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THE OTHER SIDE OF SLEEP:  THE MEANING OF DREAMSAs is the case with many aspects of sleep research, there is no real answer to the question of why we dream. But what about the content of dreams? Is a dream a subconscious “letter to oneself,” filled with cryptic instructions on how to cope with life? Or is it merely a garbled instant replay of the day’s events, with no structure or meaning? Any answer given by medical scientists will naturally reflect their concept of the origin of dreams. Those who see dreams as a purely physical, biological process will completely discount the significance of content and thus may overlook clues to the functioning of consciousness. On the other hand, those who see them as indispensable keys to personality are perhaps prone to imbue them with far more meaning than they actually contain.That many dreams are connected to the past day’s events is obvious. You probably recall your own dreams in which you rehashed a recent confrontation or replayed characters or scenes from the movie you watched before going to bed. These incidents are usually transformed; they might take place in an unfamiliar house, for example, or a person in the dream might have the face of a close friend but play an altogether different relational role— as a parent or sibling, perhaps. It is these very transformations or associations that intrigue psychiatrists and others, who wonder why the brain bothers to make the changes instead of just replaying the scene uncut, unrevised, and uncensored.*289\226\8*

WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA: PREDISPOSING FACTORS – TRIGGERS OR ALLERGENSCough, wheeze or breathlessness of asthma are generally caused by the occurrence of an allergic reaction in the respiratory tract. This reaction is between the antibody IgE (Immunoglobulin E) already present in the body and the corresponding antigen or allergen that enters the body, mostly through air that is inhaled. The IgE antibody is produced in excess in individuals who have inherited this tendency. This makes the airways hyperresponsive to allergens.The allergens which can trigger an allergic reaction are:1. House dust.2. Pollens of different grasses, weeds, shrubs, and trees.3. Fungi that grow in abundance in moist air and moderate temperatures, both inside and outsidethe house.4. Domestic pets like cats and dogs.5. Insects in the house, particularly cockroaches.6. Some types of food and chemicals.Some of the allergens can be identified through observation over a period of time. Detailed medical history, careful examination of environmental influences and allergy testing, are the methods available to the doctor for discovering triggering factors.*18\260\8*

Since this disease causes much worry and requires great care, many parents will be relieved to learn how to go about treating it. The treatment required is similar to that used for enteritis and diarrhoea in infants and young children.

The principal remedy is Tormentavena; 2—5 drops are to be given 3-5 times daily, although the exact dose will depend upon the age and sensitivity of the little patient. Start by giving a low dose and gradually increase it until the stool has regained its normal consistency. Warm hip baths or warm abdominal packs prepared with camomile or horsetail infusions, given frequently, will serve as a complementary treatment.

The diet should contain plenty of brown rice gruel, never the polished white kind. Add a little raw carrot juice or Biocarottin, made with concentrated raw carrot juice; just Уг or XA of a tea-spoonful will do. While the illness persists, for children and adults, only gluten-free cereals are indicated, rice being ideal for this pur­pose. White flour products and white semolina are to be strictly avoided. On the other hand, potatoes boiled in their skins and mashed, skins and all, and mixed with a little raw carrot juice are quite in order. Other vegetables, with the exception of leeks, should not be given until the child is well again.
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Pharmacy information – prescription medications

Sometimes it will be necessary to give the child a biological calcium preparation and at the same time encourage the elimination of metabolic toxins through the kidneys. Thydroca, a fresh herb preparation containing Drosera, Thymus, Coccus cacti, Hedera helix, and others, is excellent for whooping cough. The homoeopathic remedies Ipecacuanha 3x and Coccus cacti 3x have also proved to be effective. As soon as the coughing attacks have stopped, the child can gradually stop taking the remedies. In their place Santasapina pine bud syrup can be given, as it is beneficial to continue with some medication for a little while after the cure seems to be complete.

Chest compresses are a must in cases of whooping cough. They can be either simple compresses made with a hay flower infusion or, in more severe cases, onion compresses. A horseradish poultice is stronger in its effect and a mustard poultice even more so. A correctly applied mustard poultice or a mustard bath (made using mustard powder) has saved the life of many a child who had already turned blue from a severe case of bronchiolitis (inflam­mation and gradual blockage of the tiniest air tubes in the lungs) and who was frantically gasping for air. But care must be taken that the skin is not exposed to the active ingredients of the mustard for too long at a time. An intense reddening of the skin is desirable, but blisters should never be allowed to form. If cases of whooping cough are treated as described above, children can be protected from serious complications.
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When to see your doctor

• if the rash has not improved after 3-4 days, despite all the above measures;

• if blisters, crusts, or pimples appear;

• if your child is very distressed and not sleeping;

• if your child has an unexplained fever;

• if the rash is spreading;

• if the end of your child’s penis is red and swollen, or has a scab on it.

Complications

Secondary infection can sometimes occur, especially a fungus or yeast called thrush (Candida albicans). These bugs are normally present on the skin, but are real opportunists and multiply when the chemical balance has been disrupted in their favour. Thrush appears as bright red and shiny areas in the napkin area; they have clearly defined borders and also affect the skin folds. Numerous red dots (satellite lesions) may be studded beyond the outer edge of the rash.

Treatment is with an antifungal cream which will be prescribed by your doctor. As opposed to a simple nappy rash, which clears up quickly, thrush can take longer to clear, and has a tendency to recur. Treatment can be prolonged, and sometimes very frustrating.

Prevention

If used consistently, the simple measures outlined above should help prevent nappy rash. Keep the nappy areas clean and dry, and use protective creams (often containing a zinc oxide base).

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Bathing and hygiene

Babies need particular attention to cleaning in order to prevent them from picking up germs. Areas which need to be kept as clean as possible are the nappy region and the umbilicus (navel or belly button) (see opposite). Most babies enjoy their bathtime, which can be relaxing for both parents and baby. Your maternal and child health nurse can explain to you in detail exactly how to go about bathing your wriggling newborn, but here are a few pointers:

• make sure you are comfortable by positioning the bath in a convenient place;

• make sure that the room is warm and the water temperature in the bath is around 28-29°C;

• fill the bath with cold water first, to prevent accidental scalds;

• test the temperature with your elbow before placing the baby in the bath;

• you only need to wash your baby’s hair once or twice a week;

• wash the face with a soft damp cloth;

• do not try to clean inside the ears or nose;

• stay with your baby the entire time he is in the bath.

• take the phone off the hook, or ignore it if it rings.

Babies can drown even in shallow water.

Fingernails

Trim your baby’s fingernails once a week to prevent him from scratching himself. This can be done immediately after a bath when the nails are soft, or when your baby is asleep, using a nail clipper or fine baby scissors.

It helps if both parents do this together, one cutting while the other holds the finger.

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“Shopping together for a theme song, a love theme song, was not easy. We had songs that we liked before, sort of ‘our songs’ of the past, but it was hard to find a new one,” said one wife. I had instructed them to find a song that could signify their own recommitment to their relationship. It had to be mutually selected and one in which they could understand the words.

“I thought it would be a romantic song. I thought sure we’d get something like the theme from Love Story,” said her husband. “We got ‘Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong’ from the movie where that guy fights with his drill sergeant. What does that say about us anyway?” He laughed, but the words they copied from the song and learned by heart continue to be special for them. “Every time I hear that song on the radio, every time I even see Joe Cocker, I think of us. Is that strange or is that strange?”

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THE RULE OF ROMANCE ROULETTE

Wife: “I sort of remember where. We were in the drive-in, of all places. We never really necked or anything there. It cost too much to get in, so we thought we should watch the movie. The bucket seats were impossible. The backseat was full of junk like hubcaps and I think some large part of a transmission. The car always smelled like oil.

“I remember looking over at him watching the movie. It was some type of horror thing, and he looked ready to jump. I had to go to the bathroom so bad it hurt, but I hated those dirty bathrooms. Early in our courting, I sort of went to ‘freshen my makeup,’ usually with two or three other girls on a secret signal known only to women. Now I just said it. I don’t know why. I said I had to pee. I surprised even myself.

“He seemed relieved at the distraction from the movie. Before, he might have said okay and sort of let me go. This time, he climbed out of the car. I mean climbed, because this was in the days when boys somehow modified the car so it was about five feet off the road. He came to my side, opened the door, reached behind my seat, and took out a small stepstool that he had made just for me.

My own exit stool from his magic chariot. As silly as it sounds, I was moved. He seemed embarrassed, but walked me to the bathroom, waited for me, walked me back, and helped me climb back onboard. I just remember from that time on, things seemed different. Very romantic, isn’t it. I still use that dumb stool to reach the top cupboard.”

HUSBAND: ‘ ‘It was at a wedding. I remember clearly. I never thought of it until now. I was the best man, she was the maid of honor. I never saw her looking so beautiful. She looked more like a woman than ever before. It sort of struck me how very mature and beautiful she was.

“It was one of those dances when the bride and groom start out and the wedding party follows, one couple at a time. When it was our turn, I sort of felt shaky when I took her in my arms. She looked right into my eyes. Everyone was looking. It was like everyone in the room saw it happen. I fell in love right there. It seemed like we were the bride and groom.”

Two different times for this couple, but each person was able, with some encouragement and questioning from me, to discover their’ ‘bonding imprint.” It happened to you, even if you are having marital trouble or feel that maybe you never really fell in love. If you “paired up,” you bonded, at least for a while. Try to recount your bonding imprint for your present relationship. Taping it or writing it down seems to make it more real for most couples.

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