There are muscles in the body that are both voluntarily and involuntarily controlled. Here are some examples:The diaphragm can be made to ‘contract’ voluntarily by the conscious brain, although most of the time it moves involuntarily. That is why we are not normally aware of our breathing, it is just an automatic process. Those who practise ‘pranayama’ or yogic breathing voluntarily guide the diaphragm to breathe correctly. It is expected that normally a person should breathe like a child, who blows the belly out while breathing in and takes the belly in while exhaling. That is the correct way of breathing. Most people, unconsciously, do the reverse. They take the abdomen in while inhaling and blow it out when exhaling. With regular practice and training one can switch over to the correct breathing pattern which then becoAdd Newmes automatic or subconsciously controlled.The anal sphincter is involuntarily controlled. Just before defecation the sphincter opens on its own and the stool masses are pushed out. However, with the help of the muscles on the pelvic floor, the anal stricture can be achieved. The anal muscles can be made to constrict and close the passageway. In fact, this voluntarily exercise (pelvic floor exercise) is recommended to people with prostate, bladder and haemorrhoids to improve these conditions. This exercise also helps pelvic flow. Those who have uncontrolled bowel movements and are prone to accidents, especially with the mucus or diarrhoea-type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, can also be helped with these involuntary exercises.*48\330\8*

Dr Katharina Dalton has studied the three-hourly starch diet extensively at her London clinic. In one study she surveyed 84 women waiting for an appointment at the clink and found that the average interval between eating carbohydrate during the day was seven hours, and overnight the average was 13.5 hours.The women were asked to try the diet before their first appointment As many as 70 per cent of the women reported an improvement in their symptoms after adhering to the three-hourly starch diet The encouraging thing was that 23 per cent of the women with severe PMS managed to control their symptoms by adhering to the diet alone and without any further medical intervention.Don’t expect overnight results from changing your diet and taking more exercise. If you’ve spent a lifetime eating junk and sitting around all day it’s going to take several months to undo the damage.You should start seeing an improvement after two months. But don’t be tempted to slink back to your old habits. After all those old habits are what got you into this mess in the first place so stick at it!*32\120\4*

Three types of blood cells circulate in the bloodstream: erythrocytes (red blood cells) white blood cells, and platelets. When all three types of cells are checked through one test, that test is called a complete blood count or CBC. When specific information is required about the number and percentage of different white blood cell types present, a CBC with differential is requested. This test is often used to screen for specific drug side effects and to search for evidence of infection.Red blood cells help carry oxygen to tissues. When the number of red blood cells decreases, anemia results. Anemia can cause a decrease in the delivery of oxygen to tissues because there are fewer red blood cells avail: to carry oxygen. This decrease in oxygen can result in premature muscle fatigue, decreased stamina, and generalized fatigue and weakness.Anemia frequently accompanies RA, and it may contribute to the fatigue which many people with RA experience. Anemia is most often a consequence of the systemic effects of inflammation on blood, and it often improves as arthritis is treated. However, some medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs) can cause inflammation of the stomach lining and mild blood loss. In this situation, the anemia represents a side effect of medication which requires further evaluation. The tests used to diagnose and monitor anemia are the hematocrit and the hemoglobin. Occasionally, a separate test called the reticulocyte count is indicated; this test reflects the rate at which new red blood cells (called reticulocytes) are being produced.The several types of white blood cells include lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (“polys” or neutrophils), monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. An important function of white cells is fighting infection; that is, in response to an infection, the body usually produces white blood cells, and a blood test would reveal a higher than normal number of them. A low white blood cell count may interfere with the body’s ability to fight infection. Thus, one side effect of any medication that causes a decrease in the number of white blood cells can be infection.Platelets perform the clotting function in blood. The platelet count is often either high or low in RA. If the platelet count is too low (thrombocytopenia), the risk of excessive or spontaneous bleeding is increased. Some medications lower the platelet count, and again, this requires investigation. High platelet counts (thrombocytosis) can occur with chronic inflammation; they generally create no particular problems.*23/209/5*