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Varicose veins

3 Sep

Varicose veins is a condition in which the veins become enlarged or dilated or thickened, thus affecting the circulation of the blood within the body.

Symptoms of varicose veins including swelling along the course of the vein accompanied with muscular cramps, tiredness in legs and behind the knees. In some cases, the blood flow might reverse when the individual is in upright position resulting accumulation of veinous blood being collected in the lower part of the leg. In such cases the skin becomes purplish and pigmented and this is known as varicose eczema or varicose ulcers. It causes severe pain and distress.

Causes of varicose veins are:

  1. Sluggish circulation of blood due to constipation, dietetic errors, lack of exercise, smoking, standing for long periods and wearing tight clothes.
  2. Pregnancy may also cause varicose veins because of the increased pressure on the pelvis and abdomen which shows down the blood flow.
  3. Obesity is another factor that cause this condition.

Home remedies to cure varicose veins include:

  1. Marigold herb applied externally on the varicose ulcers helps heal the ulcer and yields extremely good results.
  2. Raw juices of carrot along with spinach taken in ratio 3:2 are considered very helpful.
  3. Vitamin E and C are also very effective in treating this disease. Patients are recommended to consume upto 3,000mg Vitamin C and 600 to 1,200mg Vitamin E daily to relieve the pain and cramps in the leg.

Veins are thin-walled vessels through which the impure blood is carried back to the heart. They usually have valves which regulate the flow of blood towards the heart. Varicose veins are a condition in which veins become enlarged, dilated, or thickened.

Diet would include consumption of fruit juices for four to five days, warm water enema to cleanse the bowel, all fruit diet. Maintain a balance diet by consuming more of vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, nuts etc. Avoid alcoholic drinks, coffee, strong tea, white flour products and white sugar.

Hot and cold hip bath is very helpful and should be taken daily. Cold water should be sprayed or a cold pack should be applied on the affected area. Mudpack applied at night is also beneficial. Epsom salt bath is valuable and should be taken twice in a week. Sun bathing, breathing exercise and yoga postures will help relax muscles and soothen blood circulation.

Tonsillitis

30 Aug

Tonsillitis refers to an acute inflammation of the tonsils which lie on each side of the throat. Enlargement of the tonsils accompanied caused due to repeated attack of infection is called chronic tonsillitis.

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are sore throat, headache, pain in various parts of the body, fever, difficulty in swallowing and weakness. The tonsils appear to be inflamed and red and in some cases they even emanate spots of pus.

Tonsillitis refers to acute inflammation of the tonsils, which lie, one on each side of the throat. Chronic tonsillitis is a term applied to cases in which there is enlargement of the tonsils accompanied by repeated attacks of infection. Tonsillar lymph glands which lie behind the jaw become tender and enlarged causing pain to the ear.

Tonsillitis are caused due to toxic condition of the systems which lowers the energy of the body and results in sudden chill. It can also be caused due to chronic constipation when the toxins are reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Home remedies to cure tonsillitis are:

  • Consuming lime mixed with warm water and honey along with quarter teaspoon of salt.
  • Pure milk mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder should be taken for three nights this helps cure tonsillitis.
  • Juices of carrot, beet and cucumber are also beneficial i.e. 300ml of carrot juice with 100ml of beet juice and 100 ml of cucumber juice mixed together should be taken regularly.
  • Banafsha flowers are also effective, 12gm flowers boiled with 50ml of milk help cure tonsillitis as well. The flower can also be worn round the throat as a poultice at night.
  • Gargle regularly with a decoction of fenugreek seeds this soothens the throat.

Remedies to cure tonsillitis include fasting for three or five days and just drinking water and orange juice. Patients should only eat fruits for three to four days and they can also add grains, nuts and vegetables to their diet.

Avoid spice food and sour substances such as yoghurt, buttermilk and fried foods as they can irritate the throat.

Drink warm water regularly to clean the bowels and exercise on a daily basis to help expel out the toxins. Cold pack should also be applied to the throat every two-hours. Epsom salt bath can also be beneficial.

Tinnitus

27 Aug

Tinnitus is a condition when there is a ringing or a buzzing sound in one or both the ears. The sound may be continuous or can occur in intervals. Patients suffering from tinnitus experience a wide range of sounds in their ears. Tinnitus is of two types’ objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is when the buzzing sound is not only limited within the patients ears but can be heard by those around him. Subjective tinnitus is when only the play can hear the buzzing sound inside his ear. Subjective tinnitus is the most common form of tinnitus. Severe cases of tinnitus can be extremely disturbing and the patient may lose his concentration and have a disturbed sleep.

The common symptom of tinnitus is that the patient experiences a buzzing, hissing and ringing sound inside his/her ear. Sometimes this buzzing sound tallies with the heartbeat. If the patient is simultaneously suffering from tinnitus and meniere disease that along with the buzzing sound he/her might experience dizziness and hearing loss.

Tinnitus is caused due to the damage of the hearing never that is present in the inner ear. The damage can be either caused due to frequent exposure to loud noise or due to aging. Subjective tinnitus is caused due to formation of wax in the ear canal whereas objective tinnitus is caused due circulatory problems or some tumor in the blood vessel. Tinnitus can also be a symptom for otosclerosis. Conditions like allergy, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, neck injury, head injury may also cause tinnitus. Sedatives, antidepressants, aspirin can also cause tinnitus.

There is no specific treatment to cure tinnitus, however it is recommended that patients reduce their stress level and breathe deeply. Applying 20 to 40 mg of maidenhair tree extract or ginkgo biloba into the ears four to six weeks will dilate the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the ears.

It is also recommended that patients avoid saturated fats, dairy products, sugar, salt, processed foods etc as these can aggravate the condition. Coffee, tea, sweet food and refined alcohol should be avoided as these can lower blood sugar which can lead to tinnitus. Fresh and raw fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet. Protein intake should increase. Vitamin A, B, E, zinc and choline should also be included in the diet.

Blood pressure should be controlled and smoking and alcohol should be avoided to improve blood circulation.

Tinea Versicolor

25 Aug

Tinea Versicolor as known also known as pityriasis versicolor is a skin mostly seen in young people and is caused due to fungus. Person infected is observed to have light or reddish-brown patches on the skin. It mainly affects the chest and back skin and only affects the top layer of the skin. It is a non-contagious disease and it is not permanent.

The common symptoms of this skin infection are appearance of light brown or white patches on the skin. These patches are more noticeable during summer season. Rashes on the trunk is another symptom of this infection. These patches tend to itch severely while sweating.

This skin infection is caused by an yeast called as malassezia furfur which is a type of fungus. This fungus feeds on fats thus is more commonly found in individual have more sebaceous glands. In summer season due to high temperature this yeast tends to grow rapidly which results in patchy skin. This fungus in present every in the environment and can be also found on human skin.

Pregnancy, burns, oral contraceptives, malnutrition and steroid therapy can also result in this infection.

Natural home remedies to cure this infection include:

  • OTC antifungal cream should be applied twice daily.
  • Antidandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide can also be applied on the patches this will help remove the dead skin and the fungus.
  • Healthy diet and good hygiene can help prevent reoccurrence of this infection.
  • Raw fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet this will help strengthen the immune system.
  • Include lactic acid fermented food like yogurt etc in your diet, it contains acidophilus that help maintain bacterial level and prevent spreading of the infection.
  • Avoid sugar and white flour; consume more garlic as it is an antifungal agent.
  • Use a baby powder to keep your skin dry as tinea versicolor has the tendency to reappear again.

Thyroid glands

23 Aug

Thyroid glands situate in the neck region and the cartilage also seen as the Adam’s apple helps produce thyroid hormones which regulate the body’s energies. These hormones regulate how fast the body uses up its energy, synthesizes proteins and controls the body’s sensitivity to other hormones. The thyroid hormones also help regulate the metabolism and the functioning of many vital systems of the body.

Abnormalities of the thyroid gland may lead to underproduction of the thyroid hormones and such a condition is known as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid produces excess thyroid hormones and hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland process less thyroid hormones.

In hypothyroidism the patient experiences constipation, jaundice, poor growth, fatigue, lack of concentration, carpel tunnel syndrome, weight gain, loss of hair, dry skin and loss of appetite. Patients may also experience depression and lack of menstrual periods.

In hyperthyroidism patients might experience decrease in intellectual abilities, insomnia, nervousness, behavior problems, feel hold in cold temperatures, increased frequency of bowel movements, excessive sweating, weight loss and pain in joints.

Causes of thyroid include:

  • For hypothyroidism – Loss of tissue, autoimmune disease, presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, congenital defects, certain strong medications and inability of the thyroid gland to produce the right amount of hormones.
  • For hyperthyroidism – Toxic goiter caused due to deficiency of sodium, grave’s disease, inflammation of thyroid, medications and pituitary adenoma.

Home remedies to cure thyroid include cleansing the internal system. A good diet along with rest and relaxation will help treat thyroid. For five nights a week wear a narrow compress on the waist and the neck, this is vital in helping balance the metabolism and appetite. Avoid all types of physical exertion and stress.

Diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and green vegetable. Avoid coffee, tea, soft drink and other beverages. Oil, fleshy food, sugars and refined flours should be avoided as well.

Whole meal such as cereals and grains and potatoes should be included in diet. All pulses, beans and cheese should also be included as they are rich in starch. Avoid smoking as it can worsen the thyroid problem.

Sleep apnea

20 Aug

Sleep apnea is the disorder wherein the patient experiences stopping of breath in sleep. This disorder can be fatal as some patients can experience long pauses in breath. The pauses in breathing might be for ten to twenty seconds and these pauses might occur almost twenty to thirty times in an hour.

Sleep apnea occurs because inadequate air reaches the lungs through the mouth or nose. The normal breathing resumes after a choking sound but the oxygen levels in the bloods drops during every pause.

Sleep apnea is characterized into two central and obstructive Central sleep apnea is caused due to lack of effort in breathing and obstructive sleep apnea is cause due to a physical block in regular breathing. Sleep apnea can result in hypertension, stroke, irregular heartbeat, heart failure or even heart attack.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring loudly, gasping for breath.
  • Dry throat while waking up.
  • Memory problem, morning headache, irritation, depression, mood swings
  • Inability to concentrate for a longer period.

Causes of sleep apnea include:

  • Lack of air reaching to the lungs through the mouth and the nose due to physical obstruction or lack of effort.
  • Collapsing of throat leading to pauses in breath.
  • Extra soft tissues in the throat in overweight people make it difficult to keep the throat open to circulate air.
  • Large tonsils might cause disruption in air flow to the lungs causing pauses in breath.
  • Genetic features in terms of shape of the neck and head may also lead to sleep apnea as some individuals may have smaller head and neck that may in return have relatively small airway between the mouth and throat area.

Remedies to cure sleep apnea are:

  • Avoid smoking and reduce weight if the person is overweight.
  • Avoid alcohols and sleeping pills.
  • Change sleeping positions to make sure breathing is regular.
  • Tie a ball in a sock and tie it across you weight to ensure that position is changed regularly at night.
  • Avoid sleeping on the back.
  • Conduct polysomnography to analyze the physiological variations while sleeping.

Ringworm

18 Aug

Ringworm is a skin disease often caused by fungus a minute form of vegetable. Ringworm can be irritating but is not dangerous

Symptoms include

  • Formation of round or oval patches with raised pink and scaly rings which show a clean space in the center. Itching usually cause the infection to spread.

Causes of ringworm include

  • Ringworm usually affects the scalp, the body, the feet and the nails. Scalp ringworm is the most common and is usually seen amongst children due to lack of protective fatty acids. The ringworm then spread over the skin and goes deeper into the skin causing hair breakage which results in bald spots on the scalp.
  • Ringworm spread from one person to another by getting contact or by sharing belongings like towel etc.

Home Remedies to cure ringworm are

  • Raw papaya should be applied regularly on the affected areas or paste of dried papaya seeds can also be applied on the affected area.
  • Paste of mustard seeds should be applied on the skin after thoroughly washing the infected area with hot water.
  • Butea Seeds grounded and mixed with a little lime juice can also  be applied on the infected area.
  • Cassia leaves applied on body will help alleviate swelling and skin irritation.
  • Holy basil juice can also be applied.
  • Raw turmeric juice also help get rid of ringworm. Honey mixed with turmeric should also be taken orally.
  • 200ml of spinach juice & 300ml of carrot juice combined together can help reduce ringworm.
  • Maintain a balance diet, consume more fruits such as apples, papayas, pomegranates and pineapples. Consume milk and curds as well.
  • Avoid tea, coffee and canned foods.

Other remedies:

  • Warm water enema may be used to cleanse the bowels during all fruit diet.
  • Bathe daily twice and drink plenty water.
  • Fresh air is very essential.
  • Apply coconut oil regularly on the affected areas.
  • Sunbathing is also beneficial and apply mudpack twice daily.

Premature ejaculation

16 Aug

Premature ejaculation is a condition when the male ejaculates or experiences an orgasm sooner than the partner expects. Some men have the capacity to hold off their ejaculation till they make the penetration, however in some cases the ejaculation takes place ever before penetrating the female.

The common symptom of premature ejaculation is the loss of erection even before the partner has had a chance to achieve her orgasm, this may occur before penetration or immediately after penetration.

There is no specific cause for premature ejaculation, it is a very rare condition experienced by men and maybe caused due to some physical injury. Mostly premature ejaculation is caused to due emotional or psychological factors. Anxiety, guilt and too much stimulation can cause premature ejaculation.  There is no medical treatment for such a condition and can be resolved with counseling.

However, certain home remedies can be adopted to control this condition and relaxation is one of the best natural remedy. Controlling thoughts and not getting too excited during sexual intercourse is another technique to avoid premature ejaculation.

The start and stop method and the squeeze method is also beneficial. With the help of the partner stimulate the man until he is about to ejaculate, then pause for 30-40 seconds till the man is relaxed, continue the same process again until the man wants to ejaculate.

Squeeze method includes stimulating the man till he approaches orgasm, then gently squeeze the end of the penis by applying minimal pressure. Keep squeezing for few seconds and stop the stimulation. After sometime begin the stimulation again and continue until the man wants to ejaculate, this technique is also very efficient.

A diet containing lots of fruits is recommended for patients suffering from premature ejaculation as fruits can fight all deficiencies of the body and also supply necessary nutrients. Two meals a day containing fruits is very helpful. Milk, nuts and honey are also beneficial. Avoid tea or coffee.

Yoga can also help control thoughts and improve blood circulation, thus controlling the ejaculation. Avoid too much stress and anxiety. If the condition prolongs consult a doctor and he will prescribe antidepressants like Prozac, however this is the last resort.

Pneumonia

13 Aug

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs and is one of the most serious infectious diseases. If both the lungs are affected it is known as double pneumonia.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are cold in head and throat. The patient experiences chill, shivering fever, difficulty in breathing and sharp pain in the chest. Cough and pinkish sputum being followed thereafter. In young children this disease my cause delirium and convulsion. Body temperature may rise upto 40.6 degree C and the pulse may got upto 150beats per minute. Pleurisy is a common complication of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is caused due to various types of germs and viruses such as streptococcus, staphylococcus and pneumococcus. Other causes of pneumonia include fungal infection, irritation by worms, inhaling foreign mater, irritant dust or noxious gases. The real cause of pneumonia is the presence of toxins in the body especially the lungs and air passages which is mainly caused due to bad eating habits and faulty lifestyle.

Home remedies to cure pneumonia include:

  • Consuming tea made of fenugreek seeds at early stages of acute pneumonia will help the body to produce perspiration, dispel toxicity and shorten the duration of fever. A minimum of four cups a day is recommended and few drops of lemon juice can be add to improve the taste. Do not consume anything during this treatment, fast and fenugreek seeds will help improve the respiratory problems in some time.
  • Garlic is also a good remedy for pneumonia. A paste of garlic applied on chest will bring down the temperature tremendously and also improve the pulse and respiration. Garlic acts as an irritant and rubefacient.
  • Sesame seeds mixed with water, one tablespoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt and a dessertspoon of honey is also valuable to treat pneumonia as it removes the catarrhal matter and the phlegm from the bronchial tubes.
  • Parsnip also known a pastinaca sativa a root vegetable is also found to be very beneficial in treating pneumonia. The juice of the leaves and root of this plant is very rich in phosphorus and chlorine elements are very beneficial for the lungs and bronchial system. 250 ml of the juice taken daily can yield excellent results. Avoid using the wild variety of parsnip plant as they can contain poisonous ingredients, only use the cultivate plant juice.
  • Vegetable juices such as spinach combined with beet or cucumber is also helpful in curing pneumonia. 200ml spinach juice or 100ml of each beet and cucumber mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice is very beneficial.
  • Rubbing turpentine oil on the rib cage and wrapping of warmed cotton wool over it can help relieve the pain of pneumonia.

Patients should consume a well balanced diet of natural foods such as fresh fruits and raw vegetables. Raw juices should be consumed atleast four to five times daily depending on the severity of the disease. Patient should only consume fruits and vegetables till the fever subsides.

Warm water enema done daily will help clean the bowels during the raw juice treatment. Warm water enema should be practiced regularly.

Phlegm

11 Aug

Phlegm is the mucus that is secreted by the mucous member of the respiratory tract and is very common. Accumulation of phlegm causes congestion of the chest and throat. Phlegm is expelled out of the body through the mouth especially while coughing. However, phlegm can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing and it leads to constant throat congestion, constant throat clearing, coughing and also cause shortness of breath. Phlegm can disturb sleep and if not treated at the right time can lead to clogging or irritation of the bronchial tubes resulting in secondary upper respiratory tract infection.

Symptoms of phlegm are:

  • Regular throat cleaning due to formation of gel like substance.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Constant cough which leads to muscle weakening and soreness.
  • Runny nose
  • Fever

Causes of phlegm are:

  • Seasonal flu results in phlegm being the byproduct.
  • Allergies of sinusitis.
  • Viral or bacterial infections such as influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia etc.
  • Excessive smoking
  • Serious lung conditions.

The phlegm needs to be examined by the doctors’ inorder to determine the actual cause of formation and the treatment. Light, semi clear phlegm is not to worry. Dark stained mucus is caused due to excessive smoking. Blood in phlegm indicates a serious respiratory problem and needs immediate medical attention for cure.

Home remedies to cure phlegm are:

  • Over-the-counter flue medicines can help avoid phlegm formation.
  • Inhaling hot steam can help clear the congestion and make it easier to expel the phlegm. It is recommended that vapor rub or handful of mint or eucalyptus leaves be boiled with water and the hot steam inhale, this works like magic.
  • Using humidifier can also ease congestion.
  • Honey mixed with a pinch of pepper and taken twice day can also be beneficial.
  • Lemon slice mixed with salt and pepper helps clear the throat.

Patients suffering with seriously congestion due to accumulation of phlegm are recommended to consume lots of warm fluids like soups and broths. Drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water a day is very essential. Juices rich in vitamin C are also beneficial. These liquids prevent the hardening of the phlegm thus making it easy to expel.

A Diet rich in ginger is also recommended as it is a natural decongestant and can fight infections. Ginger also eases up the throat and chest congestion, thus making it easy to breath. Sewing on a raw strip of ginger or having ginger tea is also beneficial.

Processed foods, excessive sugar and dairy products should be avoided as these can thicker the phlegm. Alcohol and cigarettes should also be avoided as these can irritate the throat and worsen the condition.