Sometimes they heal themselves despite your continuing to take an NSAID, but if you have to continue treatment you may be prescribed an H2-receptor antagonist or one of two newer medicines – misoprostol (brand name Cytotec) or omeprazole (Losec) – to heal the ulcer. Misoprostol and the H2-receptor antagonist ranitidine can both be prescribed to prevent this sort of ulcer in people who are at risk. Misoprostol is not very useful for treating or preventing ulcers not associated with NSAIDs and will not treat indigestion caused by an NSAID unless the person has an ulcer.

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General health

The following juice fast has been designed to clean the body of toxic waste which has been accumulating in the tissues for many years. It is very important to include an enema in conjunction with your juice fast because without it the toxic waste and morbid matter which has been accumulating in your body cannot be flushed out. It remains in your colon where re-absorption could cause poisoning to your whole system.

The enema should be used a minimum of once per day. Pref­erably twice, once in the morning and last thing at night.

Prepare yourself for the fast by eating raw vegetables and fruit for 2 days before.

On the night before the fast take ONE teaspoon of colon care with a glass of water before bed. Use only purified water, not tap water.
This is a four day fast and the following fast advice should be carried out each day:

1 Upon rising drink a glass of fresh water then using 600 ml of warm water, give yourself an enema. Follow this by having a massage, if possible. If not, then a spa or high pressure hot and cool shower.

2 9.30 am Cup of herbal tea, no milk or sugar
3 11.00 am Glass of fresh water
4 11.30 am Large glass of fruit juice diluted 50/50
with fresh water, not tap water. Take a short walk, have another massage or lightly exercise
5 1.30 pm
6 2.00 pm
7 2.00 pm
Large glass of vegetable juice
Glass of herbal tea or fresh water
Have a rest, no exercise. Take a relax­ation class if you can at 4.00 pm or meditate
8 6.00 pm
9 8.30 pm
Light walk and a bath with Epsom salts
Glass of fruit juice
Your intake of fluid should be a mini­mum of 8 glasses per day. This can include mineral water, herbal teas, and fruit juice.
When ending the fast it is important to introduce the normal diet slowly over 3 to 4 days beginning with a day of fruit and vegetables.
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General Health

Metoclopramide and occasionally domperidone can cause unwanted parkinsonian effects (similar to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease), such as spasms of the facial muscles and abnormal movements of the eyes. Contact your doctor if these effects occur. The effects are more common in younger people (especially girls and young women) and the very old. They usually happen just after starting treatment, but will fade a day or so after stopping the drug.

Cisapride (brand names Alirnix; Prepulsid) is a newer drug which is similar to metoclopramide and domperidone. It does not act on the central nervous system and is unlikely to cause parkinsonian unwanted effects.

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General health

Marital relations

All couples want to know about normal marital relationships. The general advice given is that there are no restrictions on these activities at any stage. Intercourse is best avoided at the time when a menstrual period would normally be expected for the first four missed periods. There is a very slight chance that it may precipitate a miscarriage, although the risks are not high.

During pregnancy, the increased hormonal production in the female may have varied physical and emotional effects. Some find their sexual sensations are heightened, and there is an increased desire to make love. In others, there is a reversal of these feelings. They find that the thought of sex is less and less inviting, and some completely “turn off” altogether.

Husbands, I hope, will read this important message. Unfortunately, many unthinking males interpret this as a sudden cessation of affection for them, on the part of their spouses. They do not realize that chemical influences over which they have absolutely no control are the real basic cause, and it has nothing to do with their wives’ true feelings.

Husbands would do best to accept quietly this temporarily altered state of affection, and put it down to the pregnancy, the true cause. In due course, the entire situation will change back to the usual, normal, happy state once more. Making scenes, and acting in a childish fashion over this does nothing to improve the situation. Indeed, it can cause a rift that might easily widen as the pregnancy advances.

Pregnancy is a time of togetherness and pulling together. This applies in sexual matters as well as in all other respects, and both parties should remember this.

Conversely, the wife should not use her feelings and sex as a weapon against her husband. Both should be geared to act as normally and naturally as possible at all times. This way, common sense and warmth and greater affection one for the other will prevail.

Travelling

No restrictions are placed on travel, provided this can be carried out in a leisurely manner without any undue stress or strain being placed on the woman.

However, it is wise to consider the possible implications of long journeys. Undertaking excessively long motor trips, for example, across a continent, possibly including areas where facilities are poor, would not be wise, especially in the later months of pregnancy.

Similarly, embarking on long-haul jet jour­neys in late pregnancy is unwise and fraught with possible difficulties. In recent times in Australia two such women on different journeys suddenly went into labour and had their babies born seven miles up in the sky! As it so happened, doctors and trained sisters were passengers in both instances and were able to deliver the babies safely and without harm. But there was no margin for error, no room for complications.

As every obstetrician knows, a certain percentage of cases are statistically guaranteed to produce complications at delivery. So why tempt fate, why run the risk (to yourself as well as to the infant) by doing foolish, indiscreet things when they are unnecessary? Be sensible, and the chances of risk diminish appreciably.

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GENERAL HEALTH

The condition may be very alarming to parents who think the child is about to perish. In mild cases, simple measures usually bring relief fairly quickly. But severe cases may need prompt hospitalization with full supportive therapy.

Treatment

The simplest and quickest form of treatment is to place the child in a room filled with moist steam. To do this, the quickest method is to turn hot and cold taps on in the bathroom; use the basin as well as the shower and bath taps. The combination of hot and cold usually fills the room rapidly with steam. This is probably the easiest and most rapid method of gaining relief for the child. It may quickly ease the respiratory distress and the harsh noises, as soothing, moist heat reduces the swelling and obstruction in the larynx. It may be advisable to move the child’s crib into the bathroom for the night, and have the child remain in this environment for many hours. Alternative methods of heating the bedroom with moist air (boiling kettles or commercial humidifiers) are not as good, and could result in scalding accidents to other children. Care is essential.

The infant will most likely be frightened, so plenty of parental attention is essential. Give in to the child’s whims and wishes, and hold him or her close if this seems to help. It often does. Increasing anxiety by the patient may be a sign of increasing anoxia (the system receiving inadequate oxygen). Give fluids. And if the child desires food, give simple foods, for swallowing is often difficult. Fruit juices, cold water, jellies and ice-cream may help to prevent dehydration and provide nourishment.

In all but the very mildest attacks, the child should be admitted to hospital. A guiding point is that if the child is making a noise when breathing when resting quietly, he or she should be admitted. Do not delay. Do this either via your own family doctor, or take the child directly to the nearest big hospital as a matter of urgency if you cannot get your own doctor immediately.

In young children, it may be necessary for the doctors to place a tube down the air passageways to enable enough air to reach their lungs. Also, appropriate medication is essential. Never neglect the warning symptoms. Do not procrastinate if there is any doubt. Prompt action may be life-sustaining.

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General Health