Module 7 Flashcards

Question

***What is rheumatoid arthritis? What are some aromatherapy considerations and modes of use for this disease?***

Answer 1

* Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and the surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs. As in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system confuses healthy tissue for foreign substances, as a result attacking itself. RA can occur at any age but is more common in women than in men.* * Common symptoms:* * *Fatigue* * *loss of appetite* * *low fever* * *swollen glands* * *weakness* *joint pain:* * *morning stiffness, which lasts for more than one hour in joints* * *warm, tender, and stiff joints* * *often felt on both sides of the body* * *fingers (but not fingertips), wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, toes, jaw, and neck may all be affected* * *joint often swollen and feel spongy to the touch* * *over time, joints lose their range of motion and may become deformed* *Other symptoms:* * *chest pain when taking a breath (pleurisy)* * *eyes burning, itching and discharge* * *nodules under the skin (usually a sign of more severe disease)* * *numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet* * Joint destruction may occur within one to two years after the disease appears.* * Modes of use:* * *light massage* * *compress* * *bath* * *inhalation*

Answer 2

* Celiac disease is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When individuals with celiac disease eat gluten, the villi in the G.I. tract are damaged. This is due to an immune reaction to gluten, which concurrently ‘attacks’ epithelial tissues in the GI tract. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients – protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and in some cases water and bile salts. If celiac disease is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life-threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders – both nutritional and immune related.* * Celiac disease is unique in that a specific food component, has been identified as the trigger. Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is skin manifestation of celiac disease characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks. DH patients can have intestinal damage without obvious gastrointestinal symptoms.* * Symptoms May include:* * *Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas* * *distention and bloating of the stomach* * *chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)* * *Steatorrhea (fatty stools)* * *Anemia – unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)* * *Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain* *Other symptoms:* * *Dental enamel defects* * *osteopenia, osteoporosis* * *bone or joint pain* * *fatigue, weakness and lack of energy* * *infertility – male/female* * *depression* * *mouth ulcers* * *delayed puberty* * *tingling or numbness in hands or feet* * *migraine headaches* *Some long term conditions that can result from untreated celiac disease:* * *iron deficiency anemia* * *early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia* * *vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging* * *vitamin and mineral deficiencies* * *central and peripheral nervous system disorders – usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies* * *pancreatic insufficiency* * *intestinal lymphoma and other G.I. cancers (malignancies)* * *gallbladder malfunction* * *neurological manifestations* * Aromatherapy considerations: treatment of specific conditions resulting from celiac disease is the best way to deal with this disease. Keep in mind that wheat germ carrier oil is contraindicated.* * Modes of Use:* * *Massage* * *Localized application i.e. abdominal area* * *foot baths* * *baths* * *compress* * *diffusion*

Answer 3

*Isoimmunity is a normal reaction of the immune system to antigens from a different individual of the same species. Instances occur in some cases of pregnancy and in transplant cases. During pregnancy, antigens from the fetus may enter the mother's blood supply and sensitize her immune system. Antibodies that are formed as a result of the sensitization may enter the fetal circulation and cause an inappropriate immune reaction. This can cause damage in the fetal tissues such as congenital heart defects, graves disease, and myasthenia gravis. Tissue or organ transplants include skin grafts, blood transfusions, or organ transplants. Rejection of donated tissue can be host-versus-graft rejection where the recipient's immune system recognizes and attacks foreign human lymphocyte antigens (HLA’s) on the donated tissue, destroying the donated tissue/organ. Or, graft-versus-host rejection involves immune factors in the donated tissue which attacks the host and may lead to death. (For example donated bone marrow).*

Answer 4

*There are _congenital_ and _acquired_ immune deficiencies. Congenital immune deficiency, which is rare, results from improper lymphocyte development before birth. Inherited combined immunodeficiency affects both T cells and B cells. It may be deadly within the first year of life if it isn’t treated early. Acquired immune deficiency develops after birth and is not genetically connected. It may be a complication of diseases such as HIV, malnutrition (particularly lack of protein), cancer, having the spleen removed (the spleen helps fight certain bacteria), diabetes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and candida. _Immunosuppression_ can occur as a side effect of some medications (s/a corticosteroids or chemotherapy). Old age can also result in immunosuppression, due to shrinking of lymphoid tissue, particularly the thymus and the number and activity of WBC’s drop.*

Answer 5

*It is a viral infection that is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, saliva, or breast milk. In particular, the HIV virus is a retrovirus, containing only RNA, and it inserts its RNA into its host cell’s DNA, and thus uses the cell’s machinery to replicate itself. HIV primarily attacks immune system cells, especially CD4 T cells; thus, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancer. When CD4 T cell numbers drop below a certain level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes increasingly more susceptible to opportunistic infections. The four major routes of transmission are unsafe sex, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (perinatal transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusion or infected blood products in the developed world. Researchers have been trying to develop a vaccine, but this is complicated because HIV, like many viruses, constantly changes. Treatment with anti-retrovirals like AZT and Norvir slows down the virus’ advance – a combination ‘cocktail’ of antivirals has shown the most effectiveness at slowing down HIV’s progression. HIV is considered pandemic by the WHO – between 1981 and 2006, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people.*

Answer 6

* AIDS is the advanced state of HIV progression. ie. Most untreated HIV patients eventually develop AIDS. HIV progresses to AIDS at a variable rate, depending on viral, host, and environmental factors. Most will progress to AIDS within 10 years of HIV infection. The average survival rate with treatment of antivirals is 5 years, without treatment, typically death occurs within one year.* * Aromatherapy considerations: some examples of essential oil properties that can be used for HIV and AIDS include but are not limited to:* * *Antiviral* * *antifungal* * *anti-inflammatory* * *immune boosters* * *stress relief* * *insomnia* * *lymphatic stimulants* *Modes of use:* * *Massage* * *bath* * *compresses* * *diffusion*

Answer 7

* CFS is a prolonged and severe tiredness (fatigue) it is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. The exact cause CFS is unknown. Some researchers suspect it may be caused by a virus such as the Epstein-Barr virus for the human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6). However, no specific virus has been identified. Studies also suggest CFS may be caused by inflammation along the nervous system, and this inflammation may be immune-mediated. Other factors such as age, prior illness, stress, environment, or genetics may also play a role. CFS most common occurs in women ages 30 to 50.* * Symptoms of CFS are similar to those of most common viral infections (muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue).* * Main symptoms:* * *Fatigue or tiredness, new onset, lasting at least six months and not relieved by rest* * *fatigue that is severe enough to restrict activity* *Other symptoms:* * *muscle fatigue lasting more than 24 hours following activity* * *feeling unrefreshed after sleeping an adequate amount of time* * *forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, confusion or irritability* * *headaches, different than previous headaches in quantity, severity, or pattern* * *joint pain, often moving from joint to joint, without joint swelling or redness* * *lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit* * *mild fever* * *weakness* * *sore throat* *Aromatherapy considerations: essential oils that work on the following conditions are helpful in addressing CFS:* * *Depression* * *fatigue* * *insomnia* * *stress* * *pain* * *inflammation* * *liver tonic* * *immune boosting* * *mental stimulants* *Modes of Use:* * *Light massage* * *Bath* * *Compresses* * *Diffusion*

Answer 8

* Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which people experience long term, body-wide pain and tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. It has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. The cause of it is unknown. Triggers may include emotional trauma, an abnormal pain response, sleep disturbances, or an infectious microbe – all of which have been theorized, but not proven. Men and women of all ages get fibromyalgia, but the most common is women between the ages of 20 and 50.* * The following conditions may be seen with fibromyalgia:* * *Chronic neck or back pain* * *chronic fatigue syndrome* * *depression* * *hypothyroidism* * *Lyme disease* * *sleep disorders* * The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. Exact locations of the pain are referred to as "tender points". Tender points are found in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees. The pain spread out from these areas. The pain is described as deep-aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning and ranges from mild to severe. Joints are not affected, although the pain may feel like it is coming from the joints. People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. For some patients, the pain improves during the day increases again during the evening, although many patients day-long, non-stop pain. Pain can increase productivity, cold or damp weather, anxiety and stress. Fatigue and problems with sleep are seen in almost all patients with fibromyalgia.* * Other symptoms may include:* * *Irritable bowel syndrome with gas, and alternating diarrhea and constipation* * *numbness and tingling in hands and feet* * *palpitations* * *sad or depressed mood* * *tension or migraine headaches* *Aromatherapy considerations: essential oils at work on the following conditions could include but are not limited to:* * *Depression* * *fatigue* * *insomnia* * *stress* * *analgesic* * *inflammation* * *anti-viral* * *thyroid stimulants* * *liver tonic* * *immune boosting* * *mental stimulants* *Modes of Use:* * *Light massage* * *bath* * *compress* * *diffusion*

Answer 9

*According to Tisserand, there are two ways in which essential oils may have an effect on the immune system – one is a pharmacological effect, and the other is a psychological effect.*

Answer 10

*Essential oils can be used in treating infections by:* * *Their microbial action working directly against micro-organisms* * *their immune-stimulant action boosting the body's own defenses* * *their depurative properties eliminating accumulated waste material and toxins that become a prime environment for microbes to breed.*

Answer 11

*Essential oils high in terpene alcohols, Monoterpene alcohols, and cineole are suitable for treating influenza type viruses (eg. eucalyptus and ravensara). They can also be used as prevention. Essential oils have both a rapid action on a pathogen, and a powerful stimulating effect on the immune system of the host. Penoel suggests through his observations, that essential oils can alter the pH and the electrical resistance of the tissue terrain in a way which is unfavorable to the viral organism. For example, in one study where patients were given the essential oils of tea tree, oregano, naiouli, and thyme chemotype thujanol-4, they had higher levels of immunoglobulin A after the test period compared to before. Melissa has been implicated in studies as being very effective against the herpes simplex (cold sore) virus, even thoroughly eliminating it in some cases. Hyssop is considered the single most effective broad-spectrum antiviral.*

Answer 12

*It is the study of how mental states and emotions affects the immune system. How a person feels can directly impact the activity of the immune system. Evidence of this lies in the observation that immune system cells have receptors for neurotransmitters, which implies that a positive mental state can result in a stronger immune system, so any aromatherapy that is uplifting to the individual is recommended in aiding recovery.*