HOME TIPS FOR TOOTHACHE

I shudder even now when I think of what I went through the very first time I stepped into the dentist clinic. I remember when I first felt the pain I started poking the affected tooth with a tooth pick, and I’m sure its not just me but most of us who are in the habit of doing this, aggravated the pain and later as it seemed to be getting worse, I realized that I had no other option except to meet the dentist for tooth extraction. The moment I sat on that chair and the dentist started to work on the tooth, I promised myself that it would be the first and last, as I am sure most of us know the excruciating pain one has to go through. A toothache hurts so badly when you’re eating, drinking and sometimes even when you breathe. One cant ignore the pain as it starts to bother you even when you are asleep.

The sign and symptom of toothache would be firstly the pain itself which becomes more severe as the area of inflammation increases. One would suffer pain on chewing, hot or cold sensitivity, there would also be bleeding, discharge and even swelling around the tooth or gums, there could also be trauma or injury to the area. Dental decay or an area of redness around the tooth’s gum line may point to the source of pain, as in, when you tap an infected tooth; it may make the pain more intense.

The cause of toothache could either be an infection in the pulp of your tooth or gums, or even decay. Even a piece of food caught between the tooth or even a sinus problem can cause a tooth ache. Gum disease and dental injuries can also be the cause of tooth ache. Only the dentist would know for sure what actually caused the toothache. But until you see him, you would surely want to ease your pain with some of the home remedies given below:
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After each meal at bedtime take a glass of water and add a teaspoon of salt into it, and take a mouthful and hold it, roll it around your mouth and spit. If your toothache is caused by trapped food, take a mouthful of water and rinse vigorously. The best remedy which I have found that really works is dropping a few drops of clove oil directly on the tooth, or dab it on a cotton ball and pack it next to the ache, You can also chew a clove. A pinch of pepper powder mixed with clove oil can be put in the caries to alleviate tooth ache. Put ice on the aching tooth or the nearest cheek for 15-minute intervals three to four times a day. At night when you lie down, keep your head elevated to decrease the pressure in the area. STOP poking your tooth with toothpicks or pins, as it will only aggravate the condition. Try not to use that area when you eat, especially if the ache is caused by a blow to the tooth. For pain relief take an aspirin every 4 to 6 hours as required, however those with a history of ulcers and pregnant women would need a doctors recommendation. All the above remedies can only relieve the pain, not cure it. So, what I would suggest is better take good care of your tooth by brushing your tooth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal before it is too late. Remember “Prevention is better than cure”. to decrease the pressure in the area.

CURE WITH HOME REMEDIES FOR DEPRESSION

It has become so common to hear that one is feeling depressed or moody. Infact one is even ready to acknowledge and talk about it in the open. Trying to bring a person who is sad or depressed back to normal is really hard work, but also leaving them alone to cope up with their depression would not be advisable, as they are vulnerable and can do anything to hurt themselves. I’m sure we all have heard of a number of suicide cases, especially due to depression. It is not wrong to feel pain, disappointment or sadness accompanied by anger, guilt or anxiety that come from a loss or trauma, as we all go through such feelings, however, what I call as unhealthy depression would be when the individual is unable to function in any one or more areas of life, such as work or relationships due to these feelings.

Depression may be referred to a state of sadness or unhappiness, or a low down feeling that may last only for a few hours or even days. A depressed mood is generally associated with grief or a loss. A job loss, break-up, divorce, loss of a loved one, marriage, divorce etc. anything could trigger a depressed mood. Financial difficulties, domestic violence, or even the inability to express one’s feeling and a feeling of not being accepted can lead to sadness or grief. Depression gives the signal that it is time for some change or action in one’s life and if the individual is not ready for this change and instead holds on to their grief’s and negative feelings for weeks and months, it requires professional help soon.

Some of the causes of depression are: genetic factors, biochemical factors, for example, individuals with too little or too much of brain chemicals, and also different sleep patterns and certain medications. Psychological factors, as with persons with different traits- worrying, negative thoughts, low self esteem. Some of the environmental factors causing depression are a financial loss, major illness or a difficult relationship.

A few symptoms of depression are: loss of appetite or weight changes, fatigue and loss of energy, insomnia or oversleeping, loss of interest in hobbies, social activities, inability to focus, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, outburst of anger and physical symptoms including headaches, backache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and aching joints.

Below are given some of the home remedies that can uplift your mood: Eat an apple with some milk and honey. In a cup of boiling water add some rose petals with sugar and drink this whenever you feel depresses. Cashew nuts are extremely beneficial in treating depresion. A well balanced diet is very important. Try a little garlic therapy as it is good when you’re feeling down. Eat chicken and spinach and enough of omega-3 fatty acids to ensure the brain are at the healthiest, as a healthy brain is less likely to become seriously depressed. Rest and relaxation, plenty of sleep, exercise, happy thoughts and laughing are good ways of fighting depression.

SOME HOME REMEDIES FOR MUSCLE PAIN

Did you say that after doing that work out you couldn’t move? You felt stiff. Every time you try your muscles pain. I’m not surprised. That’s because you either don’t work out regularly or you over did the exercise. Muscles that are not used too much work, causes the muscle fibers to break down, and that is what is causing the pain. Also there are chances of a muscle tear during your work outs and the muscles swell slightly contributing to muscle strain that gives you the feeling of stiffness and soreness. You tell me it’s not just the exercise, but even when you are sleeping so peacefully your leg seized with painful cramp and you howled in pain. Your right, it is not just the exercise but a pinched nerve that caused the cramp.

The cramps are due to anything that interferes in the mechanism restricting the flow of blood to that area causing severe pain or a muscle cramp. Muscle sprain can occur due to over tracking ligaments that surround the joints. Although any muscle can be injured, it is the hamstring {the one which runs along the back of the thigh from the knee joint to the buttocks}, that is the most commonly pulled muscle. Normally a pulled muscle results in severe pain that could worsen, and also get bruised after some days.

Relax, there is no doubt you are in much pain, but there are several ways of treating a pulled muscle at home. If it is the muscle cramp that you got during your sleep , then the next time before going to bed, take a few minutes to stretch the muscle especially the calf muscle. Take plenty of calcium rich food like broccoli, spinach, and dairy products. Massage before you go to sleep to keep those muscles loose. If it is while exercising that you got the muscle cramp or a pulled muscle, then, the first and foremost thing you need to do is just stop. If not there can be chances of seriously injuring the muscle. Place an ice pack on the injured area immediately, as this will reduce the swelling and pain and also wrap an elastic bandage on that area so as to reduce stress on that muscle. A good method for easing the cramp is to strech the cramped muscle in one hand and gently squeezes the centre of the muscle with the fingers of the other hand. To get the blood flowing back, walk for a few minutes. It is also beneficial to apply a hot pad for say about four minutes and ice pack for one minute. Once the swelling and soreness has subsided you can continue with hot baths adding Epsom salt to help relax the muscles. It is normal to feel stiff and sore for a few hours after over exercising, infact you will feel even worse two days afterwards. A gentle massage can ease muscle stiffness and soreness. The best way to prevent cramps and injuries is to warm up the muscles before exercise, as in walking instead of stretching first. Warming up and stretching before an activity will get your muscles ready to work and help prevent muscle cramping. Some people get cramps even if the weather is too cold. The best way to prevent muscle cramping is to keep the muscles warm with adequate layered clothing.

WRINKLE TREATMENT

Who does not want to feel young and stay young forever? I for one would love to at least look young and presentable as I am getting older. Believe me I have seen and would really like to congratulate some of those who still look young and wrinkle free even after crossing their 50s.It’s true you can’t avoid aging, but you don’t have to end up all crinkled and creased. It has become so difficult to staying youthful and having a glowing skin in our kind of environment, especially because of the hot and humid climate and also the pollution that causes our skin to accumulate dirt, grime and tanned. Thus in course of time the skin looses it’s texture and starts to wrinkle and look older. The worst enemy of the skin is sun exposure and 90% of skin aging is due to sun exposure. The ultraviolet-A rays that cause enormous damage are present all day long in all seasons. These rays wear away the elasticity of the skin causing wrinkle,

The factors that cause wrinkles are chemicals, stress, improper skin care, diet, and nutrition and lifestyle habits such as smoking. Another factor is gravity. The corners of the mouth turn down, eyelids droop, the tip of the nose dips. The muscles that make you laugh, cry, wink can leave permanent creases over time.

You may not be able to prevent certain body changes; however, you can protect your skin from wrinkle formation by using the following home remedies:

The most important way of protecting your skin from the sun is to wear sunscreen everyday. It not only minimizes the chance of growing wrinkled, but also protects you from skin cancer. Whatever may be your skin type, applying sunscreen should be as part of your routine. The earlier you make it a habit, the better for your skin, as it will keep you looking youthful in the later years. Applying a moisturizer can also temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles. The best way is to apply on wet skin. To protect your skin around your eyes, where crow’s feet form and sunscreen may not reach, you must wear sunglasses that will protect your eyes from the glare. Smoking can cause premature wrinkling. Squinting from smoke irritation can worsen crows feet and also pursuing the lips to puff on a cigarette can contribute to vertical lines around the mouth. You need to train yourself to sleep on your back, as sleeping with your face pressed against your pillow can cause sleep lines over the years. We may not be aware of the expressions we make, and need to modify some especially if it is part of your reaction to stress, then you need to do some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and taking things very cool. Apply coconut oil on the portions of the skin and face where wrinkles set in and gently massage every night at bed time. Banana is also a wonderful anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash ¼ banana until very creamy and spread it all over face and leave it for 15-20 mts before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Another good remedy you can try is apllying the white of an egg on the face keep it for 20 minutes and then wash.

TYPHOID FEVER

We need to be so careful about eating from roadside joints and from other unhygienic places as diseases can spread easily. Typhoid fever is one such disease that is mainly related to hygiene and sanitary conditions rather than the climate itself. It is mainly because of contaminated food and water; as the germs are passed in the feces and, to some extent, the urine of infected people. Back to the days before antibiotics, one in five of untreated sufferers died of the disease. I’m sure we all know that anyone with typhoid usually have sustained fever as high as 103- 104 degree Fahrenheit. Now just because the person has fever does not mean that one is suffering from typhoid. For the final diagnosis to be established, the bacteria have to be detected in the samples from stool, blood or other tissues.

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. If the immune system is unable to stop the infection in the bowel, then it will multiply and spread to the bloodstream, with the first sign of fever. In the second phase of the disease, the bacterium penetrates the immune tissue of the small intestine, and thus violent small bowel symptoms begin.

The common causes of Typhoid fever would thus be mainly ingestion of contaminated food or water, especially contamination of water where there is inadequate sewage system and poor sanitation. It is also caused when the person is in contact with a chronic carrier or with an acute case of typhoid fever.

The common symptoms that can be observed in Typhoid fever are constipation followed by diarrhea, bloody stools, fever especially at night, chills, stomach pain, weakness, fatigue, malaise, sore throat, slow heart rate, uneasiness, general discomfort or ill-feeling.

Some of the common home remedies for curing typhoid fever: First of all the patient should be well looked after. As the patient is ill, a high energy, protein, fluid diet is recommended in the beginning. Only easily digestible fruits like sweet lime, oranges etc. may be given and should be kept in a clean and airy room. Mash a ripe banana along with 1 tablespoon honey and eat twice a day for few days. Eating banana pulp mixed with butter milk reduces the fever during typhoid. Drinking hot water mixed with honey as well as drinking apple juice is beneficial. Another good remedy is to boil five cloves in water for 10 minutes and filter this. After cooling drink this decoction twice a day and get relief from Typhoid fever. Once the fever goes down semi-solid foods like khichiri, rice with curd, custard and kheer may be given.

EFFECTIVE NATURAL REMEDY FOR GASTRITIS

There was no denying the food was excellent, and everyone who attended the party kept appreciating the food and could not hesitate going in for a second serve, except for Mr. Mathur who looked worried. He kept glancing at his watch giving us all a clue that it was time to leave. When I confronted him he told me that it was not the time factor that worried him, but the fact that he couldn’t eat and relish the food like others because of the pain and discomfort in his belly that bothered him as he was suffering from gastritis.

Gastritis is a troublesome condition which gives rise to many complications if not treated in time. It is an inflammation in the lining of the stomach that has many causes. Gastritis can be either acute or chronic or it can be a part of another medical illness. For most people gastritis isn’t serious and improves quickly with treatment, while for others it can lead to ulcers and also an increased risk to stomach cancer.

Normally when the stomach’s protective layer becomes damaged, the person tends to develop gastritis. A number of factors cause or trigger gastritis: excessive use of alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and make the stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices causing gastritis. Severe stress due to major surgery, or injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis. Some nonsteroid anti- inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other drugs can cause acute and chronic gastritis. Another cause would be when the pyloric valve which is ring like sphincter muscle which prevents bile from flowing into the stomach from the small intestine does not work properly or has been removed because of surgery, bile can flow into the stomach and cause gastritis. As said previously gastritis can be a part of any medical illness, including liver and kidney failure, HIV/AIDS, parasitic infections and Crohn’s disease.

The symptoms that Mr. Mathur complained often were burning abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, belching, a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating and also weight loss. Sometimes gastritis may also cause stomach bleeding that causes the person to vomit blood or pass black tarry stools which requires immediate medical attention.

Some of the home remedies that I have heard of that are quite effective are:
Consuming coconut water throughout the day as it contains loads of vitamins and minerals and it also gives rest to your belly. You can also drink half cup juice of potato 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt and also drinking just plain water gives relief. In order to stimulate digestion, chew a small piece of fresh ginger with salt, five to ten minutes before meals. Also try a teaspoon of ajwain with a little rock salt. Amla capsules are also very effective and don’t forget to go for a half an hour walk daily.

TREATING INSOMNIA THE NATURAL WAY

I’m sure all of us would love to get a good night’s sleep, and there are also some who not only love sleeping in the night, but also during the day. However, a common complain we hear from so many these days is that they don’t get enough sleep. Are you one among them? It is said that 1 out of 15 people suffer from insomnia, which is a condition affecting millions of people. Those who suffer from insomnia may not be able to fall asleep. They may wake up during the night and not be able to fall back to sleep, or they may wake up too early in the morning.

Insomnia is a serious sleeping disorder that leads to anxiety, fatigue, severe depression, and lack of concentration, irritability, lack of motivation and productivity and variety of health problems. Since the effect of insomnia is severe adults can be at risk of injury and physical and emotional difficulty. Insomnia can be transient {short term}, intermittent {on and off}, or chronic {on-going}. Chronic insomnia is either primary which is not related to any health problem or secondary which is caused by a medical condition such as cancer, asthma, or arthritis or drugs, stress or mental health problems. It is said that women are twice more likely to suffer from insomnia than men.

The most common cause of insomnia is mental tension brought about by worry, anxiety, overexcitement or even overwork. Other causes could be anger, bitterness, feeling of resentment, constipation, overeating at night, smoking; excessive tea or coffee, dyspepsia or even going to bed hungry all can cause sleeplessness. Also environmental factors such as noise, light and stale air can cause insomnia.

It is very easy to pop up a pill and put yourself to sleep. But even before getting addicted to the pills, I would recommend you to try the natural treatment which would be the safest and easiest way of putting yourself to sleep:
Drinking a cup of warm milk, sweetened with honey every night before going to bed is said to be very valuable in getting sleep. Another good remedy is, rubbing your feet with an aromatic body lotion or dipping your feet in a hot tub before bed time. Try and drink a cup of lemon tea or chamomile tea. I have also heard of curd being useful in insomnia. You can eat plenty of curd and even massage it on the head, as this will induce sleep. Try to include raw onion salads into your daily diet; this brings sleep without any side effect. Regular active exercise during the day and mild exercise before bed time enhances the quantity and quality of sleep. It is best that the person take a low salt diet as salt is said to interfere with a restful sleep. It is also a good habit to read, as it will help you sleep at the same time you get to enjoy a book. I have heard that this one really works- comb your hair and then ask your beloved to simply tingle the hairs of your head. Meditation is said to be a sure shot for bringing normal and deep sleep.

So, here’s wishing you all a good night’s sleep.