Pneumonia can be FATAL

          

In Singapore, pneumonia is a leading cause of death and hospitalization of which the severity cannot be underestimated with most admittances made direct to the Intensive Card Unit.  Elderly patients can die from this disease due to overwhelming infection and multi-organ failure.

Do not confuse it with bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the breathing tube, resulting from infectious or non-infectious causes. However left unattended, it can develop into pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a more serious condition as it interferes with the normal exchange of gases within the lung, leading to low blood oxygen levels and impaired carbon dioxide removal from the body. Filled with stagnant fluids and pathogens, the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed.

 

Cause

 

The bacteria involved known as streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria is present in the nose and throat without posing a threat.  However in an unhealthy individual, bacteria can be picked up through air droplets such as from cough, sneeze or through close contact with an infected person.

Other infectious agents like virus, fungus and mycoplasma can also cause pneumonia but not as dangerous as the bacterial pneumonia. Some examples are H1N1 virus, SAR virus, AIDS virus, tuberculosis bacteria and candida fungi that attack those with a weakened immune system.

Signs & symptoms

Once infected, the bacteria multiply quickly and infiltrate the air sacs in the lungs (either one or two lobes) causing inflammation. Filling with pus and mucus, oxygen is prevented from reaching the blood. Early symptoms include fever, persistent coughs, chest pains and breathlessness.

The patient’s condition can worsen dramatically in a couple of days. In critical cases, it can lead to death or severe disabilities such as brain damage and paralysis. On prolonged treatment, it can cause varying degrees of irreversible scarring and damage to the lungs.

+  Elderly people are more vulnerable to getting pneumonia because of the weakening of the body’s protective mechanism.  Coughing helps to expel germs from the lung but this response gets weaker with age. As a result, fluids or secretions trapped in their lungs cannot be easily expelled from the body. This is made worst for elderly patients who are bedridden. Lying flat limits the expansion of the chest wall and allows the lungs to collect more fluids and bacterial secretions.

+  As signs are not carefully observed and thus overlooked, early detection may not be possible.  Initial signs to look out for are confusion, lost of appetite, muscle aches, feeling lethargic or having urination problems.  Delayed action can cause lung inflammation and spell danger. If the lung tissue is destroyed, it is unable to absorb any oxygen and may need ventilator support aid to deliver high oxygen content to the stiffened lungs.  At this stage, the patient may complain of shortness of breath, chest pain and bad coughing.

+  The chance of survival from pneumonia resulting from respiratory failure or complications to other organs is only half. When the body is battling an infection, other organs may also suffer stress, due to blood poisoning or septic shock that can lead to multi-organ failure. There are instances of kidney disease and inflammation of the heart muscle may develop.

+  Risk of pneumonia rises for those with a weakened immune system, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, seizure or stroke, kidney failure or allergies. Kids are not spared for that matter.

Precaution/treatment

+  Other than seeking help early, one can also prevent chest infections by having complete rest but stay active. Have plenty of fluids. Avoid processed foods and eat only fruits and vegetables eg. ginger, honey, garlic, figs, onion (exclude gas-producing vegs like broccoli and cauliflower). Also eat properly to avoid food lodged in lungs.

+  Once recognised symptoms are detected that do not go away after 48 hours, patients should undergo a chest  X-ray examination to determine if infected by the deadly bacteria. However, note that extensive testing can only reveal its cause in about 60% of all cases examined.

+  A vaccine is available against influenza as it may develop into pneumonia especially for those 65 years old and above.  As for treatment with antibiotics against the streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria, the recent findings observed an increase in antibiotic resistance.  Not sure why Asia is reported to show the highest level of antibiotic resistance in the world?  You can only suspect that those friendly bacteria protecting your health is diminishing at an accelerated pace and is time to top up!

Recommendation

Under such tough condition:

-  the innate immune response is evaded;
-  interferon production is disturbed

recovery is far from easy. Arresting the failing condition is critical.

Source: Extract from The Straits Times, Mind Your Body, pg 12 (28^th Oct 2010)  & Prescription to Natural Healing

VIVA Corner

VIVA Biogarlic contains an important ingredient Allicin that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and shows a great efficacy against respiratory infections by strengthening the T-cell and Macrophage, thus enhancing the bioactivity of natural killer cells.

VIVA Liquick Gingko helps to increase oxygen intake and eliminate toxins.

VIVAshield, a powerful 4 in 1 antioxidants enhances immunity and promotes repair of lung tissues.

VIVA Oxypower enhances cellular oxygen utilisation and supports the immune system’s detoxification of dangerous substances.

VIVA Germanium is a fast booster for the immunity, enhances the oxygen intake to the cells in the lungs and relieves pain for advanced sufferers.

VIVA Floraguard with its 5 strains of potent bacteria establishes a protective layer against pathogenic infection to prevent further outbreak. It also promotes healthy growth of natural killer cells.

VIVA Dailyguard is a powerful multi-vitamins to meet nutritional deficiency.

My nose is dripping again!

A study conducted by a pharmaceutical company showed about 1 out of 10 persons in Singapore suffering from sinusitis, an inflammation of the nasal sinuses. It is a frustrating experience for 20% of them seeking medication weekly.

An acute sinusitis is frequently caused by bacterial and viral infection eg. a common cold that lasts for a month but is not life-threatening. Kids are vulnerable to such attacks given their weak immunity. It can develop in them as a result of chronic infection of the adenoids and tonsils. In some cases, a dental infection that spreads from the tooth root to the maxillary sinus, inside the cheeks is also possible.

There are severe cases where the spread to the brain causes serious infection and abscess, leading to partial blindness. Sinus surgery has to be performed to drain the sinuses and pus from the affected area. The good news are – nasal sinus allergies tend to get better with age and is treatable.

Chronic sinusitis stretches beyond 2 months when it breaks out due to irritants like air pollution, emotional stress, smoking, and exposure to allergic substances. More severe chronic cases can adversely affect one’s quality of life, especially for those with a greater inborn allergic tendency with allergic rhinitis, nasal allergy, asthma and skin eczema co-exist in the same patient.

Structure/Causes

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucus membranes to trap foreign particles. Another function of the sinuses is to regulate temperature and humidity of the air that we breathe in. Along the lining is hair-like fibres that clear mucus together with unwanted particles.

Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs as the mucus is able to drain out and air is able to circulate freely. They are the first line of defence in protecting the lungs against infection.

However, when the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily. Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:

• The hair-like fibres do not work properly due to some medical conditions.
• Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses.
• A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses.

Our nasal and sinus passages are very narrow and excess mucus collected in the sinuses during a cold or allergy attack can lead to inflammation, blocking the proper drainage paths which most likely cause the flow direct to the throat or nostrils. This situation is aggravated for patients who are allergy-prone with swollen nasal turbinates. Pressure in the sinuses can increase and inflict pain.

Symptoms

Acute sinusitis usually follows a cold that does not improve, or one that worsens after a week of symptoms like:

+ fever
+ cough, often worst at night
+ aching on head, ears, teeth, face
+ difficulty in breathing through the nose and sore throat
+ loss of the sense of smell
+ tenderness over the forehead and cheekbones
+ bad breath

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks. For children, symptoms include:

• Cold or respiratory illness that has been improving and then begins to get worse
• High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, for at least 3 days
• Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving

Prevention

+ Stay healthy at all times
+ Seek medical advice if develop thick mucus, yellow-green discharge or facial pain or congestion
+ Avoid the allergens you know and control the environment to prevent such contacts
+ Do without airconditioning during your sleep if possible. If need to improve ventilation, use a fan or humidifier
+  Drink more water
+ Surgery may be recommended for those whose conditions cannot be alleviated by medication

Natural treatment

According to German researchers, horseradish naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001670/

VIVA corner

People with compromised immune systems are susceptible to sinusitis and other forms of allergies, some endangering to life. Taking good nutrients may go a long way in treating the condition.

+ VIVA Floraguard with abundant friendly bacteria is crucial for a healthy gastrointestinal tract, especially if antibiotics are applied and kill the good guys as well. It can also promote the growth of our natural killer cells to destroy pathogens.

+ VIVAshield, a combination of 4 potent antioxidants enhances the immune system, protects against cold, flu and other infections.

+ VIVA Dailyguard a strong multivitamins helps to improve overall health and assure proper nutrition.

+ VIVA Biogarlic provides check on bacterial and viral infection and acts as immune system stimulant.



Testimony

Ever since my childhood days, sinus was a problem bothering me so much.  My nose was constantly blocked and clogged badly with mucus especially in the morning causing discomfort and fatigue.   Regular visits to private specialists for special treatments was the only alternative but to no avail as only temporary relief was possible then.

In 2001 I was introduced to VIVA Life Science and decided to try out if it can be remedied. 3 products, namely Green Barley,

Lipoguard and Dailyguard were recommended to detox for better blood circulation and boost the immune system.

Miraculously they worked so well that barely 2 months my sinus was gone.  I continue to take Green Barley daily and suffer no relapse since then.  What a wonder!  No more visits to the nasal specialists and limited visits to doctors for general health problems.  As an additional benefit, my weight has remained consistent even when age catches up.  (hard to guess my age!)

Susan Tan (ID 70000652)

Avoid the airplane COLD

It is a common complaint: Fly on a crowded plane and back home with a cold. What is going on up there?

Airline carriers are formidable carriers of the common cold. According to the Journal of Environmental Health Research, a recent study indicates colds is 100 times more likely to be transmitted on a plane than during normal daily life on the ground.

 Causes

+ The most likely culprit is the extremely low cabin humidity caused by low humidity at high elevations. The final findings revealed that aircraft that actively re-circulated air actually showed slightly lower transmission rates than those that did not. Other studies have shown that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on most jets today can capture 99.97% of bacterial and virus-carrying particles. However, when air circulation is shut down, for instance during long waits on the ground or for short periods when passengers are boarding or exiting, infections can spread like wildfire.

One well-known study in 1979 found that when a plane sat three hours with its engines off without air circulation, 72% of the 54 people on board got sick within two days. The flu strain they had was traced to one passenger.

+ Much of the danger comes from the direct or indirect contacts via mouths, noses and hands of passengers sitting nearby. Virus-laden droplets are expelled when the cold victim sneezes, cough or speak. The droplets may travel up to 20 feet in one sneeze, remain in the air for half an hour, be stirred up in dust.

In a contained environment the hot zone for exposure is generally two seats beside, in front of and behind you. Australian researchers tracing influenza transmission on long-haul flights in 2009 with passengers infected with the H1N1 flu strain, found that 2% of them had the disease during the flight and 5% came down within a week after landing. There is a 3.6% increased risk of contracting H1N1 if a passenger sat within two rows of someone who had symptoms in-flight and for post-flight disease, doubled to 7.7% for passengers seated in a two-seat hot zone.

+ Most commercial airlines fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity typically runs at 10% or lower. At very low levels of humidity, the "natural defense system" of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs to infect us.

Important tips -

1. Stay hydrated. It turns out that drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, which can lead to headaches, stomach problems, cramps, fatigue and more, but can actually fortify your pre-emptive natural immune mechanisms to function considerably better.

Choose plain water, hot drinks or fruit juices over caffeine and alcohol consumption that can actually dehydrate you. Sipping liquids regularly throughout the flight may be more effective than drinking a lot of water at one go before or during the flight to keep your protective mucous membranes from long dry spells. Nasal mists have been found to be very effective in keeping this system working in your nose too.

2. Keep your hands clean. Your hands are the most consistent point of first contact with cold, flu and other germs. It is a direct line from armrest/ handshake/seat back to fingers to fork to mouth to full-blown fever a few days later. Scientists report that the viruses that cause colds and flu can survive for hours on your skin or on objects such as armrests, TV remote control handsets, tray tables and other similar surfaces. However, the simple act of washing your hands with hot water and soap is a formidable rampart against this transfer of harmful microorganisms. At your convenience, wash your hands before any in-flight meals, and after your flight with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

3. Take your vitamins. For prevention, start taking a standard multivitamin few days before departure to avoid unpleasant encounters. Large doses of vitamin C is known to prevent colds, or reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.

4. Wearing a face mask. Some travelers have taken to wearing masks either to prevent infection, or when they themselves are already infected.

5. Change seats if you end up near a cougher, sneezer or someone who looks feverish. This may not work out on a full flight. Note that one sneeze can produce up to 30,000 droplets that can be propelled as far as six feet away.

6. Avoid exposing infants under one year particularly need to be protected and women who are more vulnerable just before their menstrual period.

Recommendation

Remember you are 113 times to be exact more exposed to airborne disease up there than at ground level. You may catch a cold up there and take time to recover by letting it runs its course even without medication. To avoid unnecessary trouble, why not take some strong multivitamins before going onboard the plane. Count yourself not so lucky if someone in the row carries a deadly virus that can be transmitted in an enclosed environment !

Source: http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/air-travel/avoiding-the-airplane-cold; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204058404577108420985863872.html

VIVA corner

Vivashield contains powerful antioxidants Vitamin A, C, E and selenium that protect the cells from oxidative damage and invasion by micro-organisms in the thin air up there. Basically, they scavenge harmful particles, thus inhibiting or slowing down their attack on cells.

On one instance, a friend told me ten of them went onboard a budget airline for a 3.5 hours flight. The air circulation was not good in the plane and someone must have passed the flu bug to all of them, except her who took vivashield before departure.

Ringing in the Ears

 

Many people experience an occasional ringing (or roaring, hissing, buzzing or tinkling) within their ears. The sound usually lasts only a couple of minutes. Ringing in the ears that does not get better or go away is called tinnitus. The sound may be in rhythm with your heartbeat or pace with your breathing; constant or it may come and go. It is most common in people older than age 40 with men more troubled than women.

 

Causes

 

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), tinnitus is probably caused by poor flow of “qi” or energy, rendering a weak constitution and chronic illness. The ringing sound gets louder at night or under emotional upsets, accompanied by soreness and aching of the lower back or knees, insomnia and dizziness. It may also come with pain and swelling of the ears, headaches and a dry throat.

 

According to the western belief, inflammation of the outer ear, middle ear or the hearing nerve in the inner ear can result in tinnitus. The prime suspect of such infection is either bacteria or virus. In exception case, one-sided tinnitus is a serious affair as it can be a symptom of a brain tumor in the hearing nerve in the inner ear. This can be confirmed with a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain. Assuming that a specialist checked the outer and middle ears with no defect, a hearing test is then conducted to observe if the hearing nerve in the inner ear is functioning normally.The most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss that occurs with aging, but it can also be caused by living or working around loud noises. It can occur with all types of hearing loss and may be a symptom of almost any ear disorder. Not to dismiss are possibilities like:

• A buildup of earwax.
• Medicines, especially antibiotics or large amounts of aspirin. (risk of damage to the hair cells in the ear)
• Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
• Ear infections or eardrum rupture.
• Dental or other problems affecting the mouth.
• Injuries, such as a direct blow to the ear or head.
• Injury to the inner ear following surgery or radiation therapy to the head or neck.
• A rapid change in environmental pressure.
• Severe weight loss from malnutrition or excessive dieting.
• Repeated exercise with the neck in a hyperextended position, such as when bicycle riding.
• Blood circulation problems, such as high blood pressure/cholesterol.
• Nerve problems (neurologic disorders), such as multiple sclerosis or migraine headache.
• Stress/anxiety
• Anemia
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes

Basically, poor blood circulation raises the blood pressure within the ear, manifested by a popping or pounding sound in the ears. This is due to a lack of oxygen available, leading to inner nerve degeneration, leading to hearing loss or tinnitus.

Recommended actions

+ Avoid alcohol and cold, raw, spicy and deep-fried food. Go for easily digested food such as porridge and green leafy vegetables. Take fresh pineapple daily to reduce inflammation.
+ Chemical stimulants in foods, beverages, tobacco and drugs excite the hair cells in your ear, making them work too hard for no reason. Limit caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and many soft drinks.
+ Engage in regular exercise eg. brisk walking, swimming and yoga.
+ Slow down the pace of your lifestyle.
+ Becoming overly fatigued can lower your resistance to colds and flu, which can bring on swelling in the inner ear that can aggravate or even trigger tinnitus.
+ Keep the environment quiet or wear earplugs to reduce the noise exposure.
+ Light music is therapeutic to be turned on when tinnitus is at its worst.

VIVA corner

To soothe inflammation and fight infection, VIVA Biogarlic provides the active agents to treat micro-organisms.

VIVA Liquick Gingko or Gingko Biloda helps to reduce dizziness and improve hearing loss related to reduced blood flow.