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Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny 2019Natural medicinal resources are a country’s natural wealth. Natural medicinal waters, medicinal gases, and peloids have many properties that enable their use in the... (Review)
Review
Natural medicinal resources are a country’s natural wealth. Natural medicinal waters, medicinal gases, and peloids have many properties that enable their use in the treatment of gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, bone and joint, and skin and soft tissue disorders. Balneotherapy can be also applicable in prevention of many diseases and rehabilitation. At present, because there are several chemicals of synthetic origin, there is a need to search for nonpharmacological approaches and explore natural healing sources, which better fit the human body. Compared to synthetic drugs, these resources rarely show side effects, which increases the comfort of therapy. The use of natural medicinal resources in the form of treatments in health resort medicine centers under the supervision of balneologists, combined with the healing properties of the climate, contributes not only to the reduction of treatment time for many diseases but also to improvement of therapy’s results. The article discusses natural medicinal resources and some of their therapeutic applications.
Topics: Balneology; Evidence-Based Medicine; Gases; Health Resorts; Humans; Mineral Waters; Naturopathy
PubMed: 31961104
DOI: 10.32394/rpzh/2019.0093 -
Journal of Family & Reproductive Health Sep 2022Vaginal births are associated with a certain degree of trauma to the genital tract, with significant short-term and long-term morbidity. Awareness of morbidity... (Review)
Review
Vaginal births are associated with a certain degree of trauma to the genital tract, with significant short-term and long-term morbidity. Awareness of morbidity following perineal trauma has led to application of different interventions during the late first stage and second stage of labour to prevent severe perineal trauma. This includes techniques such as perineal massage, warm and cold compresses, and perineal management techniques. Objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of perineal massage during the late first stage and second stage of labour on the rate of episiotomy and risk of perineal trauma. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Science Direct) were searched from inception until August 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compares perineal massage during labor (i.e., intervention group) with a control group in women with singleton gestation and cephalic presentation at ≥36 weeks. The primary outcome was severe perineal trauma and the rate of episiotomy. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird to produce summary treatment effects in terms of relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Ten trials including 4,088 women were analyzed. Women with perineal massage during labor had a significantly lower incidence of severe perineal trauma (RR: 0.52, 95% CI 0.29- 0.94) compared to the control group. The incidence of episiotomy was lower in the perineal massage group (RR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98 p < 0.01) but was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The finding of meta-analysis showed that perineal massage during labor could be effective in reducing the risk of severe perineal trauma, such as third- and fourth-degree spontaneous lacerations during labor.
PubMed: 36569262
DOI: 10.18502/jfrh.v16i3.10575 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Dec 2018Yoga seems to exert its effect against arterial hypertension mainly through the associated breathing and meditation techniques, and less so through yoga postures. The... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Yoga seems to exert its effect against arterial hypertension mainly through the associated breathing and meditation techniques, and less so through yoga postures. The goal of this trial was to compare the blood pressure-lowering effect of yoga interventions with and without yoga postures in patients with arterial hypertension.
METHODS
75 patients taking medications for arterial hypertension (72% women, mean age 58.7 ± 9.5 years) were randomized into three groups: a yoga intervention group with yoga postures (25 patients, of whom 5 dropped out of the trial before its end), a yoga intervention group without yoga postures (25 patients, 3 dropouts), and a wait list control group (25 patients, one dropout). The interventions consisted of 90 minutes of yoga practice per week for twelve weeks. The data collectors, who were blinded to the intervention received, assessed the primary outcome measures "systolic 24-hour blood pressure" and "diastolic 24-hour blood pressure" before and after the intervention. In this report, we also present the findings on secondary outcome measures, including follow-up data.
RESULTS
After the intervention, the systolic 24-hour blood pressure in the yoga intervention group without yoga postures was significantly lower than in the control group (group difference [Δ]= -3.8 mmHg; [95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.3; -7.4) p = 0.035]); it was also significantly lower than in the yoga intervention group with yoga postures (Δ = -3.2 mmHg; 95% CI: [-6.3; -0.8]; p = 0.045). Diastolic blood pressures did not differ significantly across groups. No serious adverse events were encountered in the course of the trial.
CONCLUSION
In accordance with the findings of earlier studies, we found that only yoga without yoga postures induced a short-term lowering of ambulatory systolic blood pressure. Yoga is safe and effective in patients taking medications for arterial hypertension and thus can be recommended as an additional treatment option for persons in this category.
Topics: Aged; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Meditation; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Physical Exertion; Respiration; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; Yoga
PubMed: 30722837
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0833 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Apr 2022Owing to stress, sedentary lifestyle and changes in diet pattern, there is an increase in the surge of lifestyle and metabolic disorders. Polycystic ovarian syndrome...
Owing to stress, sedentary lifestyle and changes in diet pattern, there is an increase in the surge of lifestyle and metabolic disorders. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 8-13% of reproductive-aged women. PCOS is characterised by menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). The efficacy of yoga as a therapy to tackle the direct and indirect cause of ailment in the management of PCOS is to be documented. This is the case study of a female patient age 25 years, a diagnosed case of PCOS was registered at the Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani,Siddha,Homeopathy (AYUSH), yoga OPD, with complaints of irregular menstruation, treated successfully by Yoga and Naturopathy (Y and N), i.e., yoga, diet and lifestyle modification. This is evident from the reduction in weight, regularisation of the menstrual cycle along with morphological changes in the ovary after a follow-up of 6 months.
PubMed: 35516692
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_651_21 -
North American Journal of Medical... May 2014The use of water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind. Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in the system of... (Review)
Review
The use of water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind. Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in the system of natural medicine, which is also called as water therapy, aquatic therapy, pool therapy, and balneotherapy. Use of water in various forms and in various temperatures can produce different effects on different system of the body. Many studies/reviews reported the effects of hydrotherapy only on very few systems and there is lack of studies/reviews in reporting the evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems. We performed PubMed and PubMed central search to review relevant articles in English literature based on "effects of hydrotherapy/balneotherapy" on various systems of the body. Based on the available literature this review suggests that the hydrotherapy has a scientific evidence-based effect on various systems of the body.
PubMed: 24926444
DOI: 10.4103/1947-2714.132935 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022To determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated factors amongst adults (18-69 years) in India from the National...
BACKGROUND
To determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated factors amongst adults (18-69 years) in India from the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS).
METHODS
NNMS was a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017-18 on a national sample of 12,000 households in 600 primary sampling units. In every household, one eligible adult aged 18-69 years were selected. Information on NCD risk factors and their health-seeking behaviors were collected. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and fasting capillary blood glucose were measured. DM was defined as fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥126 mg/dl including those on medication. Awareness, treatment, and control of DM were defined as adults previously diagnosed with DM by a doctor, on prescribed medication for DM, and FBG <126 mg/dl, respectively. The weighted data are presented as mean and proportions with 95% CI. We applied the Student -test for continuous variables, Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables and multivariate regression to determine the odds ratio. For statistical significance, a -value < 0.05 was considered.
RESULTS
Prevalence of DM and impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) in India was 9.3% and 24.5% respectively. Among those with DM, 45.8% were aware, 36.1% were on treatment and 15.7% had it under control. More than three-fourths of adults approached the allopathic practitioners for consultation (84.0%) and treatment (78.8%) for diabetes. Older adults were associated with an increased risk for DM [OR 8.89 (95% CI 6.66-11.87) and were 16 times more aware of DM. Better awareness, treatment and control levels were seen among adults with raised blood pressure and raised cholesterol.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of DM and IFG is high among adults, while the levels of awareness, treatment and control are still low in India, and this varied notably between the age groups. Multifaceted approaches that include improved awareness, adherence to treatment, better preventive and counseling services are crucial to halt diabetes in India. Also, expanding traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [AYUSH]) into diabetes prevention and control practices open solutions to manage this crisis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; India; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Young Adult
PubMed: 35359772
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.748157 -
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian... Aug 2018Dysmenorrhea constitutes one of the most frequent disorders in women of a fertile age. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Dysmenorrhea constitutes one of the most frequent disorders in women of a fertile age. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of primary dysmenorrhea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty females aged 17-23 years were randomly assigned to either a study group or a control group. The study group received acupuncture for the duration of 20 minutes/day, for 15 days/month, for the period of 90 days. The control group did not receive acupuncture for the same period. Baseline, during, and post assessments of both the groups were taken on day 1; day 30 and day 60; and day 90, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measures of analysis of variance followed by post hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons, independent samples t test for visual analog scale score, and Mann-Whitney U test for rest of the variables using statistical package for the social sciences, version 16.
RESULTS
This study showed a significant reduction in all the variables such as the visual analog scale score for pain, menstrual cramps, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, faint, mood changes, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting in the study group compared with those in the control group.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture could be considered as an effective treatment modality for the management of primary dysmenorrhea.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Adolescent; Adult; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Research Design; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 29654840
DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2018.04.001 -
Cureus Feb 2023Human prion protein and prion-like protein misfolding are widely recognized as playing a causal role in many neurodegenerative diseases. Based on in vitro and in vivo... (Review)
Review
Human prion protein and prion-like protein misfolding are widely recognized as playing a causal role in many neurodegenerative diseases. Based on in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence relating to prion and prion-like disease, we extrapolate from the compelling evidence that the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 contains extended amino acid sequences characteristic of a prion-like protein to infer its potential to cause neurodegenerative disease. We propose that vaccine-induced spike protein synthesis can facilitate the accumulation of toxic prion-like fibrils in neurons. We outline various pathways through which these proteins could be expected to distribute throughout the body. We review both cellular pathologies and the expression of disease that could become more frequent in those who have undergone mRNA vaccination. Specifically, we describe the spike protein's contributions, via its prion-like properties, to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases; to clotting disorders within the vasculature; to further disease risk due to suppressed prion protein regulation in the context of widely prevalent insulin resistance; and to other health complications. We explain why these prion-like characteristics are more relevant to vaccine-related mRNA-induced spike proteins than natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. We note with an optimism an apparent loss of prion-like properties among the current Omicron variants. We acknowledge that the chain of pathological events described throughout this paper is only hypothetical and not yet verified. We also acknowledge that the evidence we usher in, while grounded in the research literature, is currently largely circumstantial, not direct. Finally, we describe the implications of our findings for the general public, and we briefly discuss public health recommendations we feel need urgent consideration. An earlier version of this article was previously posted to the Authorea preprint server on August 16, 2022.
PubMed: 36788995
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34872 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... 2022
PubMed: 35068779
DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2021.11.015 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2020The overarching objective of this investigation was to investigate the intervention of green nanotechnology to transform the ancient holistic Ayurvedic medicine... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
The overarching objective of this investigation was to investigate the intervention of green nanotechnology to transform the ancient holistic Ayurvedic medicine scientifically credible through reproducible formulations and rigorous pre-clinical/clinical evaluations.
METHODS
We provide, herein, full details: (i) on the discovery and full characterization of gold nanoparticles-based Nano Swarna Bhasma (henceforth referred to as NSB drug); (ii) In vitro anti-tumor properties of NSB drug in breast tumor cells; (iii) pre-clinical therapeutic efficacy studies of NSB drug in breast tumor bearing SCID mice through oral delivery protocols and (iv) first results of clinical translation, from mice to human breast cancer patients, through pilot human clinical trials, conducted according to the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (abbreviated as AYUSH) regulatory guidelines of the Government of India in metastatic breast cancer patients.
RESULTS
The preclinical in vitro and in vivo investigations, in breast tumor bearing mice, established unequivocally that the NSB Nano-Ayurvedic medicine-gold nanoparticles-based drug is highly effective in controlling the growth of breast tumors in a dose dependent fashion in vivo. These encouraging pre-clinical results prompted us to seek permission from the Indian Government's holistic medicine approval authority, AYUSH, for conducting clinical trials in human patients. Patients treated with the NSB drug capsules along with the "standard of care treatment" (Arm B) exhibited 100% clinical benefits when compared to patients in the treatment Arm A, thus indicating the tremendous clinical benefits of NSB drug in adjuvant therapy.
CONCLUSION
We have succeeded in clinically translating, from mice to humans, in using proprietary combinations of gold nanoparticles and phytochemicals to develop the Nano-Ayurvedic drug: Nano Swarna Bhasma (NSB), through innovative green nanotechnology, for treating human metastatic breast cancer patients.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Female; Gold; Green Chemistry Technology; Humans; India; Mangifera; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice, SCID; Middle Aged; Nanotechnology; Treatment Outcome; Xanthones; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Young Adult
PubMed: 32021173
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S219042