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Gastritis: Symptoms and Remedies

December 1, 2010 – 2:56 pm

Gastritis is a name for inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The infection can be mild or acute. It can also lead to an infection of the same or can be chronic. People with severe iron deficiencies are prone to chronic gastritis. Disorders of the stomach lining affect the process of digestion, thus leading to more physical disorders. Gastritis if not treated properly or left untreated can give rise to ulcers.

There are several reasons why gastritis occurs. Habitual overeating or eating irregularly can cause gastritis. Also eating undercooked, improper or badly combined food can be a factor causing gastritis. Excessive intake of coffee, tea or alcohol or even condiments and sauces can lead to gastritis. Viral or bacterial infections, peptic ulcers, high intake of spicy foods or pernicious anemia can also cause gastritis. Stress, worry, anxiety or prolonged tension can also be some of the reasons.

There are many symptoms of gastritis. Loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, headache, pain and discomfort are some of the symptoms of gastritis. Most people also experience increased flow of saliva, coated tongue, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, scanty urination, general feeling of uneasiness or even mental depression. In chronic or acute cases one might experience heartburn or feeling of a full abdomen after every meal. Belching, bloating, pallor, raced or rapid heartbeats, short of breath, vomiting, feeling short of breath, sweating or even chest pain are other symptoms seen in patients.

There are many home remedies to treat gastritis. One can use coconuts, rice, potatoes, marigold and other such easily available things. People facing acute gastritis problems could go on an only coconut water diet for 24 hours. This will give the stomach rest and also provide with essential vitamins and minerals. Rice gruel can be an excellent treatment for gastritis. Have just one cup of rice gruel twice a day daily. Potato juice relieves gastric problems. Have at least a half cup of potato juice daily, half an hour before every meal. Make sure that you drink potato juice at least 2- 3 times a day. Take an infusion of marigold in doses of a tablespoon twice daily for relief. To prevent gastritis, chew a small piece of ginger before every meal. People having chronic gastritis can try an all fruit diet for a while. Continue the diet till the acute symptoms subside. Try to avoid strong tea or coffee and tobacco, alcohol.

By impress | Posted in Guides, Health | Comments (0)

Cataract: Causes and Remedies

November 26, 2010 – 3:26 pm

Cataract is a common eye disease. A cataract refers to an area of the lens of a person’s eye that has become whitish and opaque instead of remaining clear. The result is that the person cannot see clearly. The crystalline lens, through which light travels into the interior of the eye, is situated just behind the iris or coloured portion of the eye. In cataract, this lens becomes opaque, hence, seriously hampering the entrance of light into the eye. Blindness ensues when no light rays can permeate the opacity of the lens.

The first sign of cataract is blurred vision. The patient finds it difficult to see things in focus. As the disease progresses, the patient may get double vision or spots, or both. At first, vision in twilight may be better than in full daylight since light is admitted round the more widely-dilated pupil in the dark. In the advanced stage, objects and persons may appear as mere blobs of light, and there is a greyish-white discoloration in the pupil.

Causes of cataract:

- Deterioration in the nutrition of the lens:
There are three factors which contribute to the loss of transparency of the lens. These are deterioration in the nutrition of the lens which diminishes the vitality and resistance of the delicate lens fibres; deposits of acids and salts between the lens fibres which have an irritating effect on the lens tissues and exert an increasing pressure on its delicate fibres, gradually destroying them; and disintegration of lens fibres which cloud the entire lens in the absence of appropriate measures.

- Poisons in the blood stream, faulty style of living:
As in the case of most diseases, poisons in the blood stream due to dietetic errors and a faulty style of living, are the real cause of cataract. The toxic matter in the blood stream spreads throughout the body to find shelter in any available weak spot. It strikes the lens if it has become weak through strain, excessive use of the eyes, and local irritation. The condition becomes worse with the passage of time and then a cataract starts developing.

- Stress and strain, alcoholic drinks, certain physical ailments:
Other causes of cataract are stress and strain; excessive intake of alcoholic drinks, sugar, and salt; smoking; certain physical ailments such as gastro-intestinal or gall-bladder disturbances; diabetes; vitamin deficiencies; fatty acid intolerance; ageing; radiation; side-effects of drugs that have been prescribed for other diseases.

 Home Remedies for Cataract:

- Cataract treatment using Carrot
The use of carrots is considered beneficial in the treatment of cataract. The patient should take plenty of raw carrots daily. As an alternative, he may drink two glasses of fresh carrot juice, one each in the morning and evening.

- Cataract treatment using Garlic
The use of garlic is another effective home remedy for cataract. Two or three cloves should be eaten raw daily. They should be chewed slowly. Garlic helps to clean the crystalline lens of the eye.

- Cataract treatment using Pumpkin
The flowers of pumpkin are valuable in cataract. The juice of these flowers should be extracted and applied externally on the eyelids twice daily. It will stop further clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye.

- Cataract treatment using Aniseed
Aniseed is considered a useful remedy for cataract. An equal quantity of aniseed and coriander powder should be mixed with one teaspoon of brown sugar, and the mixture should be taken in doses of 12 gm in the morning and evening.

- Cataract treatment using Honey
The use of unprocessed pure honey is another effective remedy for cataract. A few drops of this honey should be put in the eyes. This is an ancient Egyptian remedy which has benefitted many patients.

- Cataract treatment using Almonds
Almonds are valuable in cataract. Seven kernels should be ground finely with half a gram of pepper (black pepper) in half a cup of water, and drunk after sweetening the mixture with a teaspoon of sugar candy. It helps the eyes to regain their vigour.

- Cataract treatment using Nutrients
Certain nutrients have also been found useful in cataract. Experiments have shown that animals develop cataract if deprived of pantothenic acid and amino acids, and tryptophane and vitamin B6 needed for tryptophane assimilation. The diet of the cataract patient should, therefore, be high in vitamins B2 and B6, as well as the entire B complex group, pantothenic acid, vitamins C, D, E and other nutrients.

By impress | Posted in Guides, Knowledges, Health | Comments (0)

25 Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

November 23, 2010 – 4:30 pm

Dry skin requires particular care and attention as it is prone to a variety of problems. Regular moisturizing and application of other protective lotions and treatments is necessary on a regular basis. This is done to avoid the common conditions that this skin type is susceptible to.

Unfortunately most skin care products that are of a good enough quality come with a huge price tag. Most of us fail to realize that nature offers us some of the best natural remedies for dry skin. These natural remedies are not only cost effective, but also quite efficient and are very easily available.
 
1. Drink lots of water. It helps to keep your body hydrated and can alleviate dry skin to a great extent. Eight to ten glasses is the minimum quantity, but ideally you should drink much more than that.

2. A warm glass of milk mixed with a teaspoon or two of almond oil, before bedtime, can work wonders.

3. Baby lotion is one of the best moisturizing lotions that you can use on your skin. Moisturizing lotions for adults often contain other chemicals that may actually make your skin drier.

4. Before going for a bath, rub some honey all over your body and leave it on for five to ten minutes. Honey is one of the best natural moisturizers.

5. This tip dates back to thousands of years when queens bathed in milk. Yes, soaking in a tub filled with milk and warm water can do wonders for skin!

6. Instead of opting for expensive moisturizing creams that are available in the market, rub some sesame oil all over your body after your shower.

7. Coconut or avocado oil is also really good for treating dry skin.

8. You can even make a paste out of avocadoes and apply it all over your body to nourish your skin.

9. This tip may make you feel as if you’ve been dunked in a bowl of cereal, but it’s an excellent remedy for dry skin. Simply blend some baking soda, oatmeal, and vanilla extract in to a paste and mix it in a tub of warm water. Soak in the tub for as long as you like and say goodbye to dry skin.

10. You can also rub some oatmeal on your hands before washing them.

11. Petroleum jelly is one of the best remedies for dry lips, hands, and feet.

12. Glycerin oil is also a good remedy for dry skin.

13. Conditioned air is dry and really affects your skin. If you can’t avoid sitting in an air conditioned room all day, at least get a humidifier, or keep a bucket half filled with water next to you to humidify the air.

14. Nothing beats a hot shower or soaking in a tub of hot water on a cold winter’s day. Unfortunately, hot water really dries the skin. Opt for warm water instead.

15. The soap that you use may be responsible for your dry skin. Switch to natural soaps that do not contain any harmful chemicals. Doing so can really make a big difference to your dry skin problem.

16. If you use a lot of detergents your hands may become dry and the skin may begin to crack. Wear rubber gloves when handling detergents, or switch to a detergent that is classified as being soft on the hands.

17. Does your face feel itchy every time you wash it? Try this: mix an egg yolk with a teaspoon each of olive oil and orange juice, and add some drops of rose water and lime juice. Apply this mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off.

18. Oil fish like salmon are not only rich in essential fatty acids, consuming them regularly can also help alleviate dry skin.

19. Are you suffering from dry and cracked heels? Rub the inside of a banana peel on your heels and watch all the dry skin disappear.

20. Bananas can also be used to treat dry skin on your face and neck. Just mash a banana (ripe ones work better) and apply it like a face pack. After some time wash your face with warm water.

21. Do include plenty of fruit in your diet.

22. If you’re a smoker, quit. Smoking is really bad for your skin. If you don’t believe me, Google the term “smoker’s face”.

23. Exercise. How does this work? When you exercise, you sweat. This unblocks your pores, and allows the natural oils to come to the surface and hydrate your skin.

24. Try to include spices such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander in your diet. They help to soothe and relieve dry skin.

25. Get sufficient sleep. Your body requires at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Lack of sleep really affects the skin.

By impress | Posted in Beauty Tips, Knowledges | Comments (0)

8 Steps to Remove Flabby Arms

November 18, 2010 – 4:29 pm

Being overweight in general can contribute greatly to flabby arms. So, if you’re flabby elsewhere, your arms could likely be the same way. Therefore, you will need to diet every day, regularly taking in fewer calories than you burn.  This will help, but not right away.  First you will lose weight elsewhere, even perhaps where you don’t want to, before you see much effect on your arms.Whether you’re overweight of not, exercising the triceps a minimum of three times a week should be your main effort in getting rid of flabby arms.  Follow the following procedure:

1. Sit in a chair, toward the front. Your feet should be flat on the floor, spaced apart so that they are even with your shoulders.

2. Hold a weight in your left hand, a small, five-pound one will do (it’s not the weight, but the repetitions that count), and raise your left arm all the way up, so that it’s pointing toward the ceiling, palm facing in. Support your left arm by holding it just below the elbow with your right hand.

3. Slowly bend your left arm so that the weight in your left hand now rests behind your left shoulder. Take 3 seconds to straighten your left arm so that it’s pointing toward the ceiling again. Hold the position for 1 second.

4. Take 3 seconds to lower the weight back to your shoulder by bending your elbow. Keep supporting your left arm with your right hand throughout the exercise.

5. Pause, and then repeat the bending and straightening until you have done the exercise 8 to 15 times with your left arm.

6. Reverse positions and repeat 8 to 15 times with your right arm.

7. Rest; then repeat another set of 8 to 15 repetitions on each side.

8. Do three sets in a session.

The number of repetitions depends on your strength level.  Start slowly at 8, and then build to 15 according to your increased comfort level. You’ll be surprised at how quickly that happens. If you can then go to 20, all the better; the idea is to fatigue the triceps. It might take awhile, but, depending on just how flabby your arms are, you should begin to see some results in about four weeks.

By impress | Posted in Guides, Beauty Tips | Comments (0)

Weight Loss for Post Pregnancy

November 15, 2010 – 2:56 pm

Just when you thought the hardest part of pregnancy is over, you are battling excess pounds and unsightly buiges after delivery. It may be difficult to imagine that you will ever lose all that extra weight and uncover the slim girl within but do not fret, you will and you can.

The most important thing to remember about post-pregnancy weight loss is that you want to do it in a safe, healthy manner. Only then you will be slim and radiant and still brim with energy for your kids. Well, for that, you do not have to spend lots of money investing in new exercise equipment or expensive gym memberships.

Here are some simple changes you can incorporate into your daily life once you obstetrician gives you the green light.

1. Power Walk: take brisk 30 minutes walk every morning with your baby.

2. 5 minutes workous: if time is an issue, you can always incorporate little bursts of activity into your daily life. Walk whenever you can and take the stairs instead of the lift.

3. Food Wise: cut down on red meat and eat plenty of lean meat, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated as well.

4. Mini treats: eat small frequent meals rather than 3 big meals a day. Your body will be able to digest the food better and you will end up eating less.

5. Breast Feed: breast-feeding will help you burn extra calories as well as help you bond with your baby.

By impress | Posted in Guides, Beauty Tips, Pregnancy | Comments (0)