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Biomedical subjects

B L Seaward

Publications and source records attributed to B L Seaward.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Stress and human spirituality 2000: at the cross roads of physics and metaphysics.

Although stress is defined as a perceived threat, the implications of stress go well beyond physical well-being. In the words of Carl Jung, "Every crisis is a spiritual crisis." Western science, so strongly influenced by the Cartesian Principle of Reductionism, has ignored the essence and significance of human spirituality in the health and healing process. Holistic healing honors the integration, balance, and harmony of mind, body, spirit, and emotions, where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Stress (unresolved issues of anger and fear) chokes the human spirit, the life force of human energy, which ultimately affects the physical body. From the perspectives of both physics and metaphysics, stress is a disruption in the state of coherence between the layers of consciousness in the human energy field. The emerging paradigm of health reunites mind, body, and spirit, and considers health as a function of coherence among the energy levels of these components.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Alternative medicine complements standard. Various forms focus on holistic concepts.

Western or conventional medical practices are founded on the principle of Newtonian physics; the body is viewed as a large clock whose broken parts are fixed or replaced. The placebo effect, hypnosis, psychoneuroimmunology, and spontaneous remission have recently inspired researchers to look beyond this mechanistic model toward a new paradigm of greater understanding regarding the entity we call "human beings." The premise of alternative medicine, based on the paradigm of whole systems, suggests that human beings are more than physical bodies with fixable and replaceable parts; they are a complicated network of pulsating energy frequencies often described in terms of a human aura. Western researchers now call this "the human energy field." Homeopathy, acupuncture, polarity healing, and the healing power of touch are only a few of the more common branches of holistic medicine that unite body, mind, and spirit for optimal health. The U.S. Congress has appropriated more than $2 million to the National Institutes of Health to research the validity of alternative or complementary medicines. In light of proposed changes in the healthcare system, alternative medicine may eventually be incorporated into the American structure of healthcare delivery. Proponents of holistic medicine agree that various forms of alternative medicine should be used to complement, rather than compete, with, the current accepted standard of healthcare.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed1992

Humor's healing potential.

In the past three decades the medical world has begun to take more serious notice of the healing power of humor and the positive emotions associated with it. Humor and laughter are currently being employed by psychotherapists and other care givers as tools to promote and maintain health, as well as intervention and rehabilitation tools for a host of maladies and illnesses related to stress and life-style. Although this empirical medical approach is relatively new, the study of humor has revealed a complex psychological phenomenon. Senses of humor have been categorized in types associated with personality. Humor has many styles and can be found in almost any situation, on any occasion. Theories of humor include the superiority theory, the incongruity theory, the release/relief theory, and the divinity theory. Laughter has many clinical benefits, promoting beneficial physiological changes and an overall sense of well-being. Humor even has long-term effects that strengthen the effectiveness of the immune system. In healthcare, humor therapy can help relieve stress associated with disease and illness. It serves as a diversionary tactic, a therapeutic tool for disorders such as depression, and a coping mechanism. It also is a natural healing component for care givers trying to cope with the stress and personal demands of their occupations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

The effects of treadmill running on the isometric fatigue of the handgrip muscles.

Twelve male subjects, ages 18-32, performed low, moderate, and high intensity systemic treadmill exercise to examine its effect on isometric strength and fatigue of the handgrip muscles. Baseline handgrip values were recorded, as well as maximal oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold (VT), to determine the intensity for each of the three exercise conditions. Task A involved a 10-min treadmill run at 20% below VT, task B was given at VT, and task C was 20% above VT. Immediately following the endurance treadmill run the subjects were given a 2-min isometric contraction at maximum intensity. Heart rate and blood pressure were also measured. No significant differences were found between control measures and the strength and endurance variables. Rates of fatigue were similar for all conditions, and heart rate and blood pressure remained elevated during the handgrip fatigue task. It is concluded that isometric strength and endurance of non-involved muscles are not affected by prior endurance exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Giving wellness a spiritual workout. Two model programs emphasize the development of self-reliance.

Many hospitals, corporations, and communities have developed wellness programs to help people maintain a healthy life-style. Today's wellness doctrine reflects modern medical thinking that, to achieve optimal human potential, a person must enjoy physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Most wellness programs, however, concentrate on the physical; few take into account spiritual well-being. Wellness programs developed by the Boulder County YMCA, Longmont, CO, and the University of Maryland, College Park, were based on an interpretation of a model suggested by Carl Jung that defines spirituality as the development of self-reliance. According to Jung, the constituents of self-reliance include awareness, inner faith, self-worth, humility, patience, acceptance, and self-confidence. He suggested that the absence of any one of these could cause a breakdown in a person's belief system and lead to a spiritual crisis. These programs trained participants to recognize the importance of their spiritual well-being and to find practical ways to improve it. Key components were a stress management course; workshops in confidence building and values clarification; and classes, lectures, and workshops that emphasize the integration of spiritual and physical well-being.

Colorado↗
PubMed1988

Maternal physiologic adaptations to early human pregnancy.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that significant maternal physiologic adaptations to pregnancy take place in multiple systems long before they are functionally necessary (during the embryonic period). To test this hypothesis, 20 women were studied serially before pregnancy and in the seventh and fifteenth postconceptional week of an accurately dated, clinically normal, singleton pregnancy. By the seventh week, significant changes were noted in body composition and cardiopulmonary and metabolic functions. Body fat and plasma volume increased 2% and 11%, respectively, accounting for all of the observed 2 kg weight gain. With the patient standing at rest after eating, heart rate increased 13 beats/min (16%) while mean arterial pressure fell 8 mm Hg (9%). Minute ventilation rose 24% and oxygen consumption increased by 27 ml/min, or 10%. The postprandial respiratory exchange ratio also increased, from 0.78 to 0.83; the whole blood glucose level was unchanged at rest, although there was a 15% decrease in whole blood lactate levels. We conclude that our hypothesis is correct, which suggests these adaptations are preparative and may have diagnostic value.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The precision and accuracy of a portable heart rate monitor.

A device that would comfortably and accurately measure exercise heart rate during field performance could be valuable for athletes, fitness participants, and investigators in the field of exercise physiology. Such a device, a portable telemeterized microprocessor, was compared with direct EKG measurements in a laboratory setting under several conditions to assess its accuracy. Twenty-four subjects were studied at rest and during light-, moderate-, high-, and maximal-intensity endurance activities (walking, running, aerobic dancing, and Nordic Track simulated cross-country skiing. Differences between values obtained by the two measuring devices were not statistically significant, with correlation coefficient (r) values ranging from 0.998 to 0.999. The two methods proved equally reliable for measuring heart rate in a host of varied aerobic activities at varying intensities.

Adult↗