Thalasemia | Terapi Alphameta | Sehat Alami

Thalasemia adalah penyakit kelainan darah yang diakibatkan oleh faktor genetika dan menyebabkan protein yang ada di dalam sel darah merah (hemoglobin) tidak berfungsi secara normal.



Zat besi yang diperoleh tubuh dari makanan digunakan oleh sumsum tulang untuk menghasilkan hemoglobin. Hemoglobin yang terdapat dalam sel darah merah berfungsi mengantarkan oksigen dari paru-paru ke seluruh anggota tubuh. Penderita thalasemia memiliki kadar hemoglobin yang rendah, oleh karena itu tingkat oksigen dalam tubuh penderita thalasemia juga lebih rendah.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) Part 2

Continueing my post on HFMD..... The fever lasted for 4 days, and then the bumps felt itchy. I was afraid that when they healed , they will leave scar. The healing process was a bit scarry, because the skin was dry first then peeled off.

See picture here.

HFMD, healing process

The drying is not all together, it will heal gradually.. Even now the area on my sole is still healing.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)

Three weeks ago, my 3,5 years-old nephew, caught a fever and somekind of allergy where his palms and soles were itchy and red small bumps appeared. After sometime, his sister had it too!
My sister took them to a their doctor and they received  medicine from him.
Eza got it from next door kid.
According to the doctor, it's called Singapore Virus. Kids often get infected at the mall. For kids, they will get bumps and itch on the mouth or tongue, besides palms and soles

I thought adults will be safe from this disease. But alas! On Thursday, Feb 26, I felt sore all over my body. I thought it was just because I was tired from driving and working. On Friday, Feb 27, I took a day off and called my masseur.
On Saturday and Sunday, I had my activities as usual. A bit sleepy, but I managed to get through the day.
On Monday, Feb 27, I went to see one of y aunties. When chit chat with her, I felt my body got warmer.
It was difficult for me to drive home as I felt worse.
Tuesday, I asked for day off again. Temperature was high and I had headache. It turned out my sister had same symptoms and she even had higher temperature.
We went to see a doctor at 24 hours-clinic near our house. I showed the bumps, he said, oh HFMD without explaining what it was (not good, huh?)... On the billing, he just puts ISPA for my diagnose. ISPA is  infection of breathing channels (huh? what?)
I started to see red bumps on my palms and hands. Oh my goodness! My hands were stiff and it hurts holding things.
On Wednesday evening, headache was gone. Red bumps appeared more and more on palms and soles. Weird feeling when I step my feet on the floor. I also had sore throat, difficult to speak and swallow :(
On Thursday, March 1, I went to work, but at the end of the day I felt exhaustion.
I decided to take another day off on Friday, and went to another doctor at Sari Asih Hospital. He gave us anti-virus and medicated hand cream for the itch.

What is Hand, foot and mouth disease ?
Taken from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx and Wikipedia:

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common, mild illness caused by a type of virus called an enterovirus.

It is usually caused by the coxsackie A virus, but in some cases can be caused by the coxsackie B or the enterovirus 71 virus.

Hand, foot and mouth disease gets its name from the non-itchy rash that develops on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. It can also cause ulcers in your mouth and make you feel generally unwell, although some people have no symptoms.
HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics in nursery schools or kindergartens, usually during the summer and autumn months. The usual incubation period is 3–7 days.



It is uncommon in adults, but those with immune deficiencies are very susceptible.

Woow, what an experience!

Stay healthy during Fasting Month and my diet program

I watched a program on Trans7 channel last Saturday about the tips to stay healthy when doing fasting.
Ahhh yes, Ramadhan started on August 11, 2010.
I and my sister have planned to reduce our weight since a couple of months ago, so I discussed with her again, and we think fasting month is the right time to do it.
I bought Herbalife shake and fiber capsules to help our diet.

I've consumed Herbalife about two years ago to help my weight loss program. I didn't get much progress though, but seeing my landlady's husband got slimmer (he's around his 60s) so fast, I was amazed!
I want to try taking it again.

Again: Typhoid Fever!

I spent the long weekend (Feb 26-28) at home.... Sick.

When I had this bad headache and migraine for two days, I should have known that it was the symptom of typhoid fever.
On Feb 25 afternoon, the headache started. And on Feb 26, the fever started and I also had mild diarrhea.... On Feb 27, got worse. I felt the need to shut off all of my communication gadgets (cell and blackberry, so annoying), text and emails kept coming, grrrr.......

I also had swollen eye lid. Left lid on Friday morning (just after woke up), and right lid on Saturday.
I didn't think about typhoid
I still went to office on March 1 to submit my monthly expense report.

On March 2, I decided not coming to office. I stayed at home and made appointment to see my ENT doctor. I concerned about the flu and allergy. I brought blood test I took in early February.
Doctor saw that indication of Typhoid was still there. Some of indicators were positive. She gave me antibiotics.
The next day, I felt fever (but when I measured with thermometer, I was still in normal temperature: 36.74 Celsius degree). I reported this to my doctor. I askes whether if I should take another blood test.
I went to nearest hospital, got my blood tested, the result were indicators still showed positive typhoid symptoms. Even some increased from early Feb.
I reported again to my doc. She asked me to stay in bed, get more rest, take specific diet, healthy cooking, etc. No need to get hospitalized because I'm not acute. I may get infections or be worse if I get hospitalized
I was about to travel next week to Bangkok for a training. I decided to cancel the trip. I can imagine if I get sicker abroad, no way! With spicy food in Bangkok ? I will have heavy diarrhea, then how to concentrate on the training?
I remember last trip in Hua Hin Thailand in December 2009 when I had asthma.

Yesterday I went to see doc again to check, and she gave me more medicine.

So I enjoy my resting time, although sometimes need to check e-mails from office and online shop. I try to be relax and not thinking so much of anything, those are the key. Eventhough I received several e-mails and text messages from my shop buyer, but it's not worth it to follow up, in terms of the sales amount and my health condition.

Gurah, holistic therapy for sinusitis

I have finished the first batch of medicine from my ENT doctor for my sinusitis therapy. During that period, I was seeking information from my friends about their experience with sinusitis diagnostic. Many said that even if you undergo surgery, there's a chance of reocurrence. Man, I don't want it! I have been thinking about Gurah therapy.


I was having a chit chat with my dentist (Ritz Klinik Gigi) while I was being checked for cavity. She's wearing hijab and religious, so I thought she'd know Islamic holistic therapy called Gurah. She doesn't have any experience or know about where the best place to get Gurah therapy, but she mentioned about one clinic which turns out to be near the dental clinic and I pass it everyday on my way to office. It's called Klinik Sehat (http://www.kliniksehat.com/). The next day, I passed it and took note of phone number. I also browsed to the website. I called them up to get some information.
Why I decided to go to this clinic? Because it's combined with western medicine. They've got doctors there so patient can consult the condition with doctor first before doctor decides which holistic therapy to get.


What is Gurah? (Goo-raah)

It's a traditional health treatment that cleanses the upper respiratory tract, and which is believed to be able to cure sinusitis effectively at a low cost.
The treatment, which uses traditional herbal ingredients, including the roots of the Sirgungu plant (Cherodentum serratum), is believed to also be effective in the treatment of health problems like asthma and migraine and is also known to clear the voice; a claim that has tempted many singers to give it a try.
The gurah treatment is quite simple: Ground and mixed herbal ingredients are inserted in the patient's nose while he or she is laying down. The patient is then turned around and lays flat on their stomach.
Not long after turning over, mucus starts to come from the patient's mouth. This is followed by teardrops, as if the person is crying, and finally, mucus also comes out from the patient's nose.

(Source: Jakarta Post)


On February 6, I asked my sister to accompany me, visited the clinic, registered myself to get the treatment. There were 4 patients ahead in the queu. One patient would take 1 hour to get the treatment done. So I had to wait for 4 hours?? No way, I was very sleepy and I also had other things to do. So I decided to come back next week.


On February 13, I went to the clinic early, around 9.15 AM so I can get the first number. Alas, the therapist was attending a symposium that morning and will be back in the afternoon around 1 PM. I asked the administration staff to put me in first place, I had to go somewhere else, but will be back at appointment time. One thing I'm not keen about this clinic is that they don't apply appointment system because they are still using manual system (hmm.... I think they can still make patient appointment), they do first come first serve....

At last, being alone, I managed to get my first Gurah therapy. There was another lady in the room. Two of us had treatment together. Sitting side by side.

This lady had sinusitis surgery in 1998, and now it reoccures. She said she had to lay down for 5 days in hospital, had long gauge stuffed in her nose. Eeksss... that hurts!



How did the therapy go?

1. A bucket, mineral water, tissue paper, plastic bag were prepared

2. The therapist gave back massage to relax the patient

3. Herbal liquid was prepared, I took deep inhale three times to relax the body.

4. My head was in up position, so nose position will be up too. Liquid dropped to both of my nostrils.

5. I felt burn feeling inside my face: my nose, my throat, my ears, my eyes, are all like burning.

6. The mucus started coming out. Tears ran down from my eyes.

I sniffed, as if like having cold. Tissue paper needed here.

7. Small towel dampened with warm water and compressed to my forehead and cheeks to make the mucus easy to come out.

Sometimes I spat to the bucket. Some patients even vomits, that's why we had a bucket.

8. Therapist gave massage to the hand and pressed some health point on the palm to ease patients.

After 1 hour, all effects calming down, and we can go home.



I didn't have much mucus came out, the therapist said it was the effect of the medicine I took. It dried out the mucus. (When I browsed the net and saw pictures if people being treated, I saw how they excrete the mucus soooo much, eeewwww)

When I got home, I felt the effect was still working. I had running nose. Well, let's see if it's working well.



Gurah is good for disease/symptoms in ENT area: asthma, trouble to breathe, allergy, sinusitis, coughing, migraine, etc.

Signs of Stress

Lately I have not been feeling well. It's not my feeling, but my physique.
Here's the list of my what I'm feeling and the change in my body:
a. Back pain
b. Shoulder pain
c. Bad digestive system, including gastric and colon functions.
d. Weight gain
e. Sleep very late, over 1 AM. Reluctant to sleep.
f. Dry scalp and hair loss
g. Miss small details in my jobs


I think it maybe caused by my workload that is high currently. I did some research in order to understand my condition.

Stress (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm) is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way.
Stress is a good thing, for example, it helps you to meet challenges. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert.
But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

According to http://www.tranquilityisyours.com/signs-of-stress.html, here is symptom of stress:

• Anxious
  
• Mind-racing
  
• Chest palpitations
  
• Problems concentrating
  
• Anxiety
  
• Easily irritated
  
• Avoiding people and responsibilities
  
• Focusing on negative thoughts
  
• Anger issues
  
• Headaches
  
• Digestive problems
  
• Muscle tension and pain
  
• Sleep issues
  
• Fatigue
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Weight loss or gain
  
• Skins problems - breakouts, rashes,
  hives
  
• Hair loss
  
• Decreased sex drive
  
• Nervous behaviors - nail biting, pacing,
  teeth grinding

So, no matter how often I go to see my acupuncturist or doing some exercise, although it improves the condition a little bit, it will not go away until I can manage the stress and get my body to rest properly.
Like this weekend, I worked til 5 AM on July 4, 2009 because I was traveling and I was only able to work with my e-mails at night. I replied and wrote e-mails and went to bed at 5 AM, woke up at 7.15 AM.
That's not good at all!
If I keep doing it, my mind can't concentrate on work, it's dangerous when I feel sleepy when I'm driving, then I need to pay my sleep debt during weekend, stay in bed, while I actually can do more activities, like going for exercise.
Some organs in our system work best during our sleep.

My next goal: Get 8 hours of sleep.

Having back pain: Ouch!

It's been 2 months since I first felt the pain on my left back.
I think it caused by carrying laptop and heavy back pack everyday before I have my car.

What is back pain?
Wikipedia says that it is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.

Back pain can be divided anatomically:
neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, tailbone pain.

By its duration: acute ( less then 4 weeks ), subacute ( 4 - 12 weeks ), chronic ( greater then 12 weeks ).

By its cause: MSK, infectious, cancer, etc.

The pain may be felt in the neck (and might radiate into the arm and hand in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.

I tried traditional massage for the back, but it remains.
I'm on acupuncture now, it needs to be done regularly, while I only go there whenever I have some free time over my working hour.
Another therapy I can get is physiotherapy.

Being in cold weather

I was in Shanghai for four weeks (Nov 16 - Dec 14, 2008).

It was winter season.

After three days stayed there, I started to feel my body changing because of cold weather. Of course, I'm from tropical country and then must stay in four-season country for almost one month!

My skin started to crack, causing some small wounds in some parts of my body. The skin on my fingers was dry. My face broke out and my lips were dry too, they were tight, I had trouble to smile.
Even my scalp got dry and it's like I was having dandruff. The problem was: I brought wrong type of clothes and I didn't bring all the moisturizer I needed just because I was very concern about my baggage weight!

So at the first weekend when we had time to go to down town, I and my colleagues dropped by at Watson’s. My boss recommended some items to be used. I bought several types of moisturizers:

Neutrogena Oil Free, RMB 199, it’s for face moisturizer

Pantene Shampoo with Milk Protein, for my dry hair

Vaseline Intensive Care for Dry Skin, 200 ml, RMB 53

I had my sunscreen cream and lip care from Jakarta (both from The Face Shop, Korea), so I didn’t need to buy new ones. I also brought my Cocoa shower cream from The Body Shop, it has natural cocoa oil to protect the skin from dryness.

Every time I wash my hands or my face, I apply hand cream or face moisturizer afterwards. Then when I felt my lip care worn off, I apply some more.

Now, after done my research in internet about how we take care of our skin in cold weather, here are some tips I can share with you:

• Limit your time in the shower, and bathe in warm rather than hot water, since hot water can strip your skin of moisture.
• Use a body wash instead of bar soap, which can often be too harsh; pat, don't rub, yourself dry; and apply a moisturizer liberally when the skin is still moist.
• Choose the right moisturizer. Moisturizers work not by putting water into the skin, but by slowing the natural loss of water from the skin. Look for one that's both thick and mild.
  
• But for your face, remember to use an oil-free lotion in order to minimize clogged pores.
• Avoid harsh ingredients. Use thick, creamy cleansers if your skin is regularly dry or a foaming gel if your skin is oily.
• Always apply sunscreen to exposed areas of skin, including the face, tops of ears, and backs of hands, and use a lip balm to prevent chapping.
• It's important to increase your intake of water and other fluids. Avoid caffeinated drinks like soda and coffee, which can have a diuretic effect.

For you who's from tropical country, I hope this tips help you when you are traveling to cold countries.

Know more about insurance

After I posted the importance of health insurance, the next step is to know more about insurance.
There are many sources of information to get the information. You can find them from newspaper or magazine, your insurance broker, and of course, the internet. When you look the information through search engines, there will be articles about insurance, useful websites, or insurance forum.

In the last source, you get to interact with other members. Usually there’s a moderator of the forum and several experts that can give you suggestions and recommendations. You are able to know other members’ experience with insurance.

I found this insurance forum in internet. All you have to do is just register your e-mail address. There are topics about any kinds of insurance: home insurance, pet insurance, boat insurance, travel insurance, etc.

Even if you are an insurance broker, you can share your ideas with fellow broker too.
The navigation menu of this forum is user friendly and it has simple lay out. The content is really useful for you.

What are you waiting for? Go register and find insurance information you need.

Antiaging Exercise

As we are getting older, our body metabolism is getting slower. I found many people after their 30s become lazier, or don’t have time to do routine exercise due to their office work. Actually, during that period of age, we should have done more exercise. Lots of people in their young age gets degenerative diseases.

Before you exercise, you must understand your needs. What your health condition right now, what area of focus you want to improve, what your limitations, etc. Antiaging exercise leads to a longer life. Different group of age may need different exercises.

Entering your 40s, you must be more conscious about your health. There is antiaging exercise you can do to make your back and abdomen strong.

Some of the antiaging exercise are light exercises, so if you do this kind of exercise, you don’t need to worry of the side effects. You will still get the result you need. The key is to do it regularly with combination of good diet and healthy lifestyle.

A little about Yoga

Can yoga change your body?

A couple of years ago you may have associated yoga with peace-loving hippies hugging trees and chanting. Gets most of Hollywood swearing by it, though, and suddenly it’s cool. But is it really all that, and does it make a difference.

Depending on the class type, yoga can be intensely active, and moving from one pose into the next can really get your heart racing. A lot of people avoid yoga because they think it’s not a good work-out and they won’t sweat, but Ashtanga will definitely do both. It gets your heart rate up, and metabolism higher, so you’re working in a fat burning zone

Yoga works your internal system too

Because yoga incorporates a deep breathing style, you’re filling your system with oxygen, helping to rejuvenate body cells. By changing poses and generating body heat, you’re sending a fresh, continuous blood supply (oxygen) to every organ, tissue, muscle and joint in your body. “The combination of strength and breathing lengthens the muscle fibre and tissue. So, rather than having the compact muscles of a body builder, your body takes on a more streamlined appearance.

When can we see the results??

Yoga is commitment, but all it takes to make a difference is 30 minute, three or four times a week. Ki and Iyenger yoga are slower styles – you’ll notice your body becoming learner, but it can take three to six months. Ashtanga or bikram yoga is faster classes with lots of challenging poses, and if you do two or three classes a week, you’ll see results within six to eight weeks.

Yoga VS cardio work-out

Yoga works deeper into the muscle, stretching and strengthening as opposed to building them up on a surface level, therefore the body becomes toned rather than bulky. Through yoga, your body becomes more flexible, plus you have greater strength and noticeable definition. You’re not going to get bulky from yoga, because you’re only supporting your own body weight. Look at people like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow – they’re all Ashtanga fans and have lean, defined physiques. Compare that to cardio celebs like Mel-C, and you can easily see the difference.

(Bronwyn McCahon - cosmo)

Go here for Yoga stuffs

Benefits of Noni Juice

Check out Tahitian Noni website

Benefits of Noni Juice

by Chris Read
BellaOnline's Public Health Editor

Natural products are the real treasure. Herbal fruits, shrubs and leaves are used since time immemorial to treat various ailments. Noni fruit, a gift of nature is one such treasure which has been used by the people of Pacific Islands to cater to their health needs for thousands of years. Noni is a unique tropical fruit that is grown in the Pacific Islands. It is known to the Pacific Island people as a beneficial food. Usually it is taken as a drink to enhance bodily function and support overall good health. It is widely known as the “Aspirin of the Ancient”. It's been successfully used for over 2,000 years in Polynesia, China, India and elsewhere and grows best wherever there is pollution free volcanic soil.
Botanically the fruit is called Morinda Citrifolia. It grows on a shrub type tree and the size of the fruit is about the same size as a medium avocado pear. The skin has warts on it similar to a pomegranate. The shrub shows fruit some 10 months after planting. It reaches maturity in about 18 months and then yields between 4 to 8kg of fruit every month, all year round.
Noni fruit juice is a natural food so it falls in the category of health drinks. It helps in weight loss, decreases stress and increases overall feeling of well being. The healthful benefits of Noni fruit juice are backed by the collective voice of generations; the confirmation of scientific research and the enthusiastic loyalty of consumers all over the globe.
Our inner well being enhances our outer beauty. To maintain our inner health, Tahitian Noni Fruit Juice (Morinda Citrifolia) can be of immense help. It is a remarkable, natural liquid diet supplement. The ancient Tahitians revered and benefited from all the elements of this natural product—its fruit, leaves, and seeds. It was a pillar of the Tahitian culture as it helped them to sustain life and restore lost balance.
So this natural wonder product widely known as Noni fruit juice has undoubtedly blessed generations of people throughout the regions where it has grown and now it is gradually getting global recognition for its extraordinary benefits.