Friday, October 23, 2009

Herbs for Acne Treatment & Tips


There are many ways in which people undertake to treat pimples that grow on their face. Some of them use modern medicine and some try traditional medicine. To use modern medicine, there are a few things into your consideration, the cost and side effects of modern drugs.

Here there are a few tips to prevent acne before take a look at the traditional medicines:

  • Always keep the face clean, diligently wash face with soap that matches your skin PH.
  • Exercising regularly or doing physical activities which pretty much produce sweat.
  • Drink plenty of water. It does look simple, but this therapy really works not only to have acne problems and even to diseases other major diseases though. With a good system of mineral circulation in your body, then your blood or other organs of your body will be more "clean" and healthy so it will support your healing process of acne or other diseases.
  • Avoid excessive stress can be a trigger for increasing the number of your acne.

You can also use the traditional way to handle the acne, in addition to the efficient of costs and side effects which are not as large when using modern medicines.


Traditional acne treatment uses natural ingredients easily available and affordable in relative costs. Examples of these alternative treatments include:

Wild Ginger
5 slices of ginger, leaves mimba 7 pieces, and 30 grams of Centella asiatica. All materials are boiled with 5 cups of water until the remaining 2 cups. Results of stew is taken 2 times a day each 2 cups. During the process of healing, acne sufferers, avoid eating fatty foods, animal oil, coconut milk, brains, eggs, peanuts, organ meats and spicy foods.

God’s Crown (Phaleria macrocarpa)
God’s Crown fruit which are still green and the grated results directly attached to the skin as acne face mask.

Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia)
2 pieces of Mengkudu fruit and 2 segments of the fingers crushed rock sugar (blend) with a glass of water (200 cc), then strain and boil it. Drink while still warm, in every morning one hour before meals. This potion will clean dirty blood. This dirty blood is one cause of acne.

Lime
A squeeze of lemon and a crushed and squeezed of cucumber, the water is taken, then mix. Rub mixture all over the surface of the skin as a face mask, leave for 30 minutes then rinse with warm water. Perform regular 2 days. If the acne feels stung, the usage is stopped.

Garlic
Half clove of garlic, a finger segment of turmeric and medium-sized potato and cucumber added with Aloe Vera. All the ingredients are blended and mixed. This potion is applied to the entire skin surface of acne as a mask, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water, followed by cold water.

Jasmine Petals
20 of jasmine petals, 2 finger segment of Java acid, 2 tablespoons of lime juice and sulfur as big as marble, they are mixed and ground until becomes smooth, then apply on pimples facial skin in the morning and at night before sleeping, the potion can cause acne to deflate.

Betel Leaf
5-10 of betel leaf sheets then boiled with 2 cups water in a covered container. After boiling, remove and let stand until lukewarm. This herb is used to wash your face with acne; it should be done routinely before bed and after travel.

Star fruit Acids or Starfruit Buluh
5 fruit starfruit acids and salt water, and then finely ground water is applied to the skin of acne twice a day in the morning and at night before bed.



Traditional Treatment for Nosebleed

Nosebleed is bleeding from the tissue in the nose. Most nosebleeds are harmless and can be stopped by all household care. Most nosebleeds occur in the region face the nose (anterior epitasis) and only occur in one nostril only.

Nosebleeds occur because the nose has many blood vessels. Kiesselbach plexus or small area, located in the front septum vascular curved-shaped is easy to rupture. It is the location of the most frequent cause of bleeding in the face of the nose. Much blood will go out from the nose into the throat.



Nosebleed can be caused due to several reasons:

Drugs, for instance:
• Drugs that affect blood clotting, seeprti warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, Lovenox, Plavix, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs non-steroidal
• Cold and allergy of medicine
• Oxygen
• Nasal inhalers
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Use of drugs through nasal, like cocaine and amphetamines

Climate change, for example:
• Humid and dry weather; low humidity
• High place, e.g. in the mountains
• Chemical Vapor
• Smoke
• Injury to the nose, for example nose is struck or bumped nose
• Sneeze or constant snot
• The presence of foreign materials in the nose. This is very common in children, because they like to put small objects into the nose. But it can also occur in adults, especially after the collision, when a piece of glass into the nose.
• Health problems, e.g. un-normal structure of nose, such as polyps or nasal septum deviation
• Colds, sinus infections or allergy
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, leukemia, thrombocytopenia, and von Willebrand's disease
• Abnormalities of blood vessels in the nose, such as the syndrome Osler-Weber-Rendu. This syndrome is genetically inherited. This blood vessel disorder causes difficulty in controlling bleeding.

A rare form of bleeding which occurs, but it is a more serious incident is bleeding from the nose starting on the back (posterior epitasis) and usually occurs in the nostrils. Blood comes out more can go into the throat. Posterior epitasis occurs more frequently in adults due to health condition. For this type of treatment with the drug then becomes necessary.

Repeated nosebleeds are symptoms of a disease such as high blood pressure, allergies, blood clots disorder or tumors in the nose or sinuses.

Treatment of Nosebleed

If there is bleeding, then you should sit down and gently clip on soft areas of the nose to the nostrils closed, using the thumb and index finger, for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep your face forward, to avoid swallowing blood in mouth, and breathing with the mouth. Most of the bleeding can be handled in this way, if there is enough time to wait for the blood to stop.

If you want more quickly, it can be used with an ice pack, but DO NOT put ice into the nose with gauze. Sleeping position should not be made to overcome a nosebleed. Also try not to sneeze or side for a few hours after a nosebleed.

If the bleeding still does not stop, it can be used as fenilefrin vasoconstrictor 0.25% given to the cotton, and enter into a bleeding nose, and do emphasis back.
If the bleeding still continues, catheterization with silver nitrate can be done, with no more than 3 seconds to the location of the bleeding. But catheterization is difficult to be done to children.

Traditional treatment for nosebleeds

If nosebleeds can be given the betel leaf, which is kneaded and then rolled into such a small pipe and input into the nostrils of a nosebleed during + / - 5 minutes.
Attention to nosebleeds in children;
Crying will increase blood flow to the face and can make bleeding worse. So for the case of nosebleeds in children, make him more relaxed and calm to soothe the child from anxiety or fear. Make sure that no foreign objects in his/her nostrils

Taking the child to the doctor
Perform emergency care if:
Bleeding do not stop for 20 minutes
Bleeding occurs 4 times or more in a week
Bleeding occurs after the collision in the head, this can lead to cracks in the head
A broken nose, such as after a blow or impact
Also contact your doctor if nosebleeds occur more often or more severe, especially when more frequently that are not associated with colds or other minor irritation.


Thursday, October 22, 2009

How over-exercising and lack of SLEEP can do more harm than good to the HEART

MATTER OF THE HEART

Experts tell Lekha Menon and Lata Mishra how over-exercising and lack of sleep can do more harm than good to the heart



    The lessons have been spelt out time and again. For a strong heart, exercise regularly, eat well and lead a healthy lifestyle. As it turned out, even these measures weren't enough to save Ranjan Das, the 42-year-old CEO and MD of SAP, a multinational corporation, from succumbing to a cardiac arrest even as he finished a gym session at his Bandra apartment. According to reports, Das was a fitness freak, had no bad habits and had even participated in the marathon. Perhaps the only black spot in an otherwise healthy schedule was lack of sleep (reportedly Das could get only a few hours of sleep every day). 

Interestingly, while exercising ranks high up there in the healthy lifestyle to-dos, if you overdo it (to compensate for lack of other healthy habits) or do not get your required quota of sleep, you are only adding to your heart troubles, say doctors. Here's why: 

STRESS 
"The Mumbai lifestyle is such, most of the stress goes undetected," says Dr Rajiv Bhagwat, cardiologist attached with Nanavati Hospital, Criticare and others. "The long commute, erratic timings, even environmental pollution has an impact on wellness." 
    Little wonder that the age of people complaining of heart ailments is getting younger by the day. Dr Chander Vanjani, head of cardiology, Hinduja Hospital cites the case of a 28-year-old chain-smoker who died of a heart-attack despite having no 
family history. Another patient had no vices, yet suffered an attack because of stress. "Since the last two years, at least five-10 people in the age group of 25-39 approach me every week with cholesterol abnormality and diabetes-hypertension," he says. 
LACK OF SLEEP 
Sleep is often the casualty of a super busy, jet-setting lifestyle. Don't pride on your ability to function "on just a few hours of sleep". Good sleep is important for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart rate. "Our body has its own mechanism to maintain blood pressure, heart rate etc. Lack of sleep disturbs the biological clock, which no amount of exercising can rectify," says Dr Bhagwat. 

OVER-EXERCISING 
Being fit is fine, but excessive gymming can cause more harm than good. Yoga expert and dietician Rujuta Divekar warns against the tendency to use "exercise as a form of punishment". "Meditation works best when you do it with a calm mind, similarly for physical exercise you need a well-rested body," she says. 
The biggest disservice you can cause your body is hit the gym too hard when you are already feeling exhausted. "People who are sleep deprived have a lower metabolic rate. You won't lose weight then. On the contrary, you might end up being more flabby," she adds. 

TOO MUCH EXERCISE 
Over-exercising causes rise in blood pressure leading to plaque rupture. The rupture exposes and even attracts the unwanted or clot forming tissues. All of which is an ideal recipe for a heart attack. "Follow the norms of exercise if you are a fitness freak," advises Dr Bhagwat. "Do natural exercises too – sporting activities, swimming, walking etc." 
The key, ultimately, is to find a balance — between life, work, exercise and most importantly, sleep (a factor most always-onthe-run-professionals ignore). Don't wait for modern-day living to take a toll. 

NOT SO HEARTY NUMBERS 

The Saffolalife Study 2009, covering 8,469 people found that 49.1 per cent Indians were at high risk for developing heart diseases. Men in the 30-39 age group (totalling 1,598 of those surveyed) fell in this. 
    Mumbai and Chennai men were worst off (with a high-risk ratio of 49.6 per cent and 53.8 per cent respectively). The reasons were familiar: long working hours, 
commuting, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity as compared to other cities. 
Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist with Lilavati Hospital, who was associated with the survey says, "The survey only underlines what we have been seeing, abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides levels among youngsters, all due to stress and disrupted sleep patterns."



Ranjan Das,42, suffered a cardiac arrest despite a healthy lifestyle


Sunday, October 18, 2009

Tips to Prevent Yeast Infection

Yeast Candida is usually present in humans, and their growth is usually determined by the human immune system. Specific microorganisms in the human body which occupies the same location with the candida yeast bacteria e.g. (niches) in the human body can also inhibit the growth of this candida yeast.

Yeast infections or candidacies usually grow on the skin and moist regions of the body like the genitals and mouth. Yeast infection can cause complications such as skin at least become more redness, itching and anxiety, although it may also cause severe or fatal complications if it is not treated early.

Severe Candida infections are known as candidemia and usually attack people with a very weak immune system, such as cancer, AIDS and transplant patients. Candida albicans causes 90 percent of vaginal yeast infections. Mild skin infections and mucosal membranes by Candida causing local inflammation and discomfort, is a common infection suffered by humans.


Actually the body creates bacteria to keep checking Candida. But if the fungal growth is more than the body’s capacity to keep it in check, yeast infection can occur. Usually stress, illness and general weakness can increase the intensity of the yeast infection. Though the skin can control yeast infection, any breakdown in the skin or cut in the skin can cause yeast infection to increase.

Some microorganisms can help prevent the proliferation of candida in humans. The use of cleaning chemicals (detergent) in the vagina, spraying (water), and internal disturbances (hormonal or physiological) can disrupt the balance of certain 'ecosystem'.

Pregnancy and oral contraceptive use has been reported as risk factors, while assuming the cleaning as soon as possible after unprotected vaginal sex and anal sex using lubricants containing glycerin remains controversial to this day. Diabetes mellitus and the use of antibacterial antibiotics (particularly without medical supervision) are also associated with increased incidence of yeast infections.

Avoid changing sexual partners, use condoms (even though it was only possible to protect the sexual contact), keep clean, but beware of certain chemicals that can damage the balance of microorganism in vagina and anus. Do not take antibiotics without medical supervision because it may cause immunity to antibiotics such fungi in the future, this is often recommended.

Yeast infections also can be prevented by the right kind of diet and nutrition. There is a holistic treatment which can reduce or eliminate certain foods from your diet and restore the natural Candida balance since yeast infection home treatment is concerned. One of the ways to know how to cure yeast infection is controlling the intake of sugar and yeast; these two are the factors which can increase the occurrence of Candida.

You should not have more than 10 teaspoons of sugar per day. Each teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams. Check the nutrition label of a packaged food product for sugars, which are listed in grams under total carbohydrates and divide the number by 4; to convert it into teaspoons. For instance, if sugars are listed as 12 grams, you are getting 3 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

You can also make use of the glycemic index which will tell you how different types of food can increase the blood sugar levels. Did you know that food that is rich in protein do not really increase the level of sugar in the blood, but foods that are rich in carbohydrates do? On the glycemic index scale, foods with a rank of 10 or less are low, while those with 20 or more are termed to be high.

You need to make changes in your diet, like substitute oatmeal for cornflakes or tomato juice or grape fruit juice for beverages as some of the natural remedies for yeast infection.

Here’s how to get your digestive system back on track after your Diwali indulgence

Beat the bloat!

So you've overdosed on sweets and rich, meaty foods yesterday? 

 Thanks to that mutton do piyaaza or that egg fried rice with chilli fish, zipping your pants is going to be a real struggle. Abdominal bloating not only looks bad, but can cause physical discomfort. The good news? Experts say stomach bloating is a condition you can avoid pretty easily. Here's how... 
Avoid Constipation 
Too little fiber, fluids, and physical activity can lead to constipation, which can result in bloating. To avoid this, eat a diet high in fiber (25 daily grams for women and 38 for men) with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Also, drink plenty of fluids (aim for 6-8 glasses a day) and aim for physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week. 
Rule out allergens 
Food allergies and intolerances can cause gas and bloating, but these need to be confirmed by your doctor. But, don't self-diagnose. Check this out with your doctor. 

Hold the sugary drinks 
The fizz in carbonated drinks (even diet ones) can cause gas to get trapped in your belly. Instead, drink water flavoured with lemon, lime, or cucumber. Or just reduce the number of fizzy drinks you consume each day. Try some peppermint tea for a soothing beverage that may help reduce bloat. 
Limit salty foods 
Highly processed foods tend to be high in sodium and low in fiber, both of which can contribute to that bloated feeling. Get in the habit of reading food labels. When 
buying processed, canned, or frozen foods, shoot for no more than 500 mg of sodium per serving in any product. 
Go slow with the beans and gassy vegetables 
If you're not used to eating beans, they can cause that gassy feeling. So can the cruciferous family of vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. That doesn't mean you should give up on these super-nutritious, high-fiber vegetables. Just work them into your diet slowly until your body adjusts to the compounds 
that can initially cause gas. 
Eat smaller meals more often 
Instead of three big meals per day, try eating smaller meals more often. This can keep you free of the bloated feeling that often follows large meals. Eating more frequently can also help control blood sugar and manage hunger. So go for five to six small meals each day, but make sure the quantity of food and calories are proportionate to your needs. 
Don't eat too fast 
Eating quickly and not chewing your food well can cause air swallowing that leads to bloating. So slow down and enjoy your food. Your meals should last at least 30 minutes. Also, keep in mind that digestion begins in the mouth, and you can decrease bloating just by chewing your food more. There's another benefit to slowing things down: When you take your time to thoroughly chew and taste your food, your snack or meal becomes more satisfying. And studies have shown that if you eat more slowly, you may end up eating less.

Sure it looks great but resist the urge to gobble as the air you will ingest in the process can add to that bloated feeling