Guide to Herbal Remedies

Skin diseases and their cure

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:57 +0000

The perfect skin goes far to make a woman look beautiful. The hygiene of the skin reflects the general hygiene of the body. But even when there are skin diseases like black heads, blotches, pimples, a sallow, mothy or greasy skin, there is a cure.
Health comes first as a good skin requisite, health born of exercise, wholesome food, plenty of soap and water. Take care of the skin locally. Avoid the direct rays of the sun; avoid exposure to wind, and dirt, lest your skin turn coarse and rough. Water does not injure the skin, nor dry out its natural oils. Use soft water for cleaning face and hands. If the water you have available is hard, soften with salt, borax or baking soda, add bran or a quarter cup of almond meal to make water more soothing to a tender skin.
If chapping, warm a bath, tepid water, a soft soap, plus olive oil massage or toilet powder will remedy it. Cold water in the morning (it stimulates) and warm water at night is a good washing rule. Never use a cheap, but always a good soap, Castile preferably. Green soap (potash soap) is meant for oily scalps and only irritates dry skins. Though medicated soaps are useful for some skin diseases, they should be used only on a doctor’s orders.
Thorough, careful drying lends color to the cheeks and increases circulation, and cream and powder are good skin protectors if rightly used and removed. If the skin has been exposed to sun or wind; rub cold cream well into it. Then remove with a damp cloth, and follow by washing in cold water. Vanishing cream, greaseless, is a good face powder foundation, and a skin protector. Always remove cream from the face before going to bed, and in general use it only every alternate day. No complexion stands cream day in, no day out, or does cream take the place of soap and water. Cream, if not removed, clogs the skin pores. Clogged pores mean black heads, and black heads cause other skin affections. Clogged pores, too, are responsible for yellow, sallow complexions.
Oily skin, often accompanied by enlarged pores, black heads and pimples, should be treated before worse ensues. Use a soap made of a cup of oatmeal or boiled oats, a pinch of sulphur, a pinch of powdered benzoin, and a teaspoonful of Castile soap, shaved fine, mixed, in a small cheesecloth bag. An application in warm water twice a day, should correct the oily tendency.

How to Avoid Kidney and Heart Disease

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:07 +0000

We all want to have good health. What we really have to understand is that we have to work at it until it becomes a habit. This habit involves a regular exercise regime, a proper diet and regular visits to the doctor for basic medical checkups.
It is no secret that all our organs are precious and deserving of our proper attention. The heart is possibly our most precious, but really, we cannot live without a single one! So, it is just common sense to follow a lifestyle that will enhance the longevity of our body period. This is where a balanced approach is vital. We need to look after our entire body, not just one part.

Kidney and Heart Disease
Our kidneys and our heart are closely aligned, especially when it comes to examining diseases that affect one or the other. This is because the kidney acts as a complex filter which ensures purity of fluids that flow through the body. The blood stream, if not filtered properly will affect the heart adversely. If the kidney is not functioning properly, major heart problems may follow. The kidney can be affected in a variety of ways. Let’s look at some of them now:
- Clogged arteries that restrict the flow of blood may, as a follow on effect, cause a kidney and heart disease.
- Blocked renal arteries prevent oxygen distribution. This is called acute tubular necrosis (ATN).
- Metals, harmful chemicals radio waves and some prescription drugs can cause irreparable harm to the kidneys.
- Excessive intake of alcohol causes higher than usual levels of Myoglobin in the urine (myoglobinuria). The kidney will suffer from the long term effects of these excesses.
- Acute damage to the kidney from traumas like accidents or sports like boxing.
- Bacterial infections like such as acute septicemia.
- Blood diseases which impact directly on the kidneys and heart have obvious results in causing kidney and heart disease.
It is obvious that we need to take a careful, healthy approach to avoid the combined threats of kidney and heart disease. Watching diet is a central theme in this.

Prevention is Better Than Cure
Regular check ups are vital, as outlined above. Sometimes it is just so obvious that we either forget or ignore the benefits of this simple principle. Once your doctor highlights a potential problem at an early stage, it is so much easier to do something before it develops into a problem.
If you think along the lines that you are actually in danger, it is easier to accept that regular prevention is the best approach. You don’t want to wait until you are faced with an acute episode of kidney or heart failure to make you wake up to yourself. Think of your family if you don’t care about yourself. Look after yourself for them.

Causes of Female Deaths

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:00:32 +0000

The top killer for women is heart disease, which claims nearly 489,000 deaths each year. Heart disease kills more women every year than all types of cancers combined. Because of the common misconception that heart disease primarily affects only men, only 13% of women are aware that this disease is a major threat to their lives. However, heart disease is still a preventable disease. Women can reduce your risk of getting a heart attack by making the following lifestyle changes:
First, quit or avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Limit or eliminate alcohol intake. Perform regular cardiovascular exercise to stimulate blood circulation and in maintain a healthy body weight. These steps significantly reduce the stress on your arteries and heart. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or high cholesterol, you must consult with your doctor as to the best ways to bring these other risk factors under control.
Cancers, especially breast and lung cancer kills 73,000 women each year. 90% of them who developed lung cancer have been cigarette smokers. According to American Cancer Association, breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women. Breast tumors are diagnosed in almost 211,000 women every year with almost 20% morality rate. To reduce your risk of developing cancer, lead a healthy lifestyle and meet with your doctor regularly to take preventive screenings. Cancer, if detected in its early stages, can save lives.
The third cause of women’s deaths is stroke. Every year in United States, almost 164,000 people die because of a stroke, and 100,000 of these deaths are female. The factors that increase the chances of having strokes are uncontrolled blood pressure and smoking. Strokes do not only cause deaths but also often leave the person permanently disabled. Even though your risk of stroke depends heavily on your family medical history and genetics, stroke is as preventable as heart disease.
The fourth killer are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), including emphysema, asthma and lung cancer. These diseases are responsible for almost 65,000 deaths in women each year. Smoking is the leading cause of these pulmonary diseases. COPD are highly preventable. To reduce you risk for developing this disease, quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Fifth is Alzheimer’s disease, which is affects the brain and starts with simple forgetfulness. As it progresses further, it totally wipes out memories of the sufferer. This disease kills nearly 42,000 women every year. Get regular screenings for this from your doctor.
The next disease that threatens many men and women alike is diabetes. About 18 million people were diagnosed with diabetes last year, and almost 37,000 women died from the complications of this disease. Still, so many people do not know that they have diabetes until it becomes very severe. This late stage is characterized by blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage, as well as an increased risk of having heart attack or stroke. Diabetes, however, is still highly preventable by following a controlled diet, regular exercise, and conducting regular blood sugar tests.
The seventh leading cause of death in women in America is accidents, claiming more lives each year. While this is not a disease to be cured, it is still a preventable cause of death. Women can keep themselves safe by paying more attention when performing dangerous tasks and driving carefully on the road.
Influenza and pneumonia combined are the eighth cause of women’s deaths each year. The risk of contracting these diseases can be limited by maintaining good hygiene and taking flu shots every year.
The tenth top cause of female deaths is colon cancer, which is also the third leading cause of cancer death in women.

Crohn’s Disease and Women

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:00:23 +0000

Crohn’s Disease is especially difficult for women to accept as part of their lives. Perhaps it is because women are supposed to be delicate and graceful, but a disease which results in excessive diarrhea and rectal bleeding is contrary to a woman’s idea of what is acceptable. Often plagued with poor self-esteem anyway, women usually react to Crohn’s Disease with more of an emotional sentiment than men. This disease also affects many other areas of a woman’s life, including menstruation, reproduction, and other potential medical areas.
One such effect, in addition to the regular symptoms, is the irregularity of menstrual cycles common in women with Crohn’s Disease. Because chronic disease throws the entire body off, it sometimes results in unexpected abnormalities. Also, malnutrition caused by Crohn’s is a contributing factor to this, as well as the inflammation in general. Likewise, the effects of Crohn’s Disease will often worsen just prior to or just after menstruation. Pain during intercourse is also a concern for women with Crohn’s Disease. While this will not usually occur, it may be a sign of a fistula in the vaginal area. These are small channels that result from ulcers in the digestive tract and may connect various organs in the lower region of the body. This should be brought to your doctor’s attention as soon as possible, as treatment is necessary. Progression may lead to an abscess or infection with negative side effects.
While you are just as likely to conceive a child if you have Crohn’s Disease as a non-sufferer, you should seriously consider your state of health before deciding to have a child. Increased stress has been shown to cause flare-ups in the disease and complications may arise. Symptoms common of Crohn’s may cause more of a problem during pregnancy, such as malnutrition and dehydration. Excessive cases of dehydration may lead to miscarriage. Another concern is the possibility of requiring surgery to treat an emergency issue of Crohn’s during the pregnancy, which can also cause complications for the baby. Also, many of the medications taken to treat the disease can not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Woman with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are more likely to get osteoporosis due to lack of calcium absorption and steroid treatment use. Likewise, colon cancer is an increased risk with IBD and Crohn’s Disease, but this is not limited to women, but is shared among all sufferers.

Herbal Medicines For Heart Disease

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:00:52 +0000

Heart disease is not really disease of the heart itself, but of the blood vessels supplying it. Conditions such as “hole-in-the-heart” and problems with heart valves (sometimes a consequence of rheumatic fever) can occur, but most problems with heart valves are now the result of their becoming hardened and leaky with age. Heart valve disorders, especially of the main aortic and mitral valves, can cause stress in the heart muscle resulting in heart failure and are best corrected by surgery.
The wide variety of medical names used to cover what most people call “heart disease” cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease (CHD), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) - reveals that the main source of the problem is the arteries that surround and feed the heart (the “coronary arteries”). The real cause of “heart disease” is clogged and hardened arteries, a condition known as arteriosclerosis.

Heart Attack
A heart attack is the most dramatic outcome of heart disease. Known medically as a coronary thrombosis or acute myocardial infarction, it is the result of blockage in the coronary arteries feeding the heart. A heart attack invariably comes on suddenly and is often fatal. Symptoms are a vicelike pain in the chest and pains down the left arm and up the left side of the neck to the jaw, sweating, and breathlessness. A heart attack is a serious medical emergency.

Angina
Angina (angina pectoris in full) is a severe chest pain caused by a lack of blood to the arteries around the heart (coronary ischemia in medical terms) and is a clear symptom of heart disease. More common in middle-aged and older men than women, it usually comes on during or immediately after physical exercise or a period of mental and emotional strain. The main symptom is an aching or crushing pain in the center of the chest, sometimes mistaken for heartburn.

Treatment
Emergency medical treatment is with nitroglycerine but acupuncture can be an effective alternative for some people.

Stroke
A stroke is caused by damage to blood vessels supplying the brain. A clot (thrombosis) in one of the carteries causes part of the brain to die from failure of its blood supply (infarction). Another type of stroke is a cerebral hemorrhage or burst blood vessel. Both cause a similar picture clinically - the affected part of the brain ceases to work. This may lead to weakness in the limbs, blindness, or loss of higher functions such as speech. Many strokes are immediately fatal, but partial or complete recovery is possible, with skillful rehabilitation, for those who survive the first few weeks after the initial stroke.

Treatment
This concentrates on maintaining a healthy blood flow keeping muscles and ligaments strong and flexible
Herbal Medicine Yarrow tea (two teaspoons of dried herb in hot water three times a day).

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:
Traditional Chinese Medicine Lovage tube!r be helpful.
Acupuncture should be used as soon as possible counter the effects of paralysis.
Homeopathy Arnica 6c and the biochemic tissue salt Kali mur. 6x twice daily may be helpful.
Massage, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Hydrotherapy, and Yoga These manipulation and balance therapies can safely be used to maintain muscle tone and flexibility.

Fingernail Problems Among Women

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:00:32 +0000

Fingernail fungus, or Onychomycosis, is more common than you may think, now seen more often in women than men. What was once an unheard-of ailment is now a problem that anyone frequenting a salon for professional manicures (and pedicures) needs to be concerned with? Fingernail fungus is an unsightly and embarrassing infection that is quite common and notoriously hard to get rid of. This can simply be defined as an attack of living fungi onto the nails of the finger. This fungus belongs to the dermatophyte family, which also causes athleteýs foot, jock itch, psoriasis, and ringworm. Fingernail gets affected and then starts paining. Fingernail fungus just loves the place that is moist and warm. Keep the finger dry to keep the fingernail fungus at a bay.
This is usually identifiable by the discoloration and thickness that it leaves in its wake. Discomfort can sometimes come with the infection. Fingernail fungus occurs when fungus enters the skin through a cut or other open wound so you must take precaution using “pubic domain” items when they have an open wound to prevent infection. Nail diseases are in a separate category from diseases of the skin. Although nails are a skin appendage, they have their own signs and symptoms which may relate to other medical conditions. Nails with onycholysis usually are smooth, firm, and without inflammatory reaction. It is not a disease of the nail matrix, but nail discoloration may appear underneath the nail as a result of secondary infection.
This is to be treated as soon as it is detected. This is because when it goes beyond its limit, it becomes difficult to reverse the procedure and then local incision with removal of affected part remains the only treatment. Fingernail fungus is related to Bio3zone.com. Capsicum and Niacin are very important for dilating the pores and carrying the nutrients to the cell level. Fingernail fungus just loves the place that is moist and warm. Keep the finger dry to keep the fingernail fungus at a bay.
Naturally, many turn to medication to treat fingernail fungus. However, treating fingernail fungus is a long process. One of the most common medications is Lamisil. Lamisil is an antifungal agent that is taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Lamisil acts by interfering with the ability of fungi to make chemicals, called sterols that are an important part of the membrane that surrounds fungal cells and holds them together. Lamisil is a tablet used to treat nail fungus. It can also be given in cream or powder form to combat “jock itch” or “athlete’s foot” and sometimes ringworm. Lamisil side effects are probably the biggest concern for people who are taking this drug, or considering taking it, for fungus nail infections. Fungal infections are difficult to treat, and antifungal drugs are infamous for their toxicity. Lamisil side effects are very dangerous and deadly.

Heart Disease Definition

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:00:42 +0000

Heart is a muscle that is about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body and beats approximately 70 times a minute. Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart’s ability to function normally. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Diseases affecting the heart may be structural or functional. Anything that damages the heart, makes it less efficient, reduces its ability to fill and pump, or decreases the heart’s supply of oxygen will disrupt the coordinated relationship between the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Angina affects about 1 in 50 people and, in the UK, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with the condition.
Sometimes it can be mild, and is mistaken for indigestion. Some people have a heart attack without experiencing pain. Cardiomyopathy literally means “heart muscle disease. It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death. Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease. The heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breath. It affects men more than women. A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries blocks completely. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease.

Heart Disease Treatment Tips :
1. Many different medicines are used to treat coronary heart disease, Mostly aspirin and ‘clot-busting’ medication.
2. Blood clots in the coronary arteries are a major cause of heart attacks.
3. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are sometimes used to stop the blood clotting.
4. Beta blockers are often used to prevent angina, and treat high blood pressure.
5. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.
6. Anti-arrhythmic medicine is sometimes used to control the rhythm of the heart. It is Important that the correct dosage is taken.
7. Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, strengthen and slow the heartbeat.
8. Laser surgery is a technique that creates channels in the heart to allow blood to flow more easily.

Heart Conditions - Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:00:30 +0000

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is not a heart disease, but rather an uncomfortable condition that affects the upper chambers of the heart and makes it start and stop beating abruptly. In other words, your heart may be beating at a normal pace then suddenly, without warning, it will pick up the pace with absolutely no activity required to spark it. The rapid heartbeat causes such symptoms as lightheadedness, chest pain, sweating, and shortness of breath. But while the feeling is very uncomfortable, most doctors agree that the ailment is not life-threatening.
To date, doctors have not found an exact cause to the abrupt increase in heart rate with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. However, a few possible causes have been pinpointed, including anxiety, caffeine, an over-active thyroid, and even menstruation in women. But according to the American Heart Association, it could also be caused by “a premature atrial beat that sends an impulse along an abnormal electrical path to the ventricles.”
Though my doctor was able to easily diagnose my problem, it seems the condition is not always easy to diagnose because the “attack” has normally long-ended before reaching a doctor. But if by coincidence the ailment is still happening, the doctor can administer an ECG for diagnosis. But what happens after diagnosis? Personally, I was expecting to have to take medication or wear a pacemaker for the rest of my life (keep in mind I was only 14-years-old), but the doctor simply explained that I could increase my potassium levels by eating bananas and potatoes, decrease my intake of caffeine, and stay healthy overall. If my episodes were to increase then I may need medication. But since my paroxysmal atrial tachycardia has only triggered on average about 1-2 times per year in the past 15 years, I was never placed on medication. And when I do get an attack, I take a cold shower if possible then lie down and elevate my feet; this normally works.
According to the American Heart Association its only in worst-case scenarios that a procedure called a catheter ablation may be necessary to remove the precise area of the heart responsible for triggering the fast heart rate, but this is extremely rare and only for those suffering from regular attacks - most people don’t have this problem.
If you have symptoms that sound similar to paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, like any other heart condition, it is advised that you seek medical attention to make sure that there are no other problems issues triggering the attacks. But rest assured, if you are diagnosed with it, the odds of your life being in danger are very slim; basic exercise and a good diet can hopefully keep your paroxysmal atrial tachycardia under control.

Heart conditions - endocarditis

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:54 +0000

Endocarditis is an infection of the endocardium or the heart valves. The endocardium is the membrane lining the inner surfaces of the heart. Endocarditis can occur in people who have certain pre-existing heart diseases. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible as this infection has the ability to severely harm or even destroy the hearts valves. There is a real need to be cautious with some dental and surgical procedures. This is because the risk of endocarditis is increased due to bacteria being introduced into the bloodstream. Other names Endocarditis is known by are ‘infective endocarditis or ‘bacterial endocarditis.
Acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE) symptoms can occur within a few weeks of the infection setting in. Symptoms of sub acute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) can take weeks or months to develop. Some general symptoms of endocarditis can include fever, chills, lethargy, and the loss of appetite and generalized aching throughout the body. Other symptoms include abnormal heart rhythms such as a murmur or tachycardia (rapid heart rate), increased breathing and a persistent cough.
Usually, an infection somewhere else within the body causes bacteria to circulate in the blood. The bacteria that cause most cases of endocarditis belong to the staphylococcus family, such as Staphylococcus aureus or otherwise known as ‘golden staph’.
The bacteria infect the already damaged and or diseased areas of the heart. Prosthetic devices (such as artificial heart valves) may become susceptible to infection as the immune system does not recognize these devices as part of the body. Thus the body may not protect them as aggressively as the body parts it does recognize and may not protect them as aggressively. The infection causes inflammation and blood clots, and the body’s natural healing process causes scarring. A scarred endocardium or heart valve is susceptible to infections in the future.

Heart Murmur – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:18 +0000

A heart murmur is a whooshing sound between the beats that a doctor hears through a stethoscope. The whoosh is just an extra noise that the blood makes as it flows through the heart. Doctors usually discover murmurs during regular checkups or when kids see the doctor because they’re sick. Normal heart sounds are called S1 and S2. They are the “lubb-dupp” sounds that are thought of as the heartbeat. These sounds are produced when the heart valves close. Because the heart is also divided into a “right side” and a “left side,” sometimes these sounds may be somewhat divided — most commonly noted is a “split S2,” caused when the right and left ventricles relax, and valves close at very slightly different times.
Healthy children with innocent murmurs do not need treatment because they have a normal heart. If your child has an innocent murmur, alert your pediatrician during regular checkups. Pregnant women with innocent murmurs due to increased blood volume also do not need treatment. If you have an innocent murmur due to an illness or condition such as anemia, hyperthyroidism, or fever, the murmur will go away once the illness or condition is treated.

Causes
The most common cause of abnormal heart murmurs is congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease occurs when the heart, heart valves, or blood vessels attached to the heart do not develop normally before a baby is born. Some babies are born with a combination of heart defects.
Most heart murmurs are innocent: They are caused by blood flowing through healthy valves in a healthy heart, and do not require treatment. However, heart murmurs can be caused by blood flowing through a damaged or overworked heart valve. Heart-valve defects may be present at birth or heart-valve disease may result from other illnesses, such as rheumatic fever, heart disease, heart attacks, or infective endocarditis.

Symptoms
Most people with heart murmurs do not have any other signs and symptoms of a heart problem. The murmur is usually innocent (harmless).
Some children have what is known as an innocent murmur. These murmurs are not related to congenital heart defects, and usually resolve by the time a child reaches adulthood. If your child’s physician hears an innocent murmur, he/she may want to perform additional tests to ensure a heart defect is not present. A child with an innocent murmur can live a normal life and be as active as any other healthy child.

Treatment
Treatment for heart murmur depends on the cause. Many children and adults have innocent heart murmurs, which do not indicate disease and require no treatment. Sometimes, mitral valve prolapse requires no treatment, just periodic checkups by your doctor. When other conditions, such as high blood pressure, cause heart murmurs, your doctor will treat the underlying cause. Some types of valve disease may require medication or surgery.
Doctors used to recommend that most people with abnormal heart murmurs take antibiotics before visiting the dentist or having surgery. That’s usually not the case anymore. Guidelines released in 2007 reserve preventive antibiotic treatment only for a small group of people who are at high risk of serious complications. Most people with heart murmurs won’t need antibiotics. If you have questions about whether or not you should take antibiotics, talk to your doctor.