Much of the literature available on stress symptoms today seems to be concerned with managing the anxiety from a too-busy lifestyle, and often contains advice about relaxation techniques, physical exercise and biofeedback techniques to deal with muscle tension.While I am in full agreement with people who point out how generally unfit and unhealthy we sedentary, city dwellers are, and how in need we are of more physical exercise, I do not agree with the notion that physical exercise, relaxation or biofeedback are of use in themselves as an answer to stage one stress breakdown.Take biofeedback, for example. It has been shown that human beings, given appropriate feedback or information on the state of a body function normally controlled automatically, can work out ways of voluntarily controlling that function. Patients, for example, are wired up to an instrument which will make a sound or switch on a light if muscle tension is high. The patient works out some way of visualizing some peaceful scene, or emotionally letting go, and learns the subjective feel of how to voluntarily lower the muscle tension.I believe that this technique is useful for those people who have become so used to feelings of muscle tension that they cannot operate at any lower level of activity. Such people, in my opinion, have basic problems with nervous system function and sometimes have what might be called minimal brain dysfunction.In these biofeedback experiments, the subject is learning how to control certain body reactions by using the reticular activating system’s capacity for inhibiting the activity of cortical brain cells. The imagery required in biofeedback, therefore, requires a normally functioning reticular activating system and a normal capacity for the cortical cells to respond. Therefore, in order for biofeedback to be of use, the person cannot be suffering from third stage stress symptoms.Thus biofeedback and relaxation techniques (particularly those using techniques of self-hypnosis) can only be of use for stage one symptoms. However, I feel that it is not of much use overloading the nervous system, and then working out methods of reducing the discomfort from the alarm system activated by that overload.I recognize that relaxation techniques are useful in treating the anxiety of stage one stress breakdown. But the relaxation techniques which to me appear to be useful for stage one stress symptoms seem to work because they force people under stress to take time out to stop doing what they were doing and concentrate on something totally different. The something totally different might be to spend time concentrating not on the report you are trying to write, but on certain aspects of your own body function.I really think that almost any relaxation technique will work so long as it imposes a forced rest. Likewise, the physical exercise that takes the executive away from the desk or the telephone will be effective because it does that, not necessarily because of the exercise aspect.
*45/129/5*

House dust is everywhere. It is impossible to eradicate, but it can be reduced. Carpets, cushions, furniture, pillows, mattresses, blankets, quilts, doonas and the tops of wardrobes are all living and breeding areas for dust mites. Research shows that about 80 percent of asthmatics with allergic tendencies are allergic to dust mites.If you are allergic to dust mites, you should take particular care if you are renovating an old house. When disturbed, old dust releases years of dust mite allergens into the air. It is not uncommon for previously unsusceptible people to become asthmatic at the time of such an event. Some allergy susceptible people are unable to live in old houses, and are much healthier in modern houses where there are fewer architectural features collecting dust and no accumulated dust from the past. Modern houses are generally easier to clean and have better ventilation, less damp and more direct sunlight than old houses.Living in a typical Victorian terrace house can be devastating to an asthmatic, as Barbara, a 47-year-old asthmatic in Sydney, notes:I lived in a Paddington terrace for five years and my asthma became more frequent and severe. I was sure I could smell mould when I opened cupboards, but I never saw any signs. I think it was a very poorly ventilated house. It was a fairly typical Victorian terrace with smallish windows and not much light — some rooms never received direct sunlight. After we moved to a modern, airy apartment in the same area, I was a new woman. There was a marked improvement in my asthma. I realized that I did not need my Ventolin nearly as much as before. I still wheeze at times, but my overall health has improved dramatically. I could never say I felt terrific while I lived in the terrace.*32\148\2*

ERYSIPELASA similar treatment programme can be used for Erysipelas, which is an acute infection of the skin caused by a haemolytic streptococcus, usually displaying red swollen areas with some ‘flu-like symptoms and inflammation. The streptococcus bacteria lies at the root of many problems and infections caused by this bacteria should not be underestimated: treatment should be undertaken immediately on discovery. The American doctor Edward Rosenow has specialised his research in viral infections for over sixty years. Since 1925 he has written and published more than 450 medical papers, mainly on the subject of the effects of different viruses on the body. Dr Rosenow has discussed the streptococcus bacteria on several occasions and believes that millions of organisms exist in the human body, although a specific streptococcus bacteria is responsible for many diseases. He also discovered the strength of streptococcus, stating that to destroy this bacteria, it took 19 hours of boiling in H2Oz (hydrogen peroxide). Such is its strength that it can maintain life in temperatures ranging from 350 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 150 degrees Fahrenheit. He also found that it is so small that a trillion of this virus can live in one square centimetre alongside other bacteria. Both of these facts show what formidable opposition we are up against.Although an Erysipelas condition can be cured relatively quickly, one must never underestimate the strength and influence of a streptococcus infection in any skin disease. Its characteristics are shining skin lesions which can cause much damage and, although the area of inflammation may be small, it can be very persistent. Always make sure that exact hygiene measures are maintained and, wherever possible, disposable materials should be used and immediately disposed off and destroyed. A high dose of vitamins is recommended, especially vitamin A together with Health Insurance Plus, Echinaforce and Petasan. It is also important to ensure a good flow of urine. Drink ample amounts of fluid and make sure that there is no restriction or blockage of the urine flow and, to this end, a natural diuretic may be advisable. A good natural diuretic, for example, is asparagus and celery used with some Solidago (Golden Rod) as a herbal remedy.Yet another persistent problem that is occurring more frequently, is Herpes simplex, sometimes referred to as fever blister, cold sore, or Herpes menstrualis. This acute virus infection can be a downright nuisance, and a frequently recurring plague. An individual or multiple infection, filled with clear fluid and raised in an inflammatory base, occurs on the skin, the mucous membranes and the conjunctiva. This infection can easily occur in infancy or among young people and the local areas of infection can be very irritable, depending how often they occur and the manifestation of the variety. Usually the mouth and lips are affected, but inflammation can also appear on the extremities. Some severe reactions can take place and treatment becomes more difficult when it affects the eyes, the cornea, the nose, cheeks, elbows, or even the vagina, which sometimes causes extreme and persistent discomfort. Genital herpes is also an ever-increasing and very persistent problem. I recognise that this is most uncomfortable, but it can be cured*26\147\2*