SKIN RASHES / INFLAMMATION
What are Common Skin Rashes?
Common rashes are often called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin; they involve changes in the color or texture of the skin including skin redness or inflammation. Common rashes are also known as skin lesions, Rubor and Erythema.
Causes of Common Rashes
Causes of common rashes are as varied as the rashes themselves and can often be determined from the visible characteristics and other symptoms of the rash.
The most common rashes and their causes:
Contact Rashes - are common rashes often caused by dyes and chemicals in clothing, rubber, latex and elastic, cosmetics, soaps, detergents and plants like Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac.
Dandruff or Seborrheic Dermatitus - are common rashes associated with age, stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampooing and alcohol-based lotions.
Other common rashes include Eczema (often associated with allergies or asthma), Psoriasis, Impetigo, Shingles and rashes caused by a host of childhood diseases like chickenpox, measles and scarlet fever. Medications can cause rashes as well as insect bites and stings.
Natural Alternatives to Cortisone
Cortisone is often used to decrease local inflammation, swelling, burning and itching often associated with common rashes. A common side effect to using strong cortisones ointments and creams to treat rashes is permanent thinning of the skin, especially when applied to skin-folds such as under the breast, the armpit, and the groin.There are natural alternatives to cortisone cream treatment for rashes. For example Eczema is often treated with cortisone cream to combat the itching. There is, unfortunately, no known cure for Eczema, but natural medicines can help reduce the symptoms of Eczema without the harmful side effects associated with cortisones and other pharmaceutical medications.Many natural rash remedy creams that provide instant and long-term relief for Eczema and Dermatitis can also be helpful in treating common rashes like dry skin, itchy skin, vaginitis, cuts, insect bites, hives, cradle cap and diaper rash. Natural rash remedies can also be effective treatments for Psoriasis, Rosacea, Seborrhea and Acne.
Read about Ayurvedic Medicine - Ayuderme is a time tested composition of authentic herbal ingredients that provides nourishment to the body to help promote healthy skin and restore and balance the digestive and glandular system.
Common Rashes May Mask Other Problems
There are many different reasons why excess toxins may be present in the blood and skin. When there is an excess of toxins present in the body they may be deposited in the skin where the sweat glands are left to deal with them. This often results in inflammatory skin conditions characterized by frequent episodes of redness (including common rashes) and itching. Other symptoms may include thick, dry silvery scales or rough patches on the skin or superficial skin eruptions that are caused by the blocked skin pores.
Natural medicine has linked many common rashes with the functions of various excretory organs and the general health of the body. Unlike pharmaceutical remedies, many natural rash remedies also treat the whole body when a common rash is present in the system.
Nourish the Body to Treat Skin Rashes
Why would you take a pill to treat common rashes on your skin? In many of the natural remedies for common rashes, authentic herbal ingredients provide nourishment to the body to help combat rashes (from the inside out), promote healthy skin and restore and balance the digestive and glandular system.Advanced remedies for common rashes traditionally address a variety of skin problems (such as Psoriasis) by improving digestion and supporting the function of the liver, colon and kidneys in eliminating bodily wastes and toxins.Most natural rash remedies are free from the side effects typically associated with over-the-counter preparations commonly used to treat every day common rashes (e.g. acne, eczema, itching, psoriasis, etc.). Natural rash remedies are developed to provide nutrition and support for skin-related conditions including many of the common rashes. Natural rash remedies can...
Help cleanse and detoxify the body
Help provide astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
Support the function of the liver
Never Ignore Common Rashes
Common rashes can also be indicators of more serious medical conditions like Lupus and Arthritis so never ignore a persistent rash, however common it may appear.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
CELLULITE (FAT)
CELLULITE
In layman’s language cellulite is nothing but fat cells being trapped by fibers that have formed a network. These fibers are constantly cleansed by body fluids and poor circulation retards this cleansing process. The result is disastrous. Waste materials accumulate; they slowly thicken and become hard pockets of immovable fat. This is what causes the “orange peel effect” or dimpling as it is often called. Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the legs, tenderness when pressed or massaged is common. That is the downside of cellulite. The good news is that it is not a disease or illness in the real sense of the word, but a sign that your lifestyle is unhealthy
There is no quick fix solution for cellulite reduction, and the obvious and most inexpensive way to treat cellulite is to watch what you eat and drink, and burn those calories by exercising on a regular basis. Thousands of OTC potions, creams and pills to combat cellulite have flooded the market but the fact remains that Cellulite is stubborn and refuses to budge easily. Liposuction removes the deposits of fat which lie trapped between the skin and muscle. It is a surgical procedure that is done under general anesthesia. A cannula connected to a suction pump is allowed to penetrate the skin through small incisions. Suction breaks through the layers of deposited fat. Tumescent liposuction avoids general anesthesia by using a dilute solution of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) in combination with epinephrine. This being a vasoconstrictor, loss of blood is minimal. The endermologie machine also targets cellulite. It massages affected areas with rollers and gently suctions fat molecules. As it elongates the connective fibers that hold the fat cells, toxins and water are expelled. When the machine is used on you, be prepared to have your body encased in a huge stocking.
Tri-Active Laser Dermology is a high tech new fangled massager. It uses laser technology and has 3 different functions. Like any other machine, it first breaks up fat molecules and collagen, and then smaller lasers generate new collagen making surface skin smooth. Then it offers localized cooling to prevent bruising and swelling. Micro massaging is rendered possible by cellulite hosiery that effectively massages even as you wear it thereby improving circulation and increasing lymphatic drainage. It reduces cellulite, tones the muscles and makes skin look firm. A truly promising form of cellulite treatment.Lymphatic Drainage Massage increases the functioning of the lymphatic system, and helps to remove and filter waste, toxins and excess fluids from the body. Good lymph fluid circulation prevents the fluid from solidifying and binding with collagen fibers of the fat cells. Heat and Water Treatments, which include hydrotherapy, saunas, and steam baths, help to increase circulation. This brings the toxins closer to the surface of the skin. During the process of excretion, these toxins find their way out and the pressure on the lymph system is greatly reduced. The principle involved in Hydrotherapy is pretty much the same. Baths, showers and hydro massage treatments encourage weight loss; increase circulation and boosts lymph flow. All this impedes the formation of cellulite.
In layman’s language cellulite is nothing but fat cells being trapped by fibers that have formed a network. These fibers are constantly cleansed by body fluids and poor circulation retards this cleansing process. The result is disastrous. Waste materials accumulate; they slowly thicken and become hard pockets of immovable fat. This is what causes the “orange peel effect” or dimpling as it is often called. Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the legs, tenderness when pressed or massaged is common. That is the downside of cellulite. The good news is that it is not a disease or illness in the real sense of the word, but a sign that your lifestyle is unhealthy
There is no quick fix solution for cellulite reduction, and the obvious and most inexpensive way to treat cellulite is to watch what you eat and drink, and burn those calories by exercising on a regular basis. Thousands of OTC potions, creams and pills to combat cellulite have flooded the market but the fact remains that Cellulite is stubborn and refuses to budge easily. Liposuction removes the deposits of fat which lie trapped between the skin and muscle. It is a surgical procedure that is done under general anesthesia. A cannula connected to a suction pump is allowed to penetrate the skin through small incisions. Suction breaks through the layers of deposited fat. Tumescent liposuction avoids general anesthesia by using a dilute solution of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) in combination with epinephrine. This being a vasoconstrictor, loss of blood is minimal. The endermologie machine also targets cellulite. It massages affected areas with rollers and gently suctions fat molecules. As it elongates the connective fibers that hold the fat cells, toxins and water are expelled. When the machine is used on you, be prepared to have your body encased in a huge stocking.
Tri-Active Laser Dermology is a high tech new fangled massager. It uses laser technology and has 3 different functions. Like any other machine, it first breaks up fat molecules and collagen, and then smaller lasers generate new collagen making surface skin smooth. Then it offers localized cooling to prevent bruising and swelling. Micro massaging is rendered possible by cellulite hosiery that effectively massages even as you wear it thereby improving circulation and increasing lymphatic drainage. It reduces cellulite, tones the muscles and makes skin look firm. A truly promising form of cellulite treatment.Lymphatic Drainage Massage increases the functioning of the lymphatic system, and helps to remove and filter waste, toxins and excess fluids from the body. Good lymph fluid circulation prevents the fluid from solidifying and binding with collagen fibers of the fat cells. Heat and Water Treatments, which include hydrotherapy, saunas, and steam baths, help to increase circulation. This brings the toxins closer to the surface of the skin. During the process of excretion, these toxins find their way out and the pressure on the lymph system is greatly reduced. The principle involved in Hydrotherapy is pretty much the same. Baths, showers and hydro massage treatments encourage weight loss; increase circulation and boosts lymph flow. All this impedes the formation of cellulite.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Cough
WHOOPING COUGH
Whooping cough or pertussis, as it is called in medical parlance, is an infectious disease. It commonly affects infants during the first year of life, and children up to five years of age.
Whooping Cough symptoms
Cold with a marked cough
The child develops a cold with a marked cough, which becomes more severe and spasmodic after a few days. At the end of this spasm, the child gives a characteristic whoop. As the paroxysms of coughing increase, the disease becomes less infective.
Vomiting
Vomiting, which is frequent, may lead to the bursting of small blood vessels in tile nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes. The disease may last for several weeks.
Whooping Cough causes
Broncho-pneumonia and infection of middle ear
The serious complications of whooping cough are broncho-pneumonia and infection of the middle ear. Convulsions may also occur in severe cases.
Whooping cough caused by Microorganisms
Whooping cough is caused by the microorganisms Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Of these, the first one gives rise to more severe infections, the disease is very infectious and spreads by droplet spray.
Whooping Cough treatments using Home Remedies
Whooping Cough treatment using Garlic
Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for whooping cough. The syrup of garlic should be given in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day, for treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent.
Whooping Cough treatment using Ginger
Ginger is another effective remedy for whooping cough. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic. The fenugreek decoction can be made by boiling one teaspoon of seeds in 250 ml of water till it is reduced to half.
Whooping Cough treatment using Radish
Syrup prepared by mixing a teaspoon of fresh radish juice with an equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt, is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be given thrice daily.
Whooping Cough treatment using Almond Oil
Almond oil is valuable in whooping cough. Five drops of almond oil should be mixed with ten drops each of fresh white onion juice and ginger juice, and taken thrice daily for a fortnight. It will provide relief.
Whooping Cough treatment using Calamus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_flag
The herb calamus is another valuable remedy for whooping cough. A pinch of the powder of the roasted herb should be given with a teaspoon of honey. Being antispasmodic, it prevents severe bouts of coughing. For smaller children, the dose must be proportionately smaller.
Whooping Cough diet
Fruit diet
At the beginning of the treatment, the child should be kept on orange juice and water for a few days. The child may be put on an all-fruit diet for a few more days after the more serious symptoms have cleared up.
Other Whooping Cough treatment
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts baths will be beneficial during the initial juice and water fast.
Case of Constipation
In case of constipation, a mild laxative, preferably castor oil, should be administered. This will also relieve the pain in the abdominal muscles, which are usually strained during the paroxy-sms of coughing.
Protection against exposure
The patient should be protected against exposure to cold and moisture as they are likely to aggravate the condition.
Whooping cough or pertussis, as it is called in medical parlance, is an infectious disease. It commonly affects infants during the first year of life, and children up to five years of age.
Whooping Cough symptoms
Cold with a marked cough
The child develops a cold with a marked cough, which becomes more severe and spasmodic after a few days. At the end of this spasm, the child gives a characteristic whoop. As the paroxysms of coughing increase, the disease becomes less infective.
Vomiting
Vomiting, which is frequent, may lead to the bursting of small blood vessels in tile nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes. The disease may last for several weeks.
Whooping Cough causes
Broncho-pneumonia and infection of middle ear
The serious complications of whooping cough are broncho-pneumonia and infection of the middle ear. Convulsions may also occur in severe cases.
Whooping cough caused by Microorganisms
Whooping cough is caused by the microorganisms Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Of these, the first one gives rise to more severe infections, the disease is very infectious and spreads by droplet spray.
Whooping Cough treatments using Home Remedies
Whooping Cough treatment using Garlic
Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for whooping cough. The syrup of garlic should be given in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day, for treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent.
Whooping Cough treatment using Ginger
Ginger is another effective remedy for whooping cough. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic. The fenugreek decoction can be made by boiling one teaspoon of seeds in 250 ml of water till it is reduced to half.
Whooping Cough treatment using Radish
Syrup prepared by mixing a teaspoon of fresh radish juice with an equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt, is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be given thrice daily.
Whooping Cough treatment using Almond Oil
Almond oil is valuable in whooping cough. Five drops of almond oil should be mixed with ten drops each of fresh white onion juice and ginger juice, and taken thrice daily for a fortnight. It will provide relief.
Whooping Cough treatment using Calamus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_flag
The herb calamus is another valuable remedy for whooping cough. A pinch of the powder of the roasted herb should be given with a teaspoon of honey. Being antispasmodic, it prevents severe bouts of coughing. For smaller children, the dose must be proportionately smaller.
Whooping Cough diet
Fruit diet
At the beginning of the treatment, the child should be kept on orange juice and water for a few days. The child may be put on an all-fruit diet for a few more days after the more serious symptoms have cleared up.
Other Whooping Cough treatment
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts baths will be beneficial during the initial juice and water fast.
Case of Constipation
In case of constipation, a mild laxative, preferably castor oil, should be administered. This will also relieve the pain in the abdominal muscles, which are usually strained during the paroxy-sms of coughing.
Protection against exposure
The patient should be protected against exposure to cold and moisture as they are likely to aggravate the condition.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Home Remedies for CLEAR & SOFT SKIN
Home Remedies for CLEAR & SOFT SKIN
There are few things more frustrating than blemished skin, so consider turning to these easy home remedies for clear skin instead of harsh and expensive skin care creams and washes. Especially if you have sensitive skin, you will most likely find that over the counter and prescription skin care products are too strong and can potentially add to the problem with your skin. Furthermore, a trip down any grocery store or drug store aisle will produce an overwhelming number of skin care products that can easily rack up a hefty bill. Instead, save your skin in addition to saving a few bucks by whipping up a quick and easy skin care remedy out of items that are probably already in your home. * Clear Your Skin From Within * Remember the old saying, you are what you eat? Although the adage has been around for years, the advice is completely up to date. If you find yourself suffering from acne or other skin blemishes, take a look of your body from the inside out. Your body notifies you when something is off balance, especially when you are lacking the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This notification can likely express itself in the appearance of blemishes. Instead of slathering your skin with items from the beauty aisle, take a walk down the rest of the aisle in your grocery store in order to experience a regeneration of your skin. Eating a well-rounded, healthy diet is incredibly important. Be sure to include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet, as the nutrients provided by these items are critical. Furthermore, drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to ensure that your skin remains well hydrated. * Skip The Drug Store And Head To The Kitchen * Read any label of skin care product available on the retail market and you may find your tummy rumbling. These skin care products are packed with edible ingredients, from oatmeal to honey to avocado to cucumber.
There are few things more frustrating than blemished skin, so consider turning to these easy home remedies for clear skin instead of harsh and expensive skin care creams and washes. Especially if you have sensitive skin, you will most likely find that over the counter and prescription skin care products are too strong and can potentially add to the problem with your skin. Furthermore, a trip down any grocery store or drug store aisle will produce an overwhelming number of skin care products that can easily rack up a hefty bill. Instead, save your skin in addition to saving a few bucks by whipping up a quick and easy skin care remedy out of items that are probably already in your home. * Clear Your Skin From Within * Remember the old saying, you are what you eat? Although the adage has been around for years, the advice is completely up to date. If you find yourself suffering from acne or other skin blemishes, take a look of your body from the inside out. Your body notifies you when something is off balance, especially when you are lacking the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This notification can likely express itself in the appearance of blemishes. Instead of slathering your skin with items from the beauty aisle, take a walk down the rest of the aisle in your grocery store in order to experience a regeneration of your skin. Eating a well-rounded, healthy diet is incredibly important. Be sure to include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet, as the nutrients provided by these items are critical. Furthermore, drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to ensure that your skin remains well hydrated. * Skip The Drug Store And Head To The Kitchen * Read any label of skin care product available on the retail market and you may find your tummy rumbling. These skin care products are packed with edible ingredients, from oatmeal to honey to avocado to cucumber.
Instead of buying these expensive, heavily preserved creams, lotions, and potions, consider making the alternative mixtures yourself. Look no further than your kitchen for many fantastic home remedies for clear skin. When you see a zit pop up, avoid the urge to squeeze! Instead, dab a bit of lemon juice on a cotton swab and apply to the affected area. The acid in the lemon juice will help extract any infection and your will avoid adding more bacteria to the mix by keeping your hands off your skin. Since one of the main problems associated with skin blemishes is dead skin cells, exfoliation is critical. Instead of spending big bucks on fancy bottles and containers of exfoliants, grab a canister of old fashioned oatmeal. Mix with water and scrub your skin clean.
The gentleness of the oatmeal is perfect for even the most sensitive skin and the grainy consistency will remove any dead skin cells before they have a problem. You probably use toothpaste with baking soda for whitening your teeth, so why not use the same product to clear up your skin? Each night, wash your face with baking soda and water. This mixture is perfect for keeping your skin clean and dry. The basic property of the baking soda works to dry up the excess oils that typically cause skin blemishes. If a pimple rears its ugly head then you should head immediately to your stove. Mix ground nutmeg with milk and boil. After the concoction is completely cooled, apply to the affected area and let dry overnight. Wash the yummy mixture off your face in the morning and you will be surprised by the results!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Home Remedies for GASTRITIS
Home Remedies for GASTRITIS
GASTRITIS
Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammatory lesions may be either acute or chronic.
Gastritis Symptoms
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Decreased appetite
Vertigo and dizziness
Diarrhoea with decreased urination
Pain and cramps in abdomen
Foul smell from mouth.
Coated tongue
Tastelessness
Fever might be present
Loss of apetite
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.
Gastritis Causes
Infection is the major cause in causing gastritis
Intake of unhygienic food
Eating extremely spicy and unfresh food stuff
Drinking of excess of tea and coffee
Smoking and usage if alcohol may also lead to gastritis
Use of certain medicines like antibiotics, aspirin etc.
Emotional stress and over burden of work mat also cause gastritis.
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.
ADVISE FOR GASTRITIS
Avoid spicy and unfresh food
Tea, coffees, smoking and alcohol should be avoided
Light and home cooked food should be given preference
Stomach should not be kept empty
Over usage of medicines should be avoided
Undue stress should be avoided
Constipation should be avoided
Home remedies for Gastritis
1. Onion taken along with curd is a great remedy for gastritis
2. Cardamom fruit along with clove fruit taken thrice a day will give good results
3. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder mixed with honey and ghee (not in equal quantity) is advisable in gastritis
4. White jeera (cumin seed) taken with jaggery or honey is useful
5. Orange juice along with roasted jeera (cumin seed) and rock salt is very helpful
6. Ginger juice is also very effective in gastritis.
7. Juice of dhania leaves (Coriander sativum) gives good results in gastritis treatment.
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
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottage_cheese
Curds 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.
YOGA FOR GASTRITIS
Pranayam
Uttanpada asan
Pawanmukta asan
Bhujanga asan
Shalabha asan
Vajra asan
Thursday, June 7, 2007
SKIN ALLERGY
SKIN ALLERGY
Clear skin is free from germs. But an irritated skin is a cause of trouble. Chafing of the skin is more likely to occur where two moist areas meet, such as in the groins or buttocks, or under the arms. Skin reactions are more common today due to many new fabrics in use. Babies often develop skin rashes because of irritation from the coloring materials in these fabrics.
Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the Immune System to relatively harmless environmental antigens (substance which causes the allergy).
Diaper rash usually arises from some chemical irritation due to certain germs present in the baby’s stool. These germs break down the urea into ammonia, which irritates the skin.
Allergic conditions, such as Hay fever and sinusitis are also greatly aggravated by the presence of the germs within the tissues of the nose and throat. The most common allergens are grass and tree pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Eating certain foods and food additives and being stung by insects can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Such common disorders as eczema, hives, hay fever and asthma are often attributed to allergic reactions.
The most common cause of the skin allergies is impairment in the immune sysytem, which increases the risk of allergic reactions. This occurs due to stress on the immune system due to excess of the toxins.
Other causes of the skin allergies are the nutritional deficiencies, imbalanced diet, chemicals in the food chain due to preservatives and chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth.
Researchers have found that digestion also plays some role in the allergies. These are not just caused by the food. Proper digestion helps to remove toxins from our body. When digestion is disturbed, large amount of toxins get accumulated in the body and our body becomes over loaded with the toxins. This is what leads to allergies.
Itching is an unpleasant sensation, which we try to relieve by scratching. A certain amount of mild itching is normal for every one. Only if it is persistent and troublesome it becomes serious. Persistent scratching may produce swellings in the skin with deep scratch marks and small ulcers into which germs have found their way, causing much more trouble.
Allergies in general are defined as hypersensitivity to some foreign particle or the other. Different people have different kinds of tolerances for foreign bodies. When some people cannot adjust with certain elements in their surroundings, they may suffer from certain skin problems that are commonly referred to as skin allergies.
There is a sure way of determining whether your skin affliction is an allergy or not. If you have got a skin problem due to a cause that has affected no one else, then it is an allergic reaction. For example, several people may be exposed to dust. But if it affects you in a strong way, then you are allergic to dust.
Skin allergies could be in the form of itching, dry and scaly skin, eruptions, rashes, boils, etc. There are three main types of problems that are associated with skin allergies.
These types are as follows:-
(i) Dermatitis – This is the skin allergy which is caused due to contact with some substances. It is shown as an inflammation.
(ii) Hives – Hives is a fluid accumulation in the skin which shows up as a swelling. This is a temporary condition and heals with treatment. Hives are also known as urticaria.
(iii) Prickly Heat – This is a red rash which occurs on the body. Prickly heat is generally caused due to excessive perspiration due to hot and humid climates.
All skin problems are vata dosha disorders. Vata dosha controls the air element of the human body. Hence, when the vata dosha is vitiated, there are skin reactions. In different people, there are different degrees of the vata dosha. In some people, the vata may be weak and get easily vitiated due to external factors. Such people are more specific to skin allergies than others.
In this article, we see how to treat various skin allergies with an Ayurvedic point of view.
HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN ALLERGIES
Grind 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water. Add 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply to affected area for relief from skin allergies.
Add 1-teaspoon limejuice with sandalwood paste. Apply to affected skin allergy area
Avoid the foods, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Smoking exacerbates allergic reactions. Those who are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) should avoid smoking.
Vitamin C is very helpful in fighting with the allergic reactions.
Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic.
Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.
Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.
Avoid the processes meat.
Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water
Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products.
Prepare an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day or 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better.
Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )
Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil to prevent skin allergies. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen.
Regularly try to do regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.
Rub an ice cube gently over the affected area. This cools the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes the itch immediately.
Pour boiling water over a bowl of oats. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Strain the oats away and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray. Freeze the oat liquid to form oat cubes. To relieve itch, rub and frozen oat cube gently over the affected area.
Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected areas. It will sooth the areas and gives a cooling effect.
Take 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon each Echinacea root and marshmallow root,1 teaspoon chamomile flowers, ½ teaspoon peppermint leaf and ¼ teaspoon ginger rhizome. Combine water and Echinacea and marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. For a 50-pound child, give 1 to 2 cups daily.This is an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Take 1 cup boiling water,1 teaspoon each calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, elder flowers and yarrow flowers, 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. Stir in baking soda. Apply to irritated skin with a soft cloth or a sponge until itching is reduced. This is also an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Take about 30 milliliters of the juice of the leaves of wood apple (Feronia limonida) and mix some cumin powder in it. Take this twice daily. This is a very good treatment for urticaria or hives.
- Extract the juice of the jambula (Indian Plum) and mix some soda in it. Apply this in case of prickly heat.
- In hot seasons, drink a glass of lemon juice twice everyday. This will supplement the vitamin C content of the body lost due to perspiration and will prevent the outburst of prickly heat.
- Chomping on sugarcane several times in the hot season is also a good method of preventing prickly heat.
- If the area on the skin is exceptionally itchy, then mash a papaya and spread the paste of the papaya on it. This will reduce the itch and also make the skin healthier.
Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Skin Allergies
- Cassia (Cassia fistula)
Cassia is used effectively in the treatment of several irritations on the skin caused due to allergies. A paste of the cassia leaves can be applied on the skin in case of inflammation of the hands and feet caused due to extreme cold, and also swellings caused due to accumulation of fluids under the skin, as in hives.
- Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Henna is an excellent remedy for several skin allergies. It can be used in case of hives, swellings, boils and other kinds of inflammation. Applying henna on the skin cools the skin and removes the symptom of the allergy.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) (tulasi)
The holy basil is venerated in Indian tradition as the tulsi. It has an almost maternal status for the Hindus. This plant is venerated for its many medicinal properties. Among the other advantages, tulsi is also used for healing skin problems. In case of itches and rashes, the juice of the tulsi leaves is applied on the skin. This is a very quick treatment for allergic skin problems.
- Madhuca (Madhuca indica)
Madhuca is used as a treatment for skin itch problems. The leaves are made into a paste and applied onto the skin in skin infections due to allergy.
- Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)
Rauwolfia is known as sarpagandha in Ayurveda. It is a very good remedy for skin problems. In case of hives, the juice of its leaves is applied on the swollen parts to reduce itching. Relief is almost immediate.
- Sandalwood (Santalum alba)
Sandalwood is a traditional remedy for all kinds of itch problems on the skin. It is made into a paste and applied on the skin. It smoothes the skin and prevents it from allergies. Itches are immediately resolved by applying sandalwood paste on the skin. Permanent relief can be obtained by keeping the paste smeared on the skin for half an hour before washing it off. Sandalwood oil is also used in the treatment of diseases such as erysipelas (an eruptive allergic skin disease) and prurigo (an itchy skin eruption).
Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Skin Allergies
You must take a lot of water to prevent all kinds of skin allergies. These include fresh fruits and vegetables that have high water content in them. In the summer season, take cooling drinks such as lemon juices and sherbets.
Do not consume sour foods if you have skin allergy problems often. This can vitiate the vata dosha further.
Clear skin is free from germs. But an irritated skin is a cause of trouble. Chafing of the skin is more likely to occur where two moist areas meet, such as in the groins or buttocks, or under the arms. Skin reactions are more common today due to many new fabrics in use. Babies often develop skin rashes because of irritation from the coloring materials in these fabrics.
Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the Immune System to relatively harmless environmental antigens (substance which causes the allergy).
Diaper rash usually arises from some chemical irritation due to certain germs present in the baby’s stool. These germs break down the urea into ammonia, which irritates the skin.
Allergic conditions, such as Hay fever and sinusitis are also greatly aggravated by the presence of the germs within the tissues of the nose and throat. The most common allergens are grass and tree pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Eating certain foods and food additives and being stung by insects can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Such common disorders as eczema, hives, hay fever and asthma are often attributed to allergic reactions.
The most common cause of the skin allergies is impairment in the immune sysytem, which increases the risk of allergic reactions. This occurs due to stress on the immune system due to excess of the toxins.
Other causes of the skin allergies are the nutritional deficiencies, imbalanced diet, chemicals in the food chain due to preservatives and chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth.
Researchers have found that digestion also plays some role in the allergies. These are not just caused by the food. Proper digestion helps to remove toxins from our body. When digestion is disturbed, large amount of toxins get accumulated in the body and our body becomes over loaded with the toxins. This is what leads to allergies.
Itching is an unpleasant sensation, which we try to relieve by scratching. A certain amount of mild itching is normal for every one. Only if it is persistent and troublesome it becomes serious. Persistent scratching may produce swellings in the skin with deep scratch marks and small ulcers into which germs have found their way, causing much more trouble.
Allergies in general are defined as hypersensitivity to some foreign particle or the other. Different people have different kinds of tolerances for foreign bodies. When some people cannot adjust with certain elements in their surroundings, they may suffer from certain skin problems that are commonly referred to as skin allergies.
There is a sure way of determining whether your skin affliction is an allergy or not. If you have got a skin problem due to a cause that has affected no one else, then it is an allergic reaction. For example, several people may be exposed to dust. But if it affects you in a strong way, then you are allergic to dust.
Skin allergies could be in the form of itching, dry and scaly skin, eruptions, rashes, boils, etc. There are three main types of problems that are associated with skin allergies.
These types are as follows:-
(i) Dermatitis – This is the skin allergy which is caused due to contact with some substances. It is shown as an inflammation.
(ii) Hives – Hives is a fluid accumulation in the skin which shows up as a swelling. This is a temporary condition and heals with treatment. Hives are also known as urticaria.
(iii) Prickly Heat – This is a red rash which occurs on the body. Prickly heat is generally caused due to excessive perspiration due to hot and humid climates.
All skin problems are vata dosha disorders. Vata dosha controls the air element of the human body. Hence, when the vata dosha is vitiated, there are skin reactions. In different people, there are different degrees of the vata dosha. In some people, the vata may be weak and get easily vitiated due to external factors. Such people are more specific to skin allergies than others.
In this article, we see how to treat various skin allergies with an Ayurvedic point of view.
HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN ALLERGIES
Grind 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water. Add 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply to affected area for relief from skin allergies.
Add 1-teaspoon limejuice with sandalwood paste. Apply to affected skin allergy area
Avoid the foods, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Smoking exacerbates allergic reactions. Those who are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) should avoid smoking.
Vitamin C is very helpful in fighting with the allergic reactions.
Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic.
Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.
Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.
Avoid the processes meat.
Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water
Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products.
Prepare an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day or 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better.
Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )
Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil to prevent skin allergies. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen.
Regularly try to do regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.
Rub an ice cube gently over the affected area. This cools the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes the itch immediately.
Pour boiling water over a bowl of oats. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Strain the oats away and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray. Freeze the oat liquid to form oat cubes. To relieve itch, rub and frozen oat cube gently over the affected area.
Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected areas. It will sooth the areas and gives a cooling effect.
Take 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon each Echinacea root and marshmallow root,1 teaspoon chamomile flowers, ½ teaspoon peppermint leaf and ¼ teaspoon ginger rhizome. Combine water and Echinacea and marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. For a 50-pound child, give 1 to 2 cups daily.This is an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Take 1 cup boiling water,1 teaspoon each calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, elder flowers and yarrow flowers, 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. Stir in baking soda. Apply to irritated skin with a soft cloth or a sponge until itching is reduced. This is also an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Take about 30 milliliters of the juice of the leaves of wood apple (Feronia limonida) and mix some cumin powder in it. Take this twice daily. This is a very good treatment for urticaria or hives.
- Extract the juice of the jambula (Indian Plum) and mix some soda in it. Apply this in case of prickly heat.
- In hot seasons, drink a glass of lemon juice twice everyday. This will supplement the vitamin C content of the body lost due to perspiration and will prevent the outburst of prickly heat.
- Chomping on sugarcane several times in the hot season is also a good method of preventing prickly heat.
- If the area on the skin is exceptionally itchy, then mash a papaya and spread the paste of the papaya on it. This will reduce the itch and also make the skin healthier.
Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Skin Allergies
- Cassia (Cassia fistula)
Cassia is used effectively in the treatment of several irritations on the skin caused due to allergies. A paste of the cassia leaves can be applied on the skin in case of inflammation of the hands and feet caused due to extreme cold, and also swellings caused due to accumulation of fluids under the skin, as in hives.
- Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Henna is an excellent remedy for several skin allergies. It can be used in case of hives, swellings, boils and other kinds of inflammation. Applying henna on the skin cools the skin and removes the symptom of the allergy.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) (tulasi)
The holy basil is venerated in Indian tradition as the tulsi. It has an almost maternal status for the Hindus. This plant is venerated for its many medicinal properties. Among the other advantages, tulsi is also used for healing skin problems. In case of itches and rashes, the juice of the tulsi leaves is applied on the skin. This is a very quick treatment for allergic skin problems.
- Madhuca (Madhuca indica)
Madhuca is used as a treatment for skin itch problems. The leaves are made into a paste and applied onto the skin in skin infections due to allergy.
- Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)
Rauwolfia is known as sarpagandha in Ayurveda. It is a very good remedy for skin problems. In case of hives, the juice of its leaves is applied on the swollen parts to reduce itching. Relief is almost immediate.
- Sandalwood (Santalum alba)
Sandalwood is a traditional remedy for all kinds of itch problems on the skin. It is made into a paste and applied on the skin. It smoothes the skin and prevents it from allergies. Itches are immediately resolved by applying sandalwood paste on the skin. Permanent relief can be obtained by keeping the paste smeared on the skin for half an hour before washing it off. Sandalwood oil is also used in the treatment of diseases such as erysipelas (an eruptive allergic skin disease) and prurigo (an itchy skin eruption).
Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Skin Allergies
You must take a lot of water to prevent all kinds of skin allergies. These include fresh fruits and vegetables that have high water content in them. In the summer season, take cooling drinks such as lemon juices and sherbets.
Do not consume sour foods if you have skin allergy problems often. This can vitiate the vata dosha further.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Home Remedies for ITCHING
Home Remedies for ITCHING
ITCHING
Itching can be best described as a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that creates a desire to scratch the affected area. Itching is a common problem faced by many people at some or the other point in life. Itching could be the result of a variety of reasons such as allergies (to food, plants or pets), insect bites, stings, skin disease or even poor hygiene. Itching can be annoying as the skin is irritated and gives you the constant need to scratch the affected area. Constant or repeated scratching can bruise the skin, making it sore and even painful. Itching could be generalized where in the whole body is affected or localized wherein a particular area is irritated.
Red spots,Scaly patches
Tendency to scratch continually to relieve itching sensationRedness of skinScraped skin as a result of vigorous scratchingProlonged scratching and rubbing can result in thick and scarred skinRed spotsScaly patchesBlisters
Dry skin is a common cause for itching
Itching can be caused by a plethora of reasons. Some of the most common causes for itching include -Exposure or contact with chemicals.Sunburn can cause itching.Insect bites or stings.Certain infectious diseases such as chicken pox cause itching on the skin.Parasites on the body such as body, head or pubic lice can cause itching. Itching can be the result of an allergic reaction to certain foods, plants or pets. Dry skin is a common cause for itching. This is usually seen in older people as aging skin is often dehydrated. Cold weather, overexposure to water and hot baths typically cause itching. An unfavorable medication could cause itching as a reaction. Itching can happen during the later part of pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin especially on the lower abdomen area. Skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Seborrheic dermatitis, Urticaria, Pityriasis rosea can cause severe itching.
Use of weak carbolic acid lotion
Itching caused due to non-medical conditions can to a great extent be treated using home remedies. Some that can be used to control or treat itching are as follows -Take a bath in one can of evaporated milk; you can add other combinations such as oatmeal, baking soda etc. The milk works well to soothe the itching.Apply Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil, or witch hazel tea to the itchy area. Take burdock, chickweed, goldenseal, plantain, or yellow dock in capsule form. Cornstarch helps relieve itching. You can pour some into your bath water or dust it onto your body. Scrub the affected area lightly with a pumice stone. Then wash with soap, apply rubbing alcohol, and dab a thick layer of Vaseline over it. This will provide relief from itching. Take a bath with a little peppermint or yellow dock to relieve itching. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your bath water to relieve itchy skin. Baking soda can be used in cool bath water to soothe other skin irritations and alleviate itching from prickly heat, bee stings, insect bites, and other minor skin ailments. Another trusted home remedy is to use a weak carbolic acid lotion or a solution of bicarbonate of soda (commonly known as baking soda) and applying it over the itchy part. Apply cold compress to the itchy areas, it is thought to bring relief from itching. Fresh stinging nettle oil can be used on the affected areas. Drinking 1 to 2 cups of Nettle tea daily is thought to help relieve itching. Add boiling water to 1 tsp of the dried leaves for each cup. Steep for 15 minutes. Apply Burdock root oil to the skin to help heal rashes and itching. Fresh Chickweed poultice is good for itching. This can be made by soaking 2 large handfuls in water. When the plants soften, cool them and apply directly on the skin.
Take a diet rich in Vitamin C,beta-carotene,Vitamin E and zinc
Diet can play an important role to combat itching that result from food allergies. If you have identified foods that cause itching, it's best to avoid them completely. Increase your intake of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and zinc through diet by having foods rich in the above mentioned vitamins and minerals.
Avoid scartching or rubbing
Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas as this worsens the problem. Keep finger nails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Wear loose, light and cool nightwear. Do not use thick, rough clothing like wool over itchy areas. Take bath with lukewarm water. Apply a soothing lotion on to the skin after bath. Avoid exposure to heat and humidity. Keep your body and affected areas dry and clean at all times. Moisture can worsen itching.
ITCHING
Itching can be best described as a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that creates a desire to scratch the affected area. Itching is a common problem faced by many people at some or the other point in life. Itching could be the result of a variety of reasons such as allergies (to food, plants or pets), insect bites, stings, skin disease or even poor hygiene. Itching can be annoying as the skin is irritated and gives you the constant need to scratch the affected area. Constant or repeated scratching can bruise the skin, making it sore and even painful. Itching could be generalized where in the whole body is affected or localized wherein a particular area is irritated.
Red spots,Scaly patches
Tendency to scratch continually to relieve itching sensationRedness of skinScraped skin as a result of vigorous scratchingProlonged scratching and rubbing can result in thick and scarred skinRed spotsScaly patchesBlisters
Dry skin is a common cause for itching
Itching can be caused by a plethora of reasons. Some of the most common causes for itching include -Exposure or contact with chemicals.Sunburn can cause itching.Insect bites or stings.Certain infectious diseases such as chicken pox cause itching on the skin.Parasites on the body such as body, head or pubic lice can cause itching. Itching can be the result of an allergic reaction to certain foods, plants or pets. Dry skin is a common cause for itching. This is usually seen in older people as aging skin is often dehydrated. Cold weather, overexposure to water and hot baths typically cause itching. An unfavorable medication could cause itching as a reaction. Itching can happen during the later part of pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin especially on the lower abdomen area. Skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Seborrheic dermatitis, Urticaria, Pityriasis rosea can cause severe itching.
Use of weak carbolic acid lotion
Itching caused due to non-medical conditions can to a great extent be treated using home remedies. Some that can be used to control or treat itching are as follows -Take a bath in one can of evaporated milk; you can add other combinations such as oatmeal, baking soda etc. The milk works well to soothe the itching.Apply Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil, or witch hazel tea to the itchy area. Take burdock, chickweed, goldenseal, plantain, or yellow dock in capsule form. Cornstarch helps relieve itching. You can pour some into your bath water or dust it onto your body. Scrub the affected area lightly with a pumice stone. Then wash with soap, apply rubbing alcohol, and dab a thick layer of Vaseline over it. This will provide relief from itching. Take a bath with a little peppermint or yellow dock to relieve itching. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your bath water to relieve itchy skin. Baking soda can be used in cool bath water to soothe other skin irritations and alleviate itching from prickly heat, bee stings, insect bites, and other minor skin ailments. Another trusted home remedy is to use a weak carbolic acid lotion or a solution of bicarbonate of soda (commonly known as baking soda) and applying it over the itchy part. Apply cold compress to the itchy areas, it is thought to bring relief from itching. Fresh stinging nettle oil can be used on the affected areas. Drinking 1 to 2 cups of Nettle tea daily is thought to help relieve itching. Add boiling water to 1 tsp of the dried leaves for each cup. Steep for 15 minutes. Apply Burdock root oil to the skin to help heal rashes and itching. Fresh Chickweed poultice is good for itching. This can be made by soaking 2 large handfuls in water. When the plants soften, cool them and apply directly on the skin.
Take a diet rich in Vitamin C,beta-carotene,Vitamin E and zinc
Diet can play an important role to combat itching that result from food allergies. If you have identified foods that cause itching, it's best to avoid them completely. Increase your intake of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and zinc through diet by having foods rich in the above mentioned vitamins and minerals.
Avoid scartching or rubbing
Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas as this worsens the problem. Keep finger nails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Wear loose, light and cool nightwear. Do not use thick, rough clothing like wool over itchy areas. Take bath with lukewarm water. Apply a soothing lotion on to the skin after bath. Avoid exposure to heat and humidity. Keep your body and affected areas dry and clean at all times. Moisture can worsen itching.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
STAMMERING
STAMMERING
An involuntary interruption or inability to utter a letter or syllable is called stammering. Because of defective control of muscles of the speech organs there is an obstruction in pronunciation of certain sounds or one utters them with repetition. There is a difficulty in the necessary movement of the tongue and lips and there is also a sound in the voice organs which leads to stammering. This difficulty is usually limited to words beginning with sounds produced by letters like p, b, t, d, g, k.
Because of stammering one pronounces words like kabooter as tabooter. When these sounds occur in the middle of a word, there is no difficulty in pronouncing them. The person who stammers should be given regular practice in pronouncing them correctly and in controlling the breath. He should be taught to speak slowly and patiently.
Natural Home remedies for the treatment of stammering
Amla : Chewing fresh amla is helpful in curing stammering of children. The tongue becomes thinner and the speech becomes clear. Mix a tsp. of amla powder with clarified butter and lick it daily. It will help overcome stammering.
Almonds :
Soak 12 almonds, peel them and grind them, mix with 31 gms. of butter and eat it regularly for a few months. It will provide relief from the problem of stammering.
Grind finely an almond along with 10 corns of black peeper and sugar candy to taste and lick it.
Cinnamon : Chewing and sucking cinnamon provides relief from stammering. You may consult the writer of the present book for the treatment of stammering.
Dried dates : Clear Voice-Boil dried dates in milk and take it before bed time. Do not rake water after it for two hours. It will clear the sharp and bad voice.
An involuntary interruption or inability to utter a letter or syllable is called stammering. Because of defective control of muscles of the speech organs there is an obstruction in pronunciation of certain sounds or one utters them with repetition. There is a difficulty in the necessary movement of the tongue and lips and there is also a sound in the voice organs which leads to stammering. This difficulty is usually limited to words beginning with sounds produced by letters like p, b, t, d, g, k.
Because of stammering one pronounces words like kabooter as tabooter. When these sounds occur in the middle of a word, there is no difficulty in pronouncing them. The person who stammers should be given regular practice in pronouncing them correctly and in controlling the breath. He should be taught to speak slowly and patiently.
Natural Home remedies for the treatment of stammering
Amla : Chewing fresh amla is helpful in curing stammering of children. The tongue becomes thinner and the speech becomes clear. Mix a tsp. of amla powder with clarified butter and lick it daily. It will help overcome stammering.
Almonds :
Soak 12 almonds, peel them and grind them, mix with 31 gms. of butter and eat it regularly for a few months. It will provide relief from the problem of stammering.
Grind finely an almond along with 10 corns of black peeper and sugar candy to taste and lick it.
Cinnamon : Chewing and sucking cinnamon provides relief from stammering. You may consult the writer of the present book for the treatment of stammering.
Dried dates : Clear Voice-Boil dried dates in milk and take it before bed time. Do not rake water after it for two hours. It will clear the sharp and bad voice.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Diabetes Complications: What's Your Risk
Diabetes Complications: What's Your Risk
Diabetes Complications: What's Your Risk? One or Many
Heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, kidney failure. When doctors describe these diabetes complications, it may sound melodramatic -- like an overblown worst-case scenario. The truth is, these things can happen when blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol are out of control.
"A lot of people don't really think it will happen to them," says David C. Ziemer, MD, director of the Diabetes Clinic at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. "For a lot of folks, the wake-up comes when they actually have a complication ... a bad infection in the foot. That's a nasty wake-up call."
If you have uncontrolled diabetes, a serious and deep-seated foot infection can mean loss of a toe, foot, or leg -- amputation -- to save your life. Seriously.
How is this possible? Over time, high blood sugar slowly injures the blood vessels, nerves, and organs in your body. The higher your blood sugar is -- and the longer it stays high -- the worse the damage is. Smoking and alcohol ratchet up the damage several more notches.
"Damage is slow and occurs over a period of years -- but it probably begins when blood sugar is at mildly elevated levels," says Ronald Goldberg, MD, associate director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical Center. "You may not be diagnosed with diabetes, but the damage has already begun."
The damage from diabetes shows up a bit differently in everyone -- whether it attacks the nerves, eyes, or kidneys, Goldberg tells WebMD. "Genetics probably influence which complications you are more susceptible to."
The problem is, "many people have diabetes a lot longer than they realize," says Ziemer. "Most have diabetes an average of five to seven years before they're diagnosed."
Diabetes Complications: The Risks You Face
As blood vessels, nerves, and organs become damaged, your risk of diabetes complications increases. These are the most serious:
Heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke risks are doubled. Heart disease and stroke cause at least 65% of deaths from diabetes.
Major eye complications (diabetic retinopathy) are linked to blood vessel problems in the eyes. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness; cataracts and glaucoma are also common.
Reduced blood flow to nerves and high blood sugar results in nerve pain, burning, numbness (peripheral neuropathy).
Serious leg and foot infections, even gangrene and amputation, are due to poor blood circulation, lack of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, and nerve damage.
Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) is a common risk for people with diabetes.
The complications of diabetes are indeed serious -- but they are not inevitable, Ziemer tells WebMD. "Keeping blood sugar under control is the single the most important factor in preventing them. But people have a hard time grasping just how critical that is," he says. "It's hard to get them to tune into it."
Preventing Diabetes Complications With Medication
Getting blood sugar under control isn't always difficult. Sometimes all you need are lifestyle changes -- eating right, getting regular exercise, losing weight -- to get it into a safe range. If you're a smoker, there's no question -- you've got to quit.
Also, finding ways to ease the stress in your life helps control blood sugar, as does treatment for depression. Both stress and depression increase the level of cortisol, a hormone that affects blood sugar. "Cortisol makes the diabetes worse," Ziemer tells WebMD. "There is evidence that treating depression may help blood sugar control." He is heading a study investigating that link.
For some people, taking just one diabetes medication helps tremendously. Complex new drugs like Byetta, Januvia, and Symlin work from different angles to attack high blood sugar. "All the new drugs hold a lot of promise," says Ziemer, who is also a professor of endocrinology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
If you need to take insulin, you'll find the injections aren't that bad. "The new versions of insulin are far less cumbersome," Ziemer explains. You don't need to lay out a lot of needles and vials on the table. The insulin can be discreetly injected via a little pen -- much like a cartridge writing pen. An inhaled form of insulin has been FDA-approved. Insulin mouth sprays and insulin patches are being developed.
Fewer Diabetes Complications = Less Pain
By reining in blood sugar, you slow down the damage to the body's nerves and blood vessels. You can even halt damage altogether. The benefits show up in many ways.
You can ease the pain or numbness you feel in hands, arms, feet, and legs. "When you prevent more damage to nerves, you keep pain from getting worse," Ziemer explains. "We don't have any medications to repair nerve damage. Mostly, we're protecting what's left."
Gum disease and tooth loss can be halted when blood sugar is controlled, adds Ziemer. "In fact, when you get gum infection under control, you help keep blood sugar under control. Infection in the gums increases inflammation in the body, which makes controlling diabetes harder." Don't put dental visits on the back burner, says Ziemer. "A lot of folks end up losing lots of teeth. Nobody likes going to the dentist, me included. But seeing a dentist is very important."
Blood sugar isn't the only issue, diabetes experts agree. If there are cholesterol and blood pressure problems -- as there typically are -- they need aggressive treatment with medication. Both these conditions affect the health of large and small blood vessels, and greatly aggravate the damage done by diabetes.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins are a mainstay in diabetes treatment. Blood pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors can also improve blood flow throughout the body, including legs and kidneys. "These drugs protect kidneys from damage and they protect the heart muscle, which helps prevent heart failure," Ziemer tells WebMD.
With these diabetes complications, there's a lot at stake. Can you really prevent the worst-case scenario? "Absolutely," Goldberg tells WebMD. "If you do all these things, you can substantially reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, and the blood vessel damage that leads to blindness, amputations, and kidney damage. But you must start doing them as early as possible. And you have to keep things under control ... strict control."
Heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, kidney failure. When doctors describe these diabetes complications, it may sound melodramatic -- like an overblown worst-case scenario. The truth is, these things can happen when blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol are out of control.
"A lot of people don't really think it will happen to them," says David C. Ziemer, MD, director of the Diabetes Clinic at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. "For a lot of folks, the wake-up comes when they actually have a complication ... a bad infection in the foot. That's a nasty wake-up call."
If you have uncontrolled diabetes, a serious and deep-seated foot infection can mean loss of a toe, foot, or leg -- amputation -- to save your life. Seriously.
How is this possible? Over time, high blood sugar slowly injures the blood vessels, nerves, and organs in your body. The higher your blood sugar is -- and the longer it stays high -- the worse the damage is. Smoking and alcohol ratchet up the damage several more notches.
"Damage is slow and occurs over a period of years -- but it probably begins when blood sugar is at mildly elevated levels," says Ronald Goldberg, MD, associate director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical Center. "You may not be diagnosed with diabetes, but the damage has already begun."
The damage from diabetes shows up a bit differently in everyone -- whether it attacks the nerves, eyes, or kidneys, Goldberg tells WebMD. "Genetics probably influence which complications you are more susceptible to."
The problem is, "many people have diabetes a lot longer than they realize," says Ziemer. "Most have diabetes an average of five to seven years before they're diagnosed."
Diabetes Complications: The Risks You Face
As blood vessels, nerves, and organs become damaged, your risk of diabetes complications increases. These are the most serious:
Heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke risks are doubled. Heart disease and stroke cause at least 65% of deaths from diabetes.
Major eye complications (diabetic retinopathy) are linked to blood vessel problems in the eyes. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness; cataracts and glaucoma are also common.
Reduced blood flow to nerves and high blood sugar results in nerve pain, burning, numbness (peripheral neuropathy).
Serious leg and foot infections, even gangrene and amputation, are due to poor blood circulation, lack of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, and nerve damage.
Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) is a common risk for people with diabetes.
The complications of diabetes are indeed serious -- but they are not inevitable, Ziemer tells WebMD. "Keeping blood sugar under control is the single the most important factor in preventing them. But people have a hard time grasping just how critical that is," he says. "It's hard to get them to tune into it."
Preventing Diabetes Complications With Medication
Getting blood sugar under control isn't always difficult. Sometimes all you need are lifestyle changes -- eating right, getting regular exercise, losing weight -- to get it into a safe range. If you're a smoker, there's no question -- you've got to quit.
Also, finding ways to ease the stress in your life helps control blood sugar, as does treatment for depression. Both stress and depression increase the level of cortisol, a hormone that affects blood sugar. "Cortisol makes the diabetes worse," Ziemer tells WebMD. "There is evidence that treating depression may help blood sugar control." He is heading a study investigating that link.
For some people, taking just one diabetes medication helps tremendously. Complex new drugs like Byetta, Januvia, and Symlin work from different angles to attack high blood sugar. "All the new drugs hold a lot of promise," says Ziemer, who is also a professor of endocrinology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
If you need to take insulin, you'll find the injections aren't that bad. "The new versions of insulin are far less cumbersome," Ziemer explains. You don't need to lay out a lot of needles and vials on the table. The insulin can be discreetly injected via a little pen -- much like a cartridge writing pen. An inhaled form of insulin has been FDA-approved. Insulin mouth sprays and insulin patches are being developed.
Fewer Diabetes Complications = Less Pain
By reining in blood sugar, you slow down the damage to the body's nerves and blood vessels. You can even halt damage altogether. The benefits show up in many ways.
You can ease the pain or numbness you feel in hands, arms, feet, and legs. "When you prevent more damage to nerves, you keep pain from getting worse," Ziemer explains. "We don't have any medications to repair nerve damage. Mostly, we're protecting what's left."
Gum disease and tooth loss can be halted when blood sugar is controlled, adds Ziemer. "In fact, when you get gum infection under control, you help keep blood sugar under control. Infection in the gums increases inflammation in the body, which makes controlling diabetes harder." Don't put dental visits on the back burner, says Ziemer. "A lot of folks end up losing lots of teeth. Nobody likes going to the dentist, me included. But seeing a dentist is very important."
Blood sugar isn't the only issue, diabetes experts agree. If there are cholesterol and blood pressure problems -- as there typically are -- they need aggressive treatment with medication. Both these conditions affect the health of large and small blood vessels, and greatly aggravate the damage done by diabetes.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins are a mainstay in diabetes treatment. Blood pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors can also improve blood flow throughout the body, including legs and kidneys. "These drugs protect kidneys from damage and they protect the heart muscle, which helps prevent heart failure," Ziemer tells WebMD.
With these diabetes complications, there's a lot at stake. Can you really prevent the worst-case scenario? "Absolutely," Goldberg tells WebMD. "If you do all these things, you can substantially reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, and the blood vessel damage that leads to blindness, amputations, and kidney damage. But you must start doing them as early as possible. And you have to keep things under control ... strict control."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)