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[S149]School Of Natural Therapies

by Tammy Holmes, Tam

There is a trend today to embrace alternate healing therapies instead of conventional ones. New lines of treatment are seen to be combining mainstream medicine with alternative treatment when it comes to healing. Some healing techniques that conventional medicine does not have is present in alternative therapies. There are many alternative therapies that are available so you will need to look around and see what you are most comfortable with. Conventional medical treatment is sometimes replaced by these therapies in the hope that they have some better results.

You can gain a sense of control over your health through alternative health therapies that improves general quality of life by making you feel better about yourself. Reducing tension, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, and depression are just a couple of things that alternative health therapies are known to focus on. They reduce some of the side effects which are normally noticed in conventional health treatments and also help in reducing some of the symptoms like poor appetite, tiredness, pain, sickness, diarrhea, constipation and breathlessness.

Alternative health therapies have been found to be especially successful in controlling and masking pain which often masks an underlying serious condition; they are often used for this purpose along with conventional medicine. A combination of conventional medicine with natural therapies can be very effective for some people, but treating the underlying cause of health issues should also be a primary concern.

Americans now spend billions annually on alternative health products such as vitamins and herbs. Almost a fifth of Americans will turn to some type of natural health therapy this year. And these figures are growing year on year.

Nonetheless, it is still extremely important that you learn which of the alternative health therapies are going to offer the treatments that are most effective for your needs, and you are going to have discover which of these treatments are most effective for your specific situation. Many patients suffering from specific conditions, have found an improvement in their quality of life using individual therapies like, acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, Reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, reflexology and meditation. Before you consider any of the alternative therapies that are available, it is always a very good idea to consult with your physician, it is also important that you double check that any treatment that you take in addition isn't going to adversely affect any of the current treatment programs that you are on.

If you want to integrate treatments then have an open and honest discussion with your doctor and health care team. When you are considering this particular option, you should ask your doctor if there are any treatments available at your clinic or hospital, or even through your doctor's own practice. Many doctors are more and more convinced that alternative therapy does have a place in the overall healing of a patient; this gives them the ability to maybe recommend alternative therapy practitioners. For several individuals out there, all of these different types of therapies are very helpful when it comes to coping with all of the effects of the conventional treatments, which reduces anxiety and provides them with control over their life.

Symptoms of urinary problems may include more frequent visits to the cat litter tray, weight loss, loss of appetite, and drinking excessively, and blood in the urine is common.

Stress and Cystitis: Emotion-induced cystitis in cats is related to chronic nerve stimulation, with excessive neurotransmitter release and re-use. Anti-depressants work by inhibiting the re-use of the neurotransmitter 5-HT. Additional methods of reducing stress, such as encouraging relaxation and uninterrupted sleep, and moving the cat litter tray to a calmer area, will also help.

Natural Defences: The cat's physiology reduces the chances of LURT infections, making these rare, although commoner in females. There are natural, beneficial bacteria in the urethra, which by their very presence prevent colonisation by disease-causing bacteria. Mucus in the bladder helps stop any pathogens from becoming invasive, although mucus and urate crystals can cause painful urethral obstruction in male cats. Antibodies are released into the urine to help in the defence against pathogens, and urea and urine acidity reduce bacterial multiplication. Prostate secretions in males have antibacterial properties.

Most feline urine infections do not appear to be caused by bacteria, although it is possible that they are viral in nature.

Problems in the Urinary Tract: These include genetic abnormalities, injury, infection, poisoning, poor diet, age-related chronic renal failure, tumours, stress-induced cystitis, and mineral deposits - struvite and calcium oxalate

Conventional Treatments: There is now felt to be no need for a low protein diet in chronic kidney disease. Manage uraemia (excessive urea in the blood, a consequence of renal failure) instead by maintaining nitrogen balance, reducing dietary phosphorus, and feeding a medium-protein diet. Anti-oxidants are important for scavenging free radicals (which damage kidney cell membranes), reducing kidney damage for example from excessive lipid in the blood.

1-2% of the cat population suffers from lower urinary tract disease (LUTD), and these are more likely to be fed exclusively dry cat food. Aim to reduce urine specific gravity to <1.020, eliminate urinary tract infections (UTI), and maintain pH between 6.00 and 6.40. Alkaline urine causes struvite crystal formation, while acidic urine is more prone to calcium oxalate crystals. Potassium chloride crystals may be given to adjust the pH, and broad spectrum antibiotics to reduce UTIs.

Urethral blockages are more common in males as their urethra is anatomically narrower. These may be managed by flushing the urethra clear under a general anaesthetic. Large stones may need to be removed surgically. Incontinence can be helped by drugs that help the bladder muscle. A complete blockage requires surgical intervention within 48 hours or the cat may die from renal failure.

Complementary Treatments: Many cats with LUTD recover within a week with no specific intervention. Encourage owners to feed wet rather than dry foods, as cats naturally get virtually all of their fluid intake from diet such as mice. Ensure fresh water is always available. Avoid scented cat litters.

Nutritional therapies: Avoid standard dry foods (but note that eating habits develop early, and may be difficult to change). Supplement tinned food with fresh cooked meat and cooked mashed vegetables. If calcium oxalate stones have developed, reduce the protein, calcium and sodium in the diet and avoid excessive amounts of vitamin D and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Asparagus contains asparagines, which may break up oxalate crystals.

Herbalism: Herbs that may reduce urinary stones include stoneroot (Collinsonia calladensis) and horsetail (Equisetum arvense).

Diuretic herbs to increase urinary flow include dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and couch grass (Elymus repens)

Oedema (swelling, which may be a consequence of excess protein loss in urine and reduced blood protein level) can be reduced by cherry stalk extract (Prunus avium).

Urinary antiseptics herbs include bearberry leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and juniper berry (Juniperis communis).

Soothing herbs include peppermint (menthe x piperita), fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) and marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis).

General well being may be improved by cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), comfrey leaf (Symphytum officinale) and celery seed (Apium graveolens).

Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com

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Both Tammy Holmes & Alison Grimston are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Tammy Holmes has sinced written about articles on various topics from . When in New Zealand consider taking an apointment with a to go over your health concerns. A natural health plan can be develped for anything fr. Tammy Holmes's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.

Alison Grimston has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Pregnancy Problems and Pets. Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide.. Alison Grimston's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.