Causes and risk factors of urinary incontinence: Avicenna's point of view vs. contemporary findings

Purpose: To extract the causes and risk factors of urinary incontinence from an old medical text by Avicenna entitled "Canon of Medicine" and comparing it with contemporary studies. Materials and Methods: In this study, etiology and risk factors of urinary incontinence were extracted from Avicenna's "Canon of Medicine". Commentaries written on this book and other old reliable medical texts about bladder and its diseases were also studied. Then the achieved information was compared with contemporary findings of published articles. Results: Urinary incontinence results from bladder dysfunction in reservoir phase. Bladder's involuntary muscles and voluntary external sphincter are two main components which are involved in this process. Urinary incontinence can exist without obvious structural and neuronal etiologies. According to Avicenna, distemperment of muscular tissue of bladder and external sphincter is the cause for urinary incontinence in such cases. Distemperment is the result of bothering qualities in tissue, i.e.: "wet" and "cold". They are the two bothering qualities which are caused by extracorporeal and intracorporeal factors. Interestingly, the positive associations of some of these factors with urinary incontinence have been shown in recent researches. Conclusion: "Cold" and "wet" distemperment of bladder and external sphincter can be independent etiologies of urinary incontinence which should be investigated

A Review of the Indices of Mizaj-e-Meda (Temperament of Stomach) identification in Persian Medicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Digestive diseases are one of the problems of the health system in the world. From the perspective of Persian medicine, the stomach begins the second stage of digestion and its function plays an important role in human health or illness. The written sources of Persian medicine have been widely used to determine the health of the stomach. The purpose of this study is to summarize indices of Mizaj-e-Meda (Temperament of Stomach) identification to help better diagnose the status of health or illness of stomach. METHODS: In this review article, 11 valid Iranian medicine sources and scientific databases of Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and web of science as well as Persian indices of SID, Iran Doc, Magiran were searched and the existing views were summarized. FINDINGS: In the sources of Persian medicine, the indices of different types of Mizaj (temperament) and Su-e-mizaj (abnormal temperament) have been proposed. Seventeen articles on the subject of gastric diseases in Persian medicine were found; one case merely examined gastric symptoms, while others only slightly referred to the indices. Some of the most important indices considered in these sources for identifying the type of Mizaj-e-Meda were the way of digestion, desire for food according to the type of Mizaj (temperament), thirst, appetite, burrow, moisture and taste of the mouth, tongue and mouth condition, flatulence, quality of waste matter, speed of food passage, sour stomach, burning stomach, stomach ache and stomach malmas (touch). CONCLUTIONS: Persian medicine sources have fully cited gastric indices, which can be used for a more effective diagnose and treatment and even prevention of gastric diseases, and can also be used for designing and validating standard scales for Mizaj-e-Meda (Temperament of Stomach) identification

Viewpoints of Iranian Traditional Medicine about Child Nutrition

Introduction: Optimal child development necessitates proper nutrition in childhood. Despite of improvements in child nutrition, there are still lots of challenges in proper child nutrition which shows the necessity of using the Past experiences more than ever. Despite of particular interest of Iranians to cardinal humors (temperaments), unfortunately, families and medical staffs are not appropriately familiar with these important issues. Whereas Traditional Medicine tries to protect & promote health through humors and temperaments that, unfortunately, these days this issue is not considered as noteworthy matter, this study tries to bring up new dimensions of child nutrition through different attitude.   Materials and Methods: Research methodology of this study is library research which surveys principles of child nutrition on some Iranian Traditional Medicine scientists ` works.   Results: According to Iranian Traditional Medicine findings, there are particular rules in child nutrition. Some important rules are: 1-Food with special properties, play important role in child development like mutton, beans. 2-Food combination also can help child development and decrease the side effects of some foods like combination of thyme and yogurt. 3-There are simple and practical instructions in Iranian Traditional Medicine for preventing and treating some disease like common cold and viral gastroenteritis. So, use of these instructions can decrease the use of medications in children. Effectiveness of some instructions has also been approved in modern medicine. 4- Incompatible food combination is one of the important issues in child nutrition that paying attention to it can promote children health.   Conclusion: Since the physical health and mental health of children necessitate proper nutrition; families` knowledge (specially mothers) about children`s food requirements can help children to have appropriate food program. It is hoped that with further research in this field & using the scientists` experiences of Iranian Traditional medicine, we will be able to play an important role in children health who are the future of our society. Keywords: Nutrition, Children, Development, Iranian Traditional Medicin

The comparison of fennel infusion plus dry cupping versus metformin in management of oligomenorrhoea in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised clinical trial

Oligomenorrhoea treatment with hormone therapy and Metformin is not usually well tolerated and is associated with a broad range of side effects. In Persian medicine, the management of oligomenorrhoea can be done with fennel and dry cupping. A clinical trial was conducted on 61 patients with oligomenorrhoea. The patients randomly received treatment for 6 months in two groups: fennel infusion plus dry cupping (Group A); versus treatment with Metformin (Group B). On the days between the two periods, the patients� BMI, pain levels and side effects were assessed. Thirty-one patients (mean age: 26.68) in Group A, and 30 patients (mean age: 28.90) in Group B were enrolled. The mean numbers of days between the two periods after 3 and 6 months in Group A was, respectively, 32.59 and 30.69, versus 40.66 and 431.22 in Group B. The mean pain severity dropped significantly in Group A. Fennel seed infusion plus a dry cupping uses a safe and effective therapeutic intervention in the management of oligomenorrhoea.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women. Some common clinical manifestations of this syndrome include menstrual disorders such as oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea. The recommended therapeutic interventions include oral intervention, as well as metformin, which are associated with an increased risk of vascular thromboembolism, digestive complications such as nausea, and dizziness, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, the use of complementary medicine in controlling and treating PCOS is considered a valuable intervention in conventional medicine. In Persian traditional medicine, medicinal fennel (with the scientific name of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill) is commonly used in this regard. The practice of dry cupping during the monthly period that ends with ovulation is also recommended. What do the results of this study add? The present study concludes that fennel seed infusion plus a dry cupping therapy is effective and safe in reducing the days between two menstrual periods and manages oligomenorrhoea. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A clinical study is suggested for assessing the effect of fennel seed infusion plus dry cupping on oligomenorrhoea, with a large sample size and a longer follow up time. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

A review of prevention and adjuvant therapy in acute respiratory syndrome caused by covid-19 from the perspective of persian medicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and quickly became a global pandemic. According to studies, traditional medicine interventions along with conventional medicine protocols have been reported to be effective in prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to summarize the recommendations of Persian medicine based on evidence in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome. METHODS: In this review article, keywords related to the symptoms of COVID-19 in Persian medicine sources, review and items related to the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory syndrome were extracted. Individual items with the keywords "Influenza" or "SARS" or "MERS" or "COVID-19" or "Coronavirus" or "Antiviral" or "Anti-inflammatory" or "Immune system" or "Antioxidant" were searched in the databases SID, Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of science, Science direct, and Google scholar, and finally those with scientific evidence were presented in the form of auxiliary instructions for prevention and treatment. FINDINGS: A significant part of the recommendations of Persian medicine to prevent or control the symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome has practical clinical evidence. These include social distance, avoiding heavy meals, and using herbal remedies according to the specific conditions of the patients. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the use of simple strategies of Persian medicine in preventing and improving the symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19 along with common medicine protocols, can help control the epidemic conditions. Also, many of these recommendations can be evaluated as useful research ideas in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. © 2021, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Constipation due to Liver Disorder in Iranian Traditional Medicine`s Viewpoint

Introduction: Constipation is one of the most common pediatric disorders.In many cases, there is no anatomic endocrineor metabolic cause in explanation of chronic constipation.More than 85% of them called functional or idiopathic.Constipation is one of the serious disease in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Besides the problem it causes, chronic constipation can be the origin of many disease. That is why, ithas been called Mother of disease.The purpose of this study is to investigate the Constipation in children and the role of other organs such as the liver by view of Iranian Traditional Medicine   Materials and Method: This study is a review through Iranian traditional medicine references. At first, all the main available traditional books were reviewed. All the data about therapies of vaginal discharge in ITM were collected then classified.   Results: In traditional medicine different reasons have been mentioned for constipation especially for childrenwhich most of them are similar to etiology in Modern Medicine.Constipation due to liver disorder is one of the causes of constipation.In Iranian Traditional medicine` viewpoint, one of the mechanism for excretion is existence of secreted bile in intestine.If by any reason,measure or quality of its which secreted in intestine through bile changes or if intestinal mucous secretion becomes barrier for absorbing the food,it will caused disorder in excretion and finally will lead to constipation.Well known Iranian Traditional Medicine scientists, has mentioned all reasons for liver disorders and changing quality& quantity of secreted bile .he has mentioned the solutions as well.   Conclusion: It is hoped that by paying attention to constipation and with advanced clinical research we will be able to explain idiopathic constipation and prepare new ways of treatments for constipation. New researches have approved the effectiveness of these foods and drugs for treating the constipation.   Keywords: Constipation, Children, Liver, Iranian Traditional Medicine

Persian manual therapy method for chronic low-back pain with lumbar radiculopathy; a randomized controlled trial

Background: Manual therapy is a non-surgical approach for management of musculoskeletal symptoms. This study investigated safety and efficacy of a Persian manual therapy method (Fateh technique) for management of chronic low-back pain (LBP) and radiculopathy. Methods: In this controlled trial, 52 eligible patients with chronic LBP and lumbar radiculopathy were randomly assigned into two intervention groups; one received a 16-min soft tissue manipulation for four weekly sessions and did two daily home active exercises. The other group only did the two daily exercises for four weeks. Roland-Morris disability score, Visual Analogue Scale scores of LBP, radiculopathy and paresthesia, and finger-to-floor test result were assessed at the baseline, and in fourth and eighth weeks of trial. Results: Data of 48 participants was analyzed. Distributions of age, sex, and duration of symptoms in two groups were the same. Fateh technique respectively decreased pain, radiculopathy, paresthesia, and disability, by 4.28 95% confidence interval: 3.36�5.19, 3.85 2.67�5.03, 1.32 0.37�2.27, and 4.58 3.23�5.93 units, and increased body flexibility by 35.42 6.91�63.92 millimeters. Compared with home exercise, Fateh technique was associated with greater changes in all outcomes. No adverse event has occurred. Conclusions: Fateh technique is safe and effective for management of LBP and radiculopathy in patients without severe progressive symptoms. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

A clinical comparative study of oral and topical ginger on severity and duration of primary dysmenorrhea

Background and objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea has remained a health problem. This study has compared the effect of oral and topical ginger on severity and duration of primary dysmenorrhea.  Methods: A single-blind randomized trial was conducted on 70 female students with moderate and severe primary dysmenorrhea. The participants were stratified randomized between two groups of oral and topical ginger. The oral group received 250 mg capsules of ginger powder and the topical group applied five drops of ginger oil topically every 6 hours from two days before through the first three days of menstruation for three cycles. The severity and duration of pain, and the number of mefenamic acid consumption were assessed in each cycle. Before-after changes were evaluated in each group and were compared between two groups. Results: The reduction of pain severity was 3(±3.2) in the topical compared to 2.6(±3.4) in the oral group (

A review of pioneer physicians' work on maternal health in pregnancy in ancient Iran; Narrative systematic review

Background: Maternal lifestyle and behaviors during pregnancy have been associated with future health outcomes for mothers and babies. Iranian Traditional medicine, which is a holistically-oriented medical discipline, has special atti-tudes towards pregnancy. The purpose of the study is the investigation of maternal health in medical books of ancient Iran. This study is a systematic review scrutinizing issues concerning lifestyle during pregnancy based on "Avicenna's Canon medicine" and "Rhazes Al-Havi" and for complete discussion, other reliable sources in traditional medicine which was conducted following the categorization and analysis of the gleaned data. Based on approaches by Iranian Traditional Medicine, the most important topics in lifestyle habits during pregnancy are divided into four main groups: Nutrition, physical exercise, sexual activity and psychological stress. Then special recommendations are suggested which include a regimen to facilitate labor. Eating behaviors and other lifestyle habits have a major role in optimizing the health of women in pregnancy. Regarding to traditional medicine viewpoints paying special attention to correcting diet, life style and preventive attitude with effective and simple therapeutic procedures, it seems that traditional medi-cine can offer efficient managements to alleviate some pregnancy complications