UNDERSTANDING HEART DISEASE

What Is Heart Disease?

The topic of heart disease usually centers on heart attacks but there are many other problems that can compromise heart functions, injure the heart tissues, or cause heart disease. Most of the major problems include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy. The following slides will present these heart problems and their warning signs.

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked (usually in a coronary artery by a blood clot) resulting in loss of the blood supply to an area of heart tissue. Loss of the blood supply can quickly damage and kill heart tissue; quick treatments in the emergency department and/or the catheterization suite have reduced deaths from heart attacks in recent years but still more than a millions individuals have a heart attack each year all around the world.

Warning signs of a heart attack include the following:

Chest pain

Pain that may spread to the back, arms, neck, and jaw

Shortness of breath

Nausea, vomiting

Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Other symptoms such as weakness, anxiety, indigestion, and heartburn may occur

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Heart attack symptoms in some women may differ from those usually seen in men. For example, many women may have predominant symptoms of heartburn, malaise, heart beat abnormalities (heart flutters), cough, and loss of appetite. Ignoring such symptoms may cause treatment delays and more damage to heart tissue.

Coronary Artery Disease Signs

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque, a sticky substance, narrows or partially obstructs coronary arteries (like sticky material stopping up a straw) and can result in reduced blood flow. This reduced blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), a warning sign of potential heart problems such as a heart attack.

Inside a Heart Attack

Plaque in coronary (and other) arteries maybe hard or firm on the outside but soft, mushy, and sticky on the inside. If the hard shell-like area cracks open, then blood components exposed to the sticky areas collect and can form a blood clot and quickly block most or all of the blood flow through the artery. The heart tissue downstream from the clot then suffers from lack of blood and becomes damaged or dies.

Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death occurs when the heart's regular electrical signals become erratic and cause the heart muscle to contract and relax irregularly which results in the inability of the heart to pump blood. Unless this situation is quickly altered by CPR and/or a restoration of organized electrical activity occurs that allows the heart to function as a blood pump (done by an electrical shock from a defibrillator), death can occur in a few minutes.

Arrhythmia: Erratic Heart Beat

Normal heartbeats that pump blood rely on regular electrical impulses. Irregular electrical impulses, termed arrhythmias, can alter, reduce, or even stop the heart's ability to pump blood. If a person notices their heartbeat is abnormal (fast, slow, or irregular), they should seek medical care if the arrhythmia persists or causes chest pain.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes changes in the heart muscle that reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood and usually leads to chronic heart failure. Other conditions (high blood pressure and heart valve disease) may be associated with cardiomyopathy

Heart Failure

Heart failure means that over time, the heart's pumping action cannot meet or “fails” the body’s demand for blood. For example, heart failure patients have difficulty doing work or climbing stairs. Most people develop heart failure due to heart muscle damage from coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attacks that can weaken the heart muscle. Over time, hearts with heart failure enlarge and may pump faster to try and meet the body’s demand for blood. Heart failure does not mean the heart stops functioning. It means there is a failure in an aspect of its function.

Congenital Heart Defect

A congenital heart defect is a defect in the development of the heart as an organ that is usually first noticed at birth although some are not found until adulthood. There are many types of congenital heart defects and a few need no treatment but others may need surgical repair. Congenital heart defects put those patients at higher risk to develop arrhythmias, heart failure, heart valve infections, and other problems. However, this risk can be reduced by specialized treatments.

Testing: Electrocardiogram (EKG)

The heart's electrical activity can be seen with an EKG (also termed ECG or electrocardiogram). EKGs are tests that provide important information to the physician about the heart rhythm, damage to the heart, or a heart attack, and may provide several other important pieces of information or clues to the patient's condition. In addition, EKGs can be compared to past and future EKGs to see changes in the heart’s electrical activity.

Testing: Stress Test

A stress test measures the ability of a person's heart to respond to the body's demand for more blood during stress (exercise or work). A continual measurement of the heart's electrical activity (a continual EKG or rhythm strip) is recorded along with the heart rate and blood pressure as a person's stress (exercise) is gradually increased on a treadmill. The information helps to show how well the heart responds to the body's demands and may provide information to help diagnose and treat problems.

Testing: Chest X-ray

Chest X-rays are used to provide the doctor with a view of both the heart and lungs to help determine if any abnormalities are present.

Testing: Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a real-time moving picture of a functioning heart made by using sound waves (ultrasound) to generate images. Echocardiograms use the same noninvasive technology used to examine the fetus during pregnancy. It can show how well heart chambers and heart valves are functioning, before and after treatments, as well as other features.

Testing: Cardiac CT

Specialized cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scans or cardiac CTs can provide detailed 3-D images of the heart. The images can be manipulated to look for calcium buildup (plaque) in coronary arteries or provide images of such internal structures of the heart such as the valves. The information can provide information about several heart disease problems.

Testing: Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a technique that may provide both diagnostic information and therapeutic methodology during one procedure. The technique is invasive. A thin tube is placed in a blood vessel in the leg or arm and threaded into the heart and into the opening of a coronary artery. Dye is put into the tube and goes into the artery. A special X-ray machine images the dye that can show narrowing or blockage of the artery. The same tube may be used with special tips to open the coronary artery by angioplasty (small balloon is inflated) or used to place a wire mesh (stent) that expands to hold the artery open.

Living With Heart Disease

Most types of heart disease are chronic but slowly progressive. They begin with minor symptoms that often slowly worsen and require long-term medical treatment. In many patients when the heart begins to fail, such symptoms as fatigue, shortness of breath, ankle swelling, fluid retention, and other symptoms may become refractory to treatments. Lifestyle changes may become necessary (for example, home oxygen, limited activity) or even surgery or a heart transplant may be needed for the patient.

Treatment: Medicines

Advances in medicines that can help reduce the symptoms and slow the damage of heart disease have helped the majority of heart disease patients. Drugs are available to do the following:

Lower blood pressure

Lower heartbeat rates

Lower cholesterol levels to reduce plaque

Help stabilize abnormal heart rhythms

Treatment: Angioplasty

Other treatments for heart disease involve special techniques as previously mentioned -- angioplasty and stent placement. A thin catheter or tube is placed in a coronary artery and is threaded through an obstruction like a clot. A balloon is inflated and pushes aside the obstruction. The balloon is then deflated leaving the artery unblocked thus allowing good blood flow. Often, after angioplasty, an expandable mesh tube is then inserted, expanded, and then reinforces the artery and keeps it from collapsing as illustrated by this slide.

Treatment: Bypass Surgery

Some patient's coronary arteries are not good candidates for angioplasty and/or stents. Such patients may benefit from another treatment technique termed bypass surgery. Bypass surgery occurs when a surgeon removes a blood vessel from one part of the body (chest, legs, or arms) and uses it to connect one open part of a coronary artery to another open part thus bypassing the area that has blocked blood flow. Often the surgeon may need to bypass more than one artery.

Who Is at Risk for Heart Disease?

Although men (even at a younger age) have a higher risk for heart disease than women, heart disease is still the number one killer of both sexes. People with a family history, who smoke, and who are obese have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Other risk factors are listed in following slides.

Risk Factors You Can Control

Common risk factors for heart disease include elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of physical activity. These risk factors can be reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices and by medications. A doctor can help you with your choices and medications.

Life After a Heart Attack

If a person suffers a heart attack, it is still possible to develop a healthy lifestyle. Many doctors recommend that their patients participate in a cardiac rehab program and learn how to avoid cigarettes, develop a healthy diet, and to become more active. All of these changes may help a person’s heart recover and function better.

Heart Disease Prevention

Heart disease prevention and risk reduction is possible by living a healthy lifestyle. Basic components of a healthy lifestyle are as follows:

Never smoke or stop smoking cigarettes

Eat a nutritious diet (many vegetables and fruits, less fats, sugars, and meats)

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise almost every day

Avoid alcohol or consume no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men

If needed, achieve medical control of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol

Hijamah

Regular detoxification by way of hijamah,,,will assist in removal of plaque being formed in the major blood vessels combined with a healthy diet.

Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes as basic foods to get good heart health. Plant oils, nuts, and seeds may help reduce cholesterol levels while eating fish about twice a week is a good source of protein without the fats found in red meat.

While heart disease is treatable by many methods, prevention or healing by reasonable lifestyle changes seems to be one of the best ways to handle this widespread health problem.

BIOMECHANICS OF HIJAMAH-THE CAPILLARY BED

What Is a Capillary?

A capillary is an extremely small blood vessel located within the tissues of the body, that transports blood from arteries to veins. Capillaries are most abundant in tissues and organs that are metabolically active. For example, muscle tissues and the kidneys have a greater amount of capillary networks than do connective tissues.

Capillary Size

Capillaries are so small that red blood cells can only travel through them in single file.

Capillaries measure in size from about 5-10 microns in diameter. Capillary walls are thin and are composed of endothelium (a type of simple squamous epithelial tissue). Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and wastes are exchanged through the thin walls of the capillaries.

Capillary Microcirculation

Capillaries play an important role in microcirculation. Microcirculation deals with the circulation of blood from the heart to arteries, to smaller arterioles, to capillaries, to venules, to veins and back to the heart.

The flow of blood in the capillaries is controlled by structures called precapillary sphincters. These structures are located between arterioles and capillaries and contain muscle fibers that allow them to contract. When the sphincters are open, blood flows freely to the capillary beds of body tissue. When the sphincters are closed, blood is not allowed to flow through the capillary beds. Fluid exchange between the capillaries and the body tissues takes place at the capillary bed.

Capillary Beds

Your body contains miles of arteries and arterioles, yet these structures are nothing more than the vascular highways that provide a pathway for your blood. It's only when your blood reaches the tiny capillaries that nutrients and wastes can be exchanged. Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels that connect the arterioles with the venules.

Capillaries are grouped together in capillary beds, which are simply a network of capillaries. Capillary beds are too small to see, but if you could see them, they would look like endless alleyways leading to virtually every tissue in your body. The rate of blood flow within a capillary bed is slow because there are so many different alleyways through which blood can travel. This slow speed limit, along with the very thin walls of the capillaries, means that capillary beds are an ideal place for the exchange of gases, nutrients, hormones and wastes between the blood and tissue cells.

This is why it is important that incisions for hijamah are not deeper than 1mm,,,so to exhume this blood stasis and other waste matter,

If incisions are deeper than venous blood will also be removed,,causing the patient to feel weaker  rather than yielding any beneficial results.

CHARGING FOR HIJAMAH?? FEES OF A CUPPER FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE!!

ANSWER............

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

With the exception of a few, the position of the overwhelming majority of classical scholars (jumhur) – which includes the four main Schools of Islamic law – is that it is permitted to charge a fee for cupping (hijama), and the earnings of a cupper would be lawful (halal). (Al-Mawsu’a al-Fiqhiyya 18/17, Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr al-Mukhtar 6/52, Al-Mughni 6/133, & Al-Muntaqa sharh al-Muwatta 4/425)

This view is based on the following hadiths:

1) Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) relates, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) had cupping performed on him, and he paid the person who cupped him. If it had been unlawful, he would have not paid him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1997 and Sahih Muslim 1578)

2) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik relates, “Abu Tayba cupped the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace); so he ordered that a sa’ [a specific weight] of dates be given to him, and ordered his owners to reduce his levy.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1996 and Sahih Muslim 1577)

3) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik relates, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) would be treated with cupping, and he never withheld anyone’s wages.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2160)

As such, the position of all four Schools of Islamic law is that it is permitted to charge a fee for cupping, and this includes the Hanbali School according to the more relied-upon and famous opinion within that School. There is, however, another less famous opinion that it is only permitted for a slave and not a free person. Some others said that it is not permitted neither for a slave nor a free person. This position is due to some other hadiths which indicate impermissibility; for example:

1) Sayyiduna Rafi’ ibn Khadij (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “The earnings from [selling] a dog is not pure (khabith), the wages of a prostitute is not pure (khabith), and the income of a cupper is not pure (khabith).” (Sahih Muslim 1568)

2) Ibn Muhayyisa al-Ansari relates from his father that he asked permission from the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) to accept payment for cupping, but he refused him from doing so. He continued to ask and seek his permission until he (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Feed [of its earnings] your water-carrying camel and your slave.” (Sunan Tirmidhi 1277, Musnad Ahmad 5/435, Abu Dawud 3/266 and others)

In explaining the correct context of these hadiths, Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) states:

“The scholars disagreed in relation to the earnings of a cupper. The majority of them, from the early (salaf) as well as later (khalaf) ones, state that the earnings of a cupper and consuming from such earnings is not unlawful – neither for a free person nor a slave. This is the famous (mashhur) opinion of Imam Ahmad [as well]. However, his opinion as narrated in one narration from him – which is [also] the opinion of the jurists from the hadith scholars – is that it is unlawful for a free person but not a slave, and their reliance is on these [above mentioned] and similar hadiths. The majority of the scholars base their opinion on the hadith of Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that “the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was cupped, and he paid the person who cupped him. If it had been unlawful, he would not have paid him.” (Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim) They [the majority of scholars] understood the hadiths of prohibition to indicate that it is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzih), and that the hadiths encourage abstinence from lowly occupations, and encourage good manners and noble professions. Had it been unlawful [to charge a fee], the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) would not have differentiated between a free person and slave, for it is [generally] impermissible for one to feed one’s slave that which is not halal.” (Al-Minhaj sharh Sahih Muslim, p: 1199)

Likewise, Imam Hafiz ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (Allah have mercy on him) states in his celebrated Fath al-Bari that the majority of scholars are of the opinion that the income of a cupper is lawful due to the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) recorded by Bukhari [quoted above]; and in it, Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) refutes those who say the earnings of a cupper is unlawful [when he said, “If it had been unlawful, he would have not paid him”]. As such, although a cupper’s profession is unfitting, it is not unlawful; and thus the scholars consider the rebuke in the hadith to indicate somewhat dislike-ness (makruh tanzih). Some scholars are of the opinion that the prohibition is abrogated, some say it is only unlawful for a free person, whilst others say it is only unlawful when the job is not properly defined. (Adapted from Fath al-Bari 4/579)

The great Hanbali jurist, Imam Ibn Qudama (Allah have mercy on him), says that it is permissible to hire a cupper to treat one with cupping, and his earnings are lawful. This is the view of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i and the Hanafis… However, some scholars regard the earnings of a cupper to be impermissible, because the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “The earnings of a cupper are evil (khabith)”, and he said regarding the earnings of a cupper, “Feed it to your water-carrying camel and your slave.” The proof that it is permissible and not unlawful is the hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) who said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) had cupping performed on him, and he paid the person who cupped him. If it had been unlawful, he would have not paid him.” As for the Messenger of Allah’s (Allah bless him & give him peace) statement “Feed it to your slave”, it is [actually] a proof that the cupper’s earnings are lawful, because it is not permitted for one to feed one’s slave that whose consumption is unlawful… As for terming the earnings as “evil (khabith)”, it does not necessarily mean that it is unlawful, because the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) called garlic and onion “khabith” even though they are both lawful. Rather, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) disliked it somewhat for a free person, due to the lowly nature of this profession… There is no clear text from Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him) regarding the prohibition of a cupper’s earnings… (Adapted from Al-Mughni 6/133)

In conclusion, there are ‘apparently’ contradictory hadiths regarding the charging of a fee for cupping others. The overwhelming majority of classical jurists give preference to those that indicate its permissibility; and as such, they agree that it is permissible to charge a fee and that one’s income would be halal. As for the hadiths that indicate its impermissibility, they interpret them in the following ways:

1) The hadiths merely show that charging a fee is somewhat disliked and better to avoid; but nevertheless lawful.

2) They merely indicate that the profession of cupping is a lowly profession.

3) They indicate that cupping, by nature, is a voluntary chore; and thus it is best not to charge for it, especially when others are in need.

4) They are in reference to the job of a cupper which is not properly defined, in which case his earnings would be unlawful (haram) due to the uncertainty.

5) The hadiths are abrogated. This was the view of Imam al-Tahawi (Allah have mercy on him).

6) They are in reference to the practice found during the pre-Islamic days of ignorance (jahiliyya) of cupping animals and thereafter selling the blood to those who consumed it.

As such, there is no sin on you if you charge a fee for providing the service of cupping (hijama) to others, and your earnings would be lawful (halal). Moreover, since your service includes patients being seen by a qualified doctor, using clean clinical equipment and other related aspects, it will not even be disliked. It is best, however, if you charge primarily for your time, the doctor’s time and the usage of equipment; but offer the very act of cupping free, with the intention of helping others and seeking reward from Allah. But note that even charging for cupping itself is not haram or sinful.

And Allah knows best

WHAT DOES HIJAMAH,, QURAN AND FASTING HAVE IN COMMON??

A brief scientific approach

Muslims find themselves in the middle of an important month. This month is sacred to us. We do not only cleanse our soul, it’s also good for both your body and your health. Science finally backs this as well. You can rejuvenate your entire immune system by fasting for three days, according to new research. By fasting, the body is stimulated to produce new white blood cells. Scientists speak of a “remarkable breakthrough” according to the magazine Cell Stem Cell.

By fasting, a button will be switched on in your body, after which stem cells will start producing new white blood cells, with the result that the whole immune system recovers. “The whole system is as it were rebuilt.” says Professor Valter Longo of USC. “And the good news is that your body will throw out old or damaged parts of the system when you’re fasting.”

During the experiment, test subjects had to fast a number of times in a period of six months, varying between two to four days. Scientists discovered that the people who fasted had less pKa in their blood, an enzyme which is commonly linked to aging. Fasting also leads to a decrease in the hormone that increases the risk of cancer and tumor growth.

The funny thing is that Hijama does something similar to our body. Studies have demonstrated that, after a treatment with Hijama, there is a remarkable increase of white blood cells in our blood. These blood cells are as mentioned crucial to our immune system.

Complications and contraindications for wet cupping

Wet cupping is contraindicated in :

# Tuberculosis of the lung.

# Neoplasms.

# Hypotonia.

# Hemophilia.

# Anemic conditions.

# Menstruation.

# Deficiency of fluids, for example, in severe diarrhea.

# Children, adolescents, the elderly, very sensitive person with tendency to fainting.

# Arrhythmia.

# Coronary insufficiency with anginal complaints.

# Great care is necessary in patients with a tendency to stronger bleeding than normal. It is even better in such cases to refrain from wet cupping.

Due to the performed scarification of the skin, mild pain is possible and scars can form.we should not forget that the formation of scars, even if they are only small, is basically not a harmless side - effect for the organism. According to the principles of Huneke therapy, scars can have such a strong effect of permanent stimulation on the neuro vegetative system that it is disturbed.

Before reaching for the scarification, the therapist should consider these points and educate the patient accordingly.

Rheumatoid arthritis - Cupping therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease without a known cause, which affects usually more than one joint and may lead to severe deformity and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more common in females than males, it usually occurs between the ages of 40 -60, but it may also affect any age.

Hijaama Cupping therapy is a type of alternative and complementary medicine. It is one of the corner stones of Islamic medicine. Cupping therapy reduces pain and increases blood circulation. It also eliminates body toxins and inflammatory substances. Cupping therapy is a very effective natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This therapy reduces pain and inflammation of the affected joints.

Topic: Urinary incontinence and Hijama

Urinary incontinence is loss of bladder control. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. It can happen to anyone, but it becomes more common with age.

Most bladder control problems happen when muscles are: too weak or too active.

*If the muscles that keep your bladder closed are weak, you may have accidents when you sneeze, laugh or lift a heavy object. This is stress incontinence.

*If bladder muscles become too active, you may feel a strong urge to go to the bathroom when you have little urine in your bladder. This is urge incontinence or overactive bladder.

* Causes of temporary urinary incontinence:

Certain foods, drinks and medications can cause temporary urinary incontinence. A simple change in habits can bring relief.

• Alcohol: Alcohol acts as a bladder stimulant and a diuretic, which can cause an urgent need to urinate.

• Overhydration: Drinking a lot of fluids, especially in a short period of time, increases the amount of urine your bladder has to deal with.

• Caffeine: Caffeine is a diuretic and a bladder stimulant that can cause a sudden need to urinate.

• Bladder irritation: Carbonated drinks, tea and coffee — with or without caffeine — artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, and foods and beverages that are high in spice, sugar and acid, such as citrus and tomatoes, can aggravate your bladder.

• Medications: Heart medications, blood pressure drugs, sedatives, muscle relaxants and other medications may contribute to bladder control problems.

* Easily treatable medical conditions also may be responsible for urinary incontinence such as:

• Urinary tract infection: Infections can irritate your bladder, causing you to have strong urges to urinate. These urges may result in episodes of incontinence, which may be your only warning sign of a urinary tract infection. Other possible signs and symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate and foul-smelling urine.

• Constipation: The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency. In addition, compacted stool can sometimes interfere with the emptying of the bladder, which may cause overflow incontinence.

* Causes of persistent urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including:

• Pregnancy and childbirth: Pregnant women may experience stress incontinence because of hormonal changes and the increased weight of an enlarging uterus. In addition, the stress of a vaginal delivery can weaken muscles needed for bladder control. The changes that occur during childbirth can also damage bladder nerves and supportive tissue, leading to a dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor. With prolapse, your bladder, uterus, rectum or small bowel can get pushed down from the usual position and protrude into your vagina. Such protrusions can be associated with incontinence.

• Changes with aging: Aging of the bladder muscle leads to a decrease in the bladder's capacity to store urine and an increase in overactive bladder symptoms. Risk of overactive bladder increases if you have blood vessel disease, so maintaining good overall health — including stopping smoking, treating high blood pressure and keeping your weight within a healthy range — can help curb symptoms of overactive bladder.

After menopause women produce less estrogen, a hormone that helps keep the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy. With less estrogen, these tissues may deteriorate, which can aggravate incontinence.

• Hysterectomy: In women, the bladder and uterus lie close to one another and are supported by many of the same muscles and ligaments. Any surgery that involves a woman's reproductive system — for example, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) — may damage the supporting pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to incontinence.

• Prostatitis: Loss of bladder control isn't a typical sign of prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate gland — a walnut-sized organ located just below the male bladder. Even so, urinary incontinence sometimes occurs with this common condition.

• Enlarged prostate: In older men, incontinence often stems from enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

• Prostate cancer: In men, stress incontinence or urge incontinence can be associated with untreated prostate cancer. However, more often, incontinence is a side effect of treatments — surgery or radiation — for prostate cancer.

• Bladder cancer or bladder stones: Incontinence, urinary urgency and burning with urination can be signs and symptoms of bladder cancer or bladder stones. Other signs and symptoms include blood in the urine and pelvic pain.

• Neurological disorders: Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, a brain tumor or a spinal injury can interfere with nerve signals involved in bladder control, causing urinary incontinence.

• Obstruction: A tumor anywhere along your urinary tract can block the normal flow of urine and cause incontinence, usually overflow incontinence. Urinary stones — hard, stone-like masses that can form in the bladder — may be to blame for urine leakage. Stones can be present in your kidneys, bladder or ureters.

So how is it that Hijama can come in handy in this situation?

Well first of all, most of the causes mentioned above are due to an external factor for example alcohol, caffeine, medications and so on. What Hijama does is that it negates the side effects of these external factors. So the damage that is being caused by these elements are extradited from the body through the detox process of Hijama.

Once that is done, fresh oxygenated blood arrives at the treated site which inturn brings with it all the anti-inflammatory elements that the human body naturally produces and thus healing starts of that organ, in this case the male or female bladder area.

However, as for the other naturally occurring causes of Urinary incontinence, such as Child-birth or ageing factor, then I can confirm that Hijama is not a direct answer. Or for example, there is a tumor growth causing an obstruction, then Hijama will not directly help. These are things which people have to go through such as ageing or pregnancy and by applying Hijama Therpay will not solve your issues though it will make its symptoms better.

As for my personal experience treating Urinary incontinence with Hijama, then I can however, confirm that I had a few cases of males and females who were suffering from this embarrassing illness and they all felt a difference in that they stopped leaking urine.

Some patients felt better in a couple of days, others it took a few good months, but there was for sure a significant difference.

The treatment plan through Hijama should be such that it should be diagnosed first. Once that is done and depending no doubt on the factors causing it, cups are/can be applied to the pubic region, right on top of the pubic bone and 2 cups to the sides in the medial (adductor) compartment of the thigh or also known as the inguinal canal which are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs.

For this, it is best to have shaven off the pubic hair ( seriously, going to the doctors with pubic hair the length of a football field and then asking him to shave it off for you, is one good way of getting yourself kicked out of the clinic with your pants still half way down).

Its sometimes a bit stingy in this region, but I apply some anaesthetic to numb everything up.

After a month, I then advise patients to have it done on the opposite side, from the back area. This region where the cups are applied is called the Lumbar Region. Infact, I try to place it with accuracy where the Lumbar Vertebrate ends and the Sacrum starts.

In some patients I have even managed to place it on the coccyx itself which was a pleasant surprise. Again, 3-4 cups are more than enough.

This should be repeated initially every 4 weeks for 3 months. After which it should go back to having it done every 3 months. That’s when the miracles start Insha’Allah.

I hope I have done justice to this topic and I hope that no one suffers from this unpleasant illness but if they do, than Thank Allah swt for he has made a way for a treatment and a cure Insha’Allah.

PS: Like i tell everyone, dont wait till you start to have a leak program! Why not do it when you are healthy and young without an illness then to wait till you are 59 years of age, dripping every where you go and then everyone starts to look for alternative treatments such as Hijama.

Dr.Sohail. Islamabad Hijama Health Clinic

www.hijamacups.com

www.cuppingtherapy.co.in