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- What is AIDS?
- Symptoms of AIDS
- Causes of AIDS
- Prevention of AIDS
- Risk factors for AIDS
- Complications of AIDS
- When to see a doctor about AIDS
- Diagnosis of AIDS
- Conventional treatment of AIDS
- Alternative/complementary treatment of AIDS
- Living with AIDS
- Caring for someone with AIDS
People who have AIDS need a lot of support and care (both from other people, but they also need to provide it for themselves) to help reduce the stress of their illness.
The following are some useful strategies in helping people who have AIDS, live with this condition and cope with its effects:
- Exercise - people with AIDS/HIV need to get adequate and regular exercise to help increase their strength, flexibility and overall energy, as well as to reduce any psychological problems such as anxiety or depression which may affect them
- Filtered water - it is highly recommended by the CDC that people with AIDS drink water that is filtered, boiled or is bottled. People who want to have filtered water should get one which has reverse osmosis, as this is the best filtration available that removes all toxins from the water and ensures all the vital minerals are kept intact
- Get good medical advice - people with AIDS need to find a doctor who has a fair amount of experience in dealing with patients who have AIDS, who understands the treatment options available and who can treat you in a dignified and respectful manner and that you are comfortable with their medical treatment of your condition. A good doctor can also help you with complementary and alternative treatments, with advice on which treatments may or may not work, which ones are dangerous to combine with your medications and which ones are safer to try
- Healthy diet - people who have AIDS/HIV need to be eating a really healthy diet, preferably organic and which includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, wholegrains, low fat dairy, oily fish, some poultry and red meat. Studies show that organic foods tend to have higher levels of all the nutrients and can help to improve the immune system (through the antioxidants in these foods) and may increase energy levels
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- Limit alcohol intake - while it may seem to be helpful to numb the pain with alcohol, it is not advised to drink excessively, as it can cause a number of adverse health effects in a body which needs as much help as possible with such a serious health condition
- Proactive - in order to understand this disease and all it's complex implications, it is important to read a lot of information about it, the treatments (current as well as experimental), in order to arm yourself with as much information so that you can be proactive in your disease management and feel more in control of your life, even with such an illness as AIDS
- Rest and relaxation - both rest and relaxation are important in helping the body fight any disease more effectively. Sleep should be regulated to consistent times and consist of about 7-8 hours a night, in order provide the most amount of time in deep sleep, where the body tries to repair itself. Relaxation should include some form of meditation, visualisation, tai chi, yoga, or any other suitable relaxation therapy. Studies show people who engage in some form of relaxation do better with any type of disease, with less symptoms and more positive prognosis (disease progression not worsening very rapidly)
- Stop smoking - cigarettes cause a depletion of many vitamins and minerals in the body, especially vitamin C, which is needed to help the body fight the infection and in addition to this, just puts the body at even greater risk of developing cancer
- Support network/groups - a great way to connect with others who have this illness is to find some AIDS support networks or groups. This is beneficial because it enables a connection with people who have the same illness, who may be going through exactly the same emotional challenges and also who may be able to give advise based on their journey with this illness
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Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 10: alt treatment of AIDS 12: caring for someone with AIDS > Last reviewed: 24 August 2007 || Last updated: 15 March 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
