Health Ailments, Treatments and Cures

Your Eyes are Your Windows to the World: Keep Them Healthy!

Shikha — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:40:00 GMT

We take our senses, including eyesight so much for granted, that we become complacent when it comes to caring for them. For instance, so many of us work on computers the entire day. The same can lead to computer vision syndrome (CVS), with symptoms of eyestrain, double vision, temporary short-sightedness and visual fatigue.

Occupational hazards to eye health also include professional sports, the biggest cause of hospital admission for serious eye injury. Hence, you need to keep your eyes safe. Racket sports in particular account for thousands of eye injuries a year. Wear protective sports goggles, which not only look trendy, but make for protection from projectiles traveling at top speed.

DIY causes several eye injuries owing to tiny flying wood splinters or shards of metal that enter the eye and cause damage. For good defense against these, a good pair of safety goggles can be worn. These are inexpensive and effective.

Today, most people know that wearing sunglasses is important to protect eyes from harmful ultra-violet rays. Ultraviolet (UV) radiations contribute to a variety of disorders, including cataracts, cornea damage and age related macular degeneration. The result is sight loss. UV is just not present on sunny days but is actually present all the time during daylight hours. Also, over-exposure to UV can prove harmful between 10 Am to 2 PM, at high altitudes, closer to the equator, during summer months, when you're near water, sand, or snow, as these make for reflective surfaces. All you need is a pair of sunglasses that do not necessarily have to be expensive, but must conform to safety standards. Stay out of the sun as much as you can, and also wear a hat whenever possible.

It's important to consume eye health food that helps safeguard eyesight. Two substances, called lutein and zeaxanthin, have been found to have protective qualities against sun damage, and they help in preventing the onset of eye disease. They are often found together in many, usually dark-colored, fruits and vegetables such as spinach, sweet corn, broccoli, orange, peas, peppers, green beans, grapes, sprouts, papaya, mango, peaches, pumpkin, prunes, sweet potatoes, melon and others.

Go for regular eye tests. They not only help diagnose how long-sighted or short-sighted you are, but reveal eye conditions that you may be susceptible to, and these problems discovered at an early stage can make treatment mush easier. This is especially true in case of Glaucoma, an eye condition that is not noticed until it is actually at the advanced stage, threatening to cause sight loss. For children, eye tests are recommended after a gap of two years. Aged people must go in for a full eye examination every year.

First Aid for the Eyes: If some foreign particle does get into your eye, do not rub it. Instead, pull the upper eyelid down over the lower lid and let the lower eyelashes sweep away the particle by blinking repeatedly. Tears that are produced by doing this will further wash away any particles of grit or dust. Wash the eye out with clean water or sterile fluid from a sealed container. If that does not bring relief, immediately head for a hospital. In case of cuts in and around the eye, do not rub it, wash it out, and then gently bandage it before seeing an eye specialist. If something has actually become embedded inside the eye, do not remove it yourself and visit the accident and emergency department of a hospital right away. For chemical flashes, again flush clean your eyes with water and then visit the nearest hospital. In case of physical trauma, such as an accident or fall, cold presses, applied gently, are recommended for pain and swelling relief.

Tips to Help You on Your Way to Become a Non-smoker

Shikha — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Cigarette smoke is the residue of your pleasure that harms you and those around you. Smoking is an addiction and tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is very hard, but not impossible, to quit. It contaminates the air, pollutes hair and clothes, not to mention lungs. Tobacco is tumor causing, teeth staining, smelly, and a puking habit. The best way to stop smoking is to just stop - no ifs, ands, or buts. It isn't easy of course. As Mark Twain said, “To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I've done it a thousand times.”

Cigarettes are killers that travel in packs. It's never too late to realize that it's the cigarette that does the smoking - you're just the sucker. Addiction to smoking leads to various types of cancers, strokes, and heart attacks. To benefit yourself and those around you, quit smoking. Here are a few tips to help you on you way to become a non-smoker:

● Don't procrastinate. Don't wait for New Years or your birthday to quit smoking. Everyday is the RIGHT TIME to quit smoking.

● Know that quitting is a gift and not a sacrifice you're making.

● If you have tried several times to quit, but remain unsuccessful, join a stop smoking program, seek stop smoking aid and counseling, both aimed at helping you quit smoking for good.

● Cultivate the will power to give up your habit of smoking and to avoid a smoking relapse. This can be done by telling yourself the benefits of quitting, such as a longer life, feeling better, for your family, saving money, smelling better, to find a mate more easily, etc.

● Educate yourself about the harmful effects of smoking, and how it can endanger your life and that of your loved ones. Learning the hazardous effects of smoking on a pregnant woman, on passive smokers, on your facial charm and on your teeth, will stop you from reaching out for that stick of cigarette.

● Prepare your body and mind before actually quitting. Determine your personal goals, discover your reasons for quitting and get rid of temptations that may become a hindrance to your stop smoking program.

● When you feel the urge to smoke, try to divert your mind. Drink water or chew gum.

● In your initial efforts to quit smoking, switch brands and buy cigarettes that you have never liked.

● Throw out all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters and anything else that might remind you of smoking. Wash your clothes and clean your car to remove the smell of smoke.

● Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking.

● Don't worry if you're short-tempered, nervy and feel unwell at the beginning. These are all withdrawal symptoms that will soon pass.

● Become physically more active, by exercising, going for walks etc, and you will want to smoke less than ever before.

● Eat regular meals.

● When you feel tired after a long day, get some beauty sleep, because it is then that cravings to smoke will seem stronger.

● Make a note of how much cigarette money you're saving on a daily basis.

● Seek support from your friends in your efforts to quit smoking.

● If you slip and smoke, don't be discouraged and mad at yourself. Quit again!

● Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and feel and plan to keep them that way.

● Find something to hold in your hand and mouth, to replace cigarettes, such as a drinking straw, toothpick or even an artificial cigarette.

● Find out what triggers your desire for a cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these triggers or if that's impossible, plan alternative ways to deal with the triggers.

● Be patient.

Once you quit, you will immediately feel the health benefits and will never want to touch a cigarette again. You will have shed the claims of smoking to reclaim your life. Just keep your perspective. Thank you for Not Smoking!

Pollen Allergy: Evading the Offending Pollen

Shikha — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Hitch hiking on soft breezes and currents of air is pollen, the coarse powder containing pollen grains that wanders from one flower to another. With their mission to fertilize, most never reach their target and land into human noses and throats, causing a great deal of discomfort. Then, what is triggered is called pollen allergy, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever or rose fever, the latter two depending on the season in which the allergy occurs.

Pollen is the most pervasive cause of allergy. While other causes of allergy such as certain foods, drugs, animal, and even dust are somewhat escapable, there is no way to avoid pollen unless you decide to stay cooped up in your homes. And, wind borne pollen may find it's way there too!

In pollen allergy, an individual has sensitivity to the normally harmless pollen, which provokes a reaction, such as a skin problem or constant sneezing. This tendency to be allergic to pollen could either be inherited or may be a result of exposure to pollen at a time when the bodys defenses are weakened because of a viral infection, during puberty, or during pregnancy.

An allergic reaction to pollen occurs because of a false alarm of the immune system, that treats pollen as an invader. Hence to counter such an attack, the immune system releases a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. Different pollens generate different IgE, for instance, the antibody produced to react against oak pollen would be different from the one produced against ragweed pollen. These IgE molecules attach to body cells, and make the latter produce powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes. These chemicals affect various parts of the body to cause reactions, which are the symptoms of allergy.

Allergic pollen is usually that which is produced by trees, grasses, and weeds, as opposed to the pollen from flowers. Major culprits include ragweed, sagebrush, redroot, pigweed, lamb's quarters, Russian thistle and English plantain. Grasses and trees that produce highly allergenic pollen include timothy grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, Bermuda grass, redtop grass, orchard grass, sweet vernal grass, oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar. Pollen allergy is of course seasonal in nature.

Symptoms of pollen allergy are:

● Sneezing with a runny or clogged nose

● Itching eyes, nose, and throat

● dark under eye circles

● watering eyes

● Conjunctivitis

Pollen allergy may result in asthma that returns every year with the coming of pollen. However, this may eventually become chronic, and prove fatal. Lasting summer colds or any respiratory concern that seems to last longer than two weeks, requires medical attention. Skin tests and blood tests may then reveal which pollen is the culprit.

Pollen allergy treatments include avoidance, medication and immunotherapy. No definite cure for pollen allergy has been discovered as of yet. Even though there is no escaping pollen, there certainly are ways to ease the symptoms of hay fever, and there are more and more scientists conducting research on Allergy treatment. Advanced research on Allergic diseases shall provide a better understanding of the causes of allergy, the methods that can be employed for correct diagnosis, preventive measures and treatments.

Allergies- A Little Caution and a Lot of Relief!

Shikha — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:51:00 GMT

Is your skin itchy, scaly and breaking out, your nose sniffling or that tummy aches for some inexplicable reason? You are most probably vulnerable to the most common food allergy triggers. If not that, you are busy escaping ragweed in the fall, pollen in the spring, or dust in the street all year long. Stop in your tracks. It’s time to get some allergy relief!

Food Allergies are fairly common, with an astounding 11 million Americans living with food allergies. Eight different food items have been discovered to be responsible for over 90% of food allergies. Check labels for ingredients every time you go shopping for food items.

For those suffering with food allergies, eating out at a favourite restaurant may no longer be possible, unless you call ahead and speak to the chef about the food stuffs you are allergic to. A great idea would be to carry a light snack with you in case nothing on the menu is acceptable.

Heading to a friends place? Call before your visit and let your friend know about your allergies so that the dinner table comprises of dishes with tolerated ingredients. You may specifically point out foods that you cannot consume. In case of an honest mistake, be prepared with some medicine that you can carry with you, so that it can be administered if the need arises.

You can never really escape dust at all times. Staying cooped up within your house isn’t really feasible. You may try to keep your home meticulously dust free by mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and more. But, household dust also comprises of some chemicals on your mattress or in your TV. Make a few simple changes such as: vacuum and dust at least twice a week; open your windows whenever possible to allow in fresh air; avoid stand-alone air purifiers; use an air-conditioning filter and change the filter regularly; try sticking to cotton and wool for upholstered furniture and carpets. You can do just as much to protect yourself.

Are you allergic to Dairy? Now you don’t have to deny yourself your favourite and the most irresistible chocolate-raspberry-truffle ice cream because you are lactose intolerant. Instead, avoid the bloating, cramping and diarrhoea that comes to 50 million Americans from lactose intolerance when they eat dairy treats, by probiotic bacteria, the kind found in yogurt. That helps the problem.

Seasonal allergies can be a real pain. Instead of popping antihistamines throughout the April showers, turn to acupuncture and a specific diet, as both have been found to be helpful. Try a saline nasal rinse two or three times a day, or use a nasal cream to relieve inflammation and to keep allergens at bay.

Allergic people too can live normal lives, without endangering their health to permanent damage. With a growing portion of society affected, the need is for an extensive allergy treatment that is holistic, anti-histamine, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. If you've been diagnosed with allergies, you most certainly are not alone! Doctors and scientists are at their research, ceaselessly endeavouring to better understand, treat, and altogether prevent allergies.