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Sleeplessness Remedies

Apr 28th, 2009
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Dealing with insomnia? If you lack a good sleep at night and that causes you being sleepy during the day, you can try some of home remedies that will maybe bring you a good night’s sleep. Among the most popular natural insomnia remedies are Aromatherapy, Valerian, Melatonin, and Kava , to name only a few. Many people use different Relaxation techniques, Traditional Chinese Medicines, Ayurvedic medicines, Yoga and Acupuncture to help them sleep at night. Here are some basic dos and don’ts to help you beat sleeplessness.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils like Sandalwood or Lavender will help you relax. calm your senses and ease your mind. You can choose between incense sticks or essential oils, but latter will probably do best. Just make sure that you buy natural and not synthetic essential oils.

Food and drinks that will help you sleep

A glass of hot milk is a most common sleeplessness remedy, but one should also know about the food and drinks to avoid in order to beat insomnia. If you’re having troubles with sleeping, try to avoid coffee and real tea (black and green tea, herbal will do just fine because it doesn’t contain any caffeine), nicotine, cola drinks, food additives, junk food and appetite suppressants. Make sure that you eat a carbohydrate-high meal at least two hours before going to bed. Bread and honey or a bowl of cereals seem to do wonders in falling asleep department, especially if you take them just before bedtime. You might also want to try chamomile tea, lemon and honey or warm red grape juice.

Recreation

Exercise regularly. Also have a warm bath, do some yoga or go for a light walk before turning in.

Establishing a routine

Go to bed when you are feeling really tired and sleepy. If you can’t sleep, get up and go back to bed only when you’re really tired and sleepy again. Try to establish a routine that gives you about 7-8 hours sleep (the amount of needed time varies) and get up at the same time each day.

What to avoid in order to cure insomnia

Avoid taking stimulants to keep you awake during the day, or sedatives or alcohol to help you sleep during the night. Also try to avoid sleeping during the day. Try to relax before going to bed and don’t go to bed when you’re stressed. Avoid arguments at bedtime or in bed. Also using your bed for working, watching TV, eating and similar will not help you sleep at night.


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Yellow fever Symptoms, Treatment and Vaccine prevention

Apr 23rd, 2009
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What is Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a viral disease, caused by the yellow fever virus. South America has two genetic types or topotypes of this disease, but only one has been active since 1974. Also in Africa there are two types of this disease. Even though we have had an effective vaccine for over 60 years, the Yellow fever poses a serious health issue. In the United States, the last extensive outbreak of Yellow fever occurred in 1878. It spreaded across eight states and  particularly affected Alabama, Missisipi and Louisiana. According to some sources, about 16,000 people died from Yellow fever in 1878 alone.

Yellow fever is always present in some of the tropical areas of Africa and America and can amplify into epidemics. In the last century, there were Yellow fever outbreaks in Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean and eve though it is not posing a threat now, it should be considered a risk.

Symptoms of Yellow fever

The incubation period lasts from 3 to 6 days. The first signs of Yellow fever are fever (usually associated with low pulse), muscle pains, backache, headache, shivers, a loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. While in some people these symptoms disappear and their condition improves, about 15% experience the so called toxic phase within 24 hours. In this phase, patients develop jaundice and vomit. There can be bleeding from the nose, mouth, eyes and stomach and blood appears in the vomit and faeces. This is followed by a kidney failure and half of the patients that reach this phase die within 10 to 14 days.

While Yellow fever is especially difficult to recognize especially in the first phase, when the first symptoms occur, it can easily be mistaken for malaria, typhoid, haemorrhagic viral fevers, viral hepatitis, poisoning, etc.

How Yellow fever is transmitted

The Yellow fever virus is transmitted by biting mosquitoes. In Jungle Yellow fever, the first to be infected by wild mosquitoes are monkeys. If people entering the jungle are bitten by wild mosquitoes, that can result in sporadic cases of Yellow fever. The other type is Intermediate Yellow fever, the most common type of outbreaks in Africa. If the infections are carried from separate villages into an environment with domestic mosquitoes and people that have not been vaccinated, it can result in an urban type of epidemic. The third possible cycle of Yellow fever is Urban Yellow fever that occurs as large epidemics, where migrants introduce the virus in areas with high population density. These kind of outbreaks tend to spread to wider areas. Vaccination is highly recommended for travelers, visiting Africa, Asia and South America.

How to treat Yellow fever – Vaccine and prevention

Because there is no specific treatment for  Yellow fever, Vaccination is very important in preventing Yellow fever. To prevent viruses from being transmitted, mosquito control measures are also very important.

If one is infected with Yellow fever, the dehydration and fever should be rectified with paracetamol (fever) and with oral rehydration salts (minerals). Bacterial infections require proper antibiotics and intensive care of the patient can significantly improve the outcome.

Source: WHO (World Health Organization)

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Sepsis

Apr 4th, 2009
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What is sepsis

Sepsis infection is a very serious illness, a condition in which your body is facing a very strong infection. Sepsis has distinguishable symptoms and is most often described as a syndrome, caused by the presence of microorganisms and/or their toxins in the bloodstream or tissues. While bacteria are the most common cause of sepsis, it can also be caused by fungi, parasites or viruses. Any sepsis would be a step from ordinary infection, so urinary sepsis would be worse than an UTI (urinary tract infection) Sepsis often accompanies meningitis and osteomyelitis (infection of the bones) in children.

Sepsis shock

Sepsis can be confirmed by blood tests that show a positive blood culture, cases when people have been taking antibiotics being an exception. Sepsis shock is caused by the drop of blood pressure which is followed by major body organs and systems to stop functioning as they should.

Symptoms of sepsis

Signs of sepsis are general inflammation, fever, leukocystosis (elevated number of white blood cells), tachycardia (raised heart rate) and tachypnea (raised breathing rate), chills similar to flu chills.

Neonatal sepsis

Newborns, especially premature infants affected by neonatal sepsis. Early onset sepsis syndrome in babies is associated with the acquisition of microorganisms that the infant received from the mother. Neonatal sepsis can be a result of transplacental infection or an infection ascending from mother’s cervix. Infants with a very low birth weight (below 1000 g) are more susceptible to incidence of sepsis and the risk of death is higher in infants with low birth rate than in full-term neonates.

Pneumonia is more common for early onset sepsis, while meningitis and bacteremia are more common in late onset sepsis.

Sepsis treatment

Please bear in mind that home remedies will not suffice to cure sepsis. In cases of severe sepsis, aggressive treatment is needed and it should be done in a hospital intensive care unit. Sepsis is treated with antibiotics and fluids to keep the blood pressure at a normal level. Usually insulin is used to maintain a stable blood sugar levels. Likely, the patient will be placed on oxygen. Also, the septic fluids may be drained out of the body and replaced.

Many scientific researches are being conducted in he field of raising the body’s own immune system to fight microbes.
Strengthening the immune system and Sepsis prevention

Most cases of sepsis can not be prevented, but you can do your best to avoid infections and to strengthen your immune system.

- Wash your hands before preparing food, eating, after using the toilet, public transport, etc.
- Whenever you face a serious infection, seek medical care.
- Exercise, and get enough sleep.
- Eat and live healthy and follow the Immunity Boosting Diet.

Here is more information on how to strengthen and boost your immune system to fight and prevent diseases.

Surviving sepsis guidelines

Severe sepsis and septic shock affect millions of people around the world each year. In 2004, the first  internationally accepted guidelines were published to improve the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. In 2008, these guidelines were updated. The key guidelines are:

  • early goal-directed resuscitation of the septic patient during the first 6 hours after recognition,
  • blood cultures prior to antibiotic therapy,
  • promptly performed imaging studies,
  • administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy within 1 hour of diagnosis,
  • a reassessment of antibiotic therapy with microbiology and clinical data to narrow coverage when appropriate,
  • a usual 7 to 10 day monitored antibiotic therapy,
  • source control,
  • administration of either crystalloid or colloid resuscitation,
  • fluid challenge to restore mean circulating filling pressure,
  • reduction in rate of fluid administration with rising filing pressures and no improvement in tissue perfussion.

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Salmonella infection: Symptoms and cures

Mar 31st, 2009
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These days, USA has been struck by the news that about one million pounds of pistachio products have been recalled due to the concerns about contamination with salmonella. The pistachio recall began on the 27th March when some pistachio samples tested positive for salmonella, but the contaminated pistachios are said not to be related to a recent outbreak of salmonella connected with peanuts. Bulk Deluxe Mixed Nuts and Dry Roasted Shelled Pistachios have been recalled and consumers are being warned to avoid pistachios and pistachio-containing products. The pistachio nuts are widely used as a food ingredient in everything from beef dishes to ice cream. FDA reports that Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, the nation’s second largest producer of pistachios, may be contaminated with salmonella. The pistachios from Setton Pistachio seem to be the source of the contamination. Some sources say that the salmonella outbreak could be connected with white pepper. Washoe County and Carson City public health officials announced that local consumers should avoid consuming white pepper, processed, packaged or distributed by the Union International Food Company in Union City, California until further notice. Ground white pepper has been associated with the spread of salmonella. Salmonella can be very dangerous and the ongoing pistachio salmonella recalls remind us of the salmonella outbreak, caused by tainted peanuts. That salmonella outbreak was been linked with at least 690 illnesses and 9 deaths.

Salmonella symptoms – How do you know if you have been infected by salmonella?

Tender abdomen and tiny pink spots on the skin, called rose spots, could be the first signs of salmonella. People with strong, healthy immune system may not show any of the salmonella symptoms, but may remain contagious up to a year. In people with weaker immune system, salmonella causes high fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Anyone with these symptoms should consult with their healthcare provider. Usually nausea and vomiting are followed by muscle pains, fever and chills. The symptoms can last up to two weeks. Children, people of delicate health, elderly people and people with a very weakened immune system can experience serious infections, caused by salmonella. A very weakened immune system, attacked by salmonella could face serious complications such as meningitis (infection of the tissues, surrounding the brain and the spinal cord) and sepsis (infection of the bloodstream).

If salmonella enters the bloodstream, it can produce severe illness such as aneurism, endocarditis, arthritis, etc. Most common salmonella-related illnesses are Gastroenteritis (caused by the S. enteritidis bacteria, that can be present in raw or not-cooked-enough meat, in poultry, eggs and any egg products), Enteric fever (Typhoid fever, caused by the S. typhi bacteria, commonly present in water, contaminated with salmonella. If you are experiencing constipation, bradycardia, cough, sore throat, hepatosplenomegaly, headache or mental confusion, you could be experiencing symptoms of Typhoid fever).

How to cure salmonella

If you think you might be infected with salmonella, consult your doctor immediately. Being admitted to hospital is also possible. The doctor will perform a physical exam and maybe perform a stool culture test.
Salmonellosis is treated by fluid replacement, dietary modifications, antibiotics and sometimes with antidiarrheals. It is very important to replace the loss of fluids and electrolytes, caused by diarrhea caused and electrolyte solutions can be obtained without prescription. Because antidiarrheal medications may prolong the infection, they are generally not prescribed. In case of the salmonella symptoms being severe, you will probably get an antibiotic. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Changes should be made in your diet: Avoid all milk products and eat the so called BRAT foods: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast, that will make your stools firmer.

Salmonella in babies and children

In case of salmonella infection in infants, the baby should be breastfed and should receive electrolyte replacements, of course all under the doctor’s supervision.

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Acid reflux diet

Mar 16th, 2009
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Acid reflux and heartburn

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), is a serious condition of the digestive system and a result of the digestive acids travelling up from the stomach to esophagus. Symptoms of a heartburn attack are unmistakeable: a burning feeling in the chest and throat, a tight throat, belching and difficult swallowing are a sure sign of acid reflux.

Acid reflux (GERD) symptoms

  • Heartburn: A burning sensation, radiating from the stomach to the chest and throat. Heartburn most usually occurs after a large meal, when lying on the back, when bending over, when lifting something. Heartburn very often occurs at night. Heartburn may indicate an injury of the esophagus, but not neccesarily.
  • Dyspepsia: A feeling of discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen, fullness of the stomach, feeling of nausea after a meal.
  • Regurgitation: A feeling of acid in the throat or even in the mouth (also called a wet burp).
  • Pain in the chest: A feeling like the food is trapped behind the breastbone.
  • Acid laryngitis: Includes dry cough, a feeling of lump in the throat, and hoarseness.
  • Difficult swallowing: Also known as dysphagia.
  • Chronic sore throat.
  • Hiccups.
  • Coughing or wheezing, similar to asthmatic symptoms.
  • Chronic nausea and vomiting.

Acid reflux diet: Foods to avoid to prevent and/or treat heartburn

If you are experiencing acid reflux symptoms, you should consult your doctor to determine the extent of the problem and maybe get medicine for heartburn. Most likely your doctor will advise you to avoid some foods and follow a proper diet.

Heartburn is most likely to occur after a heavy meal, especially if it consists of foods and/or beverages that are likely to trigger acid reflux. Chronic heartburn sufferers should limit or completely avoid foods and beverages that are high in acids (like tomatoes and tomatoes products, citruses, citrus fruit and citrus drinks), fatty foods, fried foods, and spicy foods (chili, garlic, onions, peppers). When following a heartburn diet, you should also avoid coffee, any caffeinated drinks and soft drinks, alchocol, chocolate, and peppermint. Among the foods and beverages that are not critical, but can cause acidity and heartburn symptoms are eggs, potatoes, broccoli, bananas, apples and apple juices, carrots, cabbage, peas, meat, feta or goat cheese, soy cheese, crackers and pretzels, rice, licorice, potato chips, mineral water, fizz, etc. But its not only what you eat that matters, it’s important to have moderation. If you consume a to heavy meal, you burden your stomach to much, and the food that your stomach can not process, ends up returning back to your esophagus, but this time with stomach acids, which is the cause of all heartburn symptoms. It is best to observe your diet and determine how each food or drink make you feel. Whenever you feel the burning feeling of acid reflux, remember what you have just eaten and try to eliminate it from your diet. There are several Acid reflux recipes to be found online that will help you prepare food which will aid you in good digestion.

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Home remedies for Urinary Tract Infection: Symptoms and Treatment of UTI

Mar 15th, 2009
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What is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria and can include infection of the kidneys, ureter (urethra), and bladder. UTI can be very painful, but if it is not treated in the early stage, it can also cause much serious problems and complications. If UTI is not contained properly, it could spread to kidneys, which would pose a very serious health issue. Cystitis is an infection of the urinary bladder and it is a very common health problem of women, which are more susceptible to UTI then men.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

UTI is mostly recognized by these symptoms:

  • Pressure in the lower pelvis.
  • Frequent or constant urge to urinate.
  • Need to urinate during the night (nocturia).
  • Painful urination (dysuria), traces of blood in urine (hematuria).
  • Changed color of the urine, may be cloudy.
  • Strong or foul smell of urine.
  • Burning sensation.
  • Fever, nausea, backache, vomiting may indicate kidney infection.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

UTI is caused by:

  • Bacteria that enter urethra.
  • Holding back the urge to urinate.
  • Sexual intercourse, particularly in time of menstruation or in combination with anal intercourse.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy No. 1: Treating UTI with Baking soda

We could probably find Baking soda in every kitchen and it is a simple but most effective home remedy that treats UTI, common infections and fungal infections of the Uretra. In time of first signs of UTI (urinary tract infection), take 1/2 tsp baking soda in eight ounce glass of water. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) regulate the acid-base balance of the acidic urine.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy No. 2: Treating UTI with Echinacea

To help your body fight the infection, take up to six capsules of Echinacea and Oregon grape root or goldenseal.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy No. 3: Treating UTI by Drinking lots of fluids

In order to help your body flush the bacteria, you should consume a lot of water, which will cleanse your body, and special teas such as Uva Ursi, Chamomile, Juniper Berries, Horsetail, and Goldenseal.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy No. 4: Treating UTI with Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and acts as a natural antibiotic in the the urinary system. Blueberry juice has similar effect as Cranberry juice.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy No. 5: Treating UTI with essential oils

Massage the lower part of your abdomen with chamomile, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus, clary sage, tea tree and rose oil. It will soothe your pain and help fight the infection. A warm compress will soothe back pain.

Which food should be consumed during UTI: Urinary Tract Infection Diet

  • Increase the intake of vitamin C.
  • Make sure you consume healthy minerals, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.
  • Do not forget about Cranberry juice and drink plenty of fluids.

Foods to avoid during Urinary Tract Infection

When facing UTI, you should avoid foods that act as irritants, for example cheese, chocolate, dairy products, caffeine, spicy food, alcohol, cigarettes, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners like aspartam and sorbitol.

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