Wednesday 22 July 2015

Amoebiasis, Amoebic Dysentery

Known as Traveller's Diarrhoea, Amoebiasis or Amoebic dysentery may be referred to as a painful intestinal infection that results in nausea and diarrhea. Contaminated water or food and poor hygiene are responsible for this disease that affects because of parasites and bacteria. This disease is generally accompanied by abdominal pain, pus, and blood & mucous. It may continue for about at weeks.
 
Types – This disorder may be classified into two major types:
(a) Single-celled microscopic parasites that exist in the large bowl often lead to Amoebic Dysentery or Intestinal Amoebiasis.
(b) Invasive bacteria are responsible for Bacillary Dysentery.
 
Symptoms – Patients suffering from this disorder are usually seen with the following signs:
    • Stomach pain
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Watery diarrhea associated with blood or pus
    • Chills
    • Increased temperature
    • Loss of appetite and weight
    • Bleeding from the rectum
    • Flatulence
    • Cramps and bloating
    • Heavy stomach
    • Fatigue and headache
    • Dehydration
    • Sunken eyes
    • Dry Mouth
    • Poor skin tone
    • Excessive thirst
    • Restlessness
    • Irritability
    • Cough
    • Jaundice

Monday 13 July 2015

Armpit Sweating and Odor

Intermittent mild body odor is usual but the severe body smell is a matter of great concern for the sufferers. Others just ignore such persons whose bodies spread excessive and unpleasant smell. Such foul odor and armpit sweating emanated from the human physique not only keeps other people at distance but is harmful for our health too. The problem occurs due to the sweat glands that are overactive. It is there because of mixture of the sweat with bacteria that usually grows in warm and moist environments. Poor hygiene, gastrointestinal problems, nutrient deficiencies, liver diseases, genetic metabolic disorders or diabetes are also responsible for Armpit Sweating and Odor. Persons suffering from these disorders are seen with pungent smell, loss of weight, cold hands, excessive sweating and night sweats.
The primary symptom of body odor is an unusual, pungent smell arising from the body. Other symptoms include excessive sweating, weight loss, night sweats and cold hands. People usually take over-the-counter medicines for getting rid of these problems.
Following home remedies are also much advantageous in dealing with these problems in effective manners:
  1. Apple Cider Vinegar – It acts like a strong bacteria-fighting agent by balancing the pH level of the skin. Taking it by mixing in warm water and adding some honey works wonders. It may be applied on the underarms to say NO to odor.
  2. Baking Soda – It helps to absorb the sweat and get rid of body odor. It acts like a natural deodorant and kills the bacteria. It may be applied onto the armpits and other body parts by mixing lemon juice or cornstarch.
  3. Homemade Natural Deodorant - Add sage, coriander and lavender essential oils to distilled witch hazel. Mix it well and store in spray bottle for use.
  4. Homemade Herbal Deodorant Powder – Mix the powders of sandalwood, white oak and lovage root. Grind and toast them in a pan. Keep the grinded powder in a muslin bag or fabric pouch for use on the armpit and body.
  5. Lemon Juice – Skin’s pH level can be reduced with this juice that is enriched with acids which kill bacteria.
  6. Rosemary – Growth of odor-producing bacteria can be checked with rosemary that contains chlorophyll and menthol enriched with natural deodorant features. One can get rid of armpit sweating and body odor by bathing in warm water by mixing rosemary leaves. Applying rosemary essential oil also gives wonderful results.
Sage – Sweat gland activities can be reduced with sage that acts like a strong antibacterial agent. Rinsing the armpits with dried sage by mixing it into hot water frees the sufferers from body odor and armpit sweating. Sage tea also works wonders.

Friday 12 June 2015

Acid Reflux

Following tips also work wonders to stay away from Acid Reflux –


  1. Avoid alcohol and tobacco – Many persons that are in the habit of taking alcohol and smoking often suffer from acidity. As such, one should stay away from these two habits that aggravate the problem.
  2. Gum – Chewing the gum is good to produce saliva that helps to get rid of acid reflux. It is helpful for easy swallowing too.
  3. Healthy food – Foods rich in vitamin and fiber help to stay away from acidity. Vegetables and fresh fruits must be included in your daily diets. Oily, spicy and sour food must be avoided. Do take yoghurt that helps to say NO to acid reflux. Healthy foods support easy bowel movements. Add some almonds too in your food as they reduce the effects of acidity.
  4. Right liquids – Taking slippery elm and other liquids help to thicken the mucosal layer of the stomach that are useful to get rid of gastric acid. Plenty of soups and juices are also good.
  5. Smaller Meals – It is recommended that meals are taken in smaller quantities. Larger meals often result in acidity as they weaken the digestive system. However smaller foods help to stay away from this disorder.
  6. Sufficient water – Taking enough water after frequent intervals helps to remove the toxic substances and extra food or acid from the stomach. Our body should remain hydrated at all times to get relief from acid reflux. One must have at least six to eight glasses of water in a day.
  7. Proper sleeping – Acid reflux can be controlled with right pattern of sleeping. Those who sleep on the side, particularly on the left are saved from acid reflux while the ones sleeping on the stomach may be more prone to this problem. Acidity can be reduced by elevating the head side of the bed.
  8. Gap between sleep and foods – One must have a gap of about three hours between the food and sleeping.
Everyone should have simple exercises but avoid coffee, pizza and junk foods. Deep breathing and use of heating pads also help to say NO to the problem.

Thursday 23 April 2015

Major causes and symptoms for kapha dosha in the body

There are multiple factors that are mainly responsible for causing excess of kapha dosha in the body. Some of the chief causes responsible for aggravation of kapha dosha in the body are as given below.
  • Intake of milk and milk products such as cheese in excess
  • Excessive intake of fats and fatty foods
  • Just gulping down the foods without chewing the same
  • Consumption of unseasonal fruits
  • Inactivity or lack of physical activity
  • Use of technological and mechanical gadgets such as computers for performance of most tasks   
  • Consumption of snacks at night
  • Seasonal allergies such as those relevant to spring season
Major signs and symptoms of Kapha dosha

There are multiple signs and symptoms that may appear in the different body parts due to excess of kapha dosha in the body. Some of these signs and symptoms may include-
  • State of stress, tension and depression
  • Heaviness or general body weakness
  • Constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion
  • Feeling of lethargy and sleepiness
  • Problems related to the digestive system such as feeling of fullness in the stomach
  • Lack of appetite or poor appetite
  • Excessive salivation
  • Feeling of nausea
  • Slow metabolism
  • Recurring attacks of colds, sinuses and runny nose
  • Congestion in the chest or throat
  • Swelling in the lymph glands
  • Congestion in the lymphatic system
  • Sudden weight gain or over-weightiness
  • Itching

Monday 30 March 2015

Foods To Support Your liver

Liver is an important organ of the body that performs multiple functions for it. It helps in digestion by secretion of certain juices required for proper digestion. At the same time, liver is also responsible for excretion or removal of waste materials from the blood so as to purify it completely. It helps in production of plasma proteins, management of the blood clotting, storage of iron, and in controlling the level of amino acids in the blood. Even liver has an important role to play in improving overall body immunity due to release of certain factors in the body.
Liver also aids in production of cholesterol and detoxification of the body. Due to malfunctioning of the liver, numerous health issues crop up in the body. Almost all problems relevant to the liver arise due to intake of wrong foods and wrong lifestyle of the people. Therefore it is quite important to pay attention to our diet so as to promote good health of the liver.


It can be done by consumption of certain foods as given below.

  • Water is perhaps such an important component of human diet that helps in correcting all the problems related to human body. It helps in removal of wastes, toxins and chemicals from the body in a natural way. Therefore you must drink plenty of water so as to promote normal and good health of the liver.
  • Intake of dark green leafy vegetables is equally important for good health and normal functions of the liver. You must consume cabbage, sprouts, kale, Brussels etc. All these are known to detoxify the liver completely so as to remove all wastes, toxins and chemicals from it.
  • Garlic is known for its medicinal properties that help in supporting normal functions of the liver as well. That is why garlic is used at large scale by people across the globe. To promote normal functions and good health of the liver, you must essentially consume garlic.
  • Fruits such as berries and apples are also known to have a positive effect on the health of the liver. You may take raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries etc. so as to ensure normal liver functions.
  • Seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds are also known to have a health-beneficial effect on the liver. All these help in regulation of hormones, lowering of bad fat levels in the blood and supply apt amount of fibre to the body. This in turn results in good health of the liver naturally.
  • Turmeric which is rich in curcumin compounds also aids in liver detoxification and its normal functions.
  • People who wish to ensure normal functions and good health of the liver are advised to take sea vegetables as these also help in removal of toxins from the body. It is because sea vegetables help in prevention of assimilation of heavy metals including cadmium in the body. This action helps in saving liver against any damage.
  • Working efficiency of liver can also be increased by consumption of coconut oil. It also comes under the category of healthy saturated fats and is quite easy to digest.

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Reasons for menopausal weight gain in women

Menopause is also an important phase in the life of women. During this stage, women undergo change in their sexual and reproductive system. It is the time when reproductive capacity of women becomes nil and is accompanied by permanent stoppage of menstrual cycles. Since menstrual cycles come to an end at this phase therefore it is termed as menopause in medical science. During this phase, women experience numbers of changes in their bodies. And weight gain is also one among them. Most women gain weight when they pass through menopause. It is due to multiple reasons and the hormonal as well as physical changes taking place in the women’s bodies.


Some of the major causes or reasons for menopausal weight gain are-


Hormonal changes- During menopause, the level of hormone named estrogen is reduced to considerable extent. This in turn results in reduction in the rate of metabolism. As a consequent of this, the rate at which stored energy in the form of fats and calories is converted into working energy is also reduced. It gives rise to storage of more fats and calories in the body and hence ultimately leads to weight gain. It is worth noting that it is the chief reason for weight gain during menopause in almost all women.

Inactivity or lack of physical exercises- Due to so many changes taking place in the body at the time of menopause, most women suffer from lethargy, laziness, constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion. At the same time, advancing age also reduces their stamina to perform physical exercises. This in turn results in inactivity. Ultimately, women tend to gain weight.

Loss/Reduction in muscle mass- With advancement in age and due to effect of menopausal changes taking place in the body, there is loss of muscle mass in women. It results in reduction in the resting metabolism rate which is the gateway for weight gain.

Decreased level of energy consumption- With the onset of menopause, the rate at which women can use up their energy during exercises or other general physical activities is reduced to considerable extent. As a result, there is considerable increase in weight at this stage.

All these factors or reasons combined result in menopausal weight gain. But there is no need to worry as you can keep a check over your weight and reduce it by paying attention to some points regarding your diet and lifestyle. Have a look.

  • You must increase intake of non-starch vegetables during advancing years of age. At the same time, give up or reduce starchy foods, dairy products and grains as all these result in weight gain.

  • Women should increase intake of such foods that have high protein content such as fish and chicken. It helps in making up for loss of muscle mass.

  • You must preferably take some vinegar or green salad before meals as it helps in easy digestion of all the foods and at the same time prevents gas formation or bloating.

  • Go for easy walk everyday at least for one hour. It helps in keeping your weight under control in a natural way. Normal working of hormonal is also ensured in the body with the help of light walking.