| ZONE |
FUNCTION |
CHECKUP/ TREATMENT |
MAINTENANCE |
TRIGGER FACTORS |
WARNING SYMPTOMS |
COMMON AILMENTS |
Lungs
Air is
the primary substance of life. In yogic teachings, the metaphysical value of
clean air or "prana" is focused on. |
To oxygenate the body
– oxygen purifies the blood and aids circulation and energy
distribution. |
A peak flow meter is
useful to gauge lung capacity.
No treatment can reverse lung damage but
existing lung function can be improved.
Antibiotics and steroids are
often prescribed.
Herbalists recommend eucalyptus tea for clearing
blocked respiratory passages. |
Deep breathing
exercises have many benefits; a deep breath should be taken prior to exercise
to supply plenty of oxygen and to support the diaphragm.
Yoga
Fresh air exercises like walking, jogging and open-air swimming.
By inhaling through the nose you are using an extra filter system,
thereby less toxins and dust particles will reach the lungs.
Diet
– fresh juices and herbal teas such as chamomile and peppermint help keep
colds at bay and lessen the risk of respiratory infections. |
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Exposure to cold/wet
Poorly ventilated rooms
Allergies related to dust, pollens,
pets etc.
Exposure to asbestos, metal dusts, industrial chemicals etc.
Over exertion |
Coughing – any episodic cough,
especially if associated with wheeze, should be assessed by your doctor.
Coughing up sputum (lung fluid) or blood.
Breathlessness
Wheezing
Tight feeling in chest
Chest pain linked to
deep breathing or coughing.
Bluish tinge to skin |
Pneumonia
– when fluid, bacteria and/or viruses fill the air spaces within the lung,
preventing the exchange of gases; can lead to several complications; affects
about one percent of the population every year.
Emphysema –
a chronic obstructive disease where excess mucus is produced. This causes
damage to the air sacs and inhibits supply of oxygen to the body; symptoms can
be alleviated with drugs.
Bronchitis – literally refers to
inflammation of the bronchi (large airways); acute bronchitis can lead to
pneumonia.
Cancer - several different types associated with
lungs. |
Ears
A recent American study found that a sixty-year-old Somali has better
hearing than a twenty-year-old American! |
Hearing
Balance
|
Testing for deafness
seeks to determine whether the loss is conductive or sensory, temporary or
permanent. |
Gentle cleaning with
cotton wool or soft cloth. Don’t dig into your ears with cotton buds. This
compacts wax and might damage the ear drum.
Avoid loud, continuous
noise |
Ageing
Exposure
to loud noise
Associated throat infection
Prolonged use of some
medications |
Reduced hearing
Buzzing, ringing,
hissing or more complex sounds when no external noise
Loss of balance
or dizziness
Stiff neck |
Reduced hearing
- the incidence of deafness progressively increases with age, with 26 per cent
of people aged 65-74 and 36 per cent aged 75 and over reporting some level of
deafness.
Tinnitus – often associated with age related
hearing loss – is the sensation of ringing and other sounds in the head.
It may be continuous or sporadic. There is no known cure but preventing any
worsening of the condition is possible. |
Teeth
Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth, And spotted the perils beneath,
All the toffees I chewed, And the sweet sticky food, Oh, I wish I’d looked
after me teeth,
Pam Ayres, Some of me Poetry (1976) |
Breaking down food by
chewing |
General check-up every
six months; X-rays every two years or more, depending on the health of your
teeth.
Fillings – the decayed area is drilled out and the hole
filled with plastic, ceramic or mercury amalgams.
Clove oil extract
provides temporary relief for toothache. |
Regular brushing
(including gums) with fluoride toothpaste or gel.
Flossing –
getting dental floss between each tooth disturbs decay-causing bacteria.
Regular cleaning by a dental hygienist is recommended.
A diet
rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) will help ward off
decay. |
Neglect
Diseases related to circulation and calcium deficiency
Smoking
– inhibits circulation and can cause gums to recede.
Some
medications can reduce/ alter your saliva. Saliva plays an important role in
dental health.
Refined sugar – the enemy of tooth enamel |
Dull ache in jaw, gums or ears
Pain triggered by hot or cold food/drink
Generally sensitive
teeth Loose teeth
Unusually dry mouth
Bleeding gums – a
small amount of blood is usually okay. It indicates good circulation and
thorough brushing. |
Tooth decay
– the gradual breakdown of tooth integrity. Dental caries adheres to the
tooth and is so acidic as to eat into the enamel surface and create a cavity in
the pulp of the tooth.
Receding gums – primarily caused by
poor circulation; can be reversed by changing your diet and by any activity
promoting blood circulation. |
Spirit
The word ‘spirit’ is traditionally
used to describe that part of us that never dies. |
Makes you who you
are |
Acknowledge your
feelings
Yoga/ meditation/ relaxation techniques
Exercise
Counselling
Keeping in touch with family and friends. |
Take time out
Enjoy relationships
Live each moment to the full
Accept
yourself as you are
Do things for yourself and others
Have fun
|
Grief through loss of
partner, loved one, friends or work.
Stress – moving home,
adapting to change etc.
Loneliness
Illness |
Anxiety
Denial of life changes
Lethargy or loss of zest for life
Avoiding contact with family
and friends
Insomnia |
Low self esteem
Boredom
Depression |
Skin
The texture and appearance of the skin is a good indication of
your general state of health.
The cell renewal process in younger skin
takes about 28 days. As you get older, it can take 45 to 50 days. Thus older
skin looks and feels thinner. |
The skin encases the
body, holding everything in place and protecting the body from infection;
millions of pores in the skin secrete toxins through perspiration. |
Tell your doctor of any
rashes, unusual dryness, scaly spots etc.
Numerous creams, ointments
and oral medications are available to treat skin conditions. Vitamin E lotion,
for example, reduces inflammation.
The incidence of skin cancer
increases every year. For all skin cancers the best outcomes are achieved if
diagnosed early. |
Always wear a sunscreen
and protective clothing/hat.
Always wear protective gloves and clothing
when dealing with any chemicals or irritating substances.
A balanced
diet will bring a robust glow to the skin but there are some vitamins that have
a direct effect on the skin eg. vitamin B2 (riboflavin) found in cheeses, meats
and parsley. Rice bran syrup is a rich source of silicon and very beneficial to
the skin; fresh fruit and vegetable juices contain healing properties. |
Exposure to the sun -
fair skin is especially susceptible
Exposure to chemicals
Allergies
Menopause – low estrogen levels are linked to
dry, itchy skin
Varicose veins – fluid build-up under the skin can
cause statis dermatitis
Poor circulation
Poor diet |
Any mole that changes in either size,
shape, colour or texture
Itchiness, redness, cracks and fissures
Rashes, blisters and weeping areas Dry, scaly skin |
Dermatitis
– refers to inflammation of the skin; there are many types; not contagious
or life threatening.
Shingles – common term for herpes
zoster infection; following chickenpox infection, it remains dormant in your
system, commonly reactivated with age; appears as a rash surrounded by small
blisters and inflammation.
Cancer – the three major
varieties are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma;
exposure to the sun is the most important risk factor. |
Eyes
When spitfire pilots during WW1 got plastic from the cockpit
windshield in their eyes, it was found to cause no damage or irritation. That
same plastic has been adapted for use in lens replacement. |
Vision (and window to
the soul). |
Early diagnosis of eye
disease is essential for treatment to be effective.
Medication
Laser surgery
Conventional surgery
Eye exercises can be
beneficial in the early stages of deterioration. Ask your doctor or
opthalmologist.
Prescription glasses. |
Adequate lighting is
essential to prevent eye strain.
Zinc – is important for retinal
function
Foods rich in vitamin A are especially beneficial - carrot
juice and rosehip tea are a good source; tomatoes and dark green leafy
vegetables contain carotenoids that offer protection against macular
degeneration. |
Ageing
Inadequate lighting; ultraviolet light.
Diabetes and a variety
of other diseases
Prolonged periods in front of a screen eg. computer
or television |
Blurred or fogged vision, especially when
reading
Tired eyes or headache associated with eye strain
Appearance of coloured rings or halos around bright objects
Loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
Central vision
affected with peripheral vision intact |
Macular
degeneration – caused by uncontrolled inflammatory damage to the
macular (the part of the eye responsible for acute vision) is the most common
cause of loss of vision as we age.
Cataracts – degenerative
opacity of the lens causing cloudiness; about twenty per cent of people over 60
will be affected; frequently a complication of diabetes; not painful.
Glaucoma – a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the
optic nerve; often there is a pressure build-up within the eye caused by
thickening fluid or an over-manufacturing of intra-eye fluid because older
fluid is not draining away properly. Not yet curable but certainly
controllable. |
Bowel
“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let
the food fight it out inside”. Mark Twain. |
The bowel is the long
tube between the stomach and the anus. It has two parts: the small intestine
and the large intestine. Once food has passed into the bowel it is devoid of
nutrients and is processed for expulsion. |
Regular check-ups
Bowel cancer screening – sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are the
best way to screen people at high risk; faecal occult blood tests detect traces
of blood in bowel motions.
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Medication
Alternative therapies can aid in restoring an
unhealthy bowel. Ask your doctor. |
Keep physically active
A diet high in fibre aids digestion and helps keep your bowel healthy.
It will keep motions soft and bulky so your body can get rid of waste products
more easily; a low-fibre diet may be prescribed for a short period for some
bowel ailments.
Flax tea – offers relief from constipation by
lubricating the colon and supporting the recovery of its normal function. |
Stress
Some
diseases are genetic.
Diet – a high fat intake is known to
increase the risks of bowel disease. |
Pain in the gut
Wind, diarrhea,
constipation
Mucus or blood in bowel motions
A persistent
change in your normal bowel routine
Loss of weight with no known
reason |
Irritable Bowel
Syndrome (IBS) – a disorder of the intestines affecting around 20 per
cent of the population; not harmful but can be very uncomfortable.
Colitis – inflammation of the large intestine; may be mild,
as in IBS, or more serious as in ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Both these are thought to be autoimmune diseases.
Cancer of the
bowel is the most common cause of death in Australia. If detected early, it can
be treated and cured.
Haemorrhoids or piles, are swollen veins
around the anus and are the most common cause of blood in the faeces. People
with haemorroids should eat a high fibre diet to prevent painful constipation
which causes and aggravates the condition. |
Bones/ Joints
Elderly people often break a hip in a fall. It can be that the
fall happens because the hip has broken first, for no obvious reason. |
Bones give the body
form, aid in movement and, as in the rib-cage, protect some vital internal
organs. Joints allow our bones to move freely. |
Bone density testing
can determine whether drug treatments are necessary to help rebuild bone loss.
Medicines can relieve symptoms of arthritis and slow down damage to
joints.
HRT or natural alternatives for women during Menopause. |
Diet and exercise
Diet – calcium, vitamin D and adequate protein help prevent bone
loss; zinc and magnesium aid in bone renewal, a key to preventing osteoporosis;
avoiding foods high in acid can reduce the risks of joint- related afflictions.
Exercise – maintaining flexibility and bone strength is vital.
Weight bearing exercises are recommended. Brisk walking, jogging, golf, dancing
and lawn bowls are ideal. During arthritic flare-ups, balance exercise with
rest. Avoid sitting, standing or lying in one position for too long. |
Ageing
Menopause Prolonged drug use, (eg. cortisone) can effect bone density.
Diet – avoid refined sugar, tea, coffee and chocolate. Wheat and
some dairy products can exacerbate symptoms of arthritis. |
Redness, swelling, warmth or pain around
the joints
Stiffness and loss of joint mobility
Aches
Bony lumps around joints
Fatigue and anemia, weight loss and
wasting muscles
Loss of height, stoop
Fractures without warning
|
Arthritis
– literally means joint inflammation. There are many kinds, generally
resulting from wear and tear of the joints or from joint diseases of which
osteoarthritis is the most common. Progressive deterioration of cartilage is
accompanied by the formation of bony spurs and growth of dense bone at the
margins of the joint; rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and progressive
condition which inflames connective tissue throughout the body. Arthritis most
commonly affects the small joints of the fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, toes
and ankles.
Osteoporosis – chronic porousness of the bones
resulting in bones losing their density and becoming weak and brittle; most
common in post-menopausal women; people who do not build enough bone density in
their youth or lose it too fast as they age are likely to develop this
condition. |
Mind/ Nervous
System
Dr. Ainslie Meares, a noted Melbourne psychiatrist, was
one of the first doctors in Australia to emphasise the role of meditation in
the healing process. He believed health problems in older people were due not
so much to the ageing process as to the individual’s reaction to
ageing. |
The thought centre of
the body |
Tell your doctor if you
are feeling unusually anxious. Often getting worries off your chest and gaining
assurance that you are most definitely not alone alleviates them. Professional
counseling or a heart-to-heart with friends and family can do the same. There
are many drugs available for treating depression, Parkinson’s disease etc.
Ask your doctor.
Ginkgo Biloba is the oldest, most effective and well
researched herb for helping the brain. The most widely prescribed drug in
Europe, it is available in extract form from health food stores. |
Positive attitude -
laugh a lot!
Unlike most other tissues, the brain has very little
energy reserves but uses large amounts that must be provided by a constant
supply of glucose and oxygen. Regular exercise is essential.
Diet
– antioxidants are vital in warding off many common disorders. Also, any
foods that stimulate blood flow are beneficial. Fish, nuts and seeds will
provide fatty acids and phospholipids that help ensure mental alertness.
Drink lots of water.
The more we use our brain, the better it
works. Keep mentally alert eg. do crosswords socialize, read, study etc. |
Poor blood supply to
the brain
Nutritional deficiencies – because the brain is so
active metabolically, it has a tremendous need for nutrients, especially
vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid .
Food allergies can influence mental
and emotional function
Brain-specific toxins – paint, cleaning
fluids, kerosene etc.
Stress and mental strain
Substance
abuse |
Memory loss, confusion and disorientation
Sleeplessness or excessive sleeping
Lethargy and listlessness
Anxiety
Loss of appetite
Diminished intellectual
capacity
Uncharacteristic behavior such as hyperactivity and paranoia
Muscle rigidity, clumsiness, tremors |
Depression
– a medical disorder that affects thoughts, feelings, physical health and
behavior; can be brought on by many factors including grief, low self-esteem
and fear of ageing.
Alzheimer’s Disease – a brain
disease which results in dementia; symptoms appear gradually and develop over a
period of five to ten years with the major feature being forgetfulness.
Parkinson’s Disease – a disease of the central nervous
system first described in 1817 by British physician James Parkinson; most often
develops in those over 50. Surgery to destroy parts of the nerve pathways in
the brain responsible for tremors may reduce symptoms in some people. |
Heart/ Blood
Vessels
Our use of language shows that the heart is strongly
linked to the emotions. Common sayings are: You have a heart of gold; you are
cold hearted; don’t let your heart rule your head; you wear your heart on
your sleeve. |
The human heart is an
amazing organ in its ability to work unceasingly from birth to death. But often
it is overtaxed by stress and poor nutrition. Your heart is a series of muscles
that act as a pump when they contract and relax in unison. This pumping action
distributes blood around the body. |
Having your blood
pressure checked every year can detect high blood pressure before any damage is
done.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) – measures the minute electrical
impulses which co-ordinate the heartbeat cycle. Stress Test or Exercise
Cardiogram will moniter the ability of the heart to function under stress
(activity, exercise).
Angiogram – dye is injected into the
coronary arteries via a catheter in order to detect any blockages or
restrictions
Surgery
Rehabilitation |
The most important way
to protect and strengthen your heart is to exercise regularly and maintain open
blood vessels.
Keep at your ideal weight
Diet can both prevent
and reverse cardiovascular disease. Reduce fat and salt intake. Garlic helps
reduce cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, walnuts) reduce the risks
of atherosclerosis.
Vitamin E and Ginkgo Biloba stimulate circulation
Low dose aspirin makes blood less likely to clot |
Family history
Overweight
Too much or too little physical activity
High cholesterol
Moderate alcohol intake reduces the risk of
heart disease, a higher intake has the reverse effect.
Diabetes
contributes significantly to premature development of arthero-sclerosis and
heart disease.
Smoking
Stress |
High blood pressure
Swollen
ankles or fingers
Breathlessness & blurred vision
Repeated
nose bleeds & morning headaches.
Crushing pain in the middle of the
chest, possibly spreading to the left arm, neck or upper abdomen that cannot be
relieved by rest or medication.
Paralysis of a body area
Decreased sensation or numbness
Vision problems and difficulty
speaking |
Hypertension
(high blood pressure) plays a major role in strokes, heart attacks and kidney
failure; preventative measures are the first line of treatment.
Arteriosclerosis – hardening of the arteries - the most
common cause is the formation of fatty deposits (plaques) within the inner
lining of the arteries. Can cause angina and heart attacks; can also cause
kidney and eye damage. In advanced cases surgery may be necessary.
Stroke – loss of brain function occurring as a result of an
interruption of blood supply. Most commonly, a blood clot forms in one of the
carotid arteries, usually where there is damage caused by arteriosclerosis.
About a quarter of stroke sufferers recover most or all of their functions.
Heart attack or myocardial Infarction. The myocardium is the
muscle of the heart, while infarction is the death of tissue due to
interference with its blood supply. An attack generally occurs as a result of
blocked coronary arteries (usually due to atherosclerosis). |
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