Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis

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'Conjunctivitis' (or pinkeye) is a term used to signify an inflammation of the conjunctiva (a thin membrane covering the white part of the eye) resulting in red, itchy, watery eyes and is also accompanied by a yellowish, crusty discharge. The common causes are entry of some foreign body into the eye like dust or some polluting factors; or an infection resulting from some bacteria or viruses; or some kind of allergy.  It can spread by hand-to-hand contact and so it can be contagious. Also remove the contact lenses once you feel that you have an irritation in the eye since it could aggravate the condition. Wear glasses instead of the lens. Applying a cold compress over the eyes is very soothing and also decreases the irritation in the eyes. In cases where there is some discharge oozing from the eyes make it a point to wash or wipe the eyes with a wet cloth every few hours. The crusty, sticky margins can be cleaned by dipping a cottonball in a solution made by dissolving a quarter teaspoonful of salt in a tablespoonful of warm water and rub it along the eyelash.

HOME REMEDIES

1. Food items rich in Vitamin A (like carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangoes, milk and milk products, papayas, pumpkin, tomatoes, etc.) and Vitamin B2 (almonds, bananas, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, milk, tomatoes, etc.) should be taken in more quantities. Avoid excessive intake of starchy and sugary foods.

2. Drink a glass of lemon juice before breakfast. Also instilling a few drops of limejuice in the eye is useful.

3. Placing a thin slice of raw cucumber  or  raw potato over the eyelids proves to be soothing.

4. A drop  or  two of honey is poured into the inflamed eyes to give immediate relief.

5. Drinking a glass of carrot and spinach (palak) juice in equal quantities daily is useful for the eyes.

6. Apply a cloth-wrapped poultice of warm, cooked apples over the eyelids.

7. A decoction made from coriander seeds (dhania) in water is useful to relieve the burning pain and swelling of conjunctivitis.

8. Applying compresses of moistened, cold tea bags proves to be useful.

9. The juice of Indian gooseberry (amla) mixed with honey is useful when taken twice daily.

10. A decoction of turmeric is cooling to the eyes and so is used as eyewash or as a compress over the eyes.

11. Clear coconut water is a useful eyewash because of its nutritive, non-irritant and soothing effect.

12. For soothing eyewash, stir a quarter teaspoon of baking soda or honey in half a cup of water.

13. An infusion is made from the herb Eyebright and taken in small glassful doses thrice daily.

IRRITATION IN THE EYE

IRRITATION IN THE EYE

source: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Irritation of the eye can result from presence of a foreign particle in the eye or due to straining the eye for long. If you are wearing contact lenses, take them out immediately. Do not itch or rub the eyes vigorously since that will only increase the itching and the irritation and lead to further complications. Press gently on the inner corner of the eye towards the nose and at the same time draw the outer corner downwards; this will make the tears flow and wash the foreign substance towards the inner corner, from where it can be easily removed. If the irritation persists for long or if it is associated with watering from the eyes and redness of the eyes, it is better to get it checked by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. 

HOME REMEDIES 
1. First of all wash the eye with cold water and then apply a cold compress over the eyes, made by wetting a small gauze-piece with cold water. This compress should be used as frequently as possible and for as long as possible.

2. Splash cool water in the eye till the time the irritation decreases and if it doesn't go, then a few drops of rosewater can be instilled in both the eyes.

3. One drop of ghee or honey in each eye is a good cleanser.

4. In cases of burning in the eye, first rinse it with cool water as described above and then rinse the eye with tea after allowing it to cool upto room temperature. The eyes should then be covered with cold, wet tea bags. The tannic acid in the tea bags will soothe and cool down the itch and the irritation. Wrap the teabags with paper towels to avoid any staining of the eyelid.

5. The eyes can also be covered with slices of raw potato (which help draw the toxins out of the eyes) until the pain reduces.

INSECT STING OR BITES

INSECT STING OR BITES

Insect bites rarely require medical intervention, except in cases where the bite can be poisonous or where the person reacts immediately to the insect bite and goes into an anaphylactic shock. Usually only minor complaints like swelling, itching, redness, mild pain and slight nausea may occur.

First of all wash the insect bite thoroughly with soap and cool water and try not to scratch the part as this can cause them to become infected. In cases where the swelling and itching is intense a local application of ice every few minutes helps to decrease the inflammation. It is necessary to see a doctor immediately in cases where the bite becomes infected with some pus oozing out or when the patient suddenly develops symptoms like breathing trouble, rash all over the body or if you feel faint.

HOME REMEDIES 

1. Holy basil leaf (tulsi) juice diluted in water is given to drink to the person and also apply the fresh tulsi juice on the spot of the sting or bite.

2. To relieve the itching, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water, soak a piece of cloth in the solution and bathe the bites.

3. Apply garlic juice externally over the affected part.

4. In cases of a huge swelling of the part due to the insect sting or bite apply a warm paste made by mixing dry ginger and curd.

5. Place a piece of raw apple on the bite.

6. Fresh leaves of Plantain tree when rubbed on the insect stings and bites afford instant relief.

7. Rubbing fenugreek (methi) powder or a piece of raw onion or onion juice or a lime slice over the bite or sting is supposed to remove the harmful effect of the poison.

8. Taking an oatmeal bath in lukewarm water helps to relieve the itching and the swelling.

9. In cases of bee sting, first remove the honeybee stinger and put an ice cube on the sting site. Salt water is applied over the stings. Apply a paste made from baking soda and water over the site. In cases of stings in the mouth  or  the throat, let the patient swallow some salt water or rinse and gargle with it and then suck on some ice.

10.In case of wasp stings that are alkaline, apply vinegar or lemon juice over the bite to neutralize it. Also application of salt water over the bite helps.

11. In cases of mosquito bites that are very painful, apply lemon juice.

12. In case of rat bites, holy basil leaf (tulsi) juice or the juice of Margosa leaves (Neem) is an effective remedy  or apply a mixture  of juice of radish and coconut.

13. In cases of a spider bite, chew a tablespoonful of tiny coconut pieces. The digestive juices that are secreted by the system tend to assimilate any poison that gets into the system.

14. In cases of a scorpion sting, the application of fresh milky juice from an unripe papaya fruit brings instant relief or a thick paste of tamarind (imli) seeds is applied over the sting or apply onion juice to soothe the irritation  or  apply paste made from powdered cumin seeds (jeera), ghee, salt and honey for quick relief.

15. In cases of a snake bite that is not poisonous, rub some salt into the wound. In cases where the bite is poisonous, tie a ribbon, rope or some cloth tightly around the limb, two inches above the bite, to prevent the blood with the poison from going to the heart, and leave it as long as the patient can bear it. Along with a sterilized knife or blade make a cut at the site of bite to let the poison flow out along with the blood. Apply hot iron or coals as close to the wound as the patient can bear. Smear oil, ghee, soap or saliva around the wound for three  or  four inches, and when absorbed, renew it. Whatever is oozing from the wound should be wiped away carefully. Then rub some salt or cigar ashes  or wood ashes onto the wound. Internally some salt water and garlic should be given to the patient. If the patient doesn't get better, give half a teaspoonful of wine  or brandy every two to three minutes, until the symptoms improve.

16. Copper sulphate, which is commonly available in the market, is applied over an insect sting to remove the poisonous effect.

Tips for Gaining Weight- the HEALTHY Way

Tips for Gaining Weight- the HEALTHY Way

Gaining weight should be “simple.”  Eat more calories than you expend and you’re sure to gain weight, right?  Gaining weight in a healthy way, though, can be a bit more challenging.  Here are 11 steps to help you assure that you are doing what’s best for you and your body as you pursue your weight gain goals.

1.  Set attainable goals.  Face it, very few people are destined to appear on the cover of a fitness magazine.  Our body shape and size is determined primarily by genetics and secondly by our lifestyle.  Healthy weight gain is a slow process that requires patience and realistic goal-setting.

2.  Eat breakfast.  Every day.  A well balanced breakfast is an excellent way to wake up your metabolism and your appetite.  Make sure you have a grain, some protein, and a fruit to start your day.  Try a yogurt berry parfait with granola OR a bagel sandwich with eggs & cheese and some juice.  In a hurry?  Grab a fruit smoothie OR cereal with milk and
berries.

3.  Follow basic nutrition recommendations.  Contrary to popular belief, living on fast food, pizza, and milkshakes is not the best approach to weight gain.  Although these foods can be incorporated into your meal plan, be sure to balance them with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and a variety of protein sources, such as meat, nuts, beans, and dairy.    

4.  Plan to eat 5-6 times/ day, at least.  Prevent excessive fullness by eating reasonable portions spread throughout the entire day.  Plan to have 3-4 meals each day with several snacks in between.  At the end of the day, your “energy in” must be greater than your “energy out” in order to gain weight.

5.  Vary your diet, especially the protein.  Eating the same foods every day can be boring.  Get creative and try something new.  Start with a variety of protein sources: cheese, nuts, beef, fish, yogurt, pork, beans, chicken, yogurt, turkey, cottage cheese, lamb, eggs, etc.

6.  Pack snacks to-go for extra calories.  Trail mix, granola bars, fruit with peanut butter, chips, dried fruit, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, nuts, smoothies, sunflower seeds, and cookies are portable options that can help you keep up with your needs throughout the day.  Cereal with milk, ice cream, and hot chocolate can be great snacks to end your day.

7.  Choose caloric beverages.  You’re going to drink something, so pick fluids with calories.  Juices, milk, and even an occasional soda (non-diet, of course) will do the trick.  Drink plenty of fluids that supply calories like juice, milk, milkshakes, and sports beverages. For example, drinking 1 quart of grape or cranberry juice supplies 1000 calories. 1 quart of 2% milk supplies 720 calories.

8.  Consider high-calorie nutritional supplements.  Energy-dense, high-quality nutrition can be hard to come by, but Ensure Plus, Boost Plus, and Carnation Instant Breakfast provide quick and easy calories with the added bonus of vitamins and minerals.  Consider using these products as your “nutrition medicine” on the days you’re not feeling hungry, but know you still need to eat.

9.  Balance cardio, flexibility, and strength-training exercises.  Exercise, especially cardio work-outs, burns calories that you must replace by eating more.  However, it can help to stimulate your appetite and assure that you build an appropriate amount of muscle.  3-5 days of physical activity each week can assure optimal outcomes.
(Note: Severe malnutrition can require a period of inactivity as the body heals and repairs.  Consultation with a medical provider and/or dietitian can help to establish a safe plan in these situations.)

10. Get regular sleep
The human body needs adequate rest in order to “keep up.”  On average, most people need 8 hours of sleep/ night.  However, some people function well on 6 hours/night while others need 10+ hr/ night to feel fully rested.  Bottom line, listen to your body and get the sleep you need.

11. Set realistic goals
Genetic factors can play a large role in physique. You are not going to look like Arnold if your parents look like Pee Wee Herman.

Ten commandments to prevent alcoholism

Ten commandments to prevent alcoholism

Offered by psychiatrist Dr. William B. Terhune. 
These are :
1. Never drink when you ‘ need one’
2. Sip slowly 
3. Space your drinks, taking a second drink 30 minutes after the first and a third an hour after the second 
4. Dilute your alcohol
5. Keep an accurate and truthful record of the amount and number of drinks you take 
6. Never conceal the amount of alcohol you drink ;
7. Do not drink on an empty stomach ;
8. Stop drinking on ‘signal ‘ ( signals are lunch, dinner, fatigue, sex stimulation, boredom, frustration and bedtime);
9. Make it a rule never to take a drink to escape discomfort - either physical or mental  and
10. Never, never take a drink in the morning thinking it will cure a hangover.