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Tinnitus occurs when an individual hears ringing, static or squealing sounds in one or both ears. The ringing can come and go, or be constant. Tinnitus can present because of exposure to loud noises, aging, overwork over a long period or kidney problems. Acupuncturists treat tinnitus using very fine needles inserted into the skin to target particular qi, or energy, points in the body. Results vary with treatment for tinnitus, however, particularly in conjunction with how long the patient has had the condition and the age of the patient.

1. Kidneys

   • The kidneys are connected to the ears in acupuncture treatment. When kidneys are affected or weakened, hearing can be affected.

   Heart and Lungs

   • The heart can also be involved in tinnitus cases and acupuncture treatment of tinnitus. In acupuncture, it is believed that the heart and the mind are connected, and a weaker heart or issues with blood flow to the heart will also affect the ears. Lungs are also believed to be an organ that is connected to the ears and can be a focus of acupuncture treatment for tinnitus.

   Phlegm and Yin/Yang

   • Phlegm can also be connected to tinnitus, because it can clog up your head and affect your hearing. In a more esoteric sense, acupuncturists may also explore the balance of yin and yang in the body. Yin is represented in the body by fluids like mucus or blood, and yang has to do with digestion.

   Points for Treatment

   • There are nine treatment points for tinnitus that are connected to the kidneys. There are seven heart-blood deficiency points that are used by acupuncturists to treat tinnitus, and 11 points that connect the lungs and hearing. Eleven points on the body connected to phlegm are useful as acupuncture treatment points for tinnitus.

     Not all of the acupuncture points will be used, as they will be chosen specifically based on the patient's case; in addition, some of the aforementioned points are the same for different organs, so there is overlap.

   Warning

   • Consult a primary physician before pursuing alternative treatments for serious medical conditions. As tinnitus is not generally treated and is viewed as permanent ear damage by Western medicine, acupuncture may be viewed by a physician as a worthwhile treatment option.

Resources

• Acupuncture and Tinnitus

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus, according to Medline Plus. This condition is also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition can cause symptoms such as burning in the throat, chest pain, trouble swallowing and a dry cough. People who struggle with obesity, diabetes and asthma appear to be at higher risk for this condition. Fortunately, many treatment options for acid reflux are available.

1. Initial Treatment Options

   • Initial treatment options are typically over-the-counter medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antacids, such as Maalox or Rolaids, can provide quick relief. Also, consider talking with your doctor about using medications, such as Pepcid AC or Zantac 75, that control stomach acid production.

     Proton pump inhibitors are another option for treating acid reflux. These medications block acid production and heal inflammation of the esophagus. Over the counter medications include Prevacid and Priolosec.

   Prescription Medications

   • When over-the-counter medications aren't working, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength medications, such as Priosec Rx, Protonix or Tagamet, which focus on reducing acids in the stomach.

     There are also prescription medications that strengthen the esophageal sphincter, which aid the stomach in emptying quicker and tighten the valve that connects the stomach to the esophagus.

   Lifestyle Changes

   • Some cases of acid reflux are controlled by simple lifestyle changes. The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding "acid reflux triggers" such as fried foods, chocolate, garlic, onion and caffeinated beverages. Alcohol should also be avoided.

     Controlling weight can also reduce acid reflux. Carrying extra pounds applies pressure to the stomach, which makes it easier for acid to back up. Diet changes and exercise can help drop extra weight, the Mayo Clinic states.

     Smoking, which limits the esophageal sphincter's ability to work correctly, should also be avoided,.

   Surgical Options

   • Most cases of acid reflux and GERD are controlled through medication and lifestyle changes; however, some cases warrant surgery. Nissen fundoplication is a surgery that focuses on reinforcing the lower esophageal sphincter. An EndoCinch endoluminal gastroplication surgery focuses on creating a surgical barrier that prevents acid from backing up.

Herbal remedies abound for both preventing and healing an infection. Most of these natural herbs and plants can be made into a topical ointment or salve and applied to a wound to draw out the infection.

1. Herbal Salve

   • A simple herbal salve for an infected wound uses a well-known infection fighting herb, golden seal. When mixed with aloe vera, it makes an effective topical infection-fighting medicine. The type of aloe vera and golden seal used is important for the ointment to work properly though.

     There are many products on the market which contain one or more herbs. Not all of these are usable for medicinal purposes, though, because either there is just a small amount of actual plant material included or there are many other chemicals added which can be problematic.

     Aloe vera products often have perfumes and alcohol added to them, for example, and these are not good to use for treating infected wounds. The added chemicals can burn or sting when applied to a wound, and the extra chemicals can cause additional irritation or problems. For the purposes of an infection fighting salve, buy 100 percent organic aloe vera juice.

     The same issue can arise when buying golden seal. If you purchase a product which is not 100 percent herbal material, you run the risk of buying something that's ineffective because there's not enough of the actual herb included to draw out the infection. Hard pills have the additional issue of needing to be dissolved before they can be made into a salve. Organic golden seal in a gel caplet is best because you can open the caplet and use the dried ground herb from inside to make your ointment.

     Open the golden seal caplet and pour the dried herb onto a small plate. Add enough aloe vera juice to mix everything together well then spread the salve onto the infected wound and cover it with a clean bandage. Leave the salve and the bandage on overnight for the best results. In most cases the infection is gone by the next morning.

   Tips

   • Golden seal root is stronger than the leaves from the plant. When no golden seal is available, other infection fighting herbs such as garlic or echinacea can be used.

     Remember that herbal remedies are not recognized or approved by the FDA, and as with all medicinal approaches, individual results may vary. If the infection is severe or does not start clearing up within 48 hours, please visit your health-care practitioner.

A healthy tongue is pink or reddish in appearance. When a person experiences changes in the color of his tongue, it can be very alarming. However, a yellow tongue is generally harmless, according to the Mayo Clinic. A yellow tongue is not a disease, it is a symptom of another condition that causes tongue to appear yellow.

1. Canker Sores

   • Canker sores are small sores that can appear anywhere in the mouth, including the tongue. They can be whitish or yellow in appearance and are more common in women than in men. According to the National Institutes of Health, the causes of canker sores include injury to the tongue, emotional stress and some food allergies. Sometimes, canker sores appear with no known cause.

   Nasal Congestion

   • Nasal congestion is a common cause for a yellow tongue, according to the Mayo Clinic. This normally happens because nasal congestion causes a person to breath through her mouth rather than her nose, causing saliva to evaporate, making the tongue drier than normal. This allows some bacteria to grow rapidly and give the tongue a yellowish appearance.

   Poor Oral Hygiene

   • Most people realize the importance of brushing and flossing teeth every day in order to keep them healthy and strong. However, food and drinks that cause bacteria to flourish on the teeth can also cause bacterial growth on the tongue. Brushing the tongue as part of daily oral hygiene can prevent bacteria from building up on the tongue and giving it a yellowish coating.

   Poor Health Habits

   • Poor health habits can cause the tongue to have a yellowish appearance because of an increase in the amount of bacteria on the tongue. Eating or drinking sugary foods or beverages can promote bacterial growth on the tongue. Smoking or chewing tobacco can reduce saliva production. Saliva helps clear away harmful bacteria, so a reduction in the amount of saliva in the mouth can lead to increased bacteria on the tongue.

   Treatment

   • Yellow tongue is considered harmless and usually will not require a visit to the doctor or dentist. Basic treatment and prevention include brushing the tongue when you brush your teeth. If yellow tongue persists, the Mayo Clinic recommends rinsing the mouth with a solution of five parts water/one part hydrogen peroxide, followed with a clear water rinse to help get rid of a yellowish color on the tongue.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that results from abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Having excessively high glucose levels can lead to a diverse array of problems, including loss of weight, urinating frequently, exhaustion, being particularly thirsty, blurred vision, and excessive hunger. Some diabetic individuals might also experience a condition that is known commonly as "frozen shoulder," as well. Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis.

1. Identification

   • It is important to understand exactly what frozen shoulder is. Frozen shoulder is characterized by stiffness and pain in the joints of the shoulder. This causes the shoulders to not be able to move properly. The stiffness and pain tends to get progressively worse with time.

   Causes

   • Frozen shoulder seems to start very simply. Individuals might notice that their shoulder is in slight pain. To avoid intensifying the pain, they might abstain from using their shoulder a lot. With this immobility, stiffness could occur, making it much harder to use the shoulder. The joint lining also could become extremely stiff, which can render the shoulder immobile. Due to stiffness and extreme pain, the shoulder in many cases becomes unable to most past a specific point.

   Diabetes and Frozen Shoulder

   • Diabetics are at significantly higher risk of developing frozen shoulder, compared with non-diabetics. This is believed to be related to collagen. Collagen is part of the foundation of both tendons and ligaments. It is a component that binds the bones of a joint together tightly and securely. Glucose molecules connect to collagen. With diabetics, the connection of the sugar molecules to collagen can cause unusual collagen deposits to appear in the shoulder's tendons and cartilage. This accumulation can result in severe stiffness of the shoulder.

   Statistics

   • According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 20 percent of diabetics experience frozen shoulder. Only about five percent of non-diabetics experience this condition.

   Others at Risk

   • Others at higher risk for developing frozen shoulder include females and those between 40 and 60 years old. People who experience shoulder injuries are also at higher risk for frozen shoulder, as are those who have had either bursitis or tendinitis.