Health related information and news from around the world.

The principles of chiropractic treatment state that HIV infection is caused by a poor alignment of the backbone, which impairs nearby nerves. Treatment consists of positioning the body to correct the defect. Chiropractic treatment is probably helpful if your back hurts, probably harmless otherwise.     Homeopathic Medicine-Practitioners of homeopathic medicine believe that a substance that causes a symptom in a large dose can, when given in a small dose, stimulate the body to correct the symptom. The underlying principle is that similars correct similars. In the case of HIV infection, which weakens the immune system, practitioners of homeopathic medicine advocate using small doses of cyclosporine, a drug used in traditional medicine to weaken the immune systems of people whose bodies are rejecting transplanted organs. Homeopathic medicine uses extremely small doses of these various substances; it is harmless.     Mind Work-One kind of mind work tries to foster favorable self-images or self-love.     Another kind of mind work is visualization or guided imagery. During visualization, people imagine their immune systems attacking and killing HIV and their bodies becoming stronger and healthier.     Like body work, mind work can’t hurt. And because it makes people feel more in control and happier with themselves, it can be beneficial.*195\191\2*

What do you find is the biggest problem for parents of multiply handicapped children?”"There’s little question in my mind that the biggest hurdle is acceptance of the child. I don’t mean that the parents don’t love him or her right from the start. They do! They love the child, but they also love the image of the child that they carry in their minds. As I said before, none of us knows how we will cope with a child who doesn’t meet our expectations. Even those who have had contact with handicapped children, who say they could cope, don’t really know. Everyone has to go through the stages of grieving for the child who isn’t as you planned, forgetting the child who is the image in your mind, before you can reach the stage of acceptance. For some parents, this can take a long time. But gradually people come to the realization of what their child can and can’t do. You have to wait for the parents to come to those realizations themselves. They don’t listen if you just tell them. You can help them to see, but, ultimately, they have to see for themselves before they can accept.”In the meantime, the counselor has to be supportive. It’s important to praise parents for what they are doing and to reassure them that they are doing everything possible. It is important to nurture their hope, but to try to temper that hope slowly with realism. It’s a long, tough process for both the parents and for the counselor. But in the long run it’s worth it.”*236\208\8*

Apoproteins: proteins that combine with lipids to make them dissolve in the bloodCholesterol: a type of lipid used by your body to build cells and certain hormones. It is found only in foods derived from animal sourcesFatty acids: also called “fats,” they occur in several forms in the foods you eat. Different fatty acids have different effects on your lipid profile HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol): a combination of about 50 percent apoproteins and 20 percent cholesterol. HDL tends to help remove excess cholesterol from your blood\LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol): a combination of about 25 percent apoproteins and 45 percent cholesterol. LDL provides cholesterol for necessary body functions, but in excessive amounts it promotes cholesterol accumulation in artery walls Lipids: a general term referring to fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) circulating in the bloodstreamthe amount of various lipids in yourLipid profile: bloodstreamLipoproteins: lipids combined with apoproteins Triglycerides a type of lipid used by your body as a source of energy. Most triglycerides are transported through your bloodstream as a very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Some cholesterol is also present in VLDL.*237\252\8*