This condition is often associated with extremely minor injury, usually to an extremity, for example, an arm or a leg. It has been known to occur after even a relatively small laceration, or after a blunt injury to a wrist or an ankle.

After the initial injury sometimes severe and non-ending pain, usually described as a ‘burning sensation’ is felt. It is often associated with extreme instability of the blood vessels in the area.

There is often an increase or decrease in apparent temperature, sweating in the area and later a cool, purplish coloured limb may be seen with an associated deterioration of the skin and the soft tissues.

Such conditions can sometimes be diagnosed effectively and early by the use of thermography and by sophisticated skin tests which assess the function of the sympathetic nerves, which control the opening and closing of the outer blood vessels.

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Brian’s case summarises the often considerable assessment problems. When is a patient genuine, with a hard to diagnose problem or overlapping problems, and when is he or she merely one of the players in the ‘pain game’? Brian, 27, was an unemployed sports equipment salesman whose car had rolled over in gravel on a country [...]

Selye — the founder of stress research Medical research into the phenomenon of stress began on the battlefield, where the devastating effects of chronic stress are unmistakable. The great Harvard physiologist, Dr Walter Cannon, along with Dr Hans Selye, the father of modern stress research, proved that psychological strain itself could cause dramatic hormonal changes [...]

The first recorded reference to pain remedies is in the Egyptian Papyri. In the Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BC), reference is made to the prescription of opium by the goddess Isis for Ra’s headache. Thus, in their quest for lessening their suffering, the ancient Egyptians submitted themselves to such largely ineffective and often harsh procedures [...]

Atopic eczema is mainly a disease of childhood although there are rare instances of it first appearing in adult life. About three-quarters of children affected develop the disease before they are a year old, and most in the first six months of life. The disease tends to come and go thereafter, and usually disappears by [...]

I might add here that Ginkgo biloba tincture, made from the fresh leaves is stronger and more convenient to use than the tea prepared from an infusion of dried leaves. A lady in Bremen, Germany, had a similar experience to the one recounted above: ‘I have been suffering from insufficient blood supply to the brain [...]

Very often an alkaloid or some other chemical substance in a plant is believed to produce a certain effect. If the alkaloid is extracted and administered, the symptomatic effects may be the same or similar, but the lasting effect will probably be different. The chemist is unable to explain this, because his analytical procedures are [...]

Impaired skin functions can have extremely detrimental consequences. When you do not perspire enough you should frequently drink an infusion of elder flowers, peppermint and lovage; you can take them either in alternation or as a mixed herb tea. In addition, it is recommended to take a weekly sauna over an extended period. Certain parts [...]

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS for short, is the worst disease known to us that is caused by a virus. Hundreds of thousands of people, all over the world, have been gripped by shock and fear. So far, however, the orthodox medical profession has not found a remedy. Every victim is, in a sense, condemned [...]

Toxic gases and radiation which pollute the air today are also carcinogenic, or cancer-producing, factors. So beware of them! It has been proved beyond doubt that some chemical additives to our food are carcinogenic. Colourings, flavourings and preservatives are worse cell poisons than was previously thought, and it is for this reason that many government [...]