Allendale Acupuncture & Nutrition Clinic

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Tag: symptoms

How to Prevent for a Mini-Stroke?

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What is Mini-Stroke?

A “mini-stroke” or “transient ischemic attack” (TIA) occurs when there is a temporary drop in the blood supply to the brain. It can be caused by a variety of reasons–the most notable cause is underlying weakness of the heart. Usually, the patient experiences stroke-like symptoms, although they don’t last very long (sometimes only a few minutes to few hours). A TIA doesn’t cause any permanent damage, however, the scary part of  a TIA is that between 10 and 15 percent of TIA patients have a full-blown stroke within 3 months.

stroke_graphicMost people don’t even recognize that they experience a mini-stroke. Furthermore, since the symptoms fade away rather quickly, they seldom seek medical help.

Typical symptoms of a TIA include:

  • Face – the face may fall on one side as some of the facial muscles become paralyzed. The patient’s eye or mouth may droop, and they may be unable to smile properly.

  • Arms – arm weakness or numbness might make it hard for the patient to either raise both arms, or to keep them raised.

  • Speech – speech may be slurred and garbled.

Other signs and symptoms of a TIA can include:

  • Dizziness

  • Difficulty talking

  • Difficulty understanding what others are talking about
  • Swallowing Difficulties
  • Very bad headache
  • Paralysis, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body
  • In severe cases, loss of consciousness

If you suspect that you may experience a TIA, It is imperative to seek medical help immediately. So what can be done in addition to conventional western medical treatments?

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist made up of ligaments and bones. The median nerve and the tendons that connect the fingers to the muscles of the forearm pass through this tightly spaced tunnel.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve entrapment, occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve.  The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers. The symptoms often first appear during the night.  As symptoms worsen, people might feel pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks.  If not properly treated, CTS can cause irreversible nerve damage and permanent deterioration of muscle tissue.

Ulcerative Colitis Signs and Symptoms

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The signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary depending on the severity of inflammation, and where it is located. The most common symptoms include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, ranging from mild to severe. They may come on either very suddenly or more gradually.

Other common symptoms include:

  • Frequent, even continuous diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Bloody stool
  • Urgent need to defecate
  • Abdominal cramps and pain
  • Weight loss
  • Anemia
  • Joint aches
  • Fever
  • Dehydration

People with ulcerative colitis are at increased risk for malnutrition. The condition is also associated with other health problems, including arthritis, eye infections, liver disease, skin rashes, blood clots, or gallstones. Although western medical doctors cannot figure out why such problems occur outside the colon, if we take a look at this disease from a Chinese medical perspective, cross-functional aspects of different organs will make sense.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. It is diagnosed when there is a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for at least three months, and pain in at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

From the perspective of western medicine, Fibromyalgia is an enigma since there’s no medically explained syndrome. There are no laboratory tests that can confirm this diagnosis either.

While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together:

  • Chronic pain
  • Debilitating fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Joint stiffness
  • Chronic headaches
  • Dryness
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Inability to concentrate (called “fibro fog”)
  • Incontinence
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Numbness
  • Tingling or poor circulation in the hands and feet
  • Painful menstrual cramps
  • Restless legs syndrome

Symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event. Women are more prone to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of Fibromyalgia increases with age.

fibromyalsia

Research shows that up to 90 percent of people with Fibromyalgia have turned to complementary or alternative medicine to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has been shown to be an effective treatment for FMS.

From A Chinese Medical Perspective

Chinese medicine does not recognize Fibromyalgia as one particular disease pattern. Instead, it aims to treat the symptoms unique to each individual depending on their constitution, emotional state, the intensity and location of their pain, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms.

Since symptoms of Fibromyalgia vary greatly from one person to another, a wide array of traditional and alternative treatments have been shown to be the most effective way of treating this difficult syndrome.

From a Chinese medical perspective, Fibromyalgia is viewed as a classical case of “Severe Stagnation of Qi and Blood.”

The theory of pain is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: “Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” which means “free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain.”—which means when the Qi (vital energy force) and blood flow smoothly, there can’t be any pain. The disruption of Qi that results in Fibromyalgia is usually associated with disharmonies of the Liver, Spleen, Kidney, and Heart systems.

Since pain is a hallmark symptom of Fibromyalgia, our treatment protocols focus on pain reduction primarily, along with stimulating the flow of Qi and blood in patients’ bodies. We also look into emotional/psychological components very seriously in treating Fibromyalgia.

fibromyalsia2

If you have Fibromyalgia, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be what you’ve been looking for to ease your symptoms and reclaim your health and vitality.

Call us today – don’t delay, don’t live in pain – we are here to help you! Call us at 201-760-8811!