Hindustanlink.com: Health Care Blog

Treatment For Appendicitis

August 28th, 2010

Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency of the abdomen. It affects about 10% of the population. The incidence of appendicitis is about 1 in 500 persons every year. Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. This rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool).

Cause Of Appendicitis

The cause of appendicitis cannot be attributed to any one single factor. Fecal material is thought to be one possible obstructing object. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can be responsible agents of an infection that leads to swelling of the tissues of the appendix wall, including Yersinia species, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, actinomycosis, Mycobacteria species, Histoplasma species, Schistosoma species, pinworms, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Also, swelling of the tissue from inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease may cause appendicitis. It appears that appendicitis is not hereditary or transmittable from person to person.

Symptoms Of Appendicitis

Pain in the abdomen, first around the belly button and then in the lower right area
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
Inability to pass gas
Low fever, which begins after other symptoms
Abdominal swelling
Uncomforting feeling in the abdomen
Pain in the center of abdomen
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Feeling that a bowel movement will relieve the discomfort

Treatment

The treatment requires surgical removal of the appendix. The conventional method is the removal of the appendix by an open laparotomy. The current treatment followed is ligation and electrocauterisation. For patients who have signs of peritonitis a peritoneal lavage with saline is done. The use of drains is controversial.

The recent method of surgery adopted is the Laparoscopic appendectomy. This procedure makes use of a laparoscope for the removal of the appendix. The advantages are shorter hospital stay, decrease in the incidence of postoperative infection, shorter convalescent period and greater cosmetic acceptance. The disadvantages are longer operating time (about 20 minutes).

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Treatment For Malaria

August 23rd, 2010

Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and they must have been infected through a previous blood meal taken on an infected person. When a mosquito bites an infected person, a small amount of blood is taken in which contains microscopic malaria parasites.

Type of Malaria infection:

Treatment obviously depends on the type of infection. Patients with P. falciparum malaria should be evaluated thoroughly in view of potential seriousness of the disease and possibility of resistance to anti malarial drugs.
P. vivax: Only Chloroquine 25 mg/kg + Primaquine for 14 days.
P. falciparum: Treat depending on severity & sensitivity. Primaquine as gametocytocidal is a must to prevent spread.
Mixed infections: Blood schizonticides as for P. falciparum and Primaquine as for P. vivax

Malaria Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. Infection with one type of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.

Home Treatment For malaria

Lime and lemon play a vital role in the treatment of quartan type of malarial fever. About three grams of lime and a juice of 1 lemon should be dissolved in about 60 ml of water. This mixture can be taken before you suspect the attack to take place.
The herb chirayata, botanically known as Swertia chirata, is also beneficial in the treatment of intermittent type of malarial fevers. It helps in lowering the temperature. An infusion of the herb, prepared by immersing 15 gm of chirayata in 250 ml of hot water with aromatics like cloves and cinnamon, should be given in doses of 15 to 30 ml.
Alum is also useful in malaria – First take a small amount of alum and then roast it over a hot plate. Now powder it. Half a teaspoon of this powder 0should be taken about four hours before the expected attack and half a teaspoon every two hours after it. This may help you in giving relief.
The leaves of holy basil are also considered beneficial in the prevention of malaria. The juice of about eleven grams of leaves of holy basil mixed with three grams of powder of black pepper can be taken beneficially in the cold stage of the malarial fever. This will check the severity of the disease.

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Remedies For Glaucoma

August 18th, 2010

Glaucoma is a group of conditions, in which high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) damages the optic nerve of the eye. Glaucoma usually affects both the eyes. It commonly occurs in adults above 40 years of age, but can even occur in newborn babies. The vision lost due to glaucoma is irreversible and can not be regained. Hence it is very important to detect this disease as early as possible and treat early to preserve vision.

Causes Of Glaucoma

Our optic nerve, which is located in back of the eye transmits the images we see back to the brain for interpretation. The eye is firm and round, like a basketball. Its tone and shape are maintained by a pressure within the eye (the intraocular pressure), which normally ranges between 8 and 22 mm (millimeters) of mercury. When the pressure is too low, the eye becomes softer, while a too high pressure causes the eye to become harder. The front of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called the aqueous humor, which provides nourishment to the structures in the front of the eye. This fluid is produced constantly by the ciliary body, which surrounds the lens of the eye.
The aqueous humor then flows through the pupil and leaves the eye through tiny channels called the trabecular meshwork. These channels are located at what is called the filtering, or drainage angle of the eye. This angle is where the clear cornea, which covers the front of the eye, attaches to the base (root or periphery) of the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. The cornea covers the iris and the pupil, which are in front of the lens. The pupil is the small, round, black-appearing opening in the center of the iris. Light passes through the pupil, on through the lens, and to the retina at the back of the eye

Symptoms

This form of glaucoma generally does not cause any symptoms in the initial stages. The high pressure causes damage to the optic nerve and leads to loss of peripheral visual field initially. Unless a routine checkup is done, these changes go unnoticed and progressively lead to further loss of visual field and the loss of central vision as well in the later stages. Since this loss of vision is irreversible, glaucoma is also called the ’silent killer’. Some patients may experience these

Symptom

Loss of peripheral vision: this is often not noticed until considerable damage has occurred:-
Blurred or foggy vision Frequent change of glasses for near work
Heaviness or dull pain in the eyes Pain and redness of the eye
Halos or rainbow colored rings perceived around lights

What are the symptoms of glaucoma in children (congenital)?
The symptoms are redness, watering, photophobia (inability to tolerate light), enlargement of the eyes, and corneal clouding. Glaucoma in children needs to be managed very early and aggressively, in order to save their vision.

Treatment For Glaucoma

By controlling the eye pressure (IOP) at the optimum level Glaucoma can be treated. The level of IOP required (target pressure) depends upon the extent of damage and other factors and is decided by the treating doctor. Medical treatment is generally the first line of management. It includes eye drops and tablets to control the pressure by either increasing the drainage or decreasing the production of the fluid in the eye. These medicines are generally to be used lifelong, and it is very important to use the medicines regularly at prescribed timings and not to stop the medicines without consulting the doctor.

Laser treatment is recommended in certain selected cases to create an alternative pathway for the drainage of the fluid. Even after laser, a few patients may still need to use medications to keep the pressure under control. Surgery is recommended in cases where the medicines alone are not effective or cause significant side effects. The surgery increases the drainage of the fluid. Cryopexy or Cycloablation are used in uncontrolled cases, and involve partial or total destruction of the tissues that produce the fluid in the eye.

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Natural Treatment For Ringworm

August 12th, 2010

Ringworm is a common skin disease caused due to fungal attacks on the skin. People suffering from this disease experiences a round or ring shaped dark red/pink spots on the skin. It is quite painful and irritating. This disease can attack people of all age. However, children are more susceptible to it. ringworm may attack in any part of the body; it especially attacks in underarms, waist, thighs, and fingers. Some times it spread over the entire scalp. In ayurveda it is included in kushth roga.

How To Prevent Ringworm
Apart from the above mentioned home remedies. Given below are some other important things that a patient suffering from ringworm should take care of.

Drink plenty of water.
Do yoga and meditation, especially breathing asanas
Go for morning walk, inhale fresh air, do little exercise, etc.
Keep your body clean, use good quality (ayurvedic or medicated) soap, also apply mud pack (multani mitti) on your skin, use clean and soft towel, always dry your body with towel before wearing clothes.
Always wear clean and well-fitted clothes.
Bath twice a day, or thrice who perspire a lot. This will keep the body clean, and sweat and other germs will not infect your body and skin. But do not bath in hurry, always rub your body with your hands, using good quality scrubber while bathing.
Sunbath is also good for patient suffering from ringworm

Home Treatment For Ring worm
Raw papaya is one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm. The slices of this fruit should be rubbed on the ringworm patches. A paste made from dried papaya seeds can also be applied beneficially on these ringworm patches

Another effective home remedy for ringworm is mustard seeds. A paste should be prepared from these seeds and applied externally over the ringworm patches after thoroughly washing the skin with sufficient hot water

The seeds of the herb butea are valuable in ringworm. The seeds should be ground to a paste and mixed with a little lime juice. This paste should be applied externally over the skin affected by ringworm

The leaves of the cassia tree are useful in irritation of the skin and in alleviating swellings and pains. The juice of these leaves or a paste made from them can be applied to ringworm patches with gratifying results
Ringworm treatment using Holy Basil

The leaves of holy basil are also useful in ringworm. The juice of these leaves should be extracted and applied over ringworm patches

Turmeric is very effective in the treatment of ringworm. The juice of raw turmeric should be applied externally to the parts of the skin affected by ringworm. Simultaneously, one teaspoon of turmeric juice mixed with an equal quantity of honey should be taken orally

Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot juice in combination with spinach juice, have proved beneficial in the treatment of ringworm. The formula proportions considered helpful in this combination are 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice to make 500 ml or half a litre of juice

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STDs: Test Early, Test Often

August 12th, 2010

While HindustanLink has blogged about STDs before, the most important measure to combat a sexually transmitted disease is knowledge and prevention. There are, of course, visible signs that you may have contracted an STD, but unfortunately, sometimes there are no obvious symptoms at all. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to make sure that everyone, no matter who you are, gets tested if you happen to be sexually active. This includes those who are both monogamous or even those who use protection on a consistent basis. The only way to know for sure is to get tested, and the only way to stop the spread of such diseases is to be aware.

Many people put off STD testing out of fear or embarrassment. However, those who may be a little nervous about going to their doctor should know that STD testing, just as with other medical diagnostic testing and procedures, is carried out with strict privacy. Don’t ever let your own personal reservations about STD testing stop you from going to your doctor.

The Mayo Clinic website offers some wonderful advice on what to expect when it comes to STD testing. To summarize, it is advised that all women at the very least get a pap test every year after 21 years of age, or three years after their first instance of sexual intercourse. Pap tests can detect the possibility of an HPV infection, which is a common STD that can lead to cervical cancer. Women should also ensure that they are screened routinely for chlamydia, a very commonly occurring and troublesome STD.

For men, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t suggest that they get tested if they carry absolutely no symptoms. However, if you are man who is having or has had sexual intercourse with another man, the importance of testing is stronger.

For both men and women, they should immediately get tested if they notice sores or blisters in genital areas, as well as if they notice unusual discharges from the penis or vagina. HIV testing is especially important for both men and women who live in high-risk areas. Ask your doctor for a routine HIV test if you have had multiple partners or you have had intercourse with a new partner since your last test.

In the final analysis, the only surefire way to prevent STDs is to abstain from sex altogether, or to have sex with only one partner who has been tested. While AIDS tends to get more publicity, other STDs can become just as deadly if left untreated.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Tisha Dotson, who writes on the topics of medical coding certification. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: tishadotson86@gmail . com.

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Home Treatment For Sciatica

August 9th, 2010

Sciatica is pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb.

Sciatica Symptoms

The most common symptom from sciatica is pain. Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements.

The pain is usually worse with both prolonged sitting and standing. Some people describe the worst pain when trying to stand from a low sitting position, such as standing up after sitting on a toilet seat.

In most people, the pain is made worse by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or a hard bowel movement. Bending backward can also make the pain worse.

You may also notice a weakness in your leg or foot, along with the pain. The weakness may become so bad you can’t move your foot.

Home remedies for sciatica relief
Juices like the juice of potatoes and celery leaves. These juices in combination are said to provide sciatica relief when drunk in a minimum quantity of 10 ounces daily. The addition of carrots and beetroots to this mixture is said to fortify the strength and taste. If you can’t drink the juice drinking celery tea throughout the day is also beneficial.

Elderberry juice and/or elderberry tea is a known muscle relaxant and stimulant and is said to treat sciatica symptoms.

Consuming raw garlic or taking garlic supplements with along with additional supplements of vitamin B1 and B-complex gives relief from aches and pains, aids circulation, is an anti-oxidant and also provides the body with warmth and energy.

The common natural sources of B1 or Thiamine are Green peas, Spinach, Liver, Beef, and Pork, Navy beans, Nuts, Pinto beans, Bananas, Soybeans, Whole-grain Cereals, Breads, unpolished rice and Legumes. Thus maintaining a healthy balanced diet containing these and salads containing watercress and parsley apart from green leafy vegetables and fresh red vegetables is very important for good health.

Some claim that garlic milk also can be an excellent sciatica home treatment. Just mince two cloves of garlic in about ½ a cup of milk and drink this concoction twice daily and the results can be seen in just a week’s time.

Germans have been eating raw sauerkraut since ages to relieve muscular pain.

However, care must be taken to avoid garlic if you are taking any other medication like anticoagulants, if you have any bleeding disorders or ulcers and take the advice of your doctor before taking garlic supplements.

Another magical home remedy to treat sciatica is fresh minced horseradish poultice, which when applied to the painful areas and kept for at least an hour at a time stimulates the sciatica nerve and give tremendous relief from sciatica pain.

Water is one of the best natural treatment options for sciatica pain relief. Water can help to bring down pain by improving circulation. Taking long hot bath or a shower and following it up with a short cold shower is said to boost the body’s circulation and reduce pain. Taking hot and cold compresses too is equally beneficial.

Treatments for sciatica must include a good diet, exercise and the patient must aim at improving overall health. Also to avoid such problems in the long run, sleeping on a firm mattress, sitting and standing in a good posture, avoiding lifting heavy loads should be a part of everyday care that must be taken. It is these small things that cause sciatica over a period of time.

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Home Treatment And Diet For Jaundice

August 3rd, 2010

Treatment

The juice of bitter luffa is consider effective for jaundice. It is obtained by squeezing the bitter luffa through cloth. The juice should be placed on the palm of the hand and drawn up through the nostrils. This will cause a profuse outflow of a yellow-coloured fluid through the nostrils. This is, however, a strong medicine and may cause side-effects like giddiness, migraine.

If the juice of green bitter luffa is not available, it can be substituted by two to three drops of the fluid obtained by soaking its dry crusts overnight in water. This will produce an identical effect. Seeds of bitter lnffa which are easily available can also be used for the same purpose after rubbing in water.

The juice of green leaves of radish should he taken daily by an adult patient. It induces a healthy appetite and proper evacuation of bowels, and this results in gradual decrease of the trouble. In most cases, complete cure can be ensured within eight or ten days.

Tomatoes are valuable in jaundice. A glass of fresh tomato juice, mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper, taken early in the morning, is considered an effective remedy for this disease.

Lemon is also beneficial in the treatment of jaundice. The patient should be given 20 ml of lemon juice mixed with water several times a day. This will protect the damaged liver cells.
Jaundice treatment using Barley Water

Barley water drunk several times during the day is another good remedy for this disease. One cup of barley should be boiled in three litres of water and simmered for three hours.
Jaundice treatment using Jaundice Berry

The herb jaundice berry, botanically known as Berberis vultaris is very useful in jaundice.The pulverized bark should be given several times a day in doses of one-fourth of a teaspoon in the treatment of this disease, or the fluid extract should be given 2-4 ml doses.

Diet for Jaundice:
After the juice fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for further three to five days. In this regimen, he should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges and pineapples, but no bananas. Thereafter a simple diet may be resumed on the following lines:

Upon arising: A glass of warm water with juice of half a lemon.

Breakfast: One fresh juicy fruit such as apple, pear, mango, papaya, or some grapes, or berries. One cup wheat broken wheat or one slice of whole meal bread with a little butter.

Mid-morning: Orange or pear juice.

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Treatment For Corns, Calluses, Bullions On The Toe

July 30th, 2010

Corns, calluses, and bunions are all common foot problems. It is estimated that eight out of every ten adults suffers from at least one of the three. However, this is little consolation if your corns, calluses, and bunions are causing your feet to look unsightly, or even worse, causing discomfort. Below, you can find the common causes of these foot problems and treatment options that will give your feet the relief they need.

Symptoms
Skin is thick and hardened.
Skin may be flaky and dry.
Hardened, thick skin areas are found on hands, feet, or other areas that may be rubbed or pressed.

Treatment
Usually, preventing friction is the only treatment needed. If a corn is the result of a poor-fitting shoe, changing to shoes that fit properly will usually eliminate the corn within a couple of weeks. Until then, protect the skin with donut-shaped corn pads, available in pharmacies. If desired, use a pumice stone to gently wear down the corn.
Calluses on the hands can be treated by wearing gloves during activities that cause friction, such as gardening and weight lifting.
If an infection or ulcer occurs in an area of a callus or corn, unhealthy tissue may need to be removed by a health care provider and treatment with antibiotics may be necessary.
Calluses often reflect undue pressure placed on the skin because of an underlying problem such as bunions. Proper treatment of any underlying condition should prevent the calluses from returning.

Dont’s

Do not try to cut away corns and callouses yourself. They can be removed painlessly by your podiatrist with immediate relief. Your podiatrist can also advise you how to best prevent new corns and callouses forming which may include some or all of the following options:

Regular maintenance to keep the corn and callouses reduced
Use of padding to prevent the pressure
Advice about correct fitting of footwear
The use of foot orthotics to relieve the pressure under the foot
Surgical correction of the bony prominence that may be causing the high pressure area

Home Treatment

The pulp of raw potato is also useful in the treatment of corn. It should be placed on the corn and secured with a bandage and allowed to remain for two or three hours.

Lemon is another valuable remedy for corns. A fresh slice of lemon should be tied over the painful area at night and allowed to remain there the whole night.

Raw papaya is beneficial in the treatment of corns. Its juice is an irritant and it is, therefore, a useful application in this condition. Half a teaspoon of raw papaya juice may be applied thrice daily.

Liquorices is one of the most valuable remedies for corns that are just appearing. A paste made by grinding three or four liquorices sticks and mixing it with half a teaspoon of sesame oil or mustard oil should be rubbed into the hardened skin at bedtime. The skin gradually softens and the com decreases in size.

The herb Indian squill, botanically known as Urginea indica is useful in removing corns. A bulb may be roasted and applied over the com. It should be secured with a bandage. This application may be made at night and removed in the morning.

The milky juice of green figs is valuable for corns of long duration. It helps to soften them. Half a teaspoon of this juice may be extracted from the fruit and applied two or three times daily.

Chalk powder has also been found beneficial in the treatment of corns. A small piece of chalk may be ground into a paste with water and applied over the affected area.

In most cases the corn will disappear when the pressure is removed. Medicinal corn removing plasters, known as corn caps, are easily available with chemists. They are found to be effective.

Epsom salt bath is highly beneficial in the treatment of corns. About 100 gm’s. of epsom salt should be dissolved in bowl full of water. The feet should be bathed in the water from 5 to 10 minutes twice daily in the morning and night.

The oil extracted from the outer shell of the cashew nut being acrid and rubefacient, is valuable in corns. It should be applied externally over the affected parts in treating this condition.

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Home Treatment For Diarrhea

July 26th, 2010

Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements or a decrease in the form of stool (greater looseness of stool). Although changes in frequency of bowel movements and looseness of stools can vary independently of each other, changes often occur in both. It is the frequent passage of loose, watery, soft stools with or without abdominal bloating, pressure, and cramps commonly referred to as gas.

Causes

The most common causes of acute diarrhea are infections (the cause of traveler’s diarrhea), food poisoning, and medications. Medications are a frequent and often over-looked cause, especially antibiotics and antacids. Less often, various sugar free foods, which sometimes contain poorly absorbable materials, cause diarrhea.

Symptoms

Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody stools.

Home Remedies for Diarrhea

Make a mixture by adding 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice and 1/4 tsp pepper powder. Drink this mixture two times a day. This is one of the useful home remedies for diarrhea.

Banana taken along with curd is also useful for the treatment of loose motions.

Make a paste of a lemon along with seeds and add some salt to it. Take 1 tsp of this paste 2-3 times in a day. This is very effective home remedy for diarrhea.

Take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with each meal.

Roast 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and 1/2 tsp of fenugreek seeds. Mix and powder it, add to 4 tsp of yogurt (curd). Take this mixture thrice in a day. This diarrhea remedy is very good and effective home remedy for diarrhea.

During diarrhea plenty of fluids should be given to the patient.

Fresh juice of Amla taken with lemon juice and sugar is beneficial. Morpheme Amalaki offers pure Amla fruit extract in vegetable capsules

Add one teaspoonful of ginger juice in half cup of boiling water and drink hot after every one-hour.

Amaranth seeds and leaves are useful in diarrhea treatment. Make a tea by boiling three cups of water to a boil, then add two teaspoons of seeds, cover it and simmer on low for about 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of leaves or let it steep for 30 minutes. Drink two cups everyday as this is helpful to heal diarrhea. This remedy is very good home remedy for diarrhea.

Intake of curd with mango juice and one teaspoon ginger also cures diarrhea.

Boil water and allow it to cool. Add 3 teaspoons of black pepper and 11/2 teaspoon of kelp to 2 cups of water and drink. This diarhea remedy is very good natural remedy for diarrhea.

Intake of mango nut powder with water also cures diarrhea.

In case of acute diarrhea, oral rehydration therapy is the best way to deal with diarrhea.

Blend handful of chopped red radishes, 1 cup of cold milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch. Drink the mixture slowly. This natural remedy for diarrhea should stop the diarrhea within an hour. Repeat again in 4 hours, if required.

Doubling the protein intake and carbohydrates is recommended in chronic diarrhea.

Make a mixture by adding 4 tablespoons of honey with 8 ounces of water. This is a good and one of the simple home remedies for diarrhea.

Roast fennel and white cumin seeds in equal amounts and take in a dose of 3 grams after every three hours with water.

Make a powder of 10 grams of dry fruit of Indian gooseberry (Amla) and 5 grams of black Chebulic myrobalan (Haritaki). Take one grams of this mixture twice a day. Good home remedy for diarrhea.

Mix powder of 12 grams of fennel and 6 grams of white cumin seeds and add 12 grams of unrefined sugar and store it. Take one gram of this mixture every morning and evening for 15 days. This is one of the greatest diet for diarrhea.

Diet for diarrhea – Add some Spiegel seeds in 125 grams of curd and take it twice a day.

Drink 200 grams of buttermilk with roasted cumin seeds and half gram of black salt.

Diet for Diarrhea and Prevention

Brown Rice, ripe Bananas, Apple sauce and toast can be given as a diet during Diarrhea. Toast should have whole wheat and butter or jam should not be added. Apple juice should be avoided as it increases Diarrhea intensity. Liquids should be given frequently to compensate the water loss. Dairy products should be avoided. Fruit juices, Apricots, Peas, Pears and Plums should be avoided. Buttermilk, Yoghurt, Banana and Carrot can be given. Physical activity should be completely curtailed. This is one of the important diet for diarrhea and effective diarrhea cure.

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Home Remedy For Curing Tooth Cavity

July 21st, 2010

Dental cavity is the most common cause of toothache. Dental cavities are holes in the two outer layers of the tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath the enamel. Certain bacteria in the mouth that convert simple sugars to acid causing dental cavities. This acid softens and dissolves the enamel and dentin creating cavities.

Diet for toothache – Good amount of raw vegetables and fruits should be included in the diet.

Mix mustard oil and turmeric powder and apply on the teeth. It is highly beneficial in curing all the teeth problems. This is one of the best toothache cure.

Good amount of vitamin C and calcium should be taken to make the teeth strong. It is a good diet for toothache.

Intake of sugar should be restricted to prevent any kind of tooth problems.

In 1 cup of water boil 5-6 cloves with 2- inch bark of a Margosa tree and strain and store this in the fridge. Smear this decoction on the affected tooth for pain relief. This is also good natural remedy for toothache.

While you really do need to get to the root of the problem with your dentist, here’s some home remedies that you can use until you can get an appointment:

When toothache occurs, avoid hot, cold or sweet drinks for this will help prevent pain from pulpitis.

Chewing cloves or rubbing clove oil on the tooth is good for toothache.

Mixture of crushed clove and peanut butter will provide relief. Apply this to the aching tooth and keep it in there for some time.

Make a solution of salt and water and gargle.

Turmeric sticks are good for toothache. Burn some turmeric sticks, make a fine powder, and use it as toothpowder.

Chew a clove slowly in the aching tooth to release the juice and leave it there for about half an hour. Do this three to four times.

Ginger is also good. Try to do the same procedure as the cloves and it gives same relief.

Drink juice of star fruit twice a day to get relief from the tooth pain.

Chewing raw onion for three minutes will kill all the harmful germs in the mouth. This is one of the useful toothache remedy.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide after every meal will remove all the germs and bacteria from the teeth and strengthens the teeth.

Drops of vanilla extract on the affected tooth are an effective remedy.

Oil of oregano on the paining tooth is also effective.

You may also use Listerine antiseptic by gargling it.

Ice is a traditional relief for toothache. Chew a piece of ice on the aching side of the mouth, although in the case of cavity this may make it hurt more!

If the pain is prolonged and severe, painkillers may provide some relief.

You may be able to avoid the pain of toothache all together by keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Try to avoid cavities by reducing the intake of sugary foods and drinks. Make them as an occasional treat and at meal times only. Brush your teeth and floss regularly.

Application of clove oil to the aching tooth is best to reduce pain and also removes any kind of tooth infection. This is a very effective home remedy for toothache.

Chewing leaves of guava tree will also provide relief from pain. This is one of the simplest toothache treatment.

Garlic clove when placed on the aching tooth provides immediate relief from pain.

Apply a mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt on the aching tooth as it will give relief. This is also one of the good home remedies for toothache.

Toothache treatment – Chewing fresh leaves of spinach makes the gums strong and prevents tooth decay.

The juice of wheat grass is an excellent home remedy for toothache and tooth decay.

Toothache remedy – Application of ice pack on the cheeks also reduces pain.

Pouring few 3-4 drops of vanilla extract on the aching tooth will immediately provide relief and is also good home remedy for toothache.

Mix a pinch of pepper powder and clove oil and apply on the paining tooth. Good home remedies for toothache.

Make a paste of the bay berry bark with vinegar and apply on the affected tooth. It will provide immediate relief from pain. This is one of the effective home remedies for toothache.

In 1 cup of water boil 5 gram of peppermint with a pinch of salt. Drink it for toothache pain relief and other pains. This is one of the effective natural remedies for toothache.

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How to treat Ulcers

July 12th, 2010

An ulcer is an erosion (open sore) on the surface of an organ or tissue. Ulcers most commonly erupt in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, in which case they are known as peptic ulcers.

Causes

Heredity plays an important role in contributing to ulcers. People who have a family history of ulcers seem to have a greater likelihood of acquiring the condition, as do people with type O blood. In addition, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and emphysema are among the conditions that may increase vulnerability to ulcers. Stomach and pancreatic cancers also can cause these sores to form.

The problem begins, in most cases, with a spiral-shaped germ that seems to live for one purpose, digging holes in our stomachs. This bacterium, known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori for short), is very common: It’s found in about half of all people under 60 years old in the United States. H. pylori never causes problems in most people, but in an unlucky minority, the bug burrows through the stomach’s protective mucous coating. The bacteria and stomach acid irritate the sensitive lining beneath, causing ulcers to form.

In some cases, H. pylori isn’t the villain, however. People who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin for pain relief over long periods can develop ulcers.

Symptoms

Ulcers can produce mild symptoms resembling heartburn or severe pain radiating throughout the upper portion of the body. The most common discomfort of ulcers is a burning sensation in the abdomen above the navel that may feel like hunger pangs. Pain comes about 30 to 120 minutes after eating or in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty. At this time, the acidic stomach juices are more apt to irritate the unprotected nerve endings in the exposed ulcer. Usually, pain subsides after eating or drinking something or taking an antacid to neutralize stomach acid.
Some people experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Blood in the feces (discoloring them black), blood in the vomit, extreme weakness, fainting, and excessive thirst are all signs of internal bleeding and may appear in more advanced cases.

Although ulcers are not usually life-threatening, they can cause serious damage if left untreated. Ulcers may erode nearby blood vessels and cause internal seepage of blood or hemorrhage (massive internal bleeding). A perforated ulcer may penetrate an adjoining organ, causing infection.

Treatment

Most ulcers caused by H. pylori can be cured with a combination of antibiotics and acid-blocking drugs or bismuth subsalicylate (better known as Pepto Bismol). Unfortunately, even though this information has been widely disseminated in medical journals, some doctors still send ulcer patients home with little more than orders to take it easy, knock off the booze, and eat a bland diet. If you have ulcer-like symptoms, ask your doctor to perform tests that can determine whether you have the H. pylori bug, so that if prescription medications are appropriate for your condition, you get them.
Treatment of ulcers involves relieving the irritation so that healing is able to progress naturally. Antacids counteract stomach acid and relieve symptoms, but they can also cause complications. For example, sodium bicarbonate, a primary antacid ingredient, contains large amounts of sodium, which can aggravate kidney disease or high blood pressure.
For treatment of more problematic ulcers, a physician may prescribe other preparations to promote healing. Sucralfate coats the stomach, protecting it against gastric acid. Cimetidine, ranitidine, and other H2 blockers inhibit gastric acid production. Antibiotics and antacids are often prescribed to treat ulcers caused by infection with H. pylori.
Although recent studies have shown that a bland diet is not necessary for ulcer management, such a diet is sometimes recommended until the acute symptoms disappear. Thereafter, many doctors suggest avoiding only those foods known to cause stomach distress.
Most ulcers heal within two to six weeks after treatment begins. To prevent recurrence, patients should continue to avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and any foods or substances that appear to cause irritation of the digestive tract lining.
When drug therapy and diet cannot cure an ulcer, surgical repair may be necessary. Surgery is appropriate for ulcers that recur or are life-threatening, such as perforated ulcers. Sometimes, surgeons remove a portion of the stomach and parts of the vagus nerve (which controls digestive secretions) to reduce stomach acid production. Usually, ulcers do not reappear after surgery.
Recently, endoscopic cautery (burning of tissue through an endoscope), direct injection of medications, and lasers have been quite successful in stopping bleeding, reducing the size of lesions, and correcting strictures (narrowing of the ducts due to scar formation). These procedures have spared many individuals from surgery.

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Treatment Plan For Kidney Stone

July 8th, 2010

1. Water
As your doctor has told you, water is essential for your body’s health. About 80% of people are dehydrated and don’t even know it. This spells disaster for those people who are prone to kidney stones. A good rule we suggest is to drink about half your body weight in ounces of water. If you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water a day.

2. Nutrition
You should know that your diet can help or hinder your health too! Here are three simple rules to remember. You should avoid high sugar foods which have been associated with kidney stones. You should also watch your red meat consumption which can make you more prone to uric acid stones. Finally, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which contain fiber that flushes your body and could possibly pass your stones.

3. Juices
Drink plenty of fruit and vegetable juices such as cranberry, carrot, grape, apple, and orange juices which contain high levels of citrates. Citrates reduce the build up of uric acid and help eliminate the formation of calcium salts (cause of most kidney stones). Avoid soft drinks which contain phosphorus which can cause kidney stones.

4. Know your vitamins
There are at least 3 vitamins you should always be supplementing. For instance, many kidney stone sufferers are B-6 deficient. Therefore, you should consider taking a complete B-complex vitamin which will drastically reduce your risk.

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Remedies for Mumps

June 25th, 2010

What is Mumps?

Mumps is a vial infection, which affects the salivary gland called parotid glands. It is a highly contagious virus. Once infected the patient can feel the swelling on the parotid glands present just below and in front of the ears. The swelling will last usually for about 7 to 9 days. Some of the symptoms associated with mumps are: fever, sore throat, pain while swallowing and chewing and in rare cases swelling around the ovaries for girls or testes for boys. Prior infection usually confers lasting immunity.

Common Causes of Mumps

1. Paramyxovirus

2. Droplets from coughs & sneezes

3. Lack of immunization

4. Home Remedies for Mumps

Tip 1:

A paste made with dry ginger powder and water is applied on the visibly swollen parts.

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Remedy for Acidity

June 24th, 2010

A good Home Remedy for Acidity is to chew up a few basil (tulsi ) leaves to obtain relief from blazing, nausea and gas
Stay a small part of jaggery (gur) in your jaws and slowly suck it. Repeat it each hour till acidity subsides. One of the best home remedies for acidity.
Eat watermelon, banana or cucumber each hour.
Eat a few almonds when your experience heartburn symptoms. This is good Home Remedy for Acidity
Gulp coconut water 4-5 periods a day.
Drink a glass of cold milk for quick relief of heartburn and acidity
Acquire one piece of clove and suck on it gradually
Drink fresh mint juice gradually after meals. This remedy is best Home Remedies for Acidity
Drink every day a 1 tsp juice of chebulic myrobalan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. This is another Home Remedy for Acidity.
Maintaining an standing posture for some time after food will help in preventing reaction
Sleep with your head and shoulder on a elevated pillow for height.

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Natural Remedies for Asthma

June 23rd, 2010

Symptoms and Signs of Asthma
Asthma symptoms can range from mild, such as wheezing, to chronic coughing and wheezing during severe asthma attacks. These are some of the warning signs and symptoms:
1. Wheezing and shortness of breath.
2. Difficulty sleeping due to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
3. Chest pain or tightness.
4. Shortness of breath during exercise.
5. Increased need for bronchodilators (medications that open airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles).

Remedies for Asthma

If you are experiencing symptoms of asthma, it’s important to see your doctor to be properly diagnosed. Although alternative therapies haven’t been shown to be as promising for asthma as they have for other conditions, here are eight of the more popular alternative remedies for asthma.

1) Buteyko Breathing Technique
The Buteyko (pronounced bew-tay-ko) Breathing Technique was developed by Russian-born researcher Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko. It consists of shallow-breathing exercises designed to help people with asthma breathe easier.

The Buteyko Breathing Technique is based on the premise that raising blood levels of carbon dioxide through shallow breathing can help people with asthma. Carbon dioxide is believed to dilate the smooth muscles of the airways.

A study involving 60 people with asthma compared the effects of the Buteyko Breathing Technique, a device that mimics pranayama (a yoga breathing technique), and a placebo. Researchers found people using the Buteyko Breathing Technique had a reduction in asthma symptoms. Symptoms didn’t change in the pranayama and the placebo groups.

The use of inhalers was reduced in the Buteyko group by two puffs a day at six months, but there was no change in the other two groups.

There have been several other promising clinical trials evaluating this technique, however, they have been small in size and may have had other problems with the study design. Critics of the technique say that the technique is expensive, that it makes no difference in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, that higher levels of carbon dioxide is not an effective strategy, and that any effects of the technique may be due to general relaxation.

Consult your doctor before starting any new therapy for asthma.

2) Omega Fatty Acids
One of the primary inflammation-causing fats in our diets is believed to be arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is found in certain foods, such as egg yolks, shellfish, and meat. Eating less of these foods is thought to decrease inflammation and asthma symptoms.

A German study examined data from 524 children and found that asthma was more prevalent in children with high levels of arachidonic acid.

Arachidonic acid can also be produced in our bodies. Another strategy to reduce levels of arachidonic acid is to increase intake of beneficial fats such as EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) from fish oil, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) from borage or evening primrose oil.

Omega-3 fatty acid capsules are sold in drug stores, health food stores and online. Look for the active ingredients EPA and DHA on the label.

Omega-3 fatty acid capsules may interact with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin. Side effects may include indigestion and bleeding. To reduce a fishy aftertaste after taking fish oil capsules, they should be taken just before meals.

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Home Remedies for SKIN ALLERGY

June 22nd, 2010

Grind 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water. Add 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply to affected area for relief from skin allergies.
Add 1-teaspoon limejuice with sandalwood paste. Apply to affected skin allergy area
Avoid the foods, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Smoking exacerbates allergic reactions. Those who are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) should avoid smoking.
Vitamin C is very helpful in fighting with the allergic reactions.
Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic.
Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.
Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.
Avoid the processes meat.
Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water
Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products.
Prepare an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day or 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better.
Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )
Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil to prevent skin allergies. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen.
Regularly try to do regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.
Rub an ice cube gently over the affected area. This cools the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes the itch immediately.
Pour boiling water over a bowl of oats. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes.
Strain the oats away and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray. Freeze the oat liquid to form oat cubes. To relieve itch, rub and frozen oat cube gently over the affected area.
Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected areas. It will sooth the areas and gives a cooling effect.
Take 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon each Echinacea root and marshmallow root,
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers, ½ teaspoon peppermint leaf and ¼ teaspoon ginger rhizome. Combine water and Echinacea and marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. For a 50-pound child, give 1 to 2 cups daily.This is an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Take 1 cup boiling water,1 teaspoon each calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, elder flowers and yarrow flowers, 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. Stir in baking soda. Apply to irritated skin with a soft cloth or a sponge until itching is reduced. This is also an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

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Weight Loss Remedies

June 21st, 2010

1. Cabbage is a negative calorie food that helps in burning body fat. You can take cabbage as a salad or added to other food. Try to replace one meal with a cabbage meal.

2. Green tea is one of the popular home remedies for weight loss. Drink three cups of green tea to deal with the extra weight. It is an ultimate fat burner.

3. Eat two red tomatoes every morning in breakfast for a few months. This will help in restricting calorie intake.

4. Prepare a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon powdered black pepper, 3 teaspoon lime juice, and 1 teaspoon honey in 1 cup water. Drinking this mixture for 3-4 months to loss weight.

5. Drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with lime juice and some honey the first thing in the morning. This is also a common home remedy for weight loss to dissolve the excess fats.

6. Eating 10-12 fully grown curry leaves every morning for 3 to 4 months may help in weight loss for obese people.

7. Include fat burning foods in your diet plan. This will help in weight loss for those who want to lose weight naturally.

8. Minimize your carbohydrate intake. Avoid rice and potatoes. Wheat, barley and maize are ideal substitutes for rice in people who has weight problems. Also do not consume oily and fatty substances like clarified butter, butter and sweet potato.

9. Exercise is extremely important in weight loss. It is necessary to indulge in mild physical activity after each meal even if you cannot make time to go to a gym.

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Remedies for Hair Loss

June 21st, 2010

1. Boil one cup mustard oil with four tablespoon heena (mehendi) leaves. Filter it and keep it in a bottle. Message it on the bald patches regularly. It is very effective natural remedy for baldness.

2. Grind fenugreek seeds with water and apply on the head. Leave for at least 40 minutes before washing. Continue it for a month.

3. Do a vigorous rubbing of the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water. It is also a good natural hair loss treatment.

4. Rub the bald area with onions till it becomes red. Then apply honey on the bald area. It is very effective natural cure for baldness

5. Make a mixture of honey with egg yolk. Properly massage on the scalp and hairs. Leave for a 1/2 hour, then wash
6. Prepare a home made shampoo by adding 5 tbsp of curd, 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 2 tbsp of gram raw (chholia) powder. Apply it on the head for an hour and then wash

7. Apply fresh leaf juice of amaranth to the hair. It will help the growth of the hair and keep it soft.

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Asthma Cures

May 31st, 2010

Asthma treatment via Honey

Honey is one of the most common home cures for asthma. It is supposed that if a jug of honey is held beneath the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact by means of it, he starts breathing easier and deeper. One of the popular home remedies for asthma.

Asthma treatment with Figs

Amongst fruits, figs have proved very precious in asthma. They provide comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm. Three or four dry figs must be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked during the night.

Asthma treatment with Lemon

Lemon is one more fruit found useful in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals, will bring good quality results. One of the well liked home remedies for asthma.

Asthma treatment via Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry has also proved precious in asthma. Five grams of gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an useful medicinal tonic for the treatment of this ailment. It must be taken every morning

Asthma treatment by means of Bitter Gourd Roots

The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used in folk medicine for asthma since earliest times. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an identical amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an exceptional medicine for this disease. One of the best home remedies for asthma

Asthma treatment via Drumstick Leaves

One of the well liked home remedies for asthma is a soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily. Adding a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes prepare this soup. After being allowed to cool, a little salt, pepper, and limejuice might be added to this soup.

Asthma treatment with Ginger

A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as a brilliant expectorant in cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by addition of one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. This remedy must be taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

Asthma treatment via Garlic

Garlic is an additional effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, create an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma. This mixture must he taken once each day by the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it, can also help to keep the trouble under control, and must be taken in the morning and evening.

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