http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/712156-summer-fire-joy-and-food/?sidebar=related-left

The element associated with summer is, not surprisingly, fire according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and it is the season of the year that is most yang. High yang means heat, maximum activity, and expansion. The sun’s rays are reaching out to warm all that grows in Nature. This is also true of relationships because the emotion connected to the fire element is joy and the sound is laughter. Sounds good, doesn’t it? This philosophy tells us that to live in harmony with nature, it is especially important during the summer months to be joyful and laugh.

Other associations with the fire element are; the color red, bitter tasting foods, the heart and small intestines, and the tongue. When the fire element is in balance, your heart is strong and healthy, your mind is calm and your sleep is sound. On the other hand, when the fire element is not balanced, you may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (mania).
Because summer is the hottest season, to balance the heat, you need a diet that is cooling. I have a few suggestions below.

1.Green Tea
If you’re making ice tea, try green tea. It’s a lot healthier than many other types and yet it still tastes great. Research has found green tea to be anti-carcinogenic and to help lower cholesterol. Green tea is easy to find, there are many fine brands, and it can be purchased in most grocery stores.

2. Strawberries
Eat more strawberries. These fruits are cooling in nature, making them the perfect summer food. In Chinese Medicine, they are good for dry cough and sore throat. Strawberries lubricate the lungs, promote production of body fluids, and for those regrettable evenings, detoxify alcohol intoxication. It’s best to eat strawberries (and most fruits) at room temperature. Like other foods that are rich in vitamin C, strawberries enhance the absorption of iron from foods and having enough iron is important for nourishing your blood.

3. Watermelon
Have some watermelon. This fruit was held in such regard that it was placed in the tombs of many Egyptian kings! Watermelon is considered to have many benefits in Chinese Medicine. The fruit (Xi Gua) and the seeds (Xi Gua Ren) are used for headache, nausea, irritability, low appetite, sluggish digestion and sore throat. Watermelon is also an excellent source of vitamin C and lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant and has been found to be protective against a growing list of cancers. Plus because of its thick skin, the exposure to those nasty pesticides is much lower than that of many other fruits and vegetables.

Other examples of cooling foods include; asparagus, sprouts, corn, cucumber, spinach, and mint. Summer is not the time to overdo spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine because all of these foods heat you up rather than cool you down.

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Alternative Names
Repetitive stress injuries

Overview:
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) develops from problems in a nerve in the wrist — not the muscles, as some people believe.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually progress gradually over weeks and months, or sometimes years.
Anyone with recurrent or persistent pain, numbness and tingling, or weakness of the hand should consult a doctor for an evaluation.
It is not completely known how the process leading to carpal tunnel syndrome actually evolves, and how nerve conduction (the transmission of the nerve signal) through the wrist changes.

In general, carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the tissues around the median nerve of the hand swell and press on the nerve.
Early in the disorder, the process is reversible. Over time, however, the insulation on the nerves may wear away, and permanent nerve damage may develop.

It is often very difficult to determine the precise cause of carpal tunnel syndrome

Risk Factors:
CTS is associated with a family history of the disorder.
Many studies indicate that women have a significantly higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome than men do.
Older people are at higher risk than younger adults.

Treatment:
It is critical to begin treating early phases of carpal tunnel syndrome before the damage progresses.
A conservative approach to CTS, which may include corticosteroid injections and splinting, is the first step in treating this disorder.
Surgery is usually an effective treatment choicefor people with the more classic signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndromewho fail conservative treatment.

Introduction
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder that causes pain and weakness in the hand and wrist. CTS develops from problems in a nerve in the wrist — not the muscles, as some people believe. The symptoms of CTS can range from mild to incapacitating.

The Carpal Tunnel and Median Nerve

To understand how carpal tunnel syndrome arises, it is important to know the parts of the hand and wrist that are involved.
The Carpal Tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a passageway that forms beneath the strong, broad transverse ligament. This ligament is a bridge that extends across the lower palm and connects the bones of the wrist (carpals) that form an arch below the tunnel.

The Median Nerve and Flexor Tendons. The median nerve and nine flexor tendons pass under the ligament bridge and through the carpal tunnel (similar to a river). They extend from the forearm up into the hand:
The flexor tendons are fibrous cords that connect the muscles in the forearm to the fingers (two to each finger and one to the thumb). They allow flexing of the fingers and clenching of the fist.

The median nerve plays two important roles. It supplies sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, and to the flexor tendons. It provides function for the muscles at the base of the thumb (the thenar muscle).

The median nerve travels through a compartment in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The ligaments that traverse the nerve are not very flexible. Any swelling within the wrist compartment can put excessive pressure on structures such as the blood vessels and the median nerve. Excessive pressure can constrict blood flow and cause nerve damage. The symptoms from the compression cause pain, loss of sensation, and decreased function in the hand.