Super Health Online

Home Remedies for Flatulence

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Flatulence is the emission of a mixture of gases called 'flatus' present in the intestine. This gas is produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts found in the gastrointestinal tract. Flatus is usually released under pressure through the anus which creates sound and is often accompanied by a foul odor. Flatulence, many a times causes discomfort and pain due to bloating, not to mention social embarrassment. Read more about Flatulence causes, symptoms and treatment on our blog.

Whether you like it or not flatulence is a condition that all of us experience at some point of time or the other. Flatulence can be a major source of embarrassment when it happens in social settings making for some really awkward situations. Flatulence is basically a digestive condition that occurs as a result of an excessive buildup of stomach and intestinal gas. Such an excessive buildup of gas causes a great deal of discomfort and a feeling of fullness and bloating, along with possible abdominal pain. The pressure that results from such a buildup of gas is naturally relieved through the passage of gas from the rectum –flatulence, or through the mouth with belching or burping. Severe flatulence and bloating after eating is therefore likely to have causes that can be easily addressed. Flatulence is a completely natural phenomenon for all of us, but it can become problematic when excessive. This is therefore likely to be most of problem for individuals who suffer from digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, as well as for individuals with unhealthy eating habits or irregular bowel movements.

On an average it is believed that most humans pass gas at least fourteen times in a day, producing around one to three pints of gas daily. Flatulence itself is not a cause for worry at all. It does not pose any health risk at all, but it certainly poses a high risk of social embarrassment which is why flatulence treatment and natural remedies for flatulence are so sought after. Excessive passage of gas or flatulence is often reason enough to seek medical treatment. It should be pointed out that in most cases of excessive flatulence it is important to identify possible underlying causes and treat them to eliminate the problem. As excessive flatulence causes would stem from digestive problems that are in most cases mild or easily treatable you could simply use diet modifications as the most powerful flatulence remedy to control the problem. Lifestyle changes may also be necessary and if the problem persists it could be because of a medical condition that requires additional medical treatment.

Gas accumulation of buildup in the digestive system occurs in two ways. When we swallow any food or even water or our own saliva for that matter, we also ingest some amount of air. This mostly includes oxygen and nitrogen. This does contribute to a gradual buildup of gas. In addition to this gas is also released as part of the digestive process when food is broken down in the digestive system. Some of the gases released could include hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane.

If you’re troubled by the problem of flatulence just keep in mind that this is a natural biological process, just like breathing for that matter and it affects absolutely everyone. Both men and women experience flatulence, but men tend experience flatulence a little more often than women. Age also holds no bars and the aged, children, toddlers and adults alike all experience flatulence. Flatulence may in fact more often than not go unnoticed as you may not even realize that you have passed gas because of the small quantities released and at most times the gas passed is odorless. Foul smelling flatulence in babies, children and adults alike are caused by the presence of trace elements of sulfur. This only tends to occur however if food has not been digested thoroughly and begins to decompose. Anyone suffering from constipation is therefore also likely to pass extremely foul smelling odor.

Excessive flatulence odor and excessive gas can be controlled through dietary and lifestyle changes. It is important that you minimize your intake of, or avoid consuming foods that cause flatulence for any flatulence relief. Lifestyle habits such as meal timings, regular sleep timings and most importantly regular bowel movements are also important. Some amount of physical activity is essential for the efficient functioning of your digestive system. Also make it a point to avoid controlling or delaying bowel movements. Treatment with such simple measures can help to control flatulence odor or excessive flatulence. In almost all cases of excessive flatulence the problem can be controlled with such home treatments. In cases of severe flatulence where such methods fail to reduce flatulence it would be advisable to seek a medical diagnosis as there could be some other underlying condition that contributes to the problem.

Flatulence or Gas Symptoms

Flatulence, also known as "gas" can be identified by the following symptoms that the person may experience.

• A feeling of bloating and discomfort

• Excessive expulsion of wind

• Belching

• Pain in the abdomen

Major Cause of Flatulence is Swallowed Air

Swallowed air, though this is a major cause of flatulence, it could still be a reason. Some people swallow air as a matter of habit, this condition is referred to as Aerophagia. While the oxygen present in the air thus inhaled is absorbed by the body, the nitrogen is expelled in flatus as it is poorly absorbed by the mucous lining.

• Presence of excessive amounts of bacteria in the intestines

• Consumption of large amounts of fibrous foods

• Consumption of products that contain malt extracts

• Digestive disorders that affect the GI tract such as gastroenteritis

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Irregular bowel movements or constipation

• Food or water that may be prepared under unhygienic conditions

• A high-fat diet generates a huge amount of carbon dioxide, some of which is released as flatulence or gas

• Odorous flatulence is caused due to the metabolic breakdown of sulfur-containing proteins and amino acids in the intestines

• Persistent bloating and flatulence that is present consistently over a period may be an indication of a serious medical condition such as colorectal cancer. This may need deeper investigation and treatment

• Fat malabsorption could be another cause for flatulence. This problem produces loose and light-colored stools accompanied by gas.

Tested Methods for Treating Flatulence

Gas or flatulence can to a great extent be remedied at home using kitchen cures. Here are some of the tried and tested methods for treating the breaking wind problem:

• Mix 1/2 tsp of dry ginger powder with a pinch of asafoetida and a pinch of rock salt in a cup of warm water. Drink this concoction to get relief from gas.

• Mix 2 tsp of brandy with a cup of warm water and drink this before going to bed.

• Chew on some fresh ginger slices that are soaked in lime juice after meals.

• A drop of dill oil in a tsp of honey taken immediately after a meal should be of great help.

• Dry grind 1 tsp of pepper, 1 tsp of dry ginger and 1 tsp of green cardamom seeds. Add 1/2 tsp of this mixture to water and drink after 1 hour after meal.

• Chewing peppermint after a meal does a lot more than just freshening your breath. Peppermint contains menthol that soothes the digestive muscles. It helps in treating flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain that accompanies gas. Peppermint oil combined with caraway oil has been used since ages to treat abdominal discomfort caused by flatulence.

Avoid Foods Which Produce Gas when Consumed

No matter what course of treatment you choose even your doctor would advise you to avoid eating or to at least reduce your consumption of foods that contribute to the problem. The problem here is that this may also involve cutting back on some healthy foods like certain fruits or vegetables and whole grains and milk products. High fat foods may also need to be reduced as they can add to the problem of bloating and abdominal discomfort. While carbohydrate rich foods can be a major cause for gas as compared to foods with a high protein or fat content, fatty and protein rich foods may at times be the main culprit. The cause can vary for different people so you will have to examine your own diet and make changes accordingly. Fatty foods and protein rich foods like red meats can be a problem as they put a lot more stress on the digestive system and take a lot longer to get digested completely. This means that there is a higher likelihood of bloating, discomfort and also less room for gases to move into the small intestine, leading to a buildup of gas. The amount of gas released from digesting specific foods can also vary from person to person unfortunately which is why it would be advisable to experiment with your diet.

If flatulence is a major problem, a look at your diet is important. There are foods that inherently produce gas when consumed. You must take care to avoid such foods.

• These include foods such as beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, yeast-containing foods such as breads and cheese.

• Carbonated drinks produce gas too.

• High carbohydrate content in oats and potatoes make them the culprits for gas.

• Foods that produce negligible amounts of gas are rice, bananas, citrus, grapes, hard cheese, meat, eggs, peanut butter, non-carbonated beverages and yogurt made with live bacteria.

Eat Smaller Meals

• Eating smaller meals is a good idea rather than consuming a large meal at a time.

• Avoid meals containing a large amount of monounsaturated and essential fats.

• Chewing the food slowly and steadily is important. Avoid swallowing or gulping down food. Properly masticated food is better digested.

• Regular exercise such as walks keeps the intestinal muscles in ship shape. Regular bowel movements keep the levels of gas producing bacteria low resulting in less flatulence.

• Yoga is believed to be extremely helpful in relieving a variety of digestive problems, flatulence included. There are in fact various poses that are meant specifically to address the problem of excessive gas, abdominal discomfort and bloating and flatulence. Yoga poses in fact include a posture known as the ‘wind relieving pose’.

Home Remedies A-Z

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Here we are listing out home remedies for all common diseases/health issues in alphabetical order:

Home Remedies for Freckles

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Freckles may be described as flat, round, dark colored spots that range in size from about 2mm to 4mm. Freckles could be the result of pigment precipitation in one particular place, as generally the skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles have a hereditary aspect to it and you are likely to inherit it if runs in your family. Freckles are usually of no medical consequence and do not cause any problems. Freckles are sensitive to the UV rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent during or after exposure to sunlight. Though freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun.

There are two basic types of freckles -

Ephelides - These are flat red or light-brown spots that typically appear during the summer months and fade away in the winter. These types of freckles could be hereditary.

Lentigines - Lentigines may be small tan, brown or black spot that is darker than an ephelide. This does not fade in winter. This is also a genetic condition.

Freckles may be more apparent on the facial skin

Freckles may be seen as dark colored spots on the skin. These may be more apparent on the facial skin, especially on or around the nose. Generally, light or fair skinned people are more prone to freckled skin. Freckles get more emphasized on exposure to sunlight.

Exposure to sunlight

Freckles are passed on genetically, so you are likely to get it if one or both your parents have it.

Rare disorders such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum cause an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays leading to freckles.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause freckles to appear, more so in case of fair-skinned people. The melanin content is less in case of fair-skinned people; hence exposure to sunlight causes these spots to appear.

Hormonal imbalance could cause freckles too. In this case, the estrogen could over-stimulate pigment producing cells causing them to generate more color when exposed to sunlight.

Natural Remedies for Freckles

Freckles may be unsightly and a cause of cosmetic concern for many. Here are some natural remedies that will help you deal with freckles at home -

Apply sour cream on your face. Do not rinse this mask off completely; gently wipe off with a soft tissue and top it up with a moisturizer.

Lemon juice is a tried and tested remedy for treating freckles. Apply lemon juice with your fingers on the affected area; lemon juice bleaches the dark spots.

Regular use of fruit and vegetable masks such as those made with apricots, strawberries, cucumbers and red currant will help lighten freckles.

Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid promotes gentle peeling of skin minus the irritation or dryness.

Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers. Wash honey off with warm water then rinse with cool water. Stir in a little quantity of wheat germ into the honey before applying.

Horseradish juice or horseradish vinegar, or oatmeal dabbed on the skin is also helpful in lightening freckles.

Apply parsley juice mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible.

Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E at night before going to bed.

Dissolve some sugar in the juice of one lemon. Apply mixture to each freckle with a brush.

Grind yellow mustard in milk and apply to the face during the night. Wash your face the next morning.

Onions also can be used for removing freckles and age spots. Slice a red onion in half and rub on the spots twice daily. Continue until the spots fade.

Applying buttermilk on freckles is thought to help in lightening them.

Mix an equal quantity of turmeric and sesame seeds. Grind in water and apply to the face.

Take a watermelon, make a hole in its rind and introduce some grains of rice in it. Take out the rice after a week. Grind into a paste and apply on the face.

To lighten freckles, mash 1/4 cup of unripe currants and mix with 1 tbsp. of unpasteurized honey. Put on freckles and leave on for half an hour. Rinse off with warm water and dab on diluted fresh lemon juice.

Increase intake of Vitamin C

Though there is no particular diet or food that will prevent the occurrence of freckles on the skin, here are some general diet guidelines that will promote a healthy and glowing skin. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and whole grains for the vitamins A, B complex and C, all needed for healthy skin. Vitamin B5 helps prevent dry skin. It is found in milk, eggs, cabbage, wheat germ and nutritional yeast. The essential fatty acids, found in unrefined, cold-pressed vegetable oils such as flax seed, are also important for supple, resistant skin. Increase your Vitamin C intake. It makes your skin less sensitive to the sun. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, apples, green onions, black and red currant, rosehip tea.

Other suggestions for Freckles

If your skin is prone to freckles, here are some suggestions that could help you keep them at bay -

Use a good quality sunscreen that offers a high level of 'sun protection factor'. Use it whenever you have to go out in the sun.

Add a broad-rimmed hat to your wardrobe and use it when out in the sun. The broad rim will shield your face from direct sunlight.

Avoid going out from 10 am to 4 pm when the sunrays are maximum.

Use sun block lotion each time you go for a swim and reapply every two hours in case of heavy perspiration.

Home Remedies for Frequent Urination

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000

It is important to first identify how you define frequent urination. Is there an excessive amount of urine passed during urination or is it many visits to the bathroom, but reduced or normal output of urine. Excessive urination can refer to an increased amount of urine, increased attempts to urinate, urinary dribbling, weak urination, difficulty to start urinating or poly urea.

Symptoms of Frequent Urination

The symptoms that are seen with frequent urination are too many to list, but some of the more common ones are pain, irritation, fatigue, and change in color, texture, or consistency of urine. It can affect your sleep, your sexual and social life, as well as increase thirst and alter hunger and food intake.

Causes of Frequent Urination

Frequent urination can indicate a lot of medical conditions. One of the conditions that it indicates is diabetes. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is a condition, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin diabetes, wherein there is reduced or no production of insulin in the body. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond to the functioning of insulin. It is also called insulin resistance. Diabetes insipidus is not a common sugar diabetes, but rather a metabolic disorder that involves the pancreas and kidneys. Frequent urination may also be a symptom of the following.

Urinary Tract Infections: This is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. It is more common in women than in men.

Interstitial Cystitis: This bladder condition causes pain and irritation in the bladder and pelvic area. It is disease that is confusing and difficult to diagnose.

Nephritis: This is when the kidneys are inflamed. Its symptoms include cloudy, reduced or bloody urine, swelling of legs and pain in the loins.

Prostrate Conditions: This is a condition that affects the internal prostrate organs of the male, which makes the fluid that is combined with sperms to make semen. It is characterized by urinary hesitancy, weak urination, urinary leakage, blockage or urgency.

Home remedies for Frequent Urination

Women can benefit considerably by consuming one teaspoonful of magnesium hydroxide everyday. Magnesium hydroxide is found in the milk of magnesia and is a good medication. Men, on the other hand, can benefit from an herb called Saw palmetto. It is especially helpful if the cause for frequent urination is related to the prostrate glands. One capsule (320mg) a day is the recommended dosage; however, it is best to consult a doctor.

Diet for Frequent Urination

In general, people who suffer from frequent urination should eat a lot of fresh yogurt, which is preferably unflavored. Yogurt contains lactobacillus hydrophilus that prevents the invasion of bacteria into your body. An increased intake of water during the day, reducing the intake slowly toward the night, is also helpful. It is important to understand that increased or frequent urination is not connected to water consumption, so this should not be cut down, in fact quite the opposite. Cranberry juice helps in the treatment of urinary tract infections and should be consumed regularly.

Other suggestions for Frequent Urination

Train your bladder to control urination with kegel exercises. This is done by contracting and relaxing your bladder for 5 seconds at a time. This should be done in at least a set of ten. This exercise can be done when you are in any position.

Home Remedies for Fungal Infections

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Fungi can be found in various parts of the body. Some of these can be harmful under certain circumstances and can cause various types of fungal infections.

Symptoms of Fungal Infections

Some of the most common fungal infections include Tinea or ringworm that affect the nails, hair or skin and causes red ring-shaped rashes on the scalp, hands, legs; Athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that appears between the toes and can also affect the side of the feet or the toenails; Jock itch that affects the upper thighs and groin; Candida, an infection that appears in the moist areas of the body and toenail fungus that affects the toes. Candida is also known as thrush and can cause diaper rash in babies and vaginal infection in women. These are the symptoms fungal infections.

1) Itchy, cracked, dry and red skin between the toes.
2) Some of the rashes can have elevated edges and can cause a burning and itching sensation.
3) Fungal infections can cause the skin to become red and inflamed. This is accompanied by a terrible itching sensation.
4) Fungal infections can also be accompanied with smelly discharge, depending upon the area that is affected.
5) If the infection affects the scalp, then it can lead to hair loss.

Causes of Fungal Infections

There are various types of fungal infections, and some of the general causes of these infections are:

1) Sweaty, moist feet, or when people use public swimming pools or locker rooms, and wearing dirty shoes and socks are common causes of fungal infections like athletes foot or toenail fungus.
2) Moisture and sweat in the groin area, and poor hygiene can lead to fungal infections like thrush in the upper-thighs and in the groin area.
3) Some fungal infections are contagious and can be caused because of physical contact with another person afflicted with this infection or through animals.
4) A poor diet, low in nutrition can also weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to fungal infections like yeast infections.
5) Antibiotic medications can trigger off fungal infections as these medicines destroy healthy bacteria too while treating illnesses. When the healthy bacteria decrease, then fungal infections thrive in the body.
6) Corticosteroids can also cause fungal infections as they weaken the immune system.
7) People suffering from cancer, diabetes or immunity weakening diseases are susceptible to fungal infections.

Home Remedies for Fungal Infections

1) In order to treat most fungal infections, you can use the following home remedies to get relief. In addition, speak to a doctor, who can prescribe medicines for the same.
2) Apple cider vinegar can be used as an ointment for skin yeast infections.
3) Yogurt is also a good as both a topical application and diet snack for yeast infections.
4) Apply baby oil mixed with vitamin E and aloe to reduce the itchiness.
5) You can make a tonic by mixing the extract of olive leaf and grape fruit seeds in a glass of water.
6) Use tea tree oil to cure the fungal infections on the skin.
7) Raw garlic can be a good antidote for fungal infections. While you can rub a clove of raw garlic on your skin, avoid bringing them with sensitive skin as around the genitals.

Diet for Fungal Infections

1) Drink a lot of water, at least 8-10 glasses every day to flush out any toxins from the body. It boosts your immune system, and helps you fight off infections.
2) Eat a lot of fresh, organic foods to reduce your chances of getting fungal infections and to treat the infection.
3) Eat less of foods with trans fats or saturated fats, refined sugar and salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and other artificial ingredients.
4) Eat a lot of garlic and onions.
5) Add curd to your diet or salads.

Other Suggestions for Fungal Infections

1) Keep your body clean and maintain personal hygiene.
2) Keep infection prone areas like the region between the toes, the groin, and thighs clean and dry. Moisture and sweat in these areas can trigger fungal infections.

Home Remedies for Gall Bladder Disorders

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:22:00 +0000

The symptoms of gall bladder disease can be quite distressing, with the most dreaded being gallstone attacks. The gallbladder is an important organ that plays a valuable role in the digestive system. The gallbladder is situated towards the upper right side of the abdomen just beneath the liver. Bile, which is produced by the liver, is essential for digestion, particularly of fats. The gallbladder works as a storage facility for bile and it releases it whenever food is consumed to facilitate digestion. Gallbladder surgery or gallbladder removal is therefore not always the best treatment for gallbladder disease and should only be used as a last resort. In some cases in fact it has been found that gallbladder symptoms persist even after removal of the gallbladder. An appropriate gall bladder diet can often help counter the symptoms and even facilitate healing. The gallbladder is susceptible to some common disorders, the most prevalent being gallstones, cholecystitis, and gallbladder cancer. They are often collectively referred to as gallbladder disease. Natural treatments and self care are an essential aspect of treatment which is why gall bladder home remedies and gall bladder disease diets are so sought after.

Gallbladder Symptoms

The main problems which afflict the gallbladder are an inflammatory condition known as cholecystitis and the presence of gallstones in the gall bladder. The latter condition, gallstones in the gallbladder, is called cholelithiasis. The former often leads to the latter. Gallstones are usually caused by disturbances in the composition of the bile.

The development of gallstones is the most common problem causing an inflammatory condition referred to as cholecystitis. Digestive problems, like bloating constipation and indigestion, or intolerances to foods like fats are common gall bladder symptoms. The symptoms of gall bladder disease generally include severe abdominal and epigastric pain, and pain radiating and extending towards the back and around the right rib cage. This primary symptom of gallbladder inflammation and pain is often referred to as biliary colic. The symptoms of gall bladder disease are not always obvious however, and many patients may in fact experience no symptoms at all. Stones in the gall bladder symptoms in women can sometimes be mistaken for premenstrual cramps. Gallbladder disease could be a lot more threatening than it appears as in some cases the condition can cause life threatening complications like peritonitis, biliary cirrhosis, cholangitis and pancreatitis. Gall bladder infection symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of gall bladder stones and so it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Gallbladder disease is a rare phenomenon in children, but at the same time it is not something unheard of. Unfortunately the incidence of such conditions has been found to be increasing in recent years and it would be advisable for parents to be watchful for any gallbladder symptoms in children. Gallbladder symptoms during pregnancy like back pain may be confused with other common pregnancy symptoms. Gallbladder symptoms while pregnant will simply add to the discomfort and fatigue that you are already experiencing, which is why it is important to report any symptoms, no matter how normal you may consider them, to your health care provider.

Gall Bladder Symptoms

Diagnosis of Gallbladder Attack Symptoms

Analyze gallbladder symptoms for gallbladder problems. Choose perfect diets for gallbladder problems with diagnosis of gallbladder attack symptoms. Cure Acute cholecystitis with proper treatment of gallstones in gallbladder. If there is any suspicion of gallbladder disease it would be wise to seek a thorough medical diagnosis. This would mean that you need to provide your health care provider with a thorough medical history and information on any symptoms of gall bladder problems that are present. There will also be a need for a physical examination and some tenderness may be observed in the upper right abdomen. Diagnostic tests also help make an accurate diagnosis and would be particularly handy when the symptoms of gall bladder disease are not so evident. Imaging tests like ultrasound scans can help identify and locate the presence of gallstones, while a hepatobiliary scan, which is a nuclear scan, can help identify any gallbladder obstruction or the presence of cholecystitis. CT scans or MRI scans of the abdomen could also help in the detection of gallbladder cancer, or also to rule out any such suspicion.

Causes of Gallbladder Disorders

Acute and Intermittent Pain in the Abdomen

The main diseased gallbladder symptom is acute or intermittent pain in the abdomen. Indigestion, gas, a feeling of fullness after meals, constipation, and nausea are the other usual symptoms. Other gall bladder symptoms include intolerance to fats, dizziness, jaundice, anaemia, acne, and other lesions. The main cause of gall-bladder disorders is overnutrition resulting from excessive intake of refined carbohydrates, especially sugar. Overnutrition also leads to increased cholesterol secretion. Meals rich in fats may cause an attack of gall-bladder pain or gallstone colic. Other causes are chronic constipation, poor health, hereditary factors, and stress. The Chinese relate gall-bladder disorders with the emotion of anger.

Although the causes of the symptoms of gall bladder disease or gallbladder attacks may be easy to identify, the actual causes for gallbladder disease and the conditions that increase the risk of developing gallbladder disease are a lot more varied and at times vague. Women who have had multiple pregnancies and consequentially high levels of estrogen have been found to be a lot more susceptible to gallbladder disease as are women on birth control pills. As pointed out, one of the most common risk factors would be obesity or being overweight. Your diet is one of the biggest influencing factors in terms of the risk of gallbladder disease as a high fat diet that is low in fiber is found to increase the risk of gallstones and other diseases. The influence of heredity off course cannot be ruled out, but this is a risk factor that cannot be eliminated, but it can be guarded against. Studies conducted have also revealed that there is a higher risk of gallbladder disease developing among Native American or Hispanic populations. Patients with sickle cell anemia are also at a risk of developing gallbladder disease. While obesity is dangerous and poses many health risks, crash dieting and rapid weight loss are just as dangerous and increase susceptibility to gallbladder disease.

Post gall bladder syndrome is also referred to as ghost gallbladder pains and occurs after the removal of the gall bladder. In such a case, the patient may experience symptoms that are similar to gallbladder stones even after the gallbladder has been removed. In some cases, the pain may be have a psychological origin while in others it may be due to pancreatic problems. Keep in mind that in any condition of the gall bladder, cholesterol is a major culprit and cholesterol rich foods feature prominently on any list of gall bladder foods to avoid.

Home Remedies for Gall Bladder Disorders

Gall Bladder treatment using Beet

Fresh juice of beets, and the juices of carrot and cucumber in quantities of 100 ml each, are one of the finest cleansers of the gall-bladder. This combined juice has proved beneficial in the treatment of all disorders related to this organ, and should be taken twice daily.

Gall Bladder Disorder Treatment Using Pear

The pear is another excellent remedy for gall-bladder disorders. The fruit or its juice should he taken liberally by the patient with beneficial results. It exercises a special healing effect on all gall-bladder disorders, including gallstones.

Gall Bladder Treatment Using Chicory

The flowers, seeds, and roots of chicory or the endive plant are considered valuable in gall-bladder disorders. A decoction of about 30-60 ml of the flowers, seeds, or roots can be used three times daily with beneficial results in the treatment of these disorders. Endive or chicory juice in almost any combination promotes the secretion of bile and is, therefore, very good for both liver and gall-bladder dysfunctions. Chicory can be included for use as a tea or even consumed as a juice. Chicory powder can also be used to a great advantage in the treatment of gall bladder disease. Add around 30 mg of the powder to a glass or 100 ml of water and set it to boil. Strain the solution and drink it twice a day. Keep this up for a month and you should find some gall bladder pain relief.

Gall Bladder Treatment Using Dandelion

Dandelion has a beneficial effect on the gall bladder. About 125 ml each of the juices of dandelion and watercress should be taken twice daily. Combined with a vegetarian diet, without much sugar and starch, these juices help to make the gall¬bladder normal. Dandelion tea is in fact quite popular as an herbal remedy for a diseased gall bladder. You may also prepare an herbal concoction with a mixture of dandelion and milk thistle. Dandelion is believed to help stimulate and encourage bile production, which can be helpful for gallstones as it cause a contraction of the gall bladder causing any stones to be expelled. It also causes an increase in cheneoxycholic acid, which can be highly beneficial because of its effect of dissolving gall stones.

Gall Bladder Treatment Using Olive and Sunflower Oil

An oil cure has been advocated by some nature cure practitioners for the removal of gallstones. Raw, natural, unrefined vegetable oils of olive or sunflower are used. The procedure is to take 30 ml of vegetable oil, preferably olive oil, first thing in the morning and follow it immediately with 120 ml of grapefruit juice or lemon juice. This treatment should be taken every morning for several days, even weeks, if necessary. Olive oil has been highly regarded for its health benefits since ancient times, particularly in the Mediterranean area where it has traditionally grown. Olive oil can be included in a variety of recipes and is a great substitute for other unhealthy oils. You could use it as a salad dressing or in cooking. Another one of the popular gall bladder home remedies with olive oil includes a mixture of the oil with honey and lemon juice. Have a spoonful or two of this mixture around twenty minutes or so before your meals. You can also use castor oil soaked in a soft cloth and place it against the abdomen as a compress, preferably with a heating pad or hot water bottle. This should help to reduce the swelling associated with a diseased gall bladder. The gallbladder and spleen are connected and so gallstones can place a strain on the spleen. It is therefore important to avoid foods like chocolate, caffeinated beverages, processed flour, and white sugar as these foods are no easy to digest.

Gallbladder Disorder diet

Gall Bladder Disorder Diet

Smaller gallstones can usually be cleared through dietetic cure. In cases of acute gall-bladder inflammation, the patient should fast for two or three days until the acute condition is cleared. Nothing but water should be taken during this period. After the fast, the patient should take fruit and vegetable juices for a few days. Carrots, beets, grapefruit, pears, lemons or grapes may be taken in the form of juice. Thereafter, the patient should adopt a well balanced diet, with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, and a moderate amount of fruits and seeds. Yoghurt, cottage cheese, and a tablespoon of olive oil twice a day should also be included in the diet. The patient should avoid meat, eggs, animal fats, processed and denatured foods, fried and greasy foods, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, products made With sugar and coffee, as well as spices, condiments, and pickles. The patient should eat frequent small meals rather than three large meals.

The effects of gall bladder removal can be quite severe, with the symptoms associated with gallbladder disease simply being prolonged, and some may become more pronounced. Gallbladder surgery is therefore a treatment option that one should be dissuaded from, unless absolutely necessary. Diet care and restrictions may need to be quite severe too after gallbladder surgery. Removing the gall bladder may only be necessary in irreversible circumstances such as gall bladder cancer or a severely infected gall bladder. In the case of any gall bladder problems, diet being the most important part of natural treatment and self care, it is only natural that beet and other fruits and veggies should feature prominently in a variety of gall bladder home remedies. Although your intake of fats needs to be limited a complete avoidance of fats could aggravate the symptoms of gall bladder disease accentuating the pain and frequency of attacks, so it would be wise to include some healthy fats in moderation in your diet. You can prepare a beet soup with some green vegetables added in and a small amount of flax seed oil. Try and include a lot of pear juice in your daily diet particularly when you begin your treatment and if you start with a fruit diet. You may later switch to having a glass or two of this refreshing juice on a daily basis.

Other Gallbladder treatment

Application of Hot Packs or Fomentation to the Upper Abdominal Area

The pain of gallstone colic can be relieved by the application of hot packs or fomentation to the upper abdominal area.

Warm-Water Enema, Physical Exercise

A warm-water enema at body temperature will help eliminate faecal acculumations if the patient is constipated. Physical exercise is also essential. Surgery becomes necessary if the gallstones are very large or in cases where they have been present for long.
Gall Bladder Removal, also known as Cholecystectomy, is a procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in your stomach and lifts the gallbladder through the incision. The gall bladder removal surgery may take about an hour or or more.
The most common gall bladder pain is Biliary Gallbladder Pain or Colic. The symptoms include acute pain in the upper or upper-right abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Gall Bladder Diet, Pancreas, Liver, Spleen, Kidney Stones

Gall Bladder diet includes more fruits and vegetables such as Cucumbers, Beet, Tomatoes, Shallots, Grapes, Apple, Pears. Striclty avoid egges, pork, chicken, fried foods and trans fat oils when you are on a gallbladder diet.
Does gall bladder disorder affect the pancreas, liver or spleen in any way? Do Kidney stones have any negative effects on the gall bladder?

Home Remedies for Gastritis

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:06:00 +0000

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammatory lesions may be either acute or chronic. Gastritis is actually the medical term for almost any stomach upset, sometimes also referred to as gastroenteritis.

Gastritis refers to a common inflammatory digestive condition that affects the stomach lining but is not a disease in itself. It is a health condition that could be brought on by some other disease as a symptom or it could have various other causes. Gastritis is characterized by the development of severe cramping or pain in the stomach or upper abdomen. This symptom of gastritis is often referred to as dyspepsia. Gastritis may be of two types, with the sudden and brief occurrence of gastritis referred to as acute gastritis, while the more persistent variety of the condition is referred to as chronic gastritis. Chronic gastritis may be present because of another health condition. Gastritis or stomach upsets that develop due to the consumption of alcohol or certain medications like aspirin are classified as acute gastritis. The symptoms that point to acute gastritis can be worrying in children, but treatment with natural methods should suffice. On the other hand bacterial infections caused by bacteria like Helicobacter pylori cause infections of the stomach that may result in chronic gastritis. Chronic gastritis may also be due to conditions like peptic ulcers, but it should also be noted that chronic gastritis can cause a development of ulcers over time. Chronic gastritis treatment should never be neglected as it can also increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. Do not attempt to treat even mild chronic gastritis with natural treatments or chronic gastritis remedies alone, as you would need medical advice for an accurate diagnosis in the first place.

Gastritis is one of the most common of all medical conditions, for which help is sought, with up to 10% of all visits to hospitals with abdominal pain being diagnosed as gastritis.

In most cases where there is no serious underlying condition gastritis diet treatment should suffice, providing relief from gastritis symptoms and helping cure the infection.

Gastritis Symptoms

Loss of Appetite

The main symptoms of gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. There is pain and discomfort in the region of the stomach.

Coated Tongue, Bad Breath

Other symptoms are a coated tongue, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, increased flow of saliva, scanty urination, a general feeling of uneasiness, and mental depression. In more chronic cases, the patient complaints of heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after meals. Often there is constipation, but occasionally, there may be diarrhoea due to intestinal catarrah.

Keep in mind that the gastroenteritis symptoms may not always reveal the true extent of physical changes and damage to the lining of the stomach. An examination conducted with an endoscope, using a tiny camera can help doctors examine the stomach lining for an accurate diagnosis. At times severe gastritis may be present without the symptoms developing, while in other cases symptoms of severe gastritis may surface despite only minor changes to the stomach lining. Elderly individuals need to be particularly cautious as symptoms are less likely to develop in them, with there being no nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain and they may simply take ill without warning, experiencing internal bleeding.

The appearance of pain, abdominal cramps or great uneasiness in the region of the upper abdomen would be the most general symptom of gastritis. Gastritis pain usually tends to appear in the left upper region of the stomach and back. This pain appears to radiate through and through. The pain from gastritis is often described as burning or a feeling of soreness; this pain could however be sharp and stabbing.

Some other symptoms of gastritis that may not be taken too seriously include:

Frequent belching that does not help relieve the abdominal pain, but may relieve it temporarily.

Depending on how severe the stomach inflammation is there may appear clear or greenish or yellow vomit. There may also be blood in the vomit.

Other symptoms of gastritis would include the ones mentioned below:

• Belching: This would not commonly relieve any pain. If it does, it would do so only for a short period.

• Vomiting and Nausea: The vomit would appear green, yellow or clear, blood-streaked, or completely bloody. This would also depend on how severe is the inflammation of the stomach.

• The sensation of bloating and fullness is another common experience for gastritis patients. There may also be some feeling of burning in the area of the upper belly.

In cases of gastritis that are severe there may also be bleeding in the stomach and you may notice other symptoms like these:

• There may be a loss of color, increased perspiration and a heavy and rapid heart beat

• The patient would probably experience shortness of breath and a feeling of faintness.

• In addition to the severe abdominal pain there may also be some chest pain.

• Severe or chronic gastritis may cause the vomiting of significant quantities of blood.

• There may also be traces of blood in bowel movements. Besides one may also notice the stools to be dark and sticky, smelling exceedingly foul.

These symptoms of severe gastritis will not necessarily develop gradually but there could be a sudden onset of these dramatic symptoms, particularly in those past the age of 60.

Gastritis Causes

Irregular or Excessive Eating

The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods; excessive intake of strong tea, coffee, or alcoholic drinks; or habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauces.

Worry, Anxiety

Other causes include worry, anxiety, grief, and prolonged tension, use of certain drugs, strong acids, and caustic substances.

Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders are the main cause of gastritis troubles. Improper bowel movements can be treated with the aid of balanced diet to treat severe gastritis. Have a sigh of relief with the treatment of gastritis.

Bacterial Infection

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria most commonly found to be responsible for chronic gastritis. The bacteria are thought to be present in most of us and believed to be widely passed on, but it does not cause any health problems in most cases. In some cases however it may cause severe damage to the stomach lining, breaking down its inner protective. The reasons for which these bacteria affect some people while others remain unaffected is not clearly understood. It is likely that other causes like stress could make one more vulnerable to the infection.

Regular or Prolonged Use of Pain killers

The regular use of pain killers and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs can cause either acute or chronic gastritis.

Alcohol

The excessive consumption of alcohol can cause severe irritation to the stomach lining, damaging it and leaving it vulnerable to infections with a high likelihood of gastritis developing. Occasional or rare consumption of excessive alcohol is however more likely to cause acute gastritis. Bile reflux diseases may also cause gastritis as bile may flow into the stomach instead of into the small intestine. This could cause inflammation and a condition of chronic gastritis.

One of the other common causes of gastritis may be autoimmune diseases wherein your body’s immune system attacks cells of the stomach lining itself. Certain connective tissue disorders or specific medical conditions like Crohn’s disease and AIDS may also cause the growth of chronic gastritis.

Home remedies for Gastritis

Gastritis treatment using Coconut

Coconut water is an excellent remedy for gastritis. It gives the stomach the necessary rest and provides vitamins and minerals. The stomach is greatly helped in returning to a normal condition if nothing but coconut water is given during the first twenty-four hours.

Gastritis treatment using Rice

Rice gruel is another excellent remedy for acute cases of gastritis. One cup of rice gruel is recommended twice daily. In chronic cases where the flow of gastric juice is meagre, such foods as require prolonged vigorous mastication are beneficial as they induce a greater flow of gastric juice.

Gastritis treatment using Potato

Potato juice has been found valuable in relieving gastritis. The recommended dose is half a cup of the juice, two or three times daily, half an hour before meals.

Gastritis treatment using Marigold

The herb marigold is also considered beneficial in the treatment of gastritis. An infusion of the herb in doses of a tablespoon may be taken twice daily.

Gastritis Diet

Fasting, Water

The patient should undertake a fast for two of three days or more, depending on the severity of the condition. He should be given only warm water to drink during this period. This will give rest to the stomach and allow the toxic condition causing the inflammation to subside.

All-Fruit Diet

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for the next three days and take juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, and melons.

Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, Spices, Meat, Sweet, Strong Tea/Coffee

The patient should avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, spices and condiments, meat, red pepper, sour foods, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweet, pastries, rich cakes, and, aerated waters.

Have Curd and Cottage Cheese

Yoghurt and cottage cheese should be used freely. Too many different foods should not be mixed at the same meal. Meals should be taken at least two hours before going to bed at night. Eight to ten glasses of water should be taken daily but water should not be taken with meals as it dilutes the digestive juices and delays digestion. Above all, haste should be avoided while eating and meals should be served in a pleasing and relaxed atmosphere.

Well-Balanced Diet

He may, thereafter, gradually embark upon a balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Other Gastritis Treatment

Warm-Water Enema, Dry-Friction

From the commencement of the treatment, a warm-water enema should be used daily for about a week to cleanse the bowels.The patient should be given dry friction and a sponge daily.

Application of Heat with a Hot Compress or Hot Water Bottle

Application of heat with a hot compress or hot water bottle, twice a daily, either on an empty stomach or two hours after meals, will also be beneficial.

Avoid Hard Physical, Mental Work, Worries

The patient should not undertake any hard physical and mental work.He should avoid worries and mental tension.

Breathing Exercises are Essential

He should, however, undertake breathing and other light exercises like walking, swimming, and golf.

Home Remedies for Genital warts

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:03:00 +0000

Genital warts also known as condylomata acuminate or venereal warts, are caused by Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV). They generally occur around the genital area like anus, cervix, penis, rectum, scrotum, vulva and vagina. They are either flat or cauliflower-like shaped. People with many sexual partners and those who do not practice safe sex are at greater risk of getting infected. Genital warts mainly occur among young people around 20 years of age. Sexual intercourse causes friction which results in the abrasion of the uppermost layer of the skin. This causes minute tears in the surface of the skin which are not even visible to the naked eye. The virus from the infected individual is then transferred to his/her partner through direct skin-to-skin contact. Genital, anal, and oral sex are the mains causes of HPV transmission and indulging in unprotected sex with an infected individual will invariably cause a transmission of the virus. When the HPV viral infection is dormant, the individual will not display warts or any of the other symptoms associated with this condition. However, if the infection is in the active stage, the warts will be quite noticeable. 70% of all individuals who have unprotected sex with a person suffering from an active HPV infection will in turn get genital herpes. Some types of HPV can cause or increase an individual’s risk of suffering from cervical, penile, or anal cancers. However, the type of virus that causes genital warts is not the same as these cancer causing strains. Genital warts treatment will depend on the severity of the warts as well as the progression of the condition. The initial stages of this condition will require potent medications but the medication may be changed after a while. This is because the immune response of an infected individual’s immune system gets stronger with each active phase of the infection and so in many cases, the incidence of genital warts keeps decreasing. It is important to note that the entire course of genital warts treatment must be followed and even if you are not in the active phase of this condition, you may still be able to pass this condition on to your partner. Genital warts treatment in men will vary in cost as there are several over the counter medications and prescription medications available for this condition. Female genital warts home treatment and genital warts home treatment in men may differ and so it is important to consult a doctor before deciding on a method of treatment.

Bleeding, Itching

An infected person may feel itching or burning sensation around the genital area. Warts may cause discomfort during sexual intercourse. Sometimes it may also cause bleeding. Tiny bumps or swelling of red, grey or pink color may be seen around the genitals. Affected area may be more moist than normal. In women, genital warts can cause symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge. Sometimes there may not be any visible symptoms like bumps, lesions or swelling. In such cases a closed medical examination of the skin around the genital is the only way to diagnose the genital warts. Transmission of HPV through sexual contact usually takes three months to develop the symptoms. However, sometimes there may be no symptoms for years. Genital warts symptoms in women generally include small fleshy skin growths which may appear on the inside and the outside of the vagina. It can also appear on the cervix walls or inside and around the anus. Genital warts symptoms in men include cauliflower-like clusters around the penis and scrotum. Genital warts may also be present in the urethra and on or inside the anus. Genital warts symptoms in men are different from those of the warts in women and pictures and images are often used to illustrate the differences between the two.

Through Sexual Contact

Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease. It can spread through any form of sexual contact with the infected person. It can also spread by touching the genitals of the infected person. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection and so protected sex is a must. Using a condom has been proven to drastically reduce one’s risk of contracting this condition through sexual intercourse. A condom is necessary even when indulging in oral sex or anal sex. It is best to use a latex condom along with a water-based lube and not an oil-based one as this will help to reduce abrasion of the skin and reduce the risk of the condom tearing. Pictures of HPV genital warts symptoms in men and women also help to educate people to recognize the early symptoms of genital warts so that they can receive timely treatment. Treatment of genital warts in both males and females would depend on the severity of the condition.

Other Causes

It can also be transmitted indirectly by sharing towel with the infected person. In rare cases a new born baby may get infected during delivery.

Use Vitamin E Oil

Some genital warts may disappear over time. Apply oil (vitamin E) on the infected skin and put some crushed raw garlic over it. Cover it with an adhesive tape. The wart will fall within a week. It is not advisable to keep the same poultice on for the entire week, and so you can wash off the crushed garlic paste when you go for a shower. Reapply a fresh paste of garlic and use adhesive tape once again to keep it in place. Changing this dressing twice a day for the entire week will ensure that the area is constantly in contact with fresh garlic paste which contains several antimicrobial properties. Vitamin E oil will also help to keep the surrounding skin healthy and this may prevent the spread of the infection. Genital wart removal home remedies must be used regularly for satisfactory results.

Apply Juice

Make juice from onion slices covered overnight with salt and apply it on the affected area till the warts disappear. Apply milky juice of figs’ stem two to three times a day. Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area using cotton ball. Like garlic, onions too have strong antimicrobial agents which help to control infection. Salt is a humectants which means that it helps to draw out the moisture and fluids from the slices of onion. Salt is also a mild antiseptic and so the liquid obtained from applying salt to onion slices will have antiseptic properties which will help to control the spread of the genital warts. This genital warts natural treatment may cause a little discomfort and burning if the area around the warts is sore. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and this will help to slough of dead skin cells from the surface of the warts. To increase the effectiveness of this treatment, you can soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and then place it over the wart. Apply a small piece of adhesive tape to keep the cotton ball in place. This will help to speed up the sloughing off process of the skin and so the genital warts will start to shrink in size until they disappear. Genital wart removal with home remedies may take a while to show results and regular use of these methods is necessary for lasting results. It is important to consult a physician before deciding on a home remedy for genital warts as certain remedies may not be suitable for everyone. It is also important to follow proper hygiene practices during this time as this will help to prevent secondary infections. Make sure that you do not rub the warts or try to scrape them in any way as this will damage your skin and can cause the genital warts to spread. You should cleanse the area every morning and night with warm water and a mild antimicrobial soap. Make sure that you avoid all soaps and perfumed products as the chemicals in them can irritate your skin. Do not use underwear made out of synthetic materials as this can irritate the sensitive skin around the warts and cause discomfort.

Genital Warts Diet

Eat a diet rich in folic acid and beta-carotene. Eat fruits and vegetables like radish, mango, squash, and tomato which are orange, yellow and red in colour. Dark green and leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage and so on are recommended. You can include these in your diet in the form of large servings of salad, with your daily meals. It is best to opt for fresh foods and reduce your intake of all processed foods.

Few Suggestions for Genital warts

Avoid cigarettes and oral contraceptives. Using condoms prevents transmission to some extent. Take pap test regularly. At home treatment for genital warts is generally not advised and one should always consult the doctor when suffering from such a condition. If you are unsure as to whether you are suffering from this infection, you could look through picture of genital herpes and its symptoms in men and women. The use of detailed images and pictures is important in helping young adolescents recognize the initial signs of genital warts in men and women and this can help to control the spread of the infection.

Home Remedies for GERD

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

GERD is an acronym for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. It is backflow of gastric acid into esophagus. It is also called as reflux or reflux esophagitis. Mostly elderly people above 40 are more prone to GERD. British people spell GERD as GORD because British spelling for esophagus is oesophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as GERD or acid reflux disease is a condition caused by gastroesophageal reflux which is caused by the stomach acid rising from the stomach into the esophagus. The anatomical part of the stomach which connects to the esophagus is called cardia. This valve functions as a one way pass that acts as a barrier preventing duodenal bile, enzymes, and stomach acid from traveling back into the esophagus which is sensitive to the same and thus preventing damage to the same.

Unfortunately Gerd or gastroesophageal reflux disease is not limited to any specific age group or gender, but can affect absolutely anyone. It is more common among older individuals and those suffering from obesity, but it can even affect small children as well. GERD in babies is in fact a fairly common condition, but identifying infant GERD symptoms and providing appropriate treatment requires a great deal of attention and expertise. GERD is not very hard to treat and when dealing with adults, most cases can be remedied by enforcing some simple GERD diet restrictions. Digestive problems like heartburn and acid reflux are common symptoms in a pregnancy and GERD treatment during pregnancy is best limited to natural methods. GERD can be prevented and even treated effectively with simple diet and lifestyle changes, but these need to be maintained. The condition may not be life threatening but can be quite disturbing as GERD causes chest pain, palpitations, phlegm, shortness of breath, sore throat and at times may even be associated with weight loss.

Symptoms for GERD

Heartburn

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, generally after meals. When heartburn is very frequent or causes more severe problems then it is medically called GERD.

Other Symptoms

Apart from heartburn some other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation of gastric acid or sour contents into the mouth, difficulty while swallowing anything and pain in the chest. Some GERD patients may also experience pulmonary manifestations like coughing, asthma and inflammation in vocal chords accompanied by wheezing. GERD can also cause dissolution of tooth enamel if the acid reaches the mouth. It can also cause sore throat.

Symptoms of GERD differ from adults and children. In adults, the most common symptoms being heatburn, regurtitaion(the expulsion of material from the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus, usually characterized by the presence of undigested food or blood) and trouble or pain swallowing (Dysphagia). Other known symptoms include excessive salivation (since the body tries to compensate the acidity with saliva which is alkaline), Nausea, chest pains. GERD is also known to cause complications such as chronic coughs, erosion of dental enamel, damaged teeth and in some cases sinusitis.

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd in children babies and infants are vague and are often overlooked due to their general nature. Commonly experienced symptoms in children are;

• Problems with swallowing which often results in gagging or a feeling of gagging.

• Increase in the frequency of hiccups and burps, runny noses.

• Excessive vomiting and feeling nauseous.

• Bad breath which is cause by an increase of acids in the body.

• Sleep apnoea is often caused by acid reflux and it may also lead to a host of other respiratory disorders such as bronchitis.

Symptoms occurring in infants are;

• Irritability causing sudden crying, especially babies who can be inconsolable when laid down on a flat surface.

• Refusing food or feeds or even in some cases demanding constant feeds for comfort.

• Acidic smelling diapers with the bowel movement being at the two extremes of frequent or the baby could be constipated.

• The baby might also vomit directly after a feed but may still appear healthy and gain weight while showing no other symptoms.

• In some cases, the baby may not vomit at all, although this is worse as the contents of an acidic stomach may just go up the esophagus and back down again causing more damage.

GERD is diagnosed effectively by esophageal pH monitoring which effectively gets a physiologic measurement of the acid present in the esophagus and helps document reflux disease. Esophageal pH monitoring also helps assess the severity of the disease and is even sometimes used to diagnose laryngopharyngeal reflux. Before Esophageal pH monitoring, indwelling nasoesophageal catheter was used to measure esophageal acid exposure but his procedure was often known to cause discomfort, pain.

Causes for GERD

Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxes Abnormally

When we swallow any food stuff or liquid, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes temporarily so that the food stuff or the liquid can reach the stomach. If the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally it causes gastric acid to reflux, causing heart burn. In GERD patients the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes more frequently, causing severe heart burn and other complications.

Other Causes

Sometimes obesity and pregnancy can also cause GERD.

GERD causes and symptoms are quite easy to recognize and there are specific GERD foods to avoid as they are known to trigger or aggravate the condition. Gerd can be caused by various other conditions and factors such as;

Obesity: A higher body mass index (BMI) has been observed to be directly related to a higher percentage of GERD

Various other medical reasons include;

Hiatus hernia: This is the protrusion of the stomach through usually a tear in the diaphragm into the thorax.

Visceroptosis: This condition is wherein there is a prolapsed of the abdominal viscera much below their usual positions.

Hypercalcaemia: This causes an elevated amount of calcium in the body and is also known to increase gastrin production, leading to increased acidity in the body.

Some other factors have been attributed as having contributed to GERD is Sleep apnea (characterized by pauses in breathing or abnormally low breathing) and even gallstones, although these haven’t been conclusively proved medically.

Remedies for GERD

GERD can be prevented up to a certain degree by exercising simple steps mentioned and a few lifestyle modifications such as;

Wearing clothing that are tight around the stomach may cause acid and foods to reflux due to the pressure on the stomach.

Avoid sleeping with the head raised too high above the rest of the body as this does little to ease the situation and only puts additional pressure on the neck.

Eating excessively big meals can increase stomach acid. Also, be sure to avoid an excess of foods like acidic fruit, foods with high fat content, also foods like pretzels, coffee, tea, onions, peppermint, chocolate before bedtime and also highly spicy foods. While there is a lot of prescribed medication for GERD that is easily available over the counter, there are also many available home remedies for the same.

From the many remedies available, usually recommended remedies are

Ginger Root: Consuming ginger root extract mixed with honey is known to be a natural medication.

Cumin: Adding some cumin to your drinking water helps to stop the formation of gas in the stomach.

Skim Milk: Drinking small amounts of chilled skim milk will help ease the burning sensation of a severe acid reflux.

Lemon Balm: This is known to have certain homeopathic powers that help relax a nervous stomach

In addition to these, Peppermint and Apple Cider Vinegar in small quantities is known to help.

Remedies for Heartburn

If you experience heartburn then have a cup of vanilla ice cream to relieve yourself from the symptom. Lemons, almonds and cloves are also effective for heart burn.

Diet for GERD

GERD Diet

Avoid spicy and fried foods because they aggravate the symptoms. If possible take few small meals several times in a day, instead of large ones. Avoid alcohol, smoking, carbonated beverages, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, citrus fruits and chocolates all these contribute to GERD. Sedatives, channel blockers used for high blood pressure and tranquilizers can also aggravate the condition. Avoid orange juice on an empty stomach.

Suggestion for GERD

Other Suggestions for GERD

If GERD is left untreated then it can cause permanent damage to the esophagus. Never lie down immediately after meal. If you have severe complaint then avoid wearing tight clothes and belts. Use some extra pillows while sleeping to raise your head six to eight inches high.

GERD natural treatment can be extremely effective and typically involves minor modifications in diet and lifestyle. Long-term changes to lifestyle and diet are essential for an effective long-term GERD remedy.

Dietary Changes: Certain foods as specified above need to be avoided as they promote gastroesophageal reflux. Certain calcium carbonate based antacids were found to increase the acidity of the stomach how the net effect of the same is not as pronounced as other factors.

Lifestyle changes: Smoking needs to be avoided as smoking causes a reduction in the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Avoid laying flat or sleeping about 3-4 hours directly after a meal.

Wear looser fitting clothes.

Home Remedies for Gingivitis

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Gingivitis also known as bleeding gums is the inflammation of gums due to bad oral hygiene. It is one of the periodontal diseases that affect the tissues surrounding teeth and gums. If not treated in time then gingivitis can lead to more serious gum problems like periodontitis and may eventually lead to the destruction of bone and tooth loss. You may already have gingivitis and may not know it because early stage gum diseases are seldom painful.

Gingivitis is a form of gum inflammation that is rather common and is often the beginning of gum disease or periodontal disease. Gingivitis often represents the onset of bacterial growth in the mouth and if the condition is neglected or not treated appropriately it could progress steadily to cause tooth loss due to deterioration and destruction of the tissue surrounding the teeth. Keep in mind that although gingivitis may precede periodontitis, it is not necessary for gingivitis to always be indicative of, or progress to periodontitis.

Gingivitis takes shape in the beginning with the buildup of bacteria in plaque, causing inflammation and reddening of the gums. The gums may become susceptible to bleeding because of the severity of inflammation and this may be particularly problematic when brushing the teeth. In the early stages of gingivitis the teeth are unlikely to be loose or shaky as they are still firmly planted since there is not much chance of any irreversible bone or tissue damage.

It is extremely important that a gingivitis infection is picked on early enough and diagnosed and treated properly in a prompt manner. Gingivitis symptoms should never be neglected for the simple reason that gingivitis treatment can be quite effective in these initial stages, helping to prevent any advancement to periodontitis. In periodontitis there may be some amount of separation of the gums from the bones, and the pulling away of the bones allows for the accumulation of debris in the gaps allowing for infections. Although your immune system may fight the bacteria as the plaque spreads and begins to extend beyond the gum line, the process is only slowed down, but this gradual destruction is not reversible. Moreover the effects of your immune response extend beyond the bacteria.

To elaborate, it should be pointed out that good enzymes that are released because of immunity don’t just fight off bacteria but they also start to break down the bone and connective tissue holding the bone in place. This gradual deterioration of the teeth and tissues is therefore caused by toxins or poisons released by bacteria as well as by your immune response to those bacteria. Over time the extent of the deterioration quite naturally increases and these pockets begin to increase with the extent of tissue and bone loss also increasing. Eventually the teeth become lose and fall out. Gingivitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and in most cases treating gingivitis or periodontitis promptly would suffice to avert such outcomes. Treating gingivitis naturally at home can help to some extent but the relief is for the most part symptomatic. During pregnancy when treatment options are limited however treating gingivitis with home remedies for gingivitis may be necessary and medical treatment from your dentist may be deferred till later. In all other circumstances however treatment should begin at the earliest.

Gingivitis Symptoms

The signs of gingivitis are not very hard to recognize, but it would be impossible for a lay person to correctly identify the cause of inflammation or bleeding, or any other symptom you might be experiencing. Your dentist would be most capable of making an accurate assessment of the symptoms of gingivitis and would recommend the appropriate treatment for gingivitis.

• Inflammation, swelling, redness and pain or possible bleeding of the gums are some of the most common signs of gingivitis.

• Gingivitis also causes bad breath or halitosis that would be impossible to miss.

• Gingivitis is also likely to cause some kind of discoloration of the gums and structural changes. The gums may show signs of receding and could appear to be reddened and inflamed rather than the healthy pink color they normally have. Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down or clench your teeth could be noticeable and for those who wear dentures you may notice changes in the way the dentures fit.

• The gums may not cause any pain but may be tender and painful when touched.

• Your gums would be a lot weaker and you would probably notice that they are a lot more susceptible to trauma, bleeding very often when brushing your teeth.

• In the more advanced stages the formation of pockets between the gum and teeth may be quite pronounced and easily noticeable, because of the state of deterioration of gum tissue and bone.

• The bone and gum tissue loss will also cause the teeth to become loose or shift.

Painful gums, bleeding while brushing, red gums, swollen gums, tender gums, bad breath and bad taste in mouth are some of the symptoms of gingivitis.

Causes for Inflammation of Gums

It is caused by local irritants. Plaque, bacteria and food particles accumulating between the gums and the teeth cause gingivitis. Although these accumulations may be very small, the toxic chemicals produced by the bacteria in them causes the inflammation of gums.

Other Causes

Besides plaque, some other reasons for gingivitis are drugs, viral and fungal infections, hormonal changes during pregnancy and puberty, poor nutrition, medication and so on.

Gingivitis Causes

When you talk about the possible gingivitis causes the first one that comes to mind is the buildup of plaque deposits. Plaque is a stick kind of debris that builds up on the teeth from deposits of food, bacteria and mucus that accumulate on the exposed areas of tooth and it is the primary cause of tooth decay. The most effective method of controlling the problem is through proper dental care, which would involve brushing the teeth, gargling, and cleaning the tongue. Failure to control plaque buildup will result in the formation of tartar, which is a hardened deposit towards the base of the tooth. Plaque and bacteria cause inflammation to the gums and a weakening of the teeth. In addition the release of bacteria and toxins from plaque or tartar further aggravates or irritates the gums causing gingivitis.

Injury to the gums from trauma, which could even include brushing or flossing the teeth too vigorously, may also cause gingivitis.

Misaligned or broken teeth, ill fitted fillings or poorly fitted and badly designed braces or dentures can also cause severe irritation to the gums and may also lead to infection or simply increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Certain medications like birth control pills and phenytoin are also known to aggravate or increase the risk of gingivitis.

Hormonal changes may also make you susceptible to gingivitis because of increased sensitivity of the gums during pregnancy, menopause, or puberty.

Smoking and poor oral hygiene greatly increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Certain diseases like HIV, diabetes and cancer or even seemingly harmless problems like a dry mouth can also contribute to the development of gingivitis.

Remedies for Swelling in the Mouth

Use of products made from essential oils helps cure gingivitis.

Gargle twice a day by a home made saline solution by putting a pinch of salt in a glass of lukewarm water. This will reduce the swelling in your mouth.

Rub your gums with clove oil or you can also keep one or clove in your mouth.

Use anti bacterial mouth wash to reduce the swelling on the gums.

Other Remedies

Use mouthwash containing sage oil, peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture etc Use toothpaste containing sage oil, peppermint oil etc.

Take Vitamin C Rich Diet

Gingivitis patients should consume low saturated fats. They must include lots of fresh fruits, and vegetables in their diet. They must eat a diet rich in fiber. People deficient in Vitamin C are at increased risk for periodontal disease. They must take Vitamin C supplements to improve the gum health. Eating vitamin C rich foods is beneficial. Avoid sugar, fruit juices, white flour, white rice, soft drinks, and syrups.

Visit Dentist

Once you are sure that you are suffering from gingivitis you must see your dentist. He will thoroughly clean your teeth and gums, remove the plaque etc. Once treated, oral hygiene is very important to prevent gingivitis from re-occurring. Floss your mouth every time you eat something. Avoid stress because it contributes to plaque accumulation.

Home Remedies for Goitre

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Goitre refers to a swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck. Women are more prone to this disease than men.

Goitre Symptoms

Emotional upsets

Initial goitre symptom may be emotional upsets which gradually increase in duration.

Loss of concentration, irritability

Other goitre symptoms which appear subsequently are loss of power of concentration, irritability, and depression. The thyroid gland may swell but this has no relation to the severity of the ailment.

Causes of Goitre

Goitre Disease due to Iodine Deficiency

Goitre disease is caused commonly due to deficiency of iodine in the diet. The thyroid gland makes use of organic iodine in its secretion and a diet deficient in organic iodine is a predisposing factor towards the appearance of this disease, especially under physical and emotional disturbances. Goitre disease gradually affects those who habitually live on denatured foods and nut those who eat much of their food in a raw or uncooked state.

Goitre Treatment: Home Remedies

Goitre treatment using Iodine

Iodine is, undoubtedly, most helpful in many cases, but it should be given in its organic form. All foods containing iodine should be taken liberally. These are lettuce, turnips, carrots, garlic, onions, oats, pineapples, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress, strawberries, guavas, citrus fruits, egg yolks, and sea foods.

Goitre treatment using Watercress

Goitre can be treated with Watercress which is one of the best sources of the element iodine. It is valuable in correcting the functioning of the thyroid gland. Its regular use, therefore, is highly beneficial in the prevention and treatment of goitre. A paste made of this vegetable can also be applied beneficially over the affected parts. It helps to reduce swelling.

Goitre treatment using Swamp Cabbage

Expothalmic goitre can be treated using the leaves of swamp cabbage. A teaspoon of the juice with tea almonds should be given once or twice daily as a medicine. The leaves are also useful in myxodema, a condition that result\'s from lack of thyroid hormones

Goitre treatment using Kachnar

Kachnar, botanically known as Bauhinia variegata, has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of goitre in India. About 30 ml of the decoction of the bark should be given twice a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

Goitre treatment using Dandelion

Dandelion has been found valuable in treating goitre. The leaves of this salad vegetable should be smeared with clarified butter, warmed and bandaged over the swollen parts for about two weeks. Any existing discomfort will be relieved by this remedy.

Goitre treatment using Flex

The seeds of flex are also useful in reducing swellings in goitre. The seeds should be ground in water, heated and applied over the affected parts. The leaves of the tree should then be bandaged over them.

Diet for Goitre

Fruit juices

To begin with, the patient should take juices of fruits such as oranges, apples, pineapples, and grapes every two or three hours for five days.

Fruits and Milk Diet

After the juice fast, the patient may spend the next three days on fruits and milk, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits with a glass of milk, at five hourly intervals.

Food to avoid during Goitre

Certain foods and fluids are extremely injurious for goitre patients and should be avoided by them. These include white flour products, white sugar, flesh foods, fried or greasy foods, preserves, condiments, tea, coffee, and alcohol.

Other Goitre Treatment

Rest and bowel cleansing with lukewarm water

For the first five days of the treatment the bowels should be cleansed daily with lukewarm water. The patient should take plenty of rest and spend a day in bed every week for the first two months of the treatment. More and more physical exercise should be taken after the symptoms subside.

Home Remedies for Gout

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:05:00 +0000

Gout is a type of inflammation of the joints and swellings of a recurrent type. Gout is chronic in character and occurs in acute attacks. It is a disease of the wealthy and chiefly affects middle-aged men. Women, after menopause, are also sometimes affected by this disease. Gouty arthritis is another very painful condition that would require immediate treatment.

Gout is essentially a form of arthritis that is characterized with sudden bouts of severe pain, inflammation and tenderness in the joints, known as gout attacks. Because of the strong connection between diets and gout, the condition was regarded as an affliction of the wealthy in the past. With modernization and social reforms in the past century our economic condition has greatly improved and there is less disparity, particularly with regard to the foods we consume. This condition has therefore become a lot more common and can afflict absolutely anyone, although men are more susceptible, as are post-menopausal women.

Gout is known to be quite debilitating at times because of the severity of gout attacks. The excruciating pain can cause you to wake up in a sweat, causing what is often described as a feeling of fire or burning sensation in the afflicted joint. The plus point is that gout treatment is extremely effective and the best form of treatment would be through a gout diet. Sufferers of gout need to be careful about their diet as there are certain foods to avoid with gout, as they could trigger a higher frequency and increased severity of gout attacks.

Gout Symptoms

Acute Pain in the Toe, Swelling

The most common Gout symptom is acute pain in the big toe, which becomes tender, hot, and swollen in a few hours. It may also similarly affect other joints such as the knees and wrists, and sometimes more than one joint may be affected at a time. The attack, usually occurs at midnight or in the early hours of the morning when the patient is suddenly awakened.

The acute attack generally lasts for a week or so. During this period, the patient may run a slight fever, and feel disinclined to eat. A serious complication of gout is the presence of kidney stones containing uric acid. In some cases the kidneys get damaged and do not function properly.Gout attacks are most severe within the first 12 to 24 hours of their onset, but the joint discomfort and pain although lessened, do not subside for a few more days or even for a week. It is important that these symptoms are not neglected as in the absence of appropriate gout treatment there could be other complications and also permanent damage to the affected joints. A gout diet suffices to control and reign in the condition at most times, but it would still be important to consult with your doctor and keep him informed.

Causes of Gout

Gout Caused Due to Uric Acid Crystals

One of main causes of gout is the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, skin, and kidneys. Uric acid is an end product of the body's chemical processes. Those affected by gout have a higher level of uric acid in the blood than the normal, due either to formation of increased amounts or reduced amounts of acid being passed out by the kidneys in the urine. This uric acid usually remains dissolved in the blood. But when the blood becomes too full of it, the uric acid forms needle-shaped crystals in the joints which bring about attacks of gout.

Excessive Alcohol, Heredity, Rich Foods, Lack of Exercise also Causes Gout

Other causes of gout are heredity, alcoholic drinks, regular eating of foods rich in protein and carbohydrate, lack of proper exercise, and stress. A clear understanding of the risk factors is always useful as it can help to prevent the onset of the condition or at least delay it. If you can identify with any of the risk factors it may also give you some insight into possible causes and triggers of gout attacks.

Dietary Habits: People who follow a diet that comprises of a high amount of red meats, oily fish, yeast and internal organs are very susceptible to gout. A regular or high intake of alcohol, particularly beer, is also known to increase the risk of developing gout. In the past it the consumption of red meat among the population was a rarity as it was more of a privilege for the wealthy and ruling classes, which is why it was often referred to as a disease of the rich.

Heredity: A family history of gout puts you at high risk of developing gout. Although there may be little that you can do to correct this, following a gout diet or exercising some amount of caution when it comes to diet and alcohol consumption could make a huge difference.

Age and Gender: Men tend to be more susceptible to gout at an earlier age because uric acid levels rise at puberty in men, while in women this occurs only at menopause.

Medical Conditions and Drugs: The presence of certain conditions could put you at a higher risk of developing gout. Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are known to cause such complications at times, particularly if not treated appropriately. High cholesterol levels and a narrowing of the arteries also contribute to the development of gout. Certain drugs could also cause a rise in uric acid levels, thereby contributing to the occurrence of gout. These include drugs like certain diuretics used in the treatment of high blood pressure, as well as low dose aspirin drugs and also many anti-rejection drugs prescribed for patients who have undergone transplant surgery.

Gout Treatments

Self care is an important aspect of gout treatment, whether or not you are on medications for the condition. Home remedies for gout pain, whether in the knee, big toe, ankle or foot are meant to facilitate healing and provide relief from the painful symptoms of gout attacks, they are not meant to treat the condition itself.

The most important consideration should be the recommendations of your doctor and it is imperative that you follow his gout treatment recommendations meticulously, taking medications as advised. If you suffer a gout attack, make it appoint to rest and do not try to use the affected joint. Instead rest with the affected joint elevated if possible. If the affected joint restricts your ability to move around comfortably, then make it a point to use a cane or walking stick for support, no matter how unnecessary you may think this to be. Ice packs or cold compresses are useful in gout treatment for some relief from the pain and also to reduce the inflammation. You could also try applying hemorrhoid creams to the affected area to reduce inflammation. Make sure that you keep yourself well hydrated to minimize the risk of further gout attacks.

Gout Treatments

Treating Gout using Cherry

The cherry, sweet or sour, is considered in effective treating gout. To start with, the patient should consume about fifteen to twenty five cherries a day. Thereafter, about ten cherries a day will keep the ailment under control. While fresh cherries are best, canned cherries can also be used occasionally.

Gout Treatment using Vegetable Juices

Raw vegetable juices are used for gout treatment. Carrot juice, in combination with the juices of beet and cucumber, is especially valuable. Beet juice - 100 ml and cucumber juice - 100 ml should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml of combined juice and taken daily

Treating Gout using French Beans

The juice of French or string beans has also proved effective in treating gout. About 150 ml of this juice should be taken daily by the patient suffering from this disease.

Cure for Gout using Apple

Apples are regarded as an excellent source for curing gout. The malic acid contained in them is believed to neutralise the uric acid and afford relief to gout sufferers. The patient is advised to take one apple after each meal.

Gout Relief using Banana

Bananas have been found beneficial in the treatment of gout. A diet of bananas only for three or four days is advised for providing some relief from gout. A patient can take eight or nine bananas daily during this period and nothing else.

Treating Gout using Lime

Lime is also used as a source in treating gout. Vitamin C is known to prevent and cure sore joints by strengthening the connective tissues of the body. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of this disease. The juice of half a lime, squeezed into a glass of water, should be taken twice daily.

Gout Diet

Fast of Orange Juice and Water

For an acute attack, there is no better remedy than a fast of orange juice and water. In severe cases, it is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts for three days or so rather than one long fast.

All Fruit Diet

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for another three or four days.

Natural Food diet

Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of natural foods, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and sprouts.

Avoid Purine and Acid Producing Foods

The patient should avoid all purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.

Diet for Gout

When seeking treatment and prevention measures for arthritis one could also make a list of foods that would provide the body with some best natural vitamins that are essential for the body. Following an appropriate gout diet should be central to any gout treatment plan as this is the single greatest influence on the condition. It is essential that you severely restrict the levels of animal protein in your diet. Red meats are known to be the worst possible food for gout patients. High protein levels cause a spike in blood uric acid levels, triggering severe gout attacks. Limit your intake to very small portions of lean meats, such as poultry or certain fish like salmon. Keep in mind that not all fish are healthy for you as many are extremely high in purines. Mackerel, herring, and anchovies are just a few of the fish foods to avoid with gout.

It’s important that you keep yourself well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks as these will simply aggravate the problem. If you are experiencing a gout attack it may help to consume some oral rehydration solutions. Avoid consuming any alcohol as it severely impairs your body’s ability to eliminate excess uric acid. Your doctor or nutritionist would however be the best source of information on a gout diet or any specific supplements and nutrients or vitamins for gout. One of the best tips when considering gout diet is to check out some gout recipes and prepare a gout diet chart or have a gout diet menu that will help you know and prepare some new food every day. A typical gout diet invariably excludes all forms of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

Other Gout Treatment

Warm water enema

A warm-water enema should be used daily during the period of fasting to cleanse the bowels.

Epsom salt bath

Epsom salts foot baths are advised twice daily. About 250 gm - 500gm of these salts may be added to tolerably hot water for this purpose. Full Epsom salt baths should also be taken three times a week. The baths may be reduced to two per week later.

Cold packs, fresh air, exercise, reduced stress

Cold packs, applied to the affected joints at night, will be beneficial. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential. The patient should eliminate as much stress from his life as possible

Home Remedies for Gray Hair

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:03:00 +0000

Graying hair is a condition in which the hair starts to lose its coloring pigment. Usually the graying of hair is considered to be the initial sign of ageing. However, this is not always so. In fact, there are a lot of people who suffer from this somewhat rare condition in which hair turns gray prematurely. Still, since the graying of hair is generally accepted as a sign of ageing, it can be very distressing for the person who experiences it.

Symptoms of Gray Hair

If the hair is graying naturally, you can experience other signs of old age. Your skin will become different and fine lines and wrinkles may begin to appear. You may also begin to feel other symptoms of old age. Your stamina and immunity may decrease. Premature graying of hair may not have any symptoms other than an increase in the number of hair strands that are grey. Graying may occur on hair all over the body.

Causes of Gray Hair

Our skin contains glands known as melanocytes which synthesize melanin, a pigment which gives the skin its color. The hair follicles similarly contain melanocytes which give our hair its natural color. The greying of hair is usually caused when the pigment melanin is no longer manufactured in the hair follicles. This could be caused either due to the natural ageing process or due to a medical condition which affects the melanocytes.

Some other causes of graying of hair are stress (both physical and mental), constant worrying, washing hair in hot water, malnutrition, using excessive amounts of chemicals in the hair, or using a hair dryer too often.

Home Remedies for Gray Hair

The best remedy for graying hair is known to be Indian gooseberry. You can grind the fruit into a paste and then smear it on your scalp. This not only treats graying of hair but also makes your hair silky and smooth, improving the texture of the hair and helping it grow longer and thicker. You can also warm some coconut or mustard oil and massage your scalp with it regularly.

The juice of the leaves of Amaranth can also be used to treat dull, graying and limp hair. The juice, when massaged into the hair follicles, can help darken the hair. You can also ground some curry leaves and consume them regularly along with your food. This will help prolong the life of the melanocytes of your hair follicles. For best results, take some coconut oil and add some curry leaves and amla paste into it. Now warm this oil and massage it gently into your scalp every time before you wash your hair.

Diet for Gray Hair

To keep your hair healthy, consume lots of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins B, C, E and K are essential for your hair. Your hair is essentially made of proteins. Therefore, it is important to consume a good amount of proteins in your diet.

Other Suggestions for Gray Hair

If none of the remedies are working, you can dye your hair using the chemical dyes which are commercially available. But I prefer to use natural Dyes.

Home Remedies for Halitosis

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Halitosis may seem to be trivial issue and it isn’t life threatening, but it is certainly no laughing matter. Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath and this can be quite serious as a social problem and thereby give rise to psychological disorders. Halitosis can cause extremely embarrassing situations in social interactions and relationships at work and in your personal life as well. Halitosis can be extremely damaging to an individual’s self esteem and confidence giving rise to severe depression and isolation. Individuals who suffer from halitosis tend to avoid interactions for fear of embarrassment and to avoid any awkward interactions. There are therefore a lot of misgivings about halitosis and bad breath. Very often an individual may be blissfully ignorant about the condition but could cause discomfort to those around. Part of the reason for the unpleasant social status of the condition could be attributed to the fact that most of us tend to assume that poor dental hygiene is the cause for the condition.

While bad breath or halitosis may be caused by poor dental hygiene and can certainly be aggravated by it, this is not the only cause, and many a time an individual may suffer from halitosis despite maintaining a stringent dental care routine. No matter what the cause the unpleasant odor can generally be attributed to a bacterial build up in the mouth. Bacteria exist in the mouth even in healthy individuals and they do interact with food residue or debris in the mouth producing a foul odor. This becomes a problem when the bacterial population begins to increase dramatically.

Bad breath may also be caused as a result of some other medical condition and may even be aggravated or caused by poor eating habits and food choices or an unhealthy lifestyle. Conditions like liver or kidney disorders may cause halitosis, which is why if bad breath remedies and other home treatments do not produce any results you should get medical attention.

Bad Breath Cure or Home Remedy for Bad Breath

Halitosis refers to foul or bad breath, which is not an uncommon condition. Unfortunately, most people who offend in this respect are completely unaware of their problem. Bad breath usually originates from the mouth and the intensity or severity of the problem may vary during the day depending on the type of foods consumed. Certain foods like garlic and onions or red meat and fish can severely aggravate the problem, and smoking or alcohol consumption can also aggravate it greatly. Bad breath can also be caused by dryness of the mouth, which is why individuals who do not consume adequate water may suffer from halitosis. Very often the problem may be present only in the morning because the inactivity and lack of oxygen in the mouth during the night could cause the odor to worsen. It generally reduces after rinsing the mouth or brushing the teeth. It’s therefore quite hard to prevent bad breath in the early morning or for that matter even when fasting. Chronic bad breath is however a persistent problem that should be treated with medical care.

Halitosis can affect absolutely anyone irrespective of age or gender. The problem does tend to be quite common in the aged because tooth decay generally advances with age. But tooth decay is again not a restrictive condition and could affect anyone. In addition halitosis has many other causes. Halitosis in children is in fact not uncommon, because of unhealthy eating habits and poor dental care. Bad breath remedies for children should therefore primarily focus on good dental care and healthy eating habits. In mild cases, treating halitosis at home will be quite simple but if unresponsive halitosis treatment should be sought from your doctor.

Halitosis Symptoms

Bad Breath

The most obvious sign of bad breath is when you smell your own breath! Put a handkerchief or even blow on your palm and smell. If the smell is odorous, you have bad breath.

Self diagnosis is off course not very effective at most times as experts believe that acclimatization hampers detection of halitosis symptoms. For this reason it may be wise to confide in a trusted family member to make the diagnosis and to detect whether the emanating odor originates from the mouth or nose.

Another symptom of halitosis that could actually be the cause of the problem is dryness of the mouth. If you experience noticeable dryness of the mouth or observe a coating on the tongue there is a good chance that you suffer from halitosis.

Halitosis Causes

Diseased Gums, Dental Decay

The most common cause of bad breath (halitosis) is diseased gums. Dental decay at the roots of the teeth may result in abscesses in the gums with foul-smelling pus, giving an objectionable odour to the breath. Even small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can multiply and release foul odours.

Conditions of Nose, Throat and Respiratory Tract

Other causes of bad breath are conditions of the nose, throat, respiratory tract, or stomach which are associated with chronic infection or local upsets of one sort or another, such as chronic tonsillitis, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, chronic gastritis, and sinusitis which causes a discharge at the back of the throat. Many cases of bad breath, however, are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic constipation.

Halitosis Causes

Bad breath or halitosis causes are typically attributed to bacterial activity in the mouth that causes a release of chemical molecules that contain sulfur. A high protein diet can aggravate the problem as these chemicals are released from bacterial activity on protein.

Smoking

Smoking is known to be a common cause for halitosis and can also aggravate the problem. This may also be because of the increased risk of gum disease from smoking.

Diet

You may also need to be careful about your diet as there are certain foods like garlic, onion and some strong spices like cumin that can contribute to the problem. Protein rich foods, particularly foods like red meat, fish and cheese may also contribute to halitosis. Low carbohydrate diets are also known to aggravate or contribute to the problem of bad breath. Crisp and hard foods like chips often tend to get lodged in the mouth and if you don’t brush your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly enough it would increase bacterial activity and decay.

Dry Mouth

Dryness of the mouth may be caused by various factors including certain illnesses. At other times simply not drinking enough water can cause dryness of the mouth, which will result in halitosis. In such a scenario it is important that you increase your fluid intake with water and fresh fruit juices. Chewing on sugar free chewing gums will also help to stimulate saliva production, which will help neutralize bacterial activity and the consequent tooth decay.

Dental Wear

Dentures or dental appliances may very well be part of the problem as it is common for food debris to get lodged in braces or other appliances, particularly if not cleansed properly. Dentures that have been poorly fitted can also cause abrasions or sores in the mouth that may result in localized infections resulting in halitosis. Certain medical conditions and drugs may also cause halitosis to develop like diabetes or gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Home remedy for bad breath (Halitosis)

Halitosis Treatment using Fenugreek

Among the several home remedies for halitosis, the use of fenugreek has proved most effective. A tea made from the seeds of this vegetable should be taken regularly for correcting the condition. This tea is prepared by putting one teaspoon of seeds in half a litre of cold water and allowing it to simmer for fifteen minutes over a low flame. It should then be strained and used as tea.

Halitosis Treatment using Avocado

Another effective remedy for bad breath is avocado, which is far superior to any mouth lotion or remedies for this condition. It effectively removes intestinal putrefaction or decomposition which is one of the most important causes of bad breath.

Halitosis Treatment using Guava

Unripe guava is useful in halitosis. It is rich in tannic, malic, oxalic, and phosphoric acids as well as calcium, oxalate, and manganese. Chewing it is an excellent tonic for the teeth and gums. It helps cure bleeding from gums and stops bad breath. Chewing tender leaves of guava tree also stops bleeding from gums and bad breath.

Halitosis Treatment using Parsley

Parsley is a valuable Cure for bad breath. Two cups of water should be boiled and several sprigs of parsley, coarsely chopped, should be steeped in this water along with two or three whole cloves or a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves. This mixture should be stirred occasionally while cooling. It should then be strained and used as a mouthwash or gargle several times a day.

Halitosis Treatment using Raw Juices

All fruit and vegetable juices are beneficial in the treatment of halitosis and should be taken liberally by those suffering from this disorder. Juices from green vegetables are especially valuable.

Halitosis Diet

A Well Balanced Diet

Patients suffering from halitosis should take a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits, with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables, and fruits. In case of constipation, all measures should be adopted for its eradication. The patient should avoid refined carbohydrate foods, such as white sugar; white bread and products made from them, as well as meat find eggs.

Other Suggestions for Halitosis

Other Bad Breath Treatment

The teeth should be cleaned twice a day, especially before going to bed at night. Meat particles should be removed carefully with toothpicks. In case of decaying teeth and swollen and bleeding gums, a dentist should be consulted. Munching a raw apple or guava after lunch removes most of the trapped particles. The use of the twigs of the margosa (margosa) tree as a toothbrush is the best method of cleaning the teeth.

Home Remedies for Hangover

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:46:00 +0000

What is a hangover?

A hangover, medically known as veisalgia, is caused due to the consumption of large amounts of alcohol or some other drug. Hangover is most commonly associated with the after-effects of large consumption of alcohol. This article summarizes the cures and remedies available for alcohol hangovers.

Hangovers symptoms

Dry mouth

Your mouth will feel very dry and you will feel that strong urge for wetting your tongue and throat.

Headache remedy using Cinnamon

Heads feels very heavy and sometime here could be throbbing and painful. You feel sleepy and drowsy.

Bloodshot eyes

Your eyes may look swollen and will be slightly or very red in color. Your eyes may also dislike exposure to light.

Nausea and vomiting

Strange sensation in the stomach with a feeling of nausea and vomiting.

Dizzy feeling

You feel drowsy when you wake up. There is a very strong urge of going back to sleep.

Hangover causes

Excessive alcohol consumption

Ethyl alcohol or ethanol causes a lot of dehydration which causes your mouth to go dry and also is responsible for the heaadaches.

Hangover Cures

Hangover cure using water

Consume a lot of water before you go to bed. This should priovde some relief to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Drink lots of water even after you wake up.

Hangover remedy: eat some food

Its a good practice to eat something while and after your are drinking. This helps reduce the rate at which alcohol enters your blood and thus can help reduce the after-effects.

Hangover remedy: Vitamin C

Take vitamin C tablets. These help break down the alcohol content in your body.

Hangover Diet

Other hangover remedies

Suggestions to avoid hangovers

Never drink on an empty stomach. Food helps to absorb some of the alcohol and aids the body in digesting it faster.

Try to eat starchy foods to slow down the alcohol absorption.

Limit yourself to less than 1 drink per hour.

Try to alternate your alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic beverages such as water

Stick to non-carbonated drinks as carbonation can speed up the alcohol absorption.

Try to avoid sweet drinks (and sugary foods) while you drink. The sweet taste of the drink can make it difficult for you to judge how much alcohol you’re actually consuming.

Home Remedies for Hay Fever

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Hay Fever also known as nasal allergies, pollinosis or seasonal allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms. Hay fever is an allergy to dust, pollen or dander in the air. It mainly causes allergy to the eyes and nose. Hay fever is seasonal; however it can last throughout the year if the allergens are present in the air throughout the year. Spring and fall are the two main seasons for hay fever.

Hay Fever Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of hay fever are as follows Coughing, Headache, Itching of nose, mouth, eyes, throat, ear and skin, Red and watery eyes, Runny and stuffy nose, Impaired smell, Sneezing, Sore throat, Wheezing, Fatigue and trouble in sleeping.

Allergens in the body

Hay fever is caused when the allergens enter our body. Hay fever allergens are airborne substances that enter our mouth, nose, throat, and lungs. Pollens are the most common hay fever allergen. They are the male sex cell of a plant. Wind carries these pollens to other plants of same species. Our immune system reacts to these allergens and produces an antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE) to resist it. This IgE releases certain chemicals like histamine, to flush the pollen out of the airways.

Use of honey and petroleum jelly

Add some honey to boiled minced grapefruit and lemon. Have this solution three times a day. To stop irritation in your nose, apply little petroleum jelly inside your nose. Boil chamomile in water and inhale fumes from the water.

Hay Fever Diet

Eat a clean, healthy and balanced diet. Include vitamin C in your diet. Avoid flour, sugar, salt and dairy products for one week. Drink plenty of filtered water and herbal tea. Eat good quality protein.

Other Suggestions for Hay Fever

Avoid going out early in the morning or late in the evening. At this time pollen count in air is comparatively more. Avoid using nasal spray continuously for three days. It may increase congestion of nose. Avoid smoking and air pollutants.

Home Remedies for Head Congestion

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Head congestion is another name for congestion in the sinuses. In ordinary terms, head congestion is the congestion in the nose and is often referred to as a stuffy nose. For most people, such congestion is just an annoyance; however, if it gets severe, the congestion can become a severe condition causing migraines and other problems.

Symptoms of Head Congestion

Some of the common symptoms of head congestion are coughing, wheezing, and other difficulties in breathing, ache in the ear and other parts of the face, stuffiness in the nose, feeling of discomfort in the nasal passages, headaches and occasional migraines, and sore throat. You may not experience all of these symptoms but only a few of them.

Causes of Head Congestion

Anyone can develop congestion in the head. However, those who are prone to allergies are more susceptible to developing congestion in their sinuses. Other factors that contribute to the development of head congestion are over exposure to chemicals and other pollutants like smoke.

This congestion occurs when there is an excess of phlegm in the airways. The phlegm can be caused due to infections and inflammation in the airways. Particles in the lungs can cause friction inside the airways and due to this friction the airways become infected.

Home Remedies for Head Congestion

Head congestion can cause a lot of discomfort to a person. Fortunately, there are many home remedies which can help you counter the symptoms and effects of congestion in the head. Head congestion is often caused when you let your hair remain wet for a long time after taking a shower. If you are prone to developing head congestion, it is best to never leave your hair wet.

• The simplest home remedy for any type of congestion is to consume a lot of liquids. When you keep your body hydrated, your mucous will be washed out from the body. If the phlegm and mucous are hard, drinking fluids can help loosen the phlegm, allowing you to cough it out easily.

• Apart from drinking fluids, you can also install humidifiers in your home. These humidifiers help clear out your airways. You can also inhale steam to loosen up the phlegm. Simply heat up a large container of water. When the water comes to a boil, remove from heat, cover your head with a cloth, and bend over the container to inhale the steam. For best results, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water.

Diet for Head Congestion

Consuming a diet rich in vitamin C can help you improve your immunity, making you less prone to common cold and other disorders which are precursors to head congestion.

Home Remedies for Head Lice

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects found living amongst human hair. These tiny parasites are wingless and feed on blood which they draw through the scalp. Though these lice only feed on small amounts of blood at a time, they may cause itching and irritation on the scalp. They are a common problem, especially amongst young children. Though not dangerous, head lice can spread from the head of one person to another very easily. They can cause infections and wounding of the scalp due to persistent itching and scratching. People living in unclean and crowded places are more prone to head lice. These tiny wingless creatures are of a grayish brown shade and are extremely tiny, at the size of a pinhead upon hatching, and full grown specimens reaching a size of around 3mm. Head lice are incapable of flight and unlike fleas they cannot jump, nor can they swim. So the only mode through which they can spread is through direct contact. An infestation can progress quite rapidly as the female louse lays eggs towards the base of hair, near the root. These are extremely tiny and near impossible to notice, which is why very often people suffer recurring infestations as they tend to discontinue treatments for head lice as soon as the symptoms of a lice infestation disappear. While home remedies for head lice can help control the problem they may not serve as natural head lice cures or best head lice removal treatments as simply eliminating the full grown lice or reducing their numbers will not suffice.

Treatments for head lice infestations need to be intensive in part because of the short life cycles of lice, which also implies that they have rapid breeding cycles. Once hatched a louse will reach maturity within six to ten days and the female will start to lay eggs on the seventh day itself. So whether you are using medicated shampoos or home remedies for head lice, the treatments for head lice need to be rigorous and regular. The treatment needs to be kept up for at least a week, so as to ensure that no hatchlings survive the six or seven day period to reproduce further. Head lice feed on blood in the scalp.

Although head lice can be picked up by anyone with hair, the problem is most prevalent among children because of their lifestyle. Children spend a large amount of their time in the company of other kids and in close proximity with them at schools and nurseries. For the same reasons a head lice infestation can spread rather rapidly in households where conditions are cramped and unhygienic.

Home remedies for head lice are extremely popular, but most results are not scientifically verified. There can be no guarantee that any natural remedies for head lice removal will actually cure the problem, which is why it is advisable that in addition to natural treatments for head lice you also use medicated over the counter, or prescription shampoos. Home remedies for head lice are a viable option for those with sensitive skin, as some medicated products could cause irritation to the scalp. But it is important that you are observant when using any home remedies for head lice and if you find that there are no observable results immediately seek medical treatment.

Symptoms of Head Lice

itching, crusting, and redness on scalp. Sometimes head lice do not show any symptoms. Repeated scratching of lice bites may cause skin infections. These infections may lead to swollen nodes resulting into lumps on the neck and behind the ears.

It should be noted that the itching, which is a typical symptom of head lice is not actually caused by the bite or movement of the head lice, but by an allergic reaction. This symptom would therefore be absent in individuals who do not have an allergy and in other cases allergic reactions may simply take longer to set in, possibly as long as three months.

Another symptom that may be observed is a rash on the back of the neck that develops due to louse droppings, which again cause an allergic reaction.

It is hard to detect an infestation simply by inspection as it would be impossible to differentiate between unhatched eggs or the remnants of eggs, which are termed as nits. The other problem with this method of detection is that nits may even be present for sometime after successful treatment. The use of a fine toothed comb, meant specifically for lice removal, can help with detection of an active lice infestation.

Causes of Head Lice

Head lice are extremely contagious and are passed on from one person to another. This is especially true in group settings and areas where there are a lot of people living or working in a confined space. Schools and child care centers are some of the examples of group settings where head lice can be spread. Though these lice don’t have wings, these parasites can pass on from the hair of one person to another through a head to head contact. Sometimes, sharing of bedding, linen, and clothes can also cause these head lice to pass from one person to another. Close physical contact is the leading cause of the spread of head lice. The notion that head lice infestations are caused or spread due to a lack of hygiene is actually quite untrue. Head lice are primarily spread through direct contact with an infected person, by which we mean head to head contact. This is why children are most vulnerable to head lice infestations, because of the amount of time they spend in close contact at nurseries or playschools. Similarly, the myth of poor hygiene being responsible for infestations may be attributed to the fact that head lice infestations are a lot more common among poorer populations or in developing and under developed countries. This however has more to do with overcrowding and a lack of personal space.

Head lice infestations to a much lower extent may be caused by sharing bedding or clothing, particularly head gear. This is not horribly common however as lice cannot jump and are incapable of flight, which means they cannot travel very far from their host. Moreover, they cannot survive away from a host for an extended period.

Causes of Body Lice

Unhygienic conditions like not taking bath daily, not wearing washed cloth and so on are the primary reasons for body lice. A direct contact with the person having body lice will transmit body lice. Body lice are mainly seen in people from underdeveloped countries.

Causes of Pubic Lice

Pubic lice are transmitted by direct sexual contact. Using condoms does not provide any protection from pubic lice.

A point worth noting would be that lice cannot be spread to humans from pets or vice versa. It should also be pointed out that the lice responsible for bodily infestations are quite different from head lice. While body lice can serve as carriers of diseases like typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever, head lice cause no such diseases.

Home Remedies for Head Lice

For head lice problem wash your hair with vinegar. It will kill all the nits in two days. Apply coconut oil to your head after shampoo and condition. Add ten to fifteen drops of tea tree oil into shampoo bottle and use it daily. Rub Listerine mouth wash on your head. This will kill all the lice. Massage your head with mayonnaise and comb it after 2 hours. This will kill all the lice and their eggs. Apply a mixture of lemon and butter on your head, wait for 15 seconds and then rinse your head.

All of these claims are simply based on word of mouth and are not verified with clinical trials. While some of these home remedies for head lice may work for some individuals they may not work for others. In addition, the extent of success with these homemade, natural or herbal treatments for head lice can vary greatly. According to some individuals a few of these home remedies for head lice may actually work when it comes to lice removal, but fail to remove the infestation as the eggs survive only to re-infest the hair within a week.

Although the risk of infestation spreading through contact with clothing, linen, or any head gear is highly unlikely it may still be wise to play cautious and cleanse all of these objects thoroughly with detergents. If there are others in your household who you are in constant or frequent contact with, it would be advisable for them to also go through the entire lice removal treatment as their symptoms may not show up for days or weeks. The risk of a recurrence would be high if you have passed on the head lice to any other members of the household.

Diet for Head Lice

There is no specific diet for head lice. However, since head lice suck blood from the scalp, you should increase the iron content in your diet to prevent iron deficiencies.

Other Suggestions for Head Lice

Head lice may recur anytime in a crowded setting. If you can, avoid crowded places. Sharing of personal items like clothes, bed linen, and bedding should be avoided as far as possible so that head lice are not transferred through an infected person.

Home Remedies for Headaches

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:38:00 +0000

A headache is the term used to define any kind of ache or pain that occurs in and around the head, or even in the upper neck. Headaches may occur independently, in the sense that they are unconnected to any health condition or disease, or they may at times occur as a symptom of some disease. All of us experience headaches at some point or the other and it is in fact one of the most common complaints and also the most widely treated with home remedies and pharmaceutical headache treatments. Although headaches may in most cases be unconnected to specific ailments or health conditions they are often like a warning system from our body that something is not right. In most cases it is stress, lack of sleep, and other such circumstances that trigger this response. For example, if you haven’t had adequate sleep for a few nights in a row you would most likely experience headaches. Headaches may not necessarily be trigger by psychological factors such as emotional distress, stress and so on, but could also be triggered by physical stress and exhaustion.

There are various types of headaches, with an even greater variety of causes, but the most commonly occurring types of headaches are tension headaches. There are probably none among us who have escaped this type of headache. The severity may vary greatly and so will the duration, depending on the trigger, the tension headache treatment provided and other factors. Tension headaches generally occur due to causes like neck pain, stress, anxiety, depression and also because of muscle tightness or tension in the shoulders, jaws and scalp. Tension headaches are most likely to affect you if you work excessively, if your social relationships are strained, if you follow irregular eating and sleeping patterns, or consume excessive amounts of alcohol. As with any other condition the only effective treatment would be to eliminate the cause and provide relief. Tension headache treatment with over the counter medications that simply provide relief will only offer a temporary solution, and you will be plagued by the problem increasingly frequently.

Apart from tension or stress headaches there are some other types of headaches that are quite common. Sinus headaches and migraines are probably the next most common types, although migraines cannot really be classified as headaches as this would be an over simplification. Migraines are a lot more severe, and the experience of a migraine is not comparable to the normal headache. Sinus headaches, which are the other common phenomenon, are triggered due to blockages of the sinus passages that create a buildup of pressure and also due to infections of the sinus like sinusitis. Cluster headaches are another type of headache that is not uncommon. Headaches in children are again not something out of the ordinary and could have similar causes, but if persistent, severe or unresponsive to treatment should be given medical attention promptly. Under normal circumstances however mild natural headache treatments should suffice for headaches in children. When dealing with headaches in children always check the forehead in case of a fever and seek medical advice promptly if there is any vomiting.

Headache treatment no matter what the cause or type of headache can however best be remedied through simple lifestyle changes and relaxation. If you have persistent headaches that do not respond to treatment, make sure you consult your health care provider. A sudden onset of severe or recurrent headaches could also be indicative of some serious health disorder, or if accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, stiff neck, disorientation, fever or ear and eye pain. Headaches that occur following trauma to the head should also receive medical attention.

Chronic headaches should always be treated seriously, particularly in children as chronic headaches would have some underlying causes that may be serious and treatment should be directed towards these causes, not simply for relief.

Natural Headache Cures and Headache Remedies

Headache cures are the most sought after remedies as it is one of the most common ailment people suffer from. Headaches afflict almost everyone at some time or the other. Most headaches are functional, being caused by temporary upsets, and are not related to any organic changes in the brain. They are often natures warning that something is wrong somewhere in the body. The actual pain, however, arises from irritation to nerve endings in the shoulder, neck, and scalp muscles, and also in the smooth muscles encircling the blood vessels which severe these areas. Migraine headaches in an acute condition suffered by some patients and we have listed some useful information for them also.

Symptoms of Headache

Headache Symptoms

Tension or stress headaches usually cause pain that diffuses and is not concentrated in one identifiable spot. There is also likely to be tenderness in the surrounding areas and muscles. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with tension headaches.

• Tension headaches tend to cause mild to moderate intensity pain.

• Typically headaches like these do not develop suddenly, but there is a gradual build up of pain. There is however no warning or prodrome prior to the actual onset of the headache.

• The pain could radiate from one side of the head or it may be present on both sides. It could cause an aching and squeezing sensation in the forehead or temples, or towards the back of the head. Headaches occurring towards the back of the head will generally radiate down towards the neck and the shoulders. There is a general feeling of tightness around the head.

• The pain from a headache is usually constant, although there may fluctuations in the severity.

• Tension headaches are usually not intensified with physical activity, nor is there any association with nausea or vomiting.

• In some cases there may a slightly increased sensitivity to visual and audio stimuli.

• You are also likely to experience a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

• Headaches of this type often come on during the day and progressively worsen, lasting for a few hours.

Cluster headaches are characterized by excruciating pain that may be localized around one eye, producing a stabbing sensation. Tearing and nasal congestion are also likely to occur on the same side as the affected eye. Cluster headaches may just last for a quarter of an hour or for as long as four hours. There is also a high possibility of them recurring through the day. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption is likely to influence or trigger cluster headaches.

Migraines on the other hand cause an intense throbbing pain that may be felt on just one or both sides of the head. The pain from a migraine generally is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Blurring of vision is another common symptom of headaches in a migraine attack. Light, sound and movement can cause the symptoms to be severely aggravated. Migraines may be brought on by specific triggers like red wine, chocolate, cheese, heat or other factors, often not easy to identify. For many women menstrual cycles may influence the pattern of migraines and they can also be brought on because of the influence of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.

Causes of Headache

Allergies, Stress, Eye Strain

The common causes of headaches are allergy, emotional stress, eye strain, high blood pressure, a hangover, infection, low blood sugar, nutritional deficiency, tension, and the presence of poisons and toxins in the body. Allergies are often the unsuspected cause of headaches. The foods to which some people are allergic and which can trigger headaches are milk and milk products, chocolate, chicken, liver, alcohol and strong cheese. Sneezing and diarrhoea are further indications of an allergy.

Headache Cures and Remedies

Natural Headache Cure using Lemon

There are several natural remedies for various types or headaches. The juice of three or four slices of lemon should be squeezed in a cup of tea and taken by the patient for treating this condition. It gives immediate relief. The crust of lemon, which is generally thrown away, has been found useful in headaches caused by heat. Lemon crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar and applied as plaster on the forehead. Applying the yellow, freshly pared-off rind of a lemon to each temple will also give relief.

Cure Headaches Naturally using Apple

Apples are valuable in curing all types of headaches. After removing the upper rind and the inner hard portion of a ripe apple, it should be taken with a little salt every morning on an empty stomach in such cases. This should be continued for about a week.

Natural Headache Remedy using Henna

The flowers of henna have been found valuable in curing headaches caused by hot sun. The flowers should be rubbed in vinegar and applied over the forehead. This remedy will soon provide relief.

Headache Remedy using Cinnamon

Cinnamon is useful in headaches caused by exposure to cold air. A fine paste of this spice should be prepared by mixing it with water and it should be applied over the temples and forehead to obtain relief.

Headache Treatment using Marjoram

The herb marjoram is beneficial in the treatment of a nervous headache. An infusion of the leaves is taken as a tea in the treatment of this disorder.

Headache Treatment using Rosemary

The herb rosemary has been found valuable in headaches resulting from cold. A handful of this herb should be boiled in a litre of water and put in a mug. The head should be covered with a towel and the steam inhaled for as long as the patient can bear. This should be repeated till the headache is relieved.

Diet for Headaches

Proper Nutrition, Excercise, Positive Thinking

The best way to prevent headaches is to build up physical resistance through proper nutrition, physical exercise and positive thinking. As a first step, the patient should undertake a short fast, and take citrus fruit juices diluted with water every two hours from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. daily. Thereafter, he should plan his diet in such a way as to put the least possible strain on the digestion. Breakfast may consist of fruits, both fresh and dried. Lunch may consist of protein foods. Starchy foods such as wholewheat bread, cereals, rice, or potatoes should be taken at dinner along with raw salads. Spices, condiments, sour buttermilk, and oily foodstuffs should be avoided. Drinking a glass of water (warm water in winter and cool water in summer), mixed with a teaspoon of honey first thing in the morning, is also a good remedy. Copious drinking of water throughout the day is also advised.

Other Headache Remedies

Water Treatment

Other helpful measures in the treatment of headaches are a cleansing enema with water temperature at 37 degree C, a cold throat pack, frequent applications of towels wrung out from very hot water to the back of the neck , a cold compress at 4.4 degree C to 15.6 degree C applied to the head and face, or an alternate spinal compress. Hot fomentations over the abdominal region just before retiring relieve headaches caused by stomach and liver upsets.

Hot Foot Bath

Hot foot baths are also beneficial in the treatment of chronic headaches. The patient should keep his legs in a tub or bucket filled with hot water at a temperature of 40 degree C to 45 degree C for fifteen minutes every night before retiring. This treatment should be continued for two or three weeks.

Yogasanas

Yogic kriyas like jalneti and kunjal; pranayamas like anulomaviloma, shitali and sitkari; and asanas such as uttanpadasana, sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, halasana, and shavasana are also beneficial in the treatment of headaches.

Home Remedies for Heat Stroke

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:29:00 +0000

Heat stroke may also be referred to as: heat contractions, sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat fatigue. This health state is often life-threatening. This situation occurs when people exert or play in scorching, sticky places and their body liquids are lost during sweating, causing dehydration the body to swelter. Heat sickness may be observed as an array of illness involving the body’s failure to deal with heat.

The average normal body temperature is 98.6 degree Fahrenheit. Heatstroke is an outcome of the inability of the body to regulate its own temperature, and body temperature continues to rise. Heat stroke is a non scientific name for hyperthermia, a body temperature that is so far beyond normal that physiological developments are subjected to harm and dysfunction. The negative outcome of hyperthermia can be temporary or lifelong and can cause unexpected death. The higher the temperature and the longer the hyperthermia continues the further harm it causes. It is a consequence of prolonged, excessive exposure to sun, in which an individual does not perspire enough to lower body temperature.

Every year, millions of people are exposed to the risk of severe heat. Outdoor laborers make up the major percentage of patients with heat connected complaints. Sportspersons, children and the aged also are often affected, with aged people being predominantly susceptible to heat stroke.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Signs And Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Indications of heat stroke can at times impersonate those of heart attack or other conditions. Different people possibly will have different symptoms and indicators of heat stroke. However familiar symptoms and signs of heat stroke include the following:

1. Elevated body temperature

2. The lack of sweating, with burning red or flushed dehydrated skin

3. Trouble in breathing

4. Bizarre activities

5. Hallucinations and illusions

6. Nervousness and Anxiety

7. Convulsions

8. Loss of consciousness

Heat stroke can happen unexpectedly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion. If someone is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, it is important to seek medical attention at once.

Causes of Heat Stroke

High temperature is the main cause of heat stroke

Heat related conditions like heat stroke may arise when your body cannot remain cool. As the atmospheric temperature increases, your body stays cool as you sweat. On hot, sticky days, the loss of sweat is measured by the increased humidity in the air. Dehydration too is a major worry, as too much fluid loss can lead to heart and brain damage.
Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, nausea; vomiting or diarrhea can put children and adults at threat for a heat stroke in dreadfully hot climates. The other common causes of heat strokes could be as follows:

1. High temperatures or humidity

2. Extended and excessive exercise

3. Excess clothing

4. Too much use of alcohol

5. Cardiovascular ailments

6. Sweat gland dysfunction

7. Medications that weaken the body’s ability to sweat may have an effect on people to this problem

8. Pregnancy

9. Obesity

Remedies for Heat Stroke

Victims of heat stroke should be moved to a cool area and clothing should be removed.

Heat stroke is a medical crisis involving hospitalization, and the local emergency system must be turned on as soon as possible.

1. The body temperature ought to be lowered instantly.

2. The sufferer should be moved to a cool area and clothing should be removed to encourage inactive cooling. Energetic cooling methods can be used.

3. The victim should be positioned into the revival pose to make sure that their airway remains open.

4. Cool the person by sponging with damp towel.

5. Water containing electrolyte, juices and glucose should be given to the victim.

Diet for Heat Stroke

Stay hydrated and minimize sun exposure.

Drink plenty of water, stay away from the sun, and avoid taxing activity during hot weather conditions. If you start experiencing the warning signs, shift to a cool, sheltered area and gulp something cool.

Suggestions for Heat Stroke

Try chamomile flowers to get relief from heatstroke

If you start experiencing the warning signs, move to a sheltered area and drink something cool. A few people also use chamomile flowers to alleviate the symptoms of heatstroke, though the effectiveness of this therapy is not assured.

After a complete recovery from heatstroke, a slight follow-up care is considered necessary. Improving patients may possibly desire to relax and reside in cool areas for some days. Patients should also implement aggressive prevention policies to keep heat stroke from returning.

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Hemorrhoids, commonly referred to as piles, is a condition of inflammation and swelling of the veins that are located in the anus and lower rectum. This condition develops due to pressure exerted on the veins most often from straining to evacuate the bowels or also due to other conditions like pregnancy or obesity. The condition can be very painful or at times devoid of most symptoms. It can pose risk of certain complications or be a warning sign of other disorders.

Symptoms for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be of two types, classified on the basis of location as either internal or external hemorrhoids. Symptoms can differ, with internal hemorrhoids not displaying typical symptoms, causing no irritation, and they are also not visible. The common symptoms of hemorrhoids include the following:

1. Painless bleeding when passing stools is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids.

2. Itchiness, irritation and discomfort in the anal region.

3. Pain when passing stools.

4. Protrusion of hemorrhoids from the anus or a swelling or painful, sensitive lump around the region.

Causes for Hemorrhoids

The cause for hemorrhoids is the swelling or bulge in the veins that occurs due to increased pressure on the veins in the lower rectum. The causes of this pressure are therefore responsible for the occurrence of hemorrhoids and these would include:

1. Straining to evacuate the bowels.

2. Sitting on the toilet bowl for prolonged periods.

3. The presence of chronic constipation or diarrhea.

4. Physical changes as in pregnancy or obesity.

5. Anal intercourse.

6. Weakening of tissues that support the veins as a result of aging.

7. To some extent the risk for hemorrhoids can be inherited.

Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Natural treatments are considered a much more viable option when dealing with piles as they pose little risk of long term complications and almost no risk of dependence, when compared against most medications prescribed with conventional treatment. Here are some home remedies that can help treat hemorrhoids.

1. Pomegranate peels can be used to prepare a hemorrhoids remedy, by simply boiling the peels in water. The water must then be drunk, and this practice should be done twice a day.

2. One remedy that is widely regarded is the consumption of figs that are soaked overnight in water.

3. Buttermilk can also be used to prepare another effective remedy. Just add some peppercorns, rock salt, and ginger. Drink this at least twice a day for some quick relief.

4. Another remedy involves crushing black mustard and mixing it thoroughly with a bowl of yogurt. Consume this mixture, but make it a point to chew the mustard thoroughly and wash it down with a glass of buttermilk once done.

Diet for Hemorrhoids

Dietary changes are absolutely vital for a long term solution, as home remedies or medications tend to address the immediate symptoms, without offering any long term cure.

1. Make sure that you increase your fluid intake and follow a healthy balanced diet plan, with adequate fiber content. Include plenty of leafy vegetables and fruits.

2. Eat a lot of fresh fruits as they are a natural source of fiber, but avoid refined, processed, and fast foods.

Suggestions for Hemorrhoids

For an effective hemorrhoids cure you need to also pay attention to diet and lifestyle, rather than simply rely on medications and remedies that mostly offer a temporary cure. In addition to your diet changes make it a point to follow a disciplined routine with fixed and regular meal times. Try and have four to five small meals spaced through the day rather than two large meals. Stay physically active at least with light activities like walking, swimming, or cycling.

Home Remedies for Herpes

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:22:00 +0000

The herpes simplex viruses are of two types. The type one virus shows its symptoms in the upper part of the body and the type two virus causes symptoms in the lower half. Both of these viruses are identical, when seen under the microscope.

Symptoms of Herpes

The viruses cause oral symptoms like cold sores and fever blisters around the lips and the lower part of the face. The herpes virus attacks the immune system of the body causing heavy losses and damage to the immune system. After attacking the immune system, the virus begins manifesting its symptoms. Once treatment is given to the person, the virus goes dormant and the symptoms may subside for a while.

Meanwhile, the immune system of the body becomes extremely weak and the body may also become susceptible to other infections and diseases. There are brief periods of remission between the eruptions of symptoms; however, when the symptoms do erupt it is important to take many precautions.

Herpes virus remains in the blood stream of the infected person and can be passed on by a pregnant woman to her unborn child. There have been many researches and clinical trials of medicines for the treatment of herpes. However, till date no cure or treatment has been found for herpes. Medication can help control the symptoms, but the virus remains in the blood stream.

Causes of Herpes

Herpes is a viral infection which is spread through close physical contact and sexual intercourse. The virus can enter into the skin of a person through any break in the skin like cuts. During sexual intercourse, the virus can enter into the skin of the penis or the vagina.

Home Remedies for Herpes

There are some home remedies that can help in the suppression of the symptoms and provide temporary relief. However, these remedies are only for temporary relief and do not offer a cure. Since fever blisters can cause a lot of discomfort, rubbing ice can help soothe the skin. Another effective remedy for herpes symptoms is baking powder. You can apply baking powder on the blisters using a soft cotton ball. The baking powder helps contain the infection. You can also use essential oils to control the infection and get relief. Take a few drops of bergamot oil and add to it a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Mix the oils well and then add an equal amount of vegetable oil to it. Now soak a cotton ball in this oil and spread it across the infected areas. This can help you in treating the herpes virus.

Home Remedies for Hiccups

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Hiccups are not really much of a problem, but in most cases can be more of an annoyance. All of us have experienced hiccups at some point of time or the other and most would agree that it is a trivial condition that doesn’t really require any treatment, except for in situations where it does cause some discomfort or embarrassment. Hiccups are basically sudden and involuntary contractions of the muscles in the diaphragm. As these sudden and spasm like contractions in the muscle occur repeatedly, the opening between the vocal cords closes to impeded the inflow of air, giving rise to the hiccup sound. Hiccups can be caused when there is irritation to the nerves extending from the neck down to the chest. Hiccups are almost always a minor annoyance rather than indicative of any ailment, but in some cases may be indicative of, or may be triggered by some more serious conditions such as pneumonia or from the rise of toxicity in levels as would be the case from kidney failure. Under normal circumstances however hiccups are not at all serious and have no clear cause.

Although the cause of hiccups is not clearly understood or agreed upon there is a lot of speculation and there are many possible triggers for the peculiar condition. It is widely believed that the occurrence of hiccups is governed by some specific nerves in the spinal cord towards the back of the neck. These nerves may be triggered by certain activities such as eating to quickly causing an impulse or signal to be transmitted to the phrenic nerve, which maintains control over the diaphragm. The hiccups are then actually produced when the glottis shuts off the windpipe. The exact causes of hiccups are however not understood clearly and the condition does seem rather mysterious with no clear cause and no known purpose. Hiccups almost always have a limited duration, passing without intervention in a matter of minutes. In some rare cases however, hiccups may last for a few days or even longer. Hiccups can be set off by seemingly any circumstance, with different people experiencing hiccups triggered by different conditions. For some people eating extremely spicy food can trigger hiccups, while swallowing ear when consuming food, such as from eating too fast is the most common cause. Drinking carbonated beverages and consuming alcoholic products are also among the most common triggers for hiccups. Stress and excitement are also possible triggers for a bout of hiccups. Under almost all of these circumstances hiccups are simply an annoying but benign phenomenon.

Hiccups start from the diaphragm, a dome shaped muscle in the chest. Diaphragm’s function is to pull and push air in and out of the lungs while inhaling and exhaling respectively. Hiccups are caused when the diaphragm is irritated. Generally hiccups last for a few minutes but sometimes they may last for days or weeks. This may be a sign of some other medical problems in the body.

Hiccups treatments to get rid of hiccups quickly may or may not help, with the phenomenon because of the absence of any certainty. Hiccup remedies that work usually involve drinking water and breath control and there aren’t really any medicated treatments for newborns or adults alike. Home remedies for hiccups may vary greatly in their effectiveness, with some showing results in some cases for some individuals, while being completely ineffective for others. The only effective way to find out how to stop hiccups is by experimenting with different techniques. Some of these methods can help to relieve the symptoms of constant hiccups after eating or while eating, which can be quite bothersome. Hiccups in newborns and hiccups in babies after feeding are also very common and usually pass in a matter of minutes without any intervention. Although at most times treatment may be unnecessary in certain situations it may help to understand how to stop hiccups, such as after surgery or in the case of hiccups during pregnancy.

Prolonged episodes of hiccups may be an altogether different story, but are thankfully quite rare. Prolonged episodes can be serious and may be completely perplexing, making diagnosis near impossible. In some cases attacks of this nature have even been associated with fatalities. The normal hiccup incidents that last for barely a few minutes are simply described as hiccup bouts, but hiccups lasting for 2 days or more are considered protracted or persistent, while hiccups that last for as long as a month or longer are described as intractable. As disturbing and unbelievable as the prospect of unending hiccups may sound the longest case of hiccups lasted for six whole decades.

Hiccups are not considered to be a threat to an individual’s health but they certainly can be troublesome. In most cases, hiccups stop after a short period of time and so it is only a temporary problem. In some cases, hiccups can last for hours and even days and it is in such cases, that treatment for hiccups is necessary. Suffering from hiccups for hours on end can interfere with one’s daily chores and activities and can also leave an individual feeling tired and frustrated. Furthermore, consuming food or fluids can cause choking if you have hiccups. It is best to avoid meals completely and if you must eat make sure that you have small morsels in between hiccups so as to minimize the chances of choking. Minor cases are often resolved with a short nap or 20 minutes of relaxation.

Hiccups can affect absolutely anyone, with both males and females experiencing hiccups alike. Protracted and intractable hiccups are however a lot more prevalent in men as compared to women. Hiccups can also affect you irrespective of age, but reduce in frequency as you age, although the risks of intractable hiccups are higher in adult life. Hiccups can even affect preterm infants, with them spending as much as 2.5% of the time hiccupping.

Hiccups Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of hiccups are as follows Contraction of diaphragm, Continuous “hic “sound from the throat.

Hiccups Causes

Some of the causes of hiccups are as follows. Overstretching the neck, Laryngitis, Heartburn, Irritation of the eardrum, General anesthesia, Surgery, Bloating, Tumor, Infection, Diabetes, Drinking excessive alcohol, Hot and spicy food, Smoking, Eating fast.

Short term hiccups typically are triggered by overeating, eating too quickly, consuming carbonated or alcoholic drinks, and sudden changes in temperature or stress. Hiccups lasting for more than two days could have a variety of causes. Nerve damage or irritation to the vagus or phrenic nerves of this nature may be caused by a sore throat or laryngitis, or something as mundane as a hair in your ear touching the eardrum, or by a tumor or goiter in the neck. Central nervous system disorders as from a stroke, multiples sclerosis or tumors and a traumatic brain injury could also trigger such episodes. Certain metabolic disorders and the use of certain drugs may also cause hiccups of this nature.

Home Remedies for Hiccups

Some of the home remedies for hiccups are as follows Hold your breath, Gargle with water, Place an ice bag on the diaphragm for sometime, Sip ice water quickly, Close your eyes and gently press your eye balls, Drink a glass of soda water quickly, Eat some sugar, Eat one tbsp peanut butter,

Avoid hot and spicy food

There is no special diet recommended for hiccups. However, it is advisable to avoid hot and spicy food because they can irritate the lining of the esophagus.

Visit Doctor

Do not overload your digestive system by over eating. Although hiccups are not a serious medical problem, it is advisable to see a doctor if they last for more than 24 hours.

Home Remedies for High Blood Cholesterol

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Cholesterol, a yellowish fatty substance, is one of the essential ingredients of the body. Although it is essential to life, it has a bad reputation, being a major villain in heart disease. Every person with high blood cholesterol is regarded as a potential candidate for heart attack or a stroke. Most of the cholesterol found in the body is produced in the liver. However, about twenty to thirty per cent generally comes from the food we eat. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per 100 millimetres of blood. The normal level of cholesterol varies between 150 - 200 mg per 100 ml. In blood, cholesterol occurs in combination with certain lipids (fats), hence, known as lipoptroteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins: a low density one (LDL) and a high density one (HDL). The low density lipoprotein is the one which is considered harmful and is associated with cholesterol deposits in blood vessels. The higher the ratio of LDL to the total cholesterol, the greater will be the risk of arterial damage and heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, plays a salutory role by helping remove cholesterol from circulation and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

High Blood Cholesterol Causes

Hereditary

Hypercholesterolaemia or increase in cholesterol is mainly a hereditary disorder.

Excessive consumption of rich foods

It is also caused by taking rich foods and fried foods: excessive consumption of milk and its products like clarified butter, butter, and cream; white flour, sugar, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, and ice cream; and non-vegetarian foods like meat, fish, and eggs.

Smoking, Drinking and Stress

Other causes of increase in cholesterol are irregularity in habits, smoking and drinking alcohol. Stress has also been found to be a major cause of increased level of cholesterol.

High Blood Cholesterol Home Remedies

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Lecithin

Lecithin, also a fatty food substance and the most abundant of the phospholipids, is beneficial in case of increase in cholesterol level. It has the ability to break up cholesterol into small particles which can be easily handled by the system. With sufficient intake of lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries and veins. Lecithin also increases the production of bile acids made from cholesterol, thereby reducing its amount in the blood, Egg yolk, vegetable oils, wholegrain cereals, soyabeans, and unpasturised milk are rich sources of lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable of synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are present.

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Vitamins

Vitamins B6, choline, and inositol are particularly effective in reducing the level of blood cholesterol. Wheat germ, yeast, or vitamin B extracted from bran contain high quantities of these vitamins. Vitamin E also elevates blood lecithin and reduces cholesterol. The patient should take liberal quantities of vitamin E-rich foods such as sunflower seeds, safflower, soyabean oils, butter, and sprouted seed and grains.

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are valuable in lowering high blood cholesterol. They contain a substantial quantity of linoleic acid which is the fat helpful in reducing cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries. Substituting sunflower seeds for some of the solid fats like butter and cream will, therefore, lead to great improvement in health.

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Coriander Seeds

Regular drinking of a decoction of coriander seeds helps lower blood cholesterol. It is a good diuretic and helps stimulate the kidneys. It is prepared by boiling two tablespoons of dry seeds in a glass of water and straining the decoction after cooling. This decoction should be taken twice daily.

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Ishabgul

The herb psyllium husk has been found beneficial in the treatment of high cholesterol level. The oil of the seeds of this plant should be given for lowering blood cholesterol. It contains fifty per cent linoleic acid. This oil is more active than safflower oil, and one teaspoon should be taken twice daily.

High Blood Cholesterol treatment using Fibre

The amount of fibre in the diet also influences the cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol can be lowered by taking diets rich in fibres. The most significant sources of dietary fibre are unprocessed wheat bran, whole cereals such as wheat, rice, barley, rye; legumes such as potatoes, carrots, beet, and turnips, fruits such as mangoes and guavas; and leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lady’s fingers, lettuce and celery. Oat bran and corn bran are specially beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol.

High Blood Cholesterol Diet

Avoid Rich Foods

To reduce the risk of heart disease, it is essential to lower the level of LDL and increase the level of HDL. This can be achieved by a change in diet and lifestyle. As a first step, foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats, which lead to an increase in the LDL level, should be reduced to the minimum. These foods are eggs, organic meats, cheese, butter, bacon, beef, and whole milk.

Avoid food with animal origin; Avoid palm and coconut oil

Virtually all foods of animal origin, as well as two vegetable oils, namely, coconut and palm, are high in saturated fats, and these should be replaced by polyunsaturated fats such as corn, safflower, and soyabean, and sesame oils which tend to lower the level of LDL.

Drink at least 10 glasses of water each day

Persons with high blood cholesterol level should drink at least eight to ten glasses of water every day, as copious drinking of water stimulates the excretory activity of the skin and kidneys. This, in turn, facilitates elimination of excessive cholesterol from the system.

Other High Blood Cholesterol remedies

Regular Physical Exercise

Regular physical exercise also plays an important role in lowering LDL cholesterol and in raising the level of protective HDL. It also promotes circulation and helps maintain the blood flow to every part of the body. Jogging or brisk walking, swimming, bicycling, and playing badminton are excellent forms of exercise.

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (twinkle star) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 09:02:00 +0000

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure, as it is more commonly known, is regarded as a silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical pressures caused by the increasingly industrialized and metropolitan environments have a role to play in the rise in blood pressure. The heart is responsible for pumping blood through the arteries to the various organs and parts of the body. The pressure that is exerted on the walls of the arteries with the passage of blood is what is defined as blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygnomanometer in millimetres of mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure, and the lowest between two beat is known as diastolic pressure. Most young adults have blood pressure around 120/80. It increases normally with age, even going upto 160/90.

Hypertension is commonly referred to in the media as the silent killer with good reason. The condition often causes no discernible symptoms, causing a large number of fatalities as it is often detected too late. While hypertension or high blood pressure may not be a direct cause of death it could lead to a number of complications and long term diseases that often prove fatal. High blood pressure can afflict anyone past the age of thirty, with the risk increasing as we age, although it could also afflict young adults at times. It is in fact estimated that up to sixty million Americans may suffer from high blood pressure. Awareness about the risk factors and the symptoms of high blood pressure is of great importance as the only effective way of managing high blood pressure is through preventive measures and early detection. Being able to recognize high blood pressure symptoms can literally make the difference between life and death.

High blood pressure can be treated effectively and controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Treating high blood pressure should not be taken lightly however and your doctor’s instructions should be followed meticulously. Attempts at controlling high blood pressure naturally are ill advised. High blood pressure cannot be cured permanently and a reduction of high blood pressure symptoms should not be taken as a sign to stop treating high blood pressure. Similarly, patients should not attempt self medication or high blood pressure treatment solely with natural treatments for high blood pressure and lifestyle changes. Medical attention is necessary and regular checkups are of great importance especially when detected with the condition. Uncontrolled or poorly treated high blood pressure can cause a variety of complications including heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes and peripheral artery disease among others. The risk of succumbing to a heart attack is in fact directly connected to high blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure the higher the risk.

Managing high blood pressure naturally with diet changes may be necessary during pregnancy if medications do pose a risk to the mother or child. This of course depends entirely on the advice of your doctor and should not be a decision you make single handedly.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Pain at the Back of the Head and Neck

The first symptom of hypertension may appear as a pain at the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning, which soon disappears.

Dizziness, Palpitations

Some of the other common symptoms are dizziness, palpitations, pain in the region of the heart, frequent urination, nervous tension, fatigue, and difficulty in breathing.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

There is no variation in high blood pressure symptoms in both men and women or even during pregnancy, and treatment solely with home remedies is always advised against. It cannot be stressed enough that high blood pressure symptoms may not always be apparent. Although common high blood pressure symptoms like headaches, dizziness and vision problems are likely to occur; most people do not notice or suffer any high blood pressure symptoms. The condition therefore often goes undiagnosed as most people lack the motivation to visit a doctor in the absence of any worrying symptoms. It should be kept in mind that irrespective of your health status, lifestyle and fitness regular checkups are advisable for anyone past the age of eighteen.

Causes of high blood pressure

Stress and Faulty Life Style

The main causes of high blood pressure are stress and a faulty style of living. Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants, tea, coffee, and refined foods destroy the natural pace of life and prevent the expulsion of waste and poisonous matter from the body. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), obesity, and diabetes lead to hypertension.

Excessive Intake of Common Salt, and High Fat Diet

Other causes of high blood pressure are an excessive intake of common table salt, and eating a high fat and low fibre diet.

High Blood Pressure Causes

In most cases of high blood pressure causes of the condition remain unknown. Irrespective of the high blood pressure causes treatment can be provided to minimize the ill effects of high blood pressure and relieve high blood pressure symptoms like anxiety and headaches. Although there may not always be specific causes of high blood pressure it is undeniable that there are certain conditions that could contribute to or significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. While not all of these factors are controllable, awareness about them does make us conscious of the existence of the risk of high blood pressure, and consequently keeps us alert to the warning signs. The practice of breathing exercises, switching to specific diet foods, and herbs or supplements can help lower blood pressure naturally.

Age: This is one of the biggest risk factors for elevated blood pressure levels and as you age the risk of developing high blood pressure keeps increasing. In the past the age group affected may have been higher, but with the changes to our lifestyle and increased stress levels, pollution and unhealthy diets high blood pressure has also begin to affect younger adults, which is why it is best to start going for annual checkups after the age of eighteen.

Diet: Diets with a high fat content are one of the major causes of high blood pressure. A high blood pressure diet plan or chart will always exclude foods like red meats, junk foods, and other fried or refined foods. There are plenty of healthy alternatives and you can prepare your own high blood pressure diet menu, with recipes for high blood pressure from internet resources.

Stress: The relationship between stress and high blood pressure cannot be understated and its contribution to increased incidence of the condition in modern society is undeniable. Stress related disorders are on the rise because increasing levels of competitiveness and tremendous technological growth that has changed the urban and social landscape. This stress could either be emotional stress or even physical stress in the individual.

Racial Factors: African Americans are believed to be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure as compared to Caucasians and this is also likely to occur earlier in life and cause complications of greater severity.

Socio-Economic Status: Although high blood pressure may be uniformly prevalent across all sections of society, the less educated and lower socio-economic groups may be more affected because of a lack of awareness and also a lack of access to quality diets.

Heredity: This is another factor that cannot be controlled and people with a family history of high blood pressure are predisposed to developing the condition.

Gender: Men are generally thought to be a lot more likely to develop high blood pressure as compared to women, but this could vary in different populations.

While all of these factors may be uncontrollable there are some things that we can control.

Body weight: Obesity is known to be one of the biggest risk factors for developing high blood pressure because blood pressure rises with increasing weight. It is highly advisable for anyone who is overweight to attempt to reduce some weight through healthy methods like dieting and working out. Patterns of weight gain are also believed to indicate the risk of obesity to some extent as those who gain weight mainly around the abdominal area are at higher risk, while those who gain weight on the hips and thighs, although at risk would not be as susceptible.

Salt: Some individuals have greater sensitivity to sodium and the consumption of salt will therefore cause a rise in blood pressure. In such a scenario, simply cutting down on salt intake would lower blood pressure naturally. High blood pressure diets are typically low in salt.

Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption is also known to raise blood pressure levels, particularly in those sensitive to alcohol.

Medications and contraceptives: Women who have been on contraceptive pills may be at increased risk of developing high blood pressure and the use of certain medications like diet pills or amphetamines could also contribute to the problem.

Home remedies for high blood pressure

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Garlic

The relationship between garlic and high blood pressure has been investigated scientifically, and found to be quite sound. Garlic is regarded as an effective means of lowering blood pressure. It is said to reduce spasms of the small arteries. It also slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. It may be taken in the form of raw cloves or two to three capsules a day.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is another effective remedy for high blood pressure. A tablespoon each of fresh indian gooseberry juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning in this condition.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Lemon

Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. This vitamin is essential for preventing capillary fragility.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Grapefruit

Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure. The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Watermelon

Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. A substance extracted from watermelon seeds is said to have a definite action in dilating the blood vessels, which results in lowering the blood pressure. The seeds, dried and roasted, should be taken in liberal quantities.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Rice

Rice has a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-salt content. It makes a perfect diet for those hypertensive persons who have been advised salt-restricted diets. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Potato

Potatoes, specially in boiled form, are a valuable food for lowering blood pressure. When boiled with their skin, they absorb very little salt. Thus they can form a useful addition to a salt-free diet recommended for patients with high blood pressure. Potatoes are rich in potassium but not in sodium salts. The magnesium present in the vegetable exercises beneficial effects in lowering blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Parsley

Parsley is very useful in high blood pressure. It contains elements, which help maintain the blood vessels, particularly, the capillaries. It keeps the arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken as a beverage by simmering 20 gm of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250 ml of water for a few minutes. This may be drunk several times daily.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Rauwolfia

Among the herbs, rauwolfia is the best remedy for high blood pressure. Alkaloids of this drug, which have a direct effect on hypertension, have been isolated and are being widely used by practitioners of modem medicine, but they have certain unpleasant side-effects which the drug, taken in raw form, does not have. Practitioners of the Indian system of medicine have, therefore, preferred to use the root of the drug in a powdered from. Half a teaspoon of this drug, taken thrice a day, is very effective in hypertension.

High Blood Pressure Treatment using Vegetable Juice

Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach juices, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure. If taken in combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed to make 500 ml or half a litre of the juice, and taken daily. If taken separately, one glass should be taken twice daily, morning and evening.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Dietary Calcium and Potassium

Recent studies have revealed an important link between dietary calcium and potassium and hypertension. Researchers have found that people who take potassium-rich diets have a low incidence of hypertension even if they do not control their salt intake. They have also found that people with hypertension do not seem to get much calcium in the form of dairy products. These two essential nutrients seem to help the body secrete excess sodium and are involved in important functions which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, and calcium in dairy products.

High blood pressure diet

High Blood Pressure Diet

Persons with high blood pressure should always follow a well-balanced routine of a proper diet, exercise, and rest. Diet is of primary importance. Meat and eggs, more than any other food, cause the blood pressure to rise. The pressure can be lowered and blood clotting diminished by increasing the consumption of fruits, reducing protein intake, and sticking to a vegetarian diet. A natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables instead of a traditional diet, helps to get rid of the toxins from the body. Salt should be avoided; in any case, it should not exceed more than three grams or about half a teaspoon per day. Supplements of minerals or vitamins for high blood pressure control may also be recommended.

Other high blood pressure remedies

Other High Blood Pressure treatment

Persons suffering from hypertension must get at least eight hours of good sleep, because proper rest is a vital aspect of the treatment. Most important of all, the patient must avoid overstrain, worries, tension, anger, and haste. He or she must develop a calm and cheerful attitude and develop a contented frame of mind.