body deficiency due to faulty diet, iatrogenesis, taxation/fatigue, internal or external invasion of wind evils.

Disease mechanisms: Cold is categorized as external wind evil in Chinese Medicine. However, for these wind evils to invade the body, there must be an underlying defensive Qi deficiency. In simple terms, the body’s immune system has been compromised.

Treatments: based on pattern discrimination: chills, headaches, etc. being considered the “branch” of the disease, while the immune compromised state is the fundament/base, the “root” of the disease. Skilled practitioner can identify and target these different aspects of a simple cold.

For acute presentation with fever, chills, headache and sore throat, many herbal formulas are available with antiviral and or antibacterial properties (Yin Qiao San or Sang Yu Yin).

Please discuss with your healthcare professional.

Prevention is the Key!

Fundamental principles of TCM of course, “Treating disease before its occurrence”, and “Strengthen the defenses to prevent sickness.”

Below is a checklist of things to avoid:

• Stress and negative emotions
• Sleep deprivation
• Overwork and over-exhaustion
• Diet high in sugar, caffeine and refined products
• Under or over-exercise

The simplest prevention of all is a restful restorative sleep. Sleep deprivation is a widespread issue in the Western world and plays a pivotal role in the healthy function of the immune system. Adequate sleep and proper hygiene are crucial factors in preventing colds and flu viruses and must be the foundation upon which herbs and acupuncture are added.

Below actions to strengthen your immune system:

• Reduce stress and maintain equanimity
• Get plenty of rest and sleep
• Pace yourself at work and in your life
• Eat a healthy diet consisting of high fiber, low fat and at least nine servings of vegetables and fruits each day
• Moderate daily exercise including cardiovascular and light weight training
• Avoid drugs and chemicals whenever possible
• Take herbs and vitamins that have been shown to optimize the immune system

The Food we are eating!

According to The Tao of Wellness, the following foods are recommended:

• ginger
• garlic
• green onion, scallions
• cilantro
• mustard greens and seeds
• cinnamon
• basil

In closing, natural therapies work when we lead natural lifestyles.

By Dr Katalin Csoka L.Ac., Ph.D., MD.

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Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for more than
4,000 years. In China, acupuncture is part of a TCM system of traditional medical
knowledge and is practiced along with other treatment modalities such as herbal
medicine, tui na (massage and acupressure), mind/body exercise (e.g., qigong and tai
chi), and dietary therapy. In the United States, several different acupuncture styles
are practiced in addition to TCM. These include Japanese acupuncture (e.g., meridian
therapy), English acupuncture (e.g., five element or traditional acupuncture), French
acupuncture (e.g., French energetic acupuncture), Korean acupuncture (e.g.,
constitutional acupuncture), and American medical acupuncture. Most of these are
derived from ancient Chinese medical philosophy and practices. All are based on the
view that the human body must be perceived and treated as a whole and as part of
nature; health is the result of harmony among bodily functions and between the body
and nature, and disease occurs when this harmony is disrupted. TCM therapeutic
interventions, including acupuncture, are used to restore the state of harmony.

Acupuncture is closely associated with Chinese meridian theory. According to this
theory, there are 12 primary meridians, or channels, and 8 additional meridians, each
following a particular directional course along the body. A vital energy known as qi
flows through these meridians and participates in the homeostatic regulation of
various bodily functions. Some 360 points distributed along the meridians serve as
both pathognomic signs of disorder and as loci for acupuncture treatments. When the
normal flow of energy over a meridian is obstructed (e.g., as a result of tissue injury
or a tumor), pain or other symptoms result.

The purpose of acupuncture therapy is to re-open the normal energy flow,
thereby relieving the symptoms by stimulating specific sites (acupuncture points) on
the meridians. In acupuncture treatment, stainless steel needles, usually ranging from
0.22 to 0.25 mm in diameter, are inserted into relevant acupuncture points to
stimulate the affected meridians. A needling sensation known as de qi sensation, in
which the patient feels heaviness, numbness, or tightness, is often required during an
acupuncture treatment. Length and frequency of treatment vary according to the
condition being treated. Chronic conditions usually require a longer treatment period.
Typically, two or three sessions per week are required initially and may decrease to
once a week after several weeks of treatment. Needles are typically left in place for
15 to 30 minutes after insertion, and their effects may be augmented with manual or
electrical stimulation and/or heat (e.g., moxibustion).

Classical techniques of acupuncture include needling, moxibustion, and cupping.
Acupressure, using fingers to apply pressure on acupuncture points, is also considered
a form of acupuncture treatment. Moxibustion is a method in which an herb (Artemisia
vulgaris) is burned above the skin or on an acupuncture point for the purpose of
warming it to alleviate symptoms. Cupping promotes blood circulation and stimulates
acupuncture points by creating a vacuum or negative pressure on the surface of the
skin. During the past several decades, various new auxiliary devices have been
developed. Acupuncture devices such as electroacupuncture (EA) machines and heat
lamps are commonly used to enhance the effects of acupuncture.

In addition to classical acupuncture techniques, other techniques have been developed
and are sometimes used in cancer management. These include trigger point
acupuncture, laser acupuncture, acupuncture point injection, and techniques focusing on
particular regions of the body: auricular (ear) acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, face
acupuncture, hand acupuncture, nose acupuncture, and foot acupuncture. Of these,
auricular acupuncture is the most commonly used.

Although acupuncture has been practiced for millennia, it has come under scientific
investigation only recently. To date, most studies and clinical trials of the mechanisms
and efficacy of acupuncture in cancer management have been carried out in China. In
1976, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture
needles as investigational devices (Class III) (www.fda.gov). This resulted in a number
of research studies on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture. In November
1994, the Office of Alternative Medicine (the predecessor of the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
sponsored an NIH-FDA workshop on the status of acupuncture needle usage. Two
years later, the FDA reclassified acupuncture needles as medical devices (Class II)
without, however, giving specific indications for their use (www.fda.gov). In 1997, NIH
held a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture to evaluate its safety and
efficacy. The 12-member panel concluded that promising research results showing the
efficacy of acupuncture in certain conditions have emerged and that further research
is likely to uncover additional areas in which acupuncture intervention will be useful.
The panel stated that “there is clear evidence that needle acupuncture treatment
is effective for postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting.” It also
stated that there are “a number of other pain-related conditions for which
acupuncture may be effective as an adjunct therapy, an acceptable alternative,
or as part of a comprehensive treatment program,” and it agreed that further
research is likely to uncover additional areas in which acupuncture intervention will be
useful.

These actions by the FDA and NIH have resulted in the establishment of a number of
active programs of research into the mechanisms and efficacy of acupuncture, much of
which is, or is potentially, relevant to cancer management. To date, the most
extensively investigated aspect of these mechanisms has been the effect of
acupuncture on pain management. The NIH Consensus Panel concluded that
“acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses,” local and distal, “mediated
mainly by sensory neurons…within the central nervous system.” Acupuncture “may
also activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad
spectrum of systemic effects,” including “alterations in peptides, hormones and
neurotransmitters and the regulation of blood flow.” Recent studies show the
effect of acupuncture on chronic inflammatory pain. Evidence suggests that
acupuncture operates through the autonomic nervous system to balance the
sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and suggests that the anti-inflammatory
effects of acupuncture are mediated by its electrophysiologic effects on
neurotransmitters, cytokines, and neuropeptides. Many studies provide evidence that
opioid peptides are released during acupuncture and that acupuncture analgesia is
mediated by the endogenous opioid system.

Laboratory and animal cancer studies exploring the mechanisms of acupuncture have
focused mainly on the activation and modulation of immune functions. Acupuncture
treatment points are located by using standard anatomic landmarks and comparative
anatomy. EA is the most commonly used treatment intervention; a few studies have
used moxibustion. These studies show that acupuncture may boost animal immune
function by increasing blood cells and enhancing NK cell and lymphocyte activity.
According to one animal behavioral study, acupuncture may be a useful adjuvant for
suppressing chemotherapy-induced emesis.

Although several studies published in China examined the effect of acupuncture on the
human immune system, most cancer-related human clinical studies of acupuncture
evaluated its effect on patient quality of life. These investigations mainly focused on
cancer symptoms or cancer treatment–related symptoms, predominantly cancer pain
and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Studies have also been done on the
effect of acupuncture on radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth), rectitis,
dysphonia, weight loss, cough, thoracodynia, hemoptysis, fever, esophageal obstruction,
poor appetite, night sweats, hot flashes, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in
cancer patients. The evidence from most of these clinical studies is inconclusive,
despite their positive results; either poor research design or incompletely described
methodologic procedures limit their value. The positive results of the studies on
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, which benefit from scientifically
sound research designs, are the most convincing.