1. Watch What You Eat
Using food as medicine is a common practice in many complementary and alternative medicine medical systems. A diet lacking in proper nutrition is particularly dangerous for a person living with AIDS as it can weaken the immune system which increases a person's susceptibility to diseases as well as an increased risk of infections and a quicker deterioration of their condition. Fruits, vegetables and lots of water are a standard for any AIDS patient. Protein in particular, is an important part of any AIDS diet regime because of its ability to boost a patient's immune system, aid in weight gain and alleviate pain.
2. Take Your Supplements
In AIDS patients, dietary supplements are used to help boost the immune system which is crucial to the survival and well being of anyone suffering from the illness. They also help replace nutrients and vitamins that may be lost due to common illnesses and symptoms associated with the disease such as wasting, diarrhea and vomiting as well as appetite loss. Some common dietary supplements recommended for AIDS patients include, coenzyme Q-10, and Vitamins E and C. Another common recommendation is that AIDS patients take a multi-vitamin everyday.
3. Stick It to AIDS
Acupuncture works by restoring and maintaining health by stimulating certain points on the body with thin, stainless steel needles placed in the skin. In AIDS patients, acupuncture is used to relive the symptoms of the disease, boost their immune system and reduce the side effects of the drug cocktails commonly prescribed to treat the illness. Acupuncture is also one natural treatment that helps reduce stress in AIDS patients.
4. Massage the Stress Away
Doctors recommend AIDS patients seek to reduce stress in their life. Body and massage work is often used as a way for them to lower the amount of stress they feel. For an AIDS patient too much stress can mean a lowering of their cd4 count, an increase in infections and a more rapid progression of the disease. Body and massage work can also relieve a variety of physical symptoms associated with AIDS particularly chronic pain. However, if open sores or other skin lesions are present on the body, then massage work is not a good recommendation.
5. Heal Through Mind Over Body
Mind-body therapy practitioners believe the mind has the ability to heal the physical self. Meditation and visualization are common mind-body therapy techniques used to aid in the healing of illnesses or disease that are ailing the body. Visualization works by envisioning the body free of whatever disease the patient is suffering from. AIDS patients, for example, would visualize their bodies fighting off the disease and rebuilding their immune system.
