bypass heart surgery

Gbex says: Coronary artery bypass surgery, also coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease. Arteries or veins from elsewhere in the patient's body are grafted to the coronary arteries to bypass atherosclerotic narrowings and improve the blood supply to the coronary circulation supplying the myocardium (heart muscle). This surgery is usually performed with the heart stopped, necessitating the usage of cardiopulmonary bypass; techniques are available to perform CABG on a beating heart, so-called "off-pump" surgery.

Procedure:
1.The patient is brought to the operating room and moved on to the operating table.

2.An anaesthetist places a variety of intravenous lines and injects an induction agent (usually propofol) to render the patient unconscious.

3.An endotracheal tube is inserted and secured by the anaesthetist or assistant (e.g. respiratory therapist or nurse anaesthetist) and mechanical ventilation is started.

4.The chest is opened via a median sternotomy and the heart is examined by the surgeon.

5.The bypass grafts are harvested - frequent conduits are the internal thoracic arteries, radial arteries and saphenous veins. When harvesting is done, the patient is given heparin to prevent the blood from clotting.

6.In the case of "off-pump" surgery, the surgeon places devices to stabilize the heart.

7.If the case is "on-pump", the surgeon sutures cannulae into the heart and instructs the perfusionist to start cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Once CPB is established, the surgeon places the aortic cross-clamp across the aorta and instructs the perfusionist to deliver cardioplegia to stop the heart.

8.One end of each graft is sewn on to the coronary arteries beyond the blockages and the other end is attached to the aorta.

9.The heart is restarted; or in "off-pump" surgery, the stabilizing devices are removed. In some cases, the aorta is partially occluded by a C-shaped clamp, the heart is restarted and suturing of the grafts to the aorta is done in this partially occluded section of the aorta while the heart is beating.

10.Protamine is given to reverse the effects of heparin.

11.The sternum is wired together and the incisions are sutured closed.

12.The patient is moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) to recover. After awakening and stabilizing in the ICU (approximately 1 day), the person is transferred to the cardiac surgery ward until ready to go home (approximately 4 days).

medicinal use of ginger

Ellen Says: The medical form of ginger historically was called Jamaica ginger; it was classified as a stimulant and carminative, and used frequently for dyspepsia and colic. It was also frequently employed to disguise the taste of medicines. Ginger is on the FDA's "generally recognized as safe" list, though it does interact with some medications, including warfarin.

Ginger is contraindicated in people suffering from gallstones as it promotes the production of bile. Ginger may also decrease pain from arthritis, though studies have been inconsistent, and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease.

Ginger compounds are active against a form of diarrhea which is the leading cause of infant death in developing countries. Zingerone is likely to be the active constituent against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin-induced diarrhea.

Ginger has been found effective in multiple studies for treating nausea caused by seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy, though ginger was not found superior over a placebo for pre-emptively treating post-operative nausea. Ginger is a safe remedy for nausea relief during pregnancy.

Healthy detox after overindulging

Gbex says: It's the start of the most awaited holiday season...The season has now come for food, food and food...

Stuffed with stuffing, filled with turkey, crammed with cookies, and saturated with alcohol. Now what? Holidays call for celebration, and many of us know the consequences that come from overindulging in alcohol and food. Sometimes, despite out best intentions, we overdo it. This holiday season, detoxify and recover naturally with the tips that follow.

FOOD OVERLOAD
Chinese medicine views proper digestion as the most essential component in living a long and healthy life. Your digestive function is made up of numerous organs all working together to break down, absorb, and process all of the nutrients in the food you eat. Without healthy digestion, you can become malnourished and toxins will build up in your body, leading to degenerative diseases and rapid aging down the road.

Indigestion is caused and made worse by overeating--especially rich, fatty, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and acidic foods. These remedies will get your digestion on the right track.

ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:

Walk it off
After a large meal, take a 10- to 20-minute stroll. Aside from the proven benefits to your heart, walking is the perfect gentle exercise for promoting digestion and encouraging cleansing of the lymphatic system. Walking helps food move along the digestive tract, improving digestion and absorption. For added benefits, walk while massaging your abdomen with your palms, in a circle around your belly button.

Herbal tea brings relief
Relieve that feeling of fullness with herbal teas that target your digestion: Steep 1 teaspoon each of mint, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, and basil and in a cup of hot water. Drink after each meal to soothe and prevent bloating. Peppermint, chamomile, and ginger tea are other good choices for settling the stomach. Also, look for Chinese herbal formulas like Indigestion for digestive support and cleansing.

THE MORNING AFTER:

Start with apple cider
Apple cider vinegar is traditionally used to remedy digestive distress, support liver detoxification, normalize digestive juices, and reduce intestinal bloating. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar with 12 ounces of warm water, and drink in the morning on empty stomach. Feel free to add a little honey or maple syrup. Lemon water will also help.

Eat right to lighten up
These meals will help your body recover from overindulgence.

■Breakfast: Eat oat bran cereal, brown rice, or any other whole grain cereal (as long as it is unbleached and does not contain any added sugar or chemicals.) Pair with unflavored soy milk.
■Lunch/Dinner: Eat any combination of beans, brown rice, oat bran, vegetables, and organic chicken, turkey, or soy-products.
■For a powerful Super Cleanse Broth, simmer any combination of the following ingredients for an hour: collards, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, dandelion, Brussels sprouts, daikon radish, watercress, seaweed, shitake mushrooms, cilantro, garlic, leeks, fennel, anise, fresh ginger, and turmeric. Drink 8 ounces twice a day.
■A popular herbal formula among my patients is Internal Cleanse, a special combination of natural herbs to detoxify, clear the mind, promote emotional balance, and ease digestion. For more information, click here.
Try a detoxifying exercise
This movement is from Liver Cleansing Qi Gong, a body-mind exercise that was designed by ancient Chinese physicians to help stimulate the liver and drain the excess toxins from the body:

1.Stand with feet shoulder-width apart in front of a tree. Inhale while raising your right leg and exhale while placing your right foot on the ground in front of you between your body and the tree.
2.Inhale while raising both arms from the sides until they come together over your head. Exhale while lowering your hands in front of your face. Visualize green light running down your face as your hands move down to your chest.
3.Inhale as you move your hands to the right rib cage over your liver. Exhale as you move your arms down your right abdomen and right leg, as if pushing down and out with your hands. Visualize the green light moving the toxins out of the liver, down the liver meridian on the inside right leg, and out the big toe.

ALCOHOL OVERINDULGENCE
The liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body and performs a wide variety of functions. Its most important ones include the processing of nutrients, the production of bile to help in digestion of food and eliminating wastes, and cleansing the blood of toxins such as drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous substances.

The liver has the ability to regenerate itself, but the effects of alcohol eventually wear down the liver. I strongly suggest that you keep your drinking to a minimum for the longevity of your liver and your health, but on that rare occasion when you overindulge, consider these remedies.

ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:

Ginger tea to the rescue
Ginger is an ancient Chinese remedy to minimize the symptoms of hangovers. Ginger has been found to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices, making it a great remedy for overeating, too. This remedy is even more effective if you drink it in between alcoholic beverages.

Cut a 2-inch piece from fresh ginger root, and thinly slice. Bring three cups of water to boil in a pot. Add the sliced ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Brew for about five minutes. Then strain out the ginger and sip the tea slowly. You may also add honey to taste.

Drink up!
Water, that is. Though this is hardly a secret remedy for combating a hangover, it bears repeating. Alcohol dehydrates your system, so drinking plenty of water will help combat some of your unpleasant hangover symptoms, rehydrate your body, and flush out toxins. Drink a few glasses of room temperature, filtered water after a night of holiday extravagance.

THE MORNING AFTER:

Start with lemon water
First thing in the morning, drink one lemon squeezed in 12 ounces of warm filtered water. Lemon activates your liver to release toxins and helps to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Throughout the day, drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water to flush your system.

Detoxify with herbal tea
Chinese traditional medicine uses natural substances to help support the healthy functions of your liver, lymphatic system, bowels, urinary tract, and skin. Try these herbs in teas to cleanse and prevent a buildup of toxins and wastes in your body:

■Chrysanthemum flower is traditionally used to cleanse the liver and neutralize toxins.
■Hawthorn berry is used to cleanse the blood of plaque and other toxins.
■Turmeric supports the detoxification process in the whole body by increasing bile production and releasing and eliminating toxins. Simply put a tablespoon of the spice in a pot and stir over medium heat for five minutes.
■Milk thistle protects and restores the liver, due to its content of silymarin.
■Dandelion root has been found by studies to enhance the flow of bile, relieving liver congestion, which in turn aids the body in detoxifying.
■Popular among patients is Hangover, a Chinese herbal remedy that is helpful for relieving symptoms of hangover.

Heal your aching head
If you wake up with a "morning-after" headache, try this herbal tea to reduce head pressure: Boil 2 tbsp each of chrysanthemum flowers and mint leaves in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink throughout the day until your headache subsides.

I hope these tips help you recover from the effects of overindulgence!

home remedy for common ailments

Gbex says: When it comes to minor ailments like headaches and motion sickness, I don’t really like to take medications. I’d rather use a kitchen-based remedy to soothe my symptoms. And I’m not the only one. A recent survey reported that worries about the economy are driving more people to alternative remedies as they look for ways to save money on expensive doctor visits and prescription medicines.

So I was truly delighted upon reading an article about the science behind homegrown remedies for five common ailments—nausea, headaches, urinary tract infections, yeast infections and arthritis pain.

Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine—about the amount in 16 ounces of brewed coffee—does provide relief from headaches, including migraines. However, relying on caffeine long-term can backfire. Find out what happens to regular coffee drinkers and what you can do.

It turns out that ginger ale doesn’t help nausea. But ginger itself may help control nausea related to pregnancy, surgical anesthesia and even sailing the high seas. So if you’re feeling queasy, steep 1 to 2 grams of fresh gingerroot (1 gram is about the size of a quarter) in boiling water to make a tea or eat about 2 teaspoons of candied ginger. But don’t go overboard: consuming more than 6 grams of ginger in one sitting can irritate the stomach. As for ginger ale: only a few companies use real ginger in their brews—and since most manufacturers don’t disclose amounts of ingredients it’s hard to know whether even those drinks have enough ginger to provide anti-nausea benefits.

Drinking cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to several studies. Find out how much juice you need to drink or how many dried cranberries you need to eat to prevent UTIs.

A few studies suggest that eating yogurt—which contains “good” bacteria—may keep yeast under control. One study found that women who regularly ate yogurt had a healthier balance of bacteria and fewer infections. But other studies aren’t as promising—and none, so far, has found that eating yogurt provides any relief once an infection has developed.

Even so, if you’re susceptible to yeast infections, having a cup of yogurt every day can’t hurt. If nothing else, it’s a good source of protein and calcium. Look for brands that specifically advertise they contain live and active cultures, which ensures you’ll get the beneficial bacteria. Get 10 delicious recipes to dress up your yogurt here.

There’s intriguing evidence that taking omega-3 fatty acids in the form of supplements and cod-liver oil may help reduce flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.3 million Americans. Find out how omega-3 fatty acids work to help with the pain here.

Could eating fish rich in omega-3s also help? Perhaps, although there isn’t any “real” evidence (e.g., clinical study results) that eating fish soothes arthritic aches. But even if it doesn’t end up reducing arthritis pain, eating fish—particularly fatty types, such as salmon—twice a week may help your heart.

pills that take away pains

Gbex says: WE cannot underestimate the side-effects of drugs. That is the very first thing that comes to my mind whenever I feel like taking one pill to get rid of my mild back pains.

The fact is: pills that millions of people turn to for relief from their pain, inflammation, and other symptoms are not only causing side effects, but they are damaging the health of people who take them.

According to the latest statistics, side effects from prescription pills are the third leading cause of death. By some estimates, six thousand people die every year from "simple" non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These commonly-used drugs can contribute to congestive heart failure, kidney disease, suicidal depression, cataracts, ulcers, macular degeneration, hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, fatigue, liver disease, and many other health concerns.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also deplete your body of much-needed vitamins and minerals required for your body's basic functions. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, and the countless others can deplete your body of Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients. These nutrients are needed to keep your immune system strong, heal tissues, maintain cellular integrity, build healthy blood, heal wounds, and nourish skin and hair.

Here are some of the common types of drugs and the nutrients that they often deplete:
Pharmaceutical Drugs and Nutrients They Can Deplete:
Pain-Killers
- Drug Names: Acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and Nabumetone
- Nutrients That Can Be Depleted: Vitamin C, folic acid, iron and zinc.

Birth Control Pills
- Drug Names: Micornor, Triphasil, Ovral, and Ortho Novum Pyridoxine
- Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: (Vitamin B-6), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin C, magnesium and zinc

Steroids (Corticosteroids)
- Often used for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, skin disorders, and immune disorders
- Drug Names: Prednisone, hydrocortisone, desamethasone, beclomethasone, triamcinolone
- Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, zinc and potassium

Antidepressants
- Drug Names: Amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine
- Nutrient that Can Be Depleted: Coenzyme Q-10

get the pain away..

Gbex says: This is a friendly reminder from yoru blogbuddy ^_^ ===>>Get the pain away in any part of your body caused by too much physical strain or a whole-day's physical exhaustion from work and sports activity....Take them out instantly by taking these pills safely!

a dreaded one, i tell you!...

Dom says: I was out of town the whole day with my Abbot superior and we just arrived late in the afternoon, but we were still able to catch up with our 5:50 evening prayers.

Just after the prayers, I hurriedly went back to my room to get to the net and open my emails.

To my dismay, I got an email from my best friend who lives with her family in Los Angeles, breaking the news to me that her daddy was brought to the nearest hospital for confinement of an indefinite number of days as he was diagnosed to having a kind of ailment called mesothelioma. According to Caroline, mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused cancer of the serous membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs. The rest of the disease was clearly explained to me in her lengthy email but I can't discuss them myself here. So, I strongly suggest you visit the site which she gave me for a complete information, guidance, prevention and treatment of the disease.

My heart went with my friend Caroline and to her family about her father's plight.
I guess it is high time that we all should know the whole rudiments about this disease; it's causes and as well as its prevention and cure.

So, I invite you now to visit the site that deals so much about this disease called mesothelioma. I reiterate: now is the best time to go and visit this site before we discover that one member of our family has it and we find ourselves emptyhanded!....

prescription drop-offs and pick-ups...

Dom says: Everytime I would go on a town trip for appointments, which are usually of dental and doctor's appointments, I would always pick up prescriptions or drop them over the counter in a Walmart or Albertson's pharmacy.

We have monks in the community who are regularly taking their prescription drugs for their particular ailments...

My community is composed of multi-age monks from age 30 up to age 87 and this is the reason why everytime there is a monk who goes out for a towntrip, there will always be errands for presription pick-ups or drop offs!

treatment that brings back confidence...

Gbex says: I went for a night swimming yesterday in a public summer resort nearby my office and I did go for a dip in its pool for hours and hours that I never noticed the passing of time. Before I knew it, it was late in the evening so I rushed back to the shower room and took a quick shower.

When I arrived home, I noticed something that felt so very itchy: Red spots in my right thigh! Yaiiikkkkkssssss, whatever they were, I was very positive that I got them from the swimming pool.

Yeah, fine, It was acne! In my exasperation and frustration, I had to resort to a quick and effective way to get rid of those annoying itchy spots: an acne treatment! Does that sound fair enough for my skin that has been infected on that night of enjoyable splash?...

So, I advise you buddies, the moment you see and feel an irritating itch in any part of your body, go and get yourselves relieved from an acne treatment!

wonders of aloe vera....

Gbex says: Aloe vera has been used to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation.

There is a resounding vidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on healing of wounds. A study performed in the 1990s showed that the healing time of a moderate to severe burn was reduced when the wound was treated on a regular basis with Aloe vera gel, compared to the healing of the wound covered in a gauze bandage.

Aloe vera's beneficial properties may be attributed to mucopolysaccharides present in the inner gel of the leaf, especially acemannan (acetylated mannans). An injectable form of acemannan manufactured and marketed by Carrington Laboratories as Acemannan Immunostimulant has been approved in the USA for treatment of fibrosarcoma (a type of cancer) in dogs and cats after clinical trials.

It has not been approved for use by humans, and, although it is not a drug, its sale is controlled and it can only be obtained through a veterinary doctor.

get rid of infestation...

Dom says: Termite season is fast approaching, so beware of their infestation! Summer is the jolliest season of the year but just beware of termites so that your summer escapades won't get spoiled and ruined by its infestations.

The monk of my community who is assigned to take care of the community's guest house has his varied ways to get rid of termites in its rooms in which he cleans and takes care of in his everyday routine in the monastery.

Among his ways include fumigation, sprays and the latest that he just adapted is what he calls as the termite bait.

So, with the aid of this new adaptation, Dom Dominic was able to really get rid of termite's infestation in this important season of the year when guests from all over the 59 States of America would make their advanced reservation the whole summer that makes the rate of its occupancy soar to the highest from among the rest of the year's reservations for occupancy.

my dentist...

Dom says: Another astonishing fact that I learned just very recently has occured to me when I uploaded old images that were taken years past from my old digital camera.

I found out then, that every three months, I am submitting myself to a certain dentist in El Rito Dental Clinic, just a forty-five minute drive-that's what they said to me, from the monastery.

Dr Collins, her first name slipped my memory, again????, has become a friend of the monks in my community as she was serving them faithfully and expertly for already a number of years of their dental worries and problems including mine.

Dr. Collins (on the right, with a pink mask) will see me in the first week of June. I am excited to really see her in person.

home away from home...

Gbex says: Tonight, my friend's wife will fly to the USA with their second to the eldest 21-year old son, who is suffering from alcoholism, to see and visit a drug treatment center which is located in Malibu, CA.

The center offers a very gentle and effective process of treatment from alcohol detox,drug addiction and depression treatment.

Likewise, it also aids in proper treatment from eating disorders, pain killer addiction, or substance abuse.

Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed and wish that Leonel may get the best treatment and be delivered soon from his alcohol addiction.

look what i got!... the best antidote-

At this point and time when people are getting sick with many kinds of ailments, I would say that the best antidote for getting infections is to go back to the old day's ways of preparing organic food and that is by availing of fresh fish and vegetables that are not contaminated by synthetic and chemical processes.

Many concerns on kinds of ailments that infect people nowadays are addressed and focused on the issue of foods chemically processed. These foods somehow affect the human body's resistance and destroy its immune system in the end thereby infections to many kinds of diseases are at stake.

So, the best that I can say is to patronize and eat organic foods!

wealth

I was anxious about my condition yesterday that I opted to see a doctor.

The result of the doctor's diagnosis was not alarming as he assured me that what I was experiencing was just an ordinary kind of colds and was far from dengue fever or other ailment and infections.
I left him with a smile on my face and a confidence that I will be fine and will just need some good rest. Indeed, I can say that in times of distress and unrest all over the world now, what is very basic but essential to every human being is to maintain good health as the saying says that "our health is our wealth."