Title: 
Arteriosclerosis

Word Count:
1064

Summary:
Arteriosclerosis  is one of the most common diseases of the blood vessels.


Keywords:
arteriosclerosis,arteries,blood pression,blood vessels


Article Body:
<p>Arteriosclerosis  is one of the most common diseases of the blood vessels. It refers to a<br />
thickening  of the walls of the arteries due to the presence of calcium or lime. It has  become a<br />
common  ailment in modern times, accounting for much of the disability and high death  rate<br />
among  older people.<br />
Arteriosclerosis  is usually preceded by artherosclerosis, a kind of degeneration or softening of<br />
the inner  lining of the blood vessels walls. The most risky places for such degeneration  are the<br />
coronary  vessels of the heart and the arteries leading to the brain. Arteriosclerosis  results in the<br />
loss of  elasticity of the blood vessels, with a narrowing of the smaller arteries,  which interferes<br />
with the  free circulation of the blood. These changes may gradually extend to  capillaries and<br />
veins.<br />
Arteriosclerosis  is more frequent in men than women, especially in the younger age-group. It has<br />
been  estimated that 40 per cent of all men over 40 years have a significant degree  of obstruction<br />
of their  coronary arteries and this can lead to heart attack at any time.<br />
Symptoms<br />
The  symptoms of arteriosclerosis vary with arteries involved. Signs of inadequate  blood supply<br />
generally  appear first in the legs. There may be numbness and coldness in the feet and  cramps<br />
and pains  in the legs even after light exercise. If the coronary arteries are involved,  the patient<br />
may have  sharp pains, characteristic of angina pectoris. When arteries leading to the  brain are<br />
involved,  the vessel may burst,causing haemorrhage in the brain tissues. A cerebral  vascular<br />
stroke,  with partial or complete paralysis of one side of the body may result, if there  is blockage<br />
with a  blood clot. It may also lead to loss of memory and a confused state of mind in  elderly<br />
people.  If arteries leading to the kidneys are involved, the patient may suffer from  high blood<br />
pressure  and kidney disorders.<br />
Causes<br />
The most  important cause of arteriosclerosis is excessive intake of white sugar, refined  foods<br />
and high  fat diet, rich in cholesterol. A sedentary life and excesses of all kinds are  the major<br />
contributing  causes. Hardening of the arteries may also be caused by other diseases such as<br />
high  blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, rheumatism, Bright's disease, malaria,  syphillis.<br />
Emotional  stress also plays an important part, and heart attacks are more common during  the<br />
periods  of mental and emotional disturbances, particularly in those engaged in  sedentary<br />
occupations.  Heredity also plays its role and this disease runs in families.<br />
Treatment<br />
If the  causes of arteriosclerosis are known, remedial action should be taken promptly  to remove<br />
them. To  begin with the patient should resort to a short juice fast for five to seven  days. All<br />
available  fresh, raw vegetables and fruit juices in season may be taken. Grape-fruit  juice,<br />
pineapple  juice, lemon juice and juices of green vegetables are especially beneficial. A  warm<br />
water  enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the period of fasting.<br />
After the  juice fast, the patient should take optimum diet made up from three basic food  groups,<br />
namely  (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables and, (iii) fruits, with emphasis on  raw foods.<br />
Plenty of  raw and sprouted seeds and nuts should be used. Cold pressed vegetable oils,<br />
particularly  safflower oil, flax seed oil and olive oil should be used regularly.<br />
Further,  shorter fasts on juices may be undertaken at intervals of three months or so,  depending<br />
on the  progress being made.<br />
The  patient should take several small meals instead of a few large ones. He should  avoid all<br />
hydrogenated  fats and an excess of saturated fats, such as butter, cream, ghee and animal  fat.<br />
He should  also avoid meat, salt and all refined and processed foods, condiments, sauces, <br />
pickles ,  strong tea, coffee, white sugar, white flour and all products made from them.  Foods<br />
cooked in  aluminum and copper utensils should not be taken as toxic metals entering the  body<br />
are known  to be deposited on the walls of the aorta and the arteries. Smoking, if  habitual, should<br />
be given up  as smoking constricts the arteries and aggravates the condition.<br />
Recent  investigations have shown that garlic and onions have a preventive effect on  the<br />
development  of arteriosclerosis. Vitamin C has also proved beneficial as it helps in the<br />
conversion  of cholesterol into bile acids.<br />
One of  the most effective home remedies for arteriosclerosis is the lemon peel. It is  believed to<br />
be one of  the richest known sources of vitamin P. It strengthens the entire arterial  system.<br />
Shredded  lemon peel may be added to soups and stews, or sprinkled over salads. To make a<br />
medicine,  the peel of one or two lemons may be cut up finely, covered with warm water and<br />
allowed  to stand for about 12 hours. A teaspoonful may be taken every three hours, or<br />
immediately  before or after a meal.<br />
Parsley  is another effective home remedy for arteriosclerosis. It contains elements  which help to<br />
maintain  the blood vessels, particularly the capillaries and arterial system in a  healthy condition.<br />
It may be  taken as a beverage by stimmering it gently in the water for a few minutes and<br />
partaking  several times daily.<br />
The beet  juice has also proved valuable in arteriosclerosis. It is an excellent solvent  for inorganic<br />
calcium  deposit. Juices of carrot and spinach are also beneficial. These juices can be  taken<br />
individually  or in combination. Formula proportions found helpful when used in combination  are<br />
carrot  300 m.l. and spinach 200 m.l. to prepare 500 m.l. of juice.<br />
The  patient should undertake plenty of outdoor exercise and eliminate all mental  stress and<br />
worries.  Prolonged neutral immersion baths at bed time on alternate days is beneficial.  This bath<br />
is  administered in a bath tub which should be properly fitted with hot and cold  water connection.<br />
The  bath-tub should be fitted with water at a temperature ranging from 92 o to 98 o F and the<br />
patient  should lie in it for an hour or so. The head should be kept cold with a cold  compress. </p>


