Title:
Arteriosclerosis
Summary
Arteriosclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the blood vessels.
Keywords
arteriosclerosis,arteries,blood pression,blood vessels
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<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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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people. If arteries leading to the kidneys are involved, the patient may suffer from high blood<br />
pressure and kidney disorders.<br />
Causes<br />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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>