The Health Blog

Animals — other than man, monkeys and guinea pigs — meet the demands of stress, any kind of stress, by producing extra ascorbic acid in their livers. Man cannot do this. His adrenal glands work overtime, and so great a quantity of the ascorbic acid present in the body is used up that a deficiency is likely to occur.

Supplements of Vitamin C improve the person’s ability to withstand the effects of stress. This has been shown in hundreds of experiments with animals, especially guinea pigs — which suffer the same disability as humans.

Many experiments have shown that animals given doses of ascorbic acid survive the stress of cold, heat, im­mersion, poisons and injury far better than those receiving no or very little supplement — their ability to withstand the stress depending on the ascorbic acid levels in their body tissues.’

Those few tests carried out with humans have shown exactly the same principles.

High doses of Vitamin C have improved the ability of such groups as soldiers, industrial workers, students and patients to withstand such stresses as cold, burns, injuries, any kind of surgery, many poisons from minerals, pollu­tion, drugs and bites and stings of snakes and insects, and allergies.

Moreover, the exhaustion that follows a stressful situa­tion is far less when the blood levels of Vitamin C are normal or above normal.
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Although not high on the list of killing diseases, rheumatism of one kind or another causes more pain and disability, more loss of work and efficiency than any other complaint.

It is estimated that in U.S.A. 13 million people suffer from arthritis — while in Australia the N.S.W. Council for Rheumatism estimates that 33 in every 1000 of the popula­tion suffer some disability from arthritis, but 66 per 1000 from all rheumatic disorders. A survey made several years ago showed that half the invalid pensioners and about half those permanently unable to work had rheumatic com­plaints.

I believe ‘rheumatism’ is even more prevalent. Looking round among patients — myself included — I can find scarcely one adult who has not suffered from ‘rheumatic’ pains and twinges in the joints at some time in their lives.

Most of these are seasonal and transient. It is the chronic sufferer — the crippled elderly and those crippled even in youth with progressive rheumatic arthritis who need help.

Reading of all the many ‘cures’ claimed for arthritis and rheumatism would lead to utter confusion if one did not bear in mind certain definite principles that are essen­tial to success.

Whatever the immediate causes of arthritis and rheumatism, there is always a basis of stress, with the con­sequent depletion and exhaustion of the adrenal and pituitary glands which renders the tissues of the joints sus­ceptible to the destructive processes which take place in them. ^

Dr Hans Selye, the great Canadian expert on stress, has found that any strain on the body will use up its essential stores from its own tissues — especially proteins, minerals and vitamins far in excess of its normal needs. These must be replenished, if these glands are to continue their work of rebuilding, maintaining normal function and resisting in­fection.

This is why cortisone, a product of the cortex or outer layer of the adrenal gland and A.C.T.H. from the pituitary gland are so effective in temporarily combatting arthritis. But cortisone does not effect a cure. Rather it acts as such a crutch to the failing adrenals that they tend to give up the job of producing cortisone for themselves. Synthetic cor­tisone, however, produces its own side effects and although it must be continued in increasing doses to obtain relief, it should not be used indefinitely as the main treatment.

The first aim of treatment then should be to rebuild depleted tissues and the efficiency of these glands. This can only be done by replenishing the body’s fighting equipment in a completely adequate diet, plus supplements of minerals and vitamins to meet the demands of stress.

Many vitamin supplements are needed to reinforce a well balanced diet. Vitamin E, Vitamin A, the B Complex, especially pantothenic acid and Vitamin C all help to re­habilitate the adrenal and pituitary glands.

Adelle Davis and Irwin Stone who have thoroughly researched all the studies made on the effect of Vitamin C on the adrenal glands believe in its value.

Miss Davis writes in her book Lets Get Well — ‘Although adrenal hormones can be produced without Vitamin C, the need for this nutrient is tremendously increased by stress; and if under-supplied the glands quickly haemorrhage and the output of hormones is markedly decreased. This Vita­min accelerates the rate of cortisone production, appears to improve its utilization and delays it breakdown, and al­leviates many of the limitations resulting from a pantothenic-acid deficiency. Apparently because large amounts of Vitamin C are used to detoxify harmful sub­stances formed in the body during stress, greater than normal quantities are lost in the urine at this time.

‘Huge amounts of Vitamin C appear to protect animals from every form of stress — guinea pigs exposed to very low temperatures remained healthy when given 75 times their normal requirements of Vitamin C; if only allowed smaller amounts, their adrenals haemorrhaged and many animals died.

‘Translated into human terms, 75 times our normal daily requirement of Vitamin C would be approximately 5,625 milligrams. Such a quantity seems startling’, she writes, ‘yet during stress it may not be excessive.’

In actual practice a group of patients whose adrenals were exhausted and unresponsive to other stimuli im­proved greatly when large doses of Vitamin C were given.

The second principle is that early treatment of arthritis in any of its forms offers the best hope of success — before destructive processes have taken place in the cartilage of the joints.

In 1968 the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London found that damage to the synoval membrane lining the joints released destructive enzymes that pitted the un­derlying cartilage and finally eroded the bone beneath. It is at this stage, they wrote, before bone and cartilage can be damaged that treatment must be aimed if permanent dis­ease is to be prevented.

‘If a substance can be found that repairs the leak in the cell wall and prevents the enzymes from eating away the cartilage, a major step may have been taken in preventing the inroads of crippling arthritis’.

I believe that such a substance exists in Vitamin C — which is essential with proteins in building and keeping in repair the coloid substance that cements all cells together and prevents leakage between them.

Dr W. J. McCormick M.D. of Toronto writing in the Archives of Pediatrics states that ‘the most definitely estab­lished function -of Vitamin C is that of assisting in the formation of collagen for the maintenance of integrity and stability of the connective tissues generally and this would include the bones, cartilages, muscles and vascular tissues. A deficiency of this vitamin causes a breakdown and easy rupture of any of the connective tissues including the discs of the backbone, the ligaments and linings in the interior of the joints (synovial membrane) and^ the cartilage which helps in their movement’.

He believes that this may be a common cause and a significant factor in arthritic and rheumatic diseases.

Early tests of Vitamin C in alleviating arthritis or rheumatism were hampered by using it as a vitamin in small doses to correct a nutritional deficiency instead of treating a serious disease already present. In all reports since the 1940s, those workers using large doses of 4 grams (1 gram four times a day) to 8 to 12 grams a day have shown excel­lent results.

Since the 1950s very little research has been carried out on Vitamin C in these collagen diseases, but the experience of individual doctors since and that of these earlier inves­tigators seem to indicate the dawn of a new era of discovery in effective treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Further large scale research is now needed to confirm and improve results already achieved.
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Australia’s climate is not kind to anybody’s skin. Babies and young children in particular are prone to dry skin.

Cause

Many babies have dry, peeling skin immediately after birth; this is normal and will soon improve. Too much bathing, and using a lot of soap can cause dry skin, or aggravate skin that is already dry. This is because it removes the skin’s natural oils, and the skin can no longer retain moisture.

Clinical features

Dry skin is often itchy and flaky. Areas most commonly affected are the elbows, knees and face. If the skin is excessively dry, cracks (or fissures) may appear which can be painful and even bleed or become infected.

Treatment

Avoid using all soaps in young children. Older children should be encouraged to use a non-irritant soap. Bath time should be shortened, and water should be warm but not hot. Avoid using any scents, bubble bath or bath salts. Special bath oils or

Baby oil can be added to the bath water. You can buy these across the counter at the chemist. Be careful, because they make the bath slippery. Sorbolene with 10% glycerine is an excellent cream which can also be purchased over the counter, and is inexpensive. It is very effective in the prevention and treatment of dry skin, and is non-allergenic.

When to see your doctor

• if your child has persistent dry skin;

• if your child has patches of dry skin which are red and itchy.

Prevention

The use of a lubricating cream after your child’s bath is often helpful in preventing drying of the skin. Do not overdo bath time — do not let your child sit around in the bath for more than 10-15 minutes.

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First Aid Kit (This can be kept in a separate bag.) Adhesive tape

Alcohol wipes or 70% alcohol in bottle Bandages, sterile (crepe, various sizes) Band-aids (various shapes) Cotton wool balls Disinfectant

Dressings (non-stick, e.g. Melolin) Eye pads, sterile Gauze, sterile

Needle (can be used for removing small splinters)

Scissors

Sling

Steristrips (used for closing small cuts)

Thermometer

Tweezers

Medicine Kit

Antihistamine (if prescribed) (for severe allergic reactions) Antiseptic solution (iodine) Calamine lotion

Ipecac. . Use only on the advice of your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre.)

Measuring cup (for giving medicines) Paracetamol

(You may also wish to keep back-up supplies of insect repellent, nappy rash cream, sunscreen, vaseline and zinc cream in your Medicine Kit, as well as having supplies of these handy for day-to-day use.)

Note that medicines requiring refrigeration should be kept on the top shelf of the fridge at the back, not in the medicine cabinet.

Always check the expiry date on medicines and creams or ointments and replace them when necessary. Take all old medications to the chemist for safe disposal.

Never leave medications within reach of children. It only takes a second for a child to grab and swallow something dangerous.

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HYPERAROUSAL: I get all sweaty. My heart beats, any hands are wet, but I feel kind of cold. I get over-ready, overanxious. I’m so turned on that I can’t even feel anything really. I just seem carried away, like I have to do it now or I’ll explode. My wife keeps saying “Slowdown, slow down, take it easy,” but I just want to take it fast. I really can’t control it.

HUSBAND

I have an “on” switch, I swear. I even start kind of a nervous laugh and get dizzy. I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s like running as fast as I can down a steep hill and not being able to stop. It’s frightening, really.

WIFE

Three hundred forty-nine men and 284 women classified themselves as experiencing this hyperarousal state in what they felt was “most” of their sexual experiences. Remember, we all experience this state sometimes in our sexual lives, and we can all experience more than one sexual problem at a time. In fact, hyperarousal and seminal seepage or early Skene’s glands emissions in the absence of contractions commonly occur together.

Hot times in our lives typically result in this “out of control” orientation, and it extends to our sex life. When we are running hot, when we are hostile, impatient, and competitive, we are in a state of maladaptive hyperarousal. Sex can be so intense, so fast-paced, that we almost miss it entirely. Our sexual intensity, our sexual speed seems to break the intimacy barrier instead of the sound barrier, but little real intimacy results as we go right past it.

This category of problem contains erective difficulties. The failure of the penis or clitoris to erect or a lessening of intensity of erective experience is simply a natural reflex to the accompanying emotional state of anxiety, of running hot. It makes little sense to treat the symptom instead of the cause or to blame the penis or clitoris for failing to erect while we are sending direct neurohormonal orders for them not to do so.

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First, place yourself on each axis in the direction that you feel best represents your feelings about your marriage. Next, place your partner on that same axis. Your marriage will then have four scores to discuss on the Sexual-System Exam, your score for self and partner and your partner’s two scores. Remember, as with super marital sex, it’s the doing, not the scoring, that counts!

It will sometimes seem that a certain score must be a better score, but systems theory, the theory behind the super sex marriage, teaches that too much of even an apparently good thing is not necessarily the healthiest status for a growing adapting system. An athlete can be very fit—scoring high on all measures of muscle, speed, and endurance—yet not be very healthy—adaptable, happy, loving, and learning. Try to break free of your assumptions of good or bad and think in terms of balance, in terms of positioning your marriage for change, growth, and responsiveness to the needs and maturation of the marital partners.

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Pruritus ani is the term we use to describe the condition of an itch or discomfort around the anus.

This is a common problem, which is often made worse by the treatment the sufferer uses himself or what is prescribed for him.

The cause is due to a combination of factors. Nervous tension is not only a cause but also a result.

A wet, unclean skin in this area may be the main factor.

Excessive sweating, frequent loose bowel actions, leakage of mucus and, particularly, inadequate cleaning all predispose to the problem.

It is difficult to clean the area by the use of conventional dry toilet paper.

Cleaning around the anus is more effective with a soft wet cloth. The European habit of the use of a bidet to wash the area is also effective.

Rubbing with dry toilet paper may irritate the skin and eventually make it itch, which we can make worse by scratching.

Most of the local preparations may further sensitise and irritate the area, so the problem continues.

Many cases can be cured simply by stopping the patient using the cream or ointment he has been using for months or years.

Topical applications of cortisone to relieve the inflammation, or anti-fungal drugs to clear thrush infection should only be used for a limited time.

The clean healthy skin of a baby’s bottom soon becomes red and angry if left in contact with a dirty nappy. So too may the adult bottom, which is no longer smooth but wrinkled around the anus and thus provides pockets where small amounts of faeces may remain to irritate the skin.

More good can be done to cure this unpleasant and common problem if we paid better attention to simple cleaning measures than using elaborate and potent drugs.

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Cortisone is a hormone normally produced in the body by the adrenal glands which lie above the kidneys.

It is essential for life and has many functions, one of which is to suppress inflammation.

Inflammation is the normal process where the body defends itself against either injury or infection, but sometimes this inflammation gets out of control, or is provoked in the body by antibodies produced, as it were, by the body developing an allergy to its own tissues.

Cortisone can suppress this inflammation and control, if not cure, the disease.

Cortisone derivatives are widely used as creams and ointments in treating skin diseases.

Most skin diseases provoke inflammation in the skin and cortisone applied topically reduces this and often clears the rash.

Because cortisone can suppress the inflammation needed to control infection it may be used when there is infection on the skin, or for that matter when taken by mouth it may suppress the body’s ability to deal with the infection.

Prolonged local use may damage the skin, leading it to lose its elastic tissue and become thin as in old age and with prominent blood vessels.

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