A sudden transient impairment of consciousness, not amounting to actual loss of consciousness, where there is an inability to maintain postural tone, is dizziness or feeling faint.
Causes and Symptoms of Dizziness
This is caused by impaired blood supply to the brain, resulting in an inability to maintain one’s posture. Falling down involuntarily, or consciously lying down when one feels faint ensures that cerebral blood flow is resumed. Impaired blood supply may be caused by simple causes such as standing in the sun too long, a sudden emotional shock, the sight of blood or even a hypodermic needle, trauma, minor surgery, missing meals, dieting or starvation. Sometimes getting up suddenly from a recumbent state may precipitate a fainting episode. This is called postural or orthostatic hypotension.
Other causes include prescription drugs such as anti-hypertensives, nitrates, vasodilators or diuretics. Usually when a fainting episode is about to take place, there is a slight feeling of disorientation and one becomes aware that something is not quite right-one tries to grasp and hold on to something or someone, to try and save oneself from falling. When this happens, with absolutely no warning, or a feeling of disorientation, the episode is referred to as a syncope or syncopial attack. Repeated attacks of dizziness or fainting need proper investigation and subsequent treatment.
Anaemia, cardiac and circulatory disorders are the common culprits, but epilepsy, Parkinsonism and cerebro-vascular problems are other worrying reasons.
Home Remedies For Dizziness
Do not crowd around the patient. Loosen all tight-fitting clothing.
Herbal teas made with a pinch of finely ground cinnamon, or a few crushed, fresh leaves of mint, sage or rosemary, or just plain lemon juice and honey, are good restoratives.
Drink lot of water, a glass of water at regular intervals throughout the day, particularly in the summer.
Simply drop a pinch of cayenne into a glass of warm water and sip. The warmth of the water and the heat of the cayenne cause your body to pump more blood and oxygen to your brain, which makes you feel clearheaded and steady.
Alternative names : General Weakness, Tiredness, Stress
Feeling weak and low on energy is a common complaint experienced by many people today. Debility means the lack of strength of the human beings.
What are the causes of debility?
The cause may be actual. It could be due to some neuro-muscular disorder, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, deficiency disorders such as anemia, drug treatment with steroids, or an underlying undiagnosed disease such as cancer, tuberculosis or AIDS.
The cause may also be the aftermath of some acute illness such as pneumonia or a viral fever. Weakness and debility following illness causes nutritional deficiency, which leads to depression. It then becomes a vicious circle of depression, loss of appetite, more weakness, and the cycle continues. A feeling of general weakness also results due to over-indulgence in heavy food, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol, narcotic drugs, or even heavy medication. However, it may not be any of these, but a general lack of energy, caused by a sedentary and lazy lifestyle. Sometimes people feel depressed without any reason. Common causes of debility includes :
Avoid spicy, fried foods, and always eat freshly cooked meals. Modern conveniences such as refrigerators, microwave cookers/ ovens, cut and polythene-wrapped vegetables, pre-cooked processed foods, to which additives have been added to increase shelf-life, have given rise to people eating food which lack or are deficient in energy-giving vital substances, such as vitamins and trace elements, as well as minerals. Pharmaceuticals race to produce these vital substances in the laboratory in better and better forms, which more absorbability. But there is nothing to beat the form in which they are available in nature.
Eat more fiber rich carbohydrates (Sugar, Bread, cake, puddings etc).
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. Tonic herbs include parsley, chives, sweet cicely and asparagus. They are specific for healing and convalescence related to liver, kidney disorders and arthritis.
Drink more water.
One fourth of a teaspoon of cardamom powder in a glass of hot milk, flavored with trace nutmeg or mace, makes a soothing nightcap for people in a debilitated condition or depressed state of mind.
Dandruff refers to the flaking scalp which falls like snow flakes and settles on one’s brows, shoulders and clothes, but assumes an unpleasant, irritating condition associated with bacteria, in the case of excessive formation of scales on the scalp. These scales are formed from the horny layer of the skin. Dandruff can occur to anybody at any age. It should not be left untreated.
Dandruff Causes
There is a misconception that dandruff is caused by dry scalp. In fact it is due to an oily scalp. The main causes of dandruff are – impairment of general health, toxic condition of the system. brought on mainly by wrong feeding, constipation and lowered vitality due to infectious diseases. Other factors contributing to dandruff are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, exposure to cold and general exhaustion. Worry and tension increases the flow of oil in the scalp, make you prone to dandruff. These white flakes can be a nightmare. Dandruff further tends to weaken the scalp, and the flakes falling on your face, neck and shoulders can affect your skin skin too.
Dandruff Symptoms
The scaliness increases whenever the hair is brushed or rubbed. It may also appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp. Often there is itching as well, and the scalp may become red from scratching.
Dandruff Treatment
Numerous medicated shampoos are available in the market for the treatment of dandruff. Most of these, however, in the process of curing the disorder, cause irreparable damage to the hair roots because. of the synthetic ingredients contained in them. The treatment of dandruff has to be largely constitutional, if a permanent cure is desired.
The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. Short or shoulder length hair can be brushed right from the roots to the ends in one stroke. In the case of long hair, two strokes would be best to avoid stretching the hair.
The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged every day, using one’s finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff and encourages hair growth. For a proper massage, spread your fingers fan wise and slip them through the hair. With your thumbs pressed behind your ears, press down on your scalp with your fingertips. Now rotate your fingers so that they move the scalp over the bony structure of the head. You will feel your skin move and the scalp tingle. Move up an inch at a time until you have covered the whole head. It is a very simple procedure, and takes only a few minutes to perform.
Natural home remedies to get rid of dandruff
For good hair without dandruff, drink at least 2 liter water. Combs must be washed and hair should be brushed regularly. Dandruff is a scalp condition that can be controlled by following home remedies:
1. Fenugreek Seeds
The use of fenugreek (methi) seeds is one such remedy. Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be soaked overnight in water. The softened seeds should be ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap nut solution or shikakai.
2. Lime Juice
The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff.
3. Green Gram
A valuable prescription for removal of dandruff is the use of green gram powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.
4. Beets
Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night White beet is better for this purpose.
5. Snake Gourd
The juice of snake gourd has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.
6. Curd
Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night, before going to bed.
7. Onions
Grind raw onions to fine paste. Rub this paste into your scalp. Leave it on for an half hour. Wash thoroughly. Rub in some lemon juice into your scalp and hair to rid your self of the onion smell.This will helps to get rid of dandruff.
Dandruff Prevention Tips
The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness.
Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun ai also useful measures in the treatment of dandruff.
The scalp should be thoroughly massaged everyday, using one’s finger tips and working systematically over the head.
The common cold, also known as acute coryza, is an inflammation of upper respiratory tract. It is caused by infection with virus. It occurs in children more often than all other diseases. A cold usually lasts from three to seven days. The patient feels miserable for the first three days or so.
Children are especially susceptible to this disease when they start attending playgroup or school and mix with large numbers of people in confined spaces. On an average, each child develops 9 colds per year and adults, 7 colds per year. This is an essential part of growing-up. The child gains immunity to the common bacteria and viruses only by meeting, and overcoming these infections. Because of the great number of viruses that can cause a cold, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem.
Common Cold Symptoms
The first sign of a cold are a feeling of soreness of the throat and congestion of the nasal passage. Although the disease normally begins in the nose and throat, it affects all parts of the body. The usual symptoms of common cold are :-
nasal stuffiness.
sneezing.
a rise in temperature.
headache.
sore throat and cough.
aches and pains in the body and loss of appetite.
The skin around the nostrils may become sore.
Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms typically last from 3-10 days.
In very young babies, if there is pronounced nasal congestion, the infant may experience difficulty in breathing. Breast-fed babies have diffIculty in feeding due to the blockade and this may lead to vomiting. In older children, there may be recurrent case of cold, which usually sets in after six months of age and the child experiences feverish condition together with bouts of cold.
Allergic rhinitis, which usually sets in after the age of two or three years, denotes a sufficient period of exposure to allergens, In this case, the child has frequent bouts of sneezing and a profuse discharge of a rather clear fluid from the nose. Allergic rhinitis can again be of perennial or seasonal type. The former occurs to a slight degree throughout the year in the child. It gets severe in the winter and arises on exposure to dust. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is rampant only in certain adverse conditions of climate, like winters of extreme cold or seasons when there is a surfeit of pollen and floral odour in the child’s environment.
Common Cold Causes
Viral or bacterial infections no doubt make way for onsets of common cold. But conditions like constipation and the resultant putrefaction together with the accumulating toxins provide the germs a suitable atmosphere for their existence and growth. Cold in children in reality is therefore, nature’s simplest form of eliminating waste matter from the system.The viral infection occurs in the upper respiratory tract-the nose, throat and lungs. Over one hundred viral strains cause cold and flu symptoms, and several strains circulate at any one time during a cold season. A virus is a disease-producing agent so small that it goes right through very fine filters that stop bacteria. One of the problems is that colds can be caused by so many different viruses. Protection against one gives no protection against the others. And the protection, like the immunity you develop from a cold itself, may last only a month or so. Meanwhile, you are still subject to other cold viruses people may spread.
Treatment for common cold
No drug has so far been invented to cure cold. Doctors may prescribe the drugs for the complications the secondary, bacterial infections but not for the cold itself. Moreover, drugs have no effect on the duration of the cold, It has been aptly said that a cold can be cured in a week by taking medicines, otherwise it will subside in seven days.
Natural home remedies to cure the common cold
1. Garlic
Garlic juice made by adding few drops of garlic oil to a teaspoonful of onion juice and diluting it in a cup of water is helpful for common cold.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric with it antiseptic properties, is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. A quarter teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 15 ml. of warm milk is a useful prescription for these conditions in children. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and will bring quick relief to common cold.
3. Saline Water
For dry and stuffy nose, try normal saline or salt water nasal drops made by adding 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to about 4 ml lukewarm water. Make a fresh solution every few days keeping it in refrigerator. Use a clean dropper to instill 1 to 2 drops in each nostril about 3 to 4 times daily for common cold.
4. Lady’s Finger
Lady’s fingers are valuable in treating irritant conditions of the throat and persistent dry coughs. This vegetable is rich in mucilage and acts as a drug to allay irritation of the skin and alleviate swelling and pain. About 50 grams of lady’s fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled in 250 ml. of water to get a decoctions. The steam issuing from this decoction should be inhaled to relieve throat irritation and dry cough.
5. Steam
Fomentation of the sinuses of the nose with cloth dipped in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes will relive the inflammation of the sinuses. This treatment is helpful in opening the blocked nasal passages. Steam inhalation, two or three times every day, will reduce the irritating condition of the mucous lining, facilitate the expulsion of mucus and keep the child’s nasal passages clean. Hot foot bath is also beneficial. It reduces congestion by drawing blood from the upper part of the body. The procedure-for this bath has been explained in the Appendix. Wet packs to the throat and chest, applied two or three times a day, will relieve congestion in these areas and help in eliminating the accumulated mucus. Helps to cur the common cold.
6. Menthol
A menthol rub or capsules containing a decongestant liquid, can put on to a piece of cloth which may help your child breathe more freely, specially at night. You can buy them from the pharmacist. Don’t use menthol products for babies under three months without asking your doctor, and be careful not to let your baby swallow a menthol capsule.
7. Ginger
Ginger tea or a teaspoonful of ginger juice taken with equal quantity of honey brings relief from common cold.
8. Fenugreek
Take three or four times daily at the most a tea made from one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds, seven black peppercorns and one teaspoon of fresh minced ginger, which were boiled in two cups of water until one cup remains. Black tea may be added, as may sugar.
9. Lime
Lime is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold and fevers. Vitamins C rich lime juice increases resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of illness. Half a lime should be squeezed in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it and given to the common cold patient daily. Helps to cure common cold rapidly.
Anemia is the most common blood disorder of childhood and is widely prevalent early in life. It denotes a shortage of rich red blood cells and coloring matter called hemoglobin. The disease is more frequent in premature infants, in twins or in infants whose mothers had an inadequate diet during pregnancy.
Blood carries oxygen essentials to the tissues. It also carries away waste-products to be dealt with through the body’s excretory systems. So any problems affecting the blood will also affect the smooth functioning of the whole body. Anemia is one such problem.
Hemoglobin is a red respiratory protein of RBC consisting of b per cent haem (Iron) and 94 per cent globin which is a sulphur contaning protein that transports oxygen from lungs to tissues where it is released. Thus the formation of hemoglobin depends upon adequate supply of iron and protein. Anemia is not always a diagnosis. It is a name, a label, which brings to our notice that there is an underlying disorder which needs to be identified and treated.
Anemia Symptoms
A haggard look, grayish skin, and dull and tired looking eyes are the main symptoms of anemia. Other symptoms include poor memory, weakness, dizziness, tiredness, lack of energy, shortness of breath on exertion, headaches and impairment of general health and vitality.
A quick and reliable way to test whether a child is anemic is to look at the inside. of his lips, the tissue lining his eyes, i.e. conjunctiva, the palms and his finger nails. If all of these are pale, he may very well be anemic. The only sure way to diagnose anemia, however, is to test the sample of blood in the laboratory. This will establish the degree of anemia.
Causes of Anemia
There are three principal causes of anemia. It can result from reduced or low formation of red blood cells either due to defects in the bone marrow or an inadequate intake of iron, vitamins and protein or due to excessive destruction of RBC or haemoglobin. A lack of digestive acid or hydrochloric acid is needed for digestion of iron and proteins may also result in anemia. Other little-known causes of anemia are intestinal parasites or worms which feed on the blood supply. The factors which contribute to frequency of anemia in early life are prolonged feeding of milk low birth weight, nutritional anemia in the mother and malabsorption.
A young child who suffers. repeated infections of any kind may also become anemic, because infections interfere with the absorption and use of iron in the body. These effects, coupled. with a poor appetite during the course of the chronic infection, can deplete stocks of iron.
Malnourished children also fall victim to anemia. Certain drugs prescribed for systemic disease, e.g., anti-malarial drugs, aspirins, sulfonamides, antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, may all cause anemia. Some people have an enzyme deficiency called G6PD deficiency. This affects certain metabolic processes related to red blood cell formation.
Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Diet is the importance in the treatment of anemia. Almost every nutrient is needed for the production of red blood cells, haemoglobin and the enzymes required for their synthesis. Refined food like white bread, polished rice, sugar, and desserts rob the body of the much needed iron. Iron should always be taken in its natural organic form. The common foods rich in natural organic iron are wheat and wheat grain cereals, brown rice and rice polishing’s, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, carrot, celery. The diet should also be adequate in proteins of high biological value such as those found in milk, cheese and egg.
Vitamin B12 is must for preventing anemia. This vitamin is usually found in animal protein and especially in organic meats like kidney and liver. A heavy meat diet is often associated with a high hemoglobin and high red cell count, but it has its disadvantages. One cause of anemia is intestinal putrefaction, which is primarily brought on by a high meat diet. There are, however, other equally good alternatives sources of vitamin B12 such as dairy products, like milk, eggs and cheese, peanuts. Soyabean also contains some amount of vitamin B12.
For prevention on of anemia it is essential to take the entire B complex range which includes B12, present in the natural foods mentioned above. Eating lacto-avo products, which are complete. proteins, and which also contain vitamin B12, is a good ‘insurance against the disease
Natural Home Remedies For Anemia
The cause of anemia needs to be identified and treated. Certain naturally occurring foods help more than others do. For the healthy formation of red blood cells, the body needs protein, iron and trace elements. Whole grain wheat, rice and other cereals in a vegetarian diet take care of protein needs. It is iron and trace elements which are neglected.
1. Almonds
Almonds are a rich source of iron and trace elements. Soak 8-10 almonds overnight. Next morning peel the almonds, grind them coarsely, mix with a glass of hot milk, add honey or jaggery to taste, and have it as a nutritious morning drink instead of tea. Tea interferes with the absorption of iron, and jaggery is a rich source of iron with some vitamin-B complex too. If you do not like the taste of jaggery in milk, replace it with honey.
2. Pistachio
Pistachio is another nut which is extremely rich in iron. In fact, Punjabis and Gujarat is are very fond of milk flavored with ground masala which contains a mixture of 2-3 almonds, 2-3 pistachos, 2-3 strands of saffron, a pinch each of green cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon powders. This is a very nourishing nightcap, which ensures a soothing and restful sleep.
3. Pomegranate Juice
Another healthy drink to be taken during the day, especially in summer, is half a cup of fresh pomegranate juice with a pinch of ground cinnamon powder and a teaspoon of honey once a day. A teaspoon of ground pomegranate seeds can also be had with a cup of milk. It is nourishing and energising.
Alcoholism refers to an addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disorder, in which a person is unable to refrain from frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol for physical or psychological reasons. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed alcoholism as one of the three most deadly killer diseases of the 20th century.
Alcoholism is also one of the most serious social problems. It often brings poverty and a certain amount of crime and results in marital unhappiness and broken homes. It also leads to numerous traffic accidents.
Alcohol is not a product found in nature. It results from decomposition and as such belongs to a family of poisons. Ethyl alcohol, the main intoxicating ingredient in wine, beer and distilled liquor is a toxic drug that depresses the brain and nervous system. Alcohol cannot be called food for it enters the alimentary canal and is not changed or digested in any way. It is quickly absorbed in the bloodstream and then travels to every part of the body, adversely affecting vital organs like the brain and liver.
Alcoholism Causes
Alcoholism results from intemperate drinking. Sometimes it sneaks upon a person comparatively rapidly; other times, years may pass before a person becomes a full-fledged alcoholic. A weak-minded person consoles himself by taking to drugs or alcohol. In doing so he simply tries to escape the situation rather than face it boldly.
A person generally takes to drinking as a means to enliven social life, to overcome anxiety or to induce sleep. He becomes an alcoholic if he gets dependent on alcohol physically’ and psychologically. He resorts to heavy drinking because of his maladaptive way of dealing with life’s stresses.
Sign and Symptoms of Alcoholism
According to the WHO, “Alcoholics are those excessive drinkers whose dependence on alcohol has attained such a degree that it shows a noticeable mental disturbance or interference with their bodily or mental health, their interpersonal relations and their smooth social and economic functions, or who show the prodromal signs of such development.”
Alcoholics have a puffy face with bloodshot eyes, a hoarse voice and a rapid pulse. They are suspicious, irritable and overemotional. Vomiting, delirium, impaired judgement and disturbed sleep are some of the other symptoms.
The chronic alcoholic, who would rather drink than eat, fails to get enough vitamins. The few vitamins acquired by him are drained out of his system in the process of burning the alcohol in his body Vitamin deficiency can lead to delirium tremors, convulsions, neuritis, disorders of the eyes and impaired, memory. Excessive drinking often causes premature greying of hair due to vitamin deficiency. Chronic alcoholism results in a depletion of minerals in the body, particularly magnesium. Its lack produces symptoms like tremor of the hands, feet and tongue, convulsions, mental clouding and perspiration.
Excessive drinking imposes a strain on the liver. It gradually destroys its functions and often causes cirrhosis of the liver. It leads to disorders of the stomach and bowels. It can cause brain damage as brain cells are often affected by it. Alcohol also affects the heart which becomes weak and flabby.
Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that includes four symptoms:-
Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”
Alcoholism Treatment
The chronic alcoholic first of all must make a firm resolve to stop drinking. He should abstain from alcohol all at once for the habit cannot be got rid of in gradual stages. The most effective way to treat alcoholism is to build the body’s nutritional integrity so as to prevent craving for stimulants like drinks. The patients should be put on a cleansing juice fast for at least 10 days in the beginning. During this period, he should have juice of an orange every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The juice may be diluted with warm water, if desired. If orange juice does’ not agree, vegetable juices may be taken. Each day while fasting, bowels should be cleansed of effete and poisonous matter thrown off by the self-cleansing process set up by the body. This can be achieved by warm water enema.
Alcoholism Home Remedies
1. Grapes
The most important home remedy for alcoholism is an exclusive diet, for a month or so, of grapes. Since this fruit contains the purest form of alcohol, it is an ideal yet healthy substitute for alcohol. Alcoholics should take three meals a day of fresh grapes at five-hourly intervals. The success of this treatment depends on the determination of the alcoholic to stop drinking.
2. Apples
Apples are another effective remedy for alcoholism. A generous intake of apples helps remove intoxication and reduces the craving for wines and other intoxicating liquors.
3. Dates
Dates are considered beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism. The patient should drink half a glass of water in which four or five dates have been rubbed together. This remedy should be taken twice daily for a month. It will bring definite relief.
4. Bitter Gourd
The juice of the leaves of bitter gourd is an antidote for alcohol intoxication. It is also useful for a liver damaged due to alcoholism. Three teaspoons of this juice, mixed with a glass of butter milk, should be taken every morning for a month.
5. Celery
The juice of raw celery has also been found useful in alcoholism. It exercises a sobering effect on the patient and is an antidote to alcohol. Half a glass of celery juice mixed with an equal quantity of water should be taken once daily for a month.
