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What is Jet lag ?

Jet lag is a feeling of irritability, insomnia, indigestion and general disorientation. It occurs when the body’s inner clock is out of synchronization with time cues it receives from the environment. Time cues include meal times, sunrise and sunset, and daily cycles of rest and activity. Our bodies have internal clocks that are far more powerful than we realize. The time you wake up, when you eat, and when you bed down for the night are all determined by this internal clock.

Most of the time, your body’s clock corresponds to your daily schedule – which is why you wake up at the start of the day and go to sleep at the end. When you travel across time zones, however, all of a sudden your body’s clock and the “external” clocks are out of sync. When you fly from New Delhi to Los Angels, for example, the clock in your hotel may say it’s 7 p.m., but your body thinks that it’s midnight and time to be sleeping.

Jet lag can make you tired and forgetful. It throws off your sleep schedule, so you may have trouble falling asleep or wake up too early. In some cases, people who have jet lag feel irritable, lose their appetites, or even have digestive problems such as heartburn or indigestion.

Jet Lag Symptoms

The feelings of disorientation encountered as a result of crossing time zones are known as jet lag. Common symptoms of Jet lag include

• Fatigue and general tiredness.
• Inability to sleep at night
• Loss of concentration
• Headaches and general malaise.

Jet-lag occurs when biological rhythms are disrupted as a result of rapid transitions across multiple time-zones. Such de synchronization of rhythms also occurs in nocturnal shift work employees who transfer to night shifts.

Jet Lag Causes

The main but not the only cause of jet lag is crossing time zones. Usually going east is worse than going west. Children under three don’t seem to suffer jet lag badly as they are more adaptive and less set in their ways. Adults who adjust readily to changes of routine also seem less susceptible to jet lag. Those who are slaves to a fixed daily routine are often the worst sufferers.

Jet lag is actually caused by disruption of your “body clock” – a small cluster of brain cells that controls the timing of biological functions (circadian rhythms), including when you eat and sleep. The body clock is designed for a regular rhythm of daylight and darkness, so that it is thrown out of “sync” when it experiences daylight and darkness at the “wrong” times in a new time zone. The symptoms of Jet lag often persist for days while the internal body clock slowly adjusts to the new time zone.

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Home Remedies To Cure Jet Lag

You don’t have to stay home to beat jet lag. Making a few changes in your habits.- before and after you travel – will help put things right. Here’s how.

1. Stock up on sleep. Although you can’t store sleep like pennies in a jar, getting extra sleep before you travel can go a long way toward helping you feel refreshed when you arrive.
2. Plan time to unwind. Sleep experts recommend timing your travel so that you arrive at your destination fairly early in the evening. This will give you time to have a good dinner and to unwind before going to bed. Try to make yourself go to bed at the new time.
   Of course, the rules are slightly different depending on the direction you’re traveling. If you’re flying east, it’s going to be later when you arrive, so you may want to leave a little bit earlier in the day. Flying west, on the other hand, can cause you to lose a few hours, so you may want to book your flight a little bit later.
3. Stock up on fluids. Airline cabins are incredibly dry. Many people get dehydrated before they reach their destinations – and dehydration makes jet lag worse. Doctors recommend drinking a lot of water or juice before you leave home, as well as on the plane. Don’t drink alcohol, however, because it can make dehydration worse.
4. Keep moving. It’s not exactly easy to move around on the plane, but keeping active will help you stay energized and refreshed. At the very least you should walk the aisles periodically and do simple stretching exercises in your seat. When you arrive at your destination, take a little time to walk around or, if your hotel has a pool or gym, get in some exercise. Helps to prevent Jet lag.
5. Spend some time outdoors. Your body’s internal clock is partially regulated by sunlight. Spending time outdoors when you arrive at your new destination will help your body clock adjust more quickly to the transition
6. The Anti-Jet-Lag Diet incorporates high-protein meals for breakfast and lunch because proteins stimulate the body to produce catacholamines, bio chemicals that it naturally produces during the active part of the daily cycle.
7. Showers. During extended stopovers on a long haul flight, showers are sometimes available. A shower not only freshens you up but gets the muscles and circulation going again and makes you feel much better for the rest of the flight.

Useful References

• http://www.sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/jet-lag
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jet-lag/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724441/

Incontinence (loss of bladder control) is a common complaint. There are many factors that can cause this annoying problem. Incontinence can be either acute or persistent. Acute incontinence is most often caused by an infection. Persistent incontinence develops over time and tends to last longer. There are several different types of persistent incontinence, among them are :-

• Stress incontinence
• Urge incontinence
• Functional incontinence
• Reflex incontinence
• Total incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most common bladder control problem. This is leakage that occurs when a person coughs, sneezes, laughs, lifts a heavy object, or otherwise increases pressure in the lower abdomen. The bladder is rarely completely emptied. Dribbling is more common than complete evacuation of the bladder. This problem is a result of weakened pelvic muscles, which can be due to aging, obesity, and/ or pregnancy.

Urge incontinence is the result of an overactive bladder. The detrusor muscle, which surrounds the bladder, may in­voluntary contract and begin the flow of urine. Frequent urination is common with this type of incontinence, as is nocturnal urination, especially in men. Difficulty urinating may also be due to prostate inflammation. Possible under­lying causes of urge incontinence include a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, abdominal surgery, stimulants such alcohol and coffee, and bladder infection. It may also be due to prostate problems.

Functional incontinence is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to empty the bladder before you can reach the bathroom. It can be caused by stress; changes in environment, such as having to stay in the hospital and not being able to get to the bathroom in time; and mobility restrictions. Some individuals are not aware when their bladders are full, and this loss of sensation can lead to urine leakage. This is reflex incontinence, and it is most often due to spinal cord injury or other neurological impairment.

Total incontinence is the unpredictable loss of urine at all times. It can be caused by neurological dysfunction, abdominal surgery, spinal cord injury, or an anatomical defect.

Incontinence is most common in people over fifty, but loss of bladder control can occur at any age, especially in pregnant women. It is wrong to assume that loss of bladder control is an inevitable part of getting older. It is also wrong to assume that nothing can be done about this problem.

Home Remedies For Incontinence

1. Kidney Bladder Formula from Nature’s Way and SP-6 Comsilk Blend from Solaray are herbal formulas that have a diuretic effect and reduce bladder spasms, Take 2 capsules twice daily.
2. Kegel exercises work as long as there isn’t a more serious condition than a weak sphincter muscle. Practice stopping your urine flow a couple of times while urinating, to strengthen the sphincter muscle.
3. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, coffee, chocolate, refined or processed foods, and simple sugars. Chemicals in food, drugs, and impure water have an adverse effect on the bladder.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/urinaryincontinence.html
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352814

What is impotence?

Impotence, or chronic erectile disfunction (ED), is no longer a taboo subject. It is estimated that 30 million American suffer from ED and, for a great majority of them, the problem is solvable. A man is considered impotent if he does not have the ability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for normal sexual intercourse. Erections result from a complex combination of brain stimuli, blood vessel and nerve function, and hormonal actions. Anything that interferes with any of these factors can lead to impotence, and that can include arteriosclerosis, or peripheral vascular disease; the use of certain medications listed later in this section; alcohol, or cigarettes; a history of sexually transmitted disease; and chronic illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Impotence is extremely common in men who have diabetes; the estimate is that 50 percent of men with diabetes are impotent and that the other 50 percent will become impotent over time. Hormonal imbalances such as low levels of thryoid hormone may also contribute to the problem. Low levels of the hormone testosterone are rarely the cause of ED. Testosterone is responsible for the process of desire, not for ED-but of course, lack of desire may be the problem. If desire is not there in the first place, it is difficult to either get or maintain an erection. Loss of libido (sexual desire) may be caused by depression, illness, or medications, and of course, a waning attraction to one’s partner.

ED may be chronic or recurring, or it may occur as a single isolated incident. One or two occurrences, however, are rarely thought of as impotence, although they may be up­setting at the time. Most of the men who have this problem are age forty or over (one in three men over sixty is affected), but those under forty may also have the problem.

In the past, it was assumed that impotence was primarily a psychological problem, but many therapists and physicians today believe that as many as 85 percent of all cases of impotence have some physical basis. The Association for Male Sexual Dysfunction recognizes over 200 drugs that may cause impotence. Some of the most common are alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives, blood-pressure medication, cancer chemotherapy, diuretics, narcotics, nicotine, sedatives, steroids (if abused), stomach acid inhibitors, and ulcer medications. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries (one type of arteriosclerosis), poses a risk to the condition of both the heart and the penis (impotence can, in fact, be a symptom of this disorder). Most people today know smoking and eating fatty foods lead to the production of plaques that clog arteries and block the flow of blood to the heart. These plaques also can block the arteries leading to the genitals, interfering with the ability to attain an erection

Impotence Causes

Physical impotence occurs when there is a problem with any of the systems needed to get or maintain an erection. The good news is that potency can usually be restored when a man is treated for underlying medical conditions, when medications are adjusted or when lifestyle habits are changed.

Here are some of the top causes of impotence:

• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Disease of the Nervous System
• Hormone Imbalance

Home remedies To Cure Impotence

1. Ashwagandha and schizandra, both Ayurvedic herbs, are said to ensure potency and increase fertility.
2. Damiana is good for improving blood flow to the genital area and increasing desire.
3. Sarsaparilla contains a testosterone-like substance for men.
4. Lycopodium: People who need this remedy may have problems with erections because of worry, and can also be troubled by memory loss. They often lack self-confidence. People who need this remedy often have digestive problems with gas and bloating, and an energy slump in the late afternoon and evening. Often useful for old people.
5. Fifty grams each to dry Amla and Mango Ginger (Amla Haldi) should be powdered and mixed with an equal weight of raw Sugar. The daily morning dose is six grams, taken with milk.
6. Viagrin from Fountain of Youth Technologies is a blend of yin-yang-huo and other herbs that is said to increase erectile ability and promote endurance. It may also help restore sexual desire in women.
7. SensualiTea from UniTea Herbs contains damiana, sarsaparilla, and licorice root. It can be found in many health food stores that sell bulk herbs.
8. Saw Palmetto Supreme from Gaia Herbs is an herbal tincture that helps to normalize prostate function.
9. Fifty grams each of kernels of the seeds of Bastard Teak ( Dhak ) and Siris tree finely ground and mixed with 50 grams of raw Sugar should be taken in six grams doses every morning for three weeks to relieve the condition.

Diet and prevention tips for impotence

1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Include in the diet pumpkin seeds, bee pollen, or royal jelly.
2. Avoid alcohol, particularly before sexual encounters.
3. Do not consume animal fats, sugar, or fried or junk foods.
4. Do not smoke. Avoid being around cigarette smoke.
5. A good diet and a regular exercise program are a more dependable path to better sex than are goats’ eyes, deer sperm, and frogs’ legs. A good mental state is equally important.
6. If impotence is linked to high levels of the hormone prolactin, bromocriptine (Parlodel) may be prescribed to correct the problem.

Useful References

• http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/endocrinology/erectile-dysfunction/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2561113/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/

Alternate Name of Hydrocele :: Hydrocelectomy

What is Hydrocele?

Hydrocele repair involves surgical correction of a birth defect in which there is an open passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum. This causes fluid collection around the testicle called a hydrocele.

Hydrocele is a common cause of swollen testicles in newborns and the elderly, although men can develop hydrocele at any age. Hydrocele is a common condition of men in which there is accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis, the sac which surrounds the testicle. It may occur at any age, but old men are usually more prone to the condition. The testicles are the major sex glands in the male. Each gland is composed of myriads of coiled tubes in which the sperm cells are produced. It is the function of these cells to fertilize the ovum during sexual intercourse.

Hydrocele swelling is usually painless. If the testicles appear to be chronically swollen, medical interventions are available. Surgery can cure hydrocele, or the fluid may be drawn out of the testicular membrane using a fine needle (fine needle aspiration is quite painful, so some men prefer surgical options).

Hydrocele Symptoms

The main symptom of hydrocele is painless, smooth and elastic enlargement of the scrotum. In some cases swelling is so much as to cause a great deal of inconvenience interfering greatly with walking. Consequently it may produce a great deal of pressure upon the testicles and the spermatic vessels causing a detrimental effect upon the generative system. The hydrocele is translucent. If a bright light is placed upon it in the dark the whole swelling lights up. If the swellings become painful, it usually denotes that it has become infected

Hydrocele Causes

The apparent cause of hydrocele may be a knock or a strain but toxic condition of the system is usually at the root of the matter. This systemic toxicity results from wrong dietary habits, general wrong living and suppressive medical treatment of former diseases. Sexual excess and abuse is also an important factor in some cases, through the degeneration of the sex organism which follows. Sometimes gonorrhoel infection, obstruction of the abdominal vein, tuberculosis and dropsy may be the cause of this condition.

Hydrocele sometimes exists at birth. In this case swelling is seen when the infant is in an upright position and disappears when the infant is laid upon its back. Hydrocele usually disappears by itself in infants.

Treatment for Hydrocele

Tapping is the method usually resorted to for removal of the fluid in hydrocele. This however, does not remove the cause of the trouble, but only its effects. The correct way in which the condition can be really dealt with successfully is through constitutional treatment. Such a treatment should aim at removing the underlying toxicity of the system which is at the root of the trouble.

The sufferer from hydrocele should begin with an exclusive fresh fruit diet for seven to ten days. In this regimen he should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season, but no bananas or dried stewed or tinned fruit and no other foodstuff whatever. For drinks lemon water unsweetened or water either hot or cold may be taken.

During this period the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema. If constipation is habitual. all steps should be taken for its eradication. After an all-fruit diet. the patient may adopt the following regimen:

• Breakfast: Fresh fruit as obtainable, or grated raw carrot or other raw salad-stuff, prunes or other dried fruits, if desired, and a cup of milk.
• Lunch: Steamed vegetables, as obtainable, with either a poached or scrambled egg or a vegetarian savoury. Stewed fruit or a baked apple may be taken for dessert.
• Dinner: A good sized raw salad, of any suitable vegetables as obtainable; with whole wheat bread and butter, and prunes or other dried fruit as dessert.

Further short periods ,on the all fruit diet should be under taken at monthly intervals as required, for two or three consecutive days each time. The diet factor is of the utmost importance and fruits and salads must form the main basis of the future dietary. Alcohol, strong tea, or coffee condiments, pickles and sauces should be avoided. Smoking, where habitual, should be given up.

Water Treatment for Hydrocele

Treatment through water is extremely beneficial in curing hydrocele. Cold hip baths twice daily in the morning and the evening, for 10 minutes each time, are specially valuable. For a cold hip bath, an ordinary bath tub may be used. It should be filled with cold water. The patient should sit in the tub, keeping the legs outside.

A hot Epsom salts bath is also very useful in the treatment of hydrocele and should be taken once or twice weekly, where possible.

Every effort should be made to build up the general health level to the highest degree. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are essential to the success of this treatment. Sun and air bathing, where possible, should be undertaken. All habits, and practices tending to lower the tone of the body should be studiously avoided; strain should be avoided as far as possible. The wearing of a suspensory bandage is often useful.

Unless the condition persists for a long time, the foregoing treatment should soon begin to show its beneficial effects, and the whole general health level of the sufferer will be greatly enhanced at the same time.

Testicular Cancer

Swollen testicles and scrotum are sometimes a symptom of testicular cancer. However, it should be noted that a swollen scrotum is more likely to result from other disorders than cancer. Testicular cancer symptoms may also include pain, hard lumps on the testicles, or even lower back pain.

Useful References

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocele/symptoms-causes/syc-20363969
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000518.htm

What is Hiatus Hernia ?

Hiatus Hernia can be defined as displacement of a portion of the stomach through the opening in the diaphragm through which the oesophagus passes from the chest to the abdominal cavity.

In Hiatus Hernia disease a normal oesophagus, in its long, narrow descent from the mouth to the stomach, must pass through a taut sheet of muscle: the diaphragm, which may be thought of as both the floor of the chest and the ceiling of the abdominal cavity. To get to the ‘stomach, the oesophagus pokes through a teardrop-shaped opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. It’s at this point that the oesophagus and stomach join, and where a valve system (the lower oesophageal sphincter) keeps deposited food (and the acid working to digest it) from backing up into the oesophagus.

In a hiatus hernia, the upper part. of the stomach has slid up past the diaphragmatic hiatus (weakened, perhaps, by age) and into the chest. From 75 to 95 per cent of hiatus hernias are of this ‘sliding’ type. These come and go, sliding back and forth, depending on body position and other factors.

Hiatus hernia occurs at the oesophageal opening. The disease is common after middle age. It is estimated that about half the people above 60 years of age suffer from it, although most of them may not have any symptoms. The correct diagnosis of hiatus hernia can be arrived at by means of berium meal x-ray test.

What are the types of hiatus hernia ?

There are 2 main types of hiatus hernia.

1. Sliding hiatus hernia :- It occur when the junction of the oesophagus and stomach, and part of the stomach protrude into the chest, when swallowing.
2. Rolling hiatus hernia :- This is sometimes called a para-oesophageal hiatus hernia by doctors. In this case, part of the stomach bulges into the chest out of the weakest part of the diaphragm, which is the oesophageal opening. The junction of the oesophagus and stomach stays down within the abdomen, and the top part of the stomach (the fundus) bulges up into the chest cavity. This type of hernia normally remains in one place, sitting next to the oesophagus, and does not move in or out when you swallow.

Hiatus Hernia Symptoms

Hiatus Hernia is characterised by pain in certain areas. The most common areas are behind the breast bone at the nipple level and lower, at the end of the breast one. Pain may also occur on the left chest and this is often mistaken for angina. Other symptom of Hiatus Hernia are heartburn, especially after a meal, a feeling of fullness and bloatedness, flatulence and discomfort on swallowing.

Hiatus Hernia Causes

Hiatus hernias can occur when there is weakening of the muscle tissue around the gap where the oesophagus passes through the diaphragm or where this gap is otherwise stretched. A number of factors appear to contribute to hiatus hernias developing including:

• Hereditary factors
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sudden, hard physical exertion, such as lifting
• A birth defect
• Trauma or surgery to the abdominal area.

Home Remedies for Hiatus Hernia

1. In the beginning of the treatment, it would be advisable to raise the head end of the bed by placing bricks below the legs of the bed. This will prevent the regurgitation of food during the night. More pillow can also be used for the same purpose.
2. Losing weight nearly always cures it. Eating small meals each day instead of 2 or 3 large ones helps. You must have a light evening meal without alcohol and avoid supper so that your stomach is empty on retiring. It takes about 1 hour for the stomach to empty.
3. The diet of hiatus Hernia patient should consist of seeds, nuts and whole cereal grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw or lightly cooked vegetables and sprouted seeds.This is the proper hiatus Hernia diet for the patient of this disease. The foods which should be avoided are over-processed foods like white bread and sugar, cakes and biscuits, rice puddings and over cooked vegetables. At least 50 per cent of the diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, and the remaining 50 per cent of protein, carbohydrates and fat.
4. Reduce alcohol, coffee and give up the smoking.

How can prevent hiatus hernia?

It is difficult to prevent it. But taking a few precautionary steps, may reduce your risk of the condition :-

1. Maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking.
2. Avoid abdominal strain.
3. Avoid spicy food.
4. Have light meals instead of single heavy meal.
5. Request stool-softening medication if you frequently need to strain when you move your bowels.
6. Take antacid when there is a need.

Useful References

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiatus-hernia/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521691807001795?via%3Dihub
• https://medlineplus.gov/hiatalhernia.html
• https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/34/3/428/4692888?redirectedFrom=fulltext

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection. The liver is responsible for filtering out from the bloodstream harmful substance such as dead cells, toxins, fats, an overabundance of hormones and a yellowish substance called billirubin that is a byproduct of the breakdown of old red blood cells. If liver is inflamed, tender, and enlarged, it becomes unable to function normally. As a result, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the liver build up in the body, and certain nutrients are not processed and stored as they should be.

Hepatitis Symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis include fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, appetite loss, muscle aches, joint pains, drowsiness, dark urine, light-colored stools, abdominal discomfort, and often, jaundice (yellowing of the skin due to an accumulation of bilirubin) and elevated liver enzymes in the blood. Flu like symptoms may be mild or severe.

Types of hepatitis

There are different types of hepatitis, classified according to the virus that causes the condition. Scientists have identified the viruses responsible for three leading types of the disease, called hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. There are also other, less common types known as hepatitis D, hepatitis E, and hepatitis G. All are contagious to some extent.

Hepatitis A, also known as infectious hepatitis, is easily spread through person-to-person contact, fecal contamination of food or water, and raw shellfish taken from polluted water. It is contagious between two to three weeks before, and one week after, jaundice appears.

Hepatitis B, also referred to as serum hepatitis, is spread through contact with infected blood (for example, from mother to child at birth or through the use of contaminated syringes, needles, and transfused blood) from adults to children living together in close contact, through sexual activity, and through blood transfusions. Most people-75 percent-recover from hepatitis B, although 25 percent go on to develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.

Hepatitis C, the most serious form of hepatitis, accounts for 8,000 to 10,000 deaths a year in America. It is estimated that 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and this disease is the primary reason for liver transplants in this country. Hepatitis C is four times more prevalent than AIDS and twenty times easier to catch. About 85 percent of infections lead to chronic liver disease. The virus causes slowly progressing but ultimately devastating damage to the liver. In addition, people with HCV often have elevated levels of iron in the liver. This also can cause liver damage. Tests can detect HCV antibodies in donated blood, but an infected individual may take up to six months to develop the antibodies, so it is still impossible to identify all infected blood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that only 7 percent of current hepatitis C cases were acquired as a result of blood transfusions, and that the risk of contacting the virus from a unit of blood is about 1 in 100,000. The incidence of hepatitis C infection from blood transfusions or the use of blood products has decreased since 1992, when screening was introduced, but there is always a risk-and the lack of testing before 1992 has left a huge legacy of HVC-infected people. The most common means of HCV transmission after blood transfusions before 1992 are sharing needles, intravenous drug use, and sexual contact. HCV can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth.

Hepatitis D, or delta hepatitis, occurs in some people already infected with hepatitis B. It is the least common of all the hepatitis viruses, but the most serious because there are two types of hepatitis working together. It can be transmitted through sexual contact or from mother to child at birth.

Hepatitis E is rare in the United States, but more common in other parts of the world, notably Mexico, India, and Asian and African countries. It is usually spread through fecal contamination and appears to be dangerous for pregnant women, but generally does not lead to chronic hepatitis in others.

It is also possible to develop hepatitis as a result of exposure to certain toxins or alcohol or drug use, including the overuse of over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This is called toxic hepatitis. Environmental toxins absorbed through the skin can also damage the liver. Chlorinated hydrocarbons and arsenic are examples of severe hepatotoxic agents. In toxic hepatitis, the amount of exposure to the toxin determines the extent of liver damage.

Home Remedies for Hepatitis

1. Olive leaf extract is a potent anti fungal agent.
2. Turmeric is a potent anti inflammatory.
3. Drink only steam distilled water.
4. Taking copper and sulfur supplements will cure hepatitis.
5. Drink “green drinks”, carrot juice and beet juice.
6. Includes artichokes in the diet. Artichokes protect the liver. Globe artichoke extract also available.
7. Take barberry, cascara sagrada, and dandelion for symptom relief.

Hepatitis Prevention Tips

1. Avoid all fats, sugar and highly processed foods.
2. Avoid raw fish and shellfish.
3. Eliminate all alcoholic beverages.
4. Get plenty of bed rest.
5. Especially when traveling, beware of contaminated water or food from polluted waters.
6. Do not take any drugs that have not been prescribed by your doctor.
7. If you have hepatitis C, it is the best to reduce the iron levels in the body before starting any treatment. High iron levels inhibit therapy for the liver.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/hepatitis.html
• http://www.who.int/hepatitis/en/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis/

What is Hangover ?

A hangover is the after-effect following the consumption of large amounts of one drug or another. In particular, it is most commonly associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In general, an alcohol hangover involves two or more the following symptoms: headache, nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, shakiness, feeling tired and an overall feeling of being unwell. Simply put, it feels like the “flu”.

Hangover Causes

The root cause of all hangovers is, of course, drinking alcohol. If you drink enough and end up with a hangover, it means you’ve ingested more alcohol than your body can metabolize efficiently. The toxins in alcohol build up in your body and make you feel sick.

Other factors of hangover include empty stomach, lack of sleep, psychosocial factors, increased physical activity while drinking, and dehydration. Dehydration is both a cause and a symptom of hangovers. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urination. The more alcohol you drink, the more water your body loses. Your liver and kidneys need water to process the alcohol, so when you lose water, your body struggles to rid itself of toxins.

Persons in otherwise poor health have a greater likelihood of developing a hangover. Children of alcoholic parents report greater hangover symptoms than the children of non-alcoholics.

Hangover Symptoms

Some of the common hangover symptoms are :-

• Headaches.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth.
• Sensitivity to light and noise.

Video

Home Remedies to Cure Hangover

Through the ages there have been invented nearly as many hangover remedies as there are varieties of mixed drinks. Most, unfortunately, don’t work. If you’ve ever made too many trips to the punch bowl, you’re all too familiar with the pounding head, queasy stomach, dry mouth, and other miserable symptoms that accompany hangovers. But even though people have been getting hangovers for thousands of years, doctors aren’t sure exactly what they are or what’s the best remedy. But they do have some ideas. Here are a few things you may want to try.

1. Have a taste of honey

Honey contains large amounts of a natural sugar called fructose, which is burned very quickly by the body. By putting your metabolism in high gear, it will help your body burn off the alcohol faster. This is best remedy to get rid of hangover

2. Pass up the coffee

When you prop up your tired eyes, the coffee pot is probably the first thing you’re going to reach for. When you have a hangover, however, your body is already dehydrated. Coffee is a diuretic, which means that it removes more fluids from your body than it puts in – and that’s the last thing you need when you have to cope with a hangover.

3. Take some vitamin C

Evidence suggests that vitamin C can help the body get rid of alcohol more quickly. Taking about 500 milligrams of vitamin C or eating vitamin C-rich foods like oranges or grapefruit may be one of the best ways to relieve the hangover blues.

4. Keep your stomach full

When the crowd is partying hearty, it’s a good idea to have some food in your stomach. High-protein foods are especially good because they take a long time to digest. Keeping food in your system will help slow the absorption of alcohol and also provide essential nutrients that may help counter the effects the next day. Helps to relief from hangover.

5. Avoid salty foods

There’s a good reason bartenders often put out bowls of pretzels and beer nuts. Salty foods make you drink more, so you’ll spend more money. What’s good for the bar’s bottom line, however, isn’t so good for your body. All that salt can dry you out, which can make hangovers even worse.

6. Top off your tank before going to bed

After a night of drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to drink a few glasses of water as well. Being dehydrated is one of the main reasons hangovers feel so awful. Drinking water before bed and as soon as you get up in the morning will go a long way toward making you feel better.

Prevention of Hangover

1. Do not mix different types of drinks. Avoid drinking on empty stomach. Food in the stomach prevents rapid absorption of alcohol into the blood stream. Thus, the more food you have before and during drinking, the less the impact of alcohol.
2. Drink plenty of water. Make sure to drink water or other fluids such as apple juice or Gatorade before going to sleep, in order to prevent dehydration.
3. For your own safety and others, don’t drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery.

Useful References

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/prickly-pear-may-be-hango/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=b6+hangover
• https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/43/2/163/122637
• https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100316735

What is gout ?

Gout refers to a certain form of inflammation of the joints and swellings of a recurrent type. Although chronic in character, it breaks in acute attacks. It is a disease of the wealthy and chiefly affects middle aged men. Women, after menopause, are also sometimes affected by this disease.

Gout was known to the physicians of ancient Greece and Rome. The classical description was written in 1663 by Sydenham, himself a life long sufferer, who clearly differentiated it from other joint disorders. It was recognized in the 18th century that large enjoyable meals and the consumption of alcoholic drinks were often the prelude to an attack of gout. This disease affected many famous men in history, including Alexander the Great, Luther, Newton, Milton, Dr. Johnson, Franklin and Louis XIV. Gout is very common in New Zealand and it is particularly common in Maoris and Pacific Islanders. Some surveys have shown it to be present in up to 10% of adult males.

Gout Symptoms

An attack of gout is usually accompanied by acute pain in the big toe, which becomes tender, hot and swollen in a few hours. Usually, it is almost impossible to put any weight on the affected foot during the acute stage of the disease. It may also similarly affect other joints such as the knees and the wrists, and sometimes more than one joint may be affected at a time. The attack usually occurs at midnight or in the early hours of the morning, when the patient is suddenly awakened. The acute attack generally lasts for a week or so. During this period the patient may run a slight fever, and feel disinclined to eat. His general health generally remains unaffected.

The attack may occur again after several weeks or months. The interval becomes shorter if the disease is not treated properly. The joint generally becomes damaged by arthritis. This is chronic gout, in which chalky lumps of uric acid crystals remain in the joint and also form under the skin.

Another serious complication of gout is kidney stones containing uric acid, causing severe colic pains in the stomach. In some cases the kidneys become damaged and do not function properly. This is a serious condition as the poisonous waste products which are normally removed by the kidneys accumulate in the blood. Gout usually develops in the joint of the first toe. Common signs and symptoms include the following :-

• Inflammation
• Pain
• Redness
• Stiffness
• Swelling

Gout Causes

The chief cause of gout is the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, skin and kidneys. Uric acid is an end product of the body’s chemical processes. Those affected by gout have a higher level of uric acid than the normal, due either to the formation of increased or reduced amounts of acid being passed out by the kidneys in the urine. This uric acid usually remains dissolved in the blood. But when the blood becomes too full of it, the uric acid forms needle shaped crystals in the joints which bring about attacks of gout.

Heredity is an important factor in causing this disease and certain races are prone to gout. Other causes include excessive intake of alcoholic drinks, regular eating of foods rich in protein and carbohydrate and lack of proper exercise. Stress is also regarded as an important cause of gout. During the alarm reaction, millions of body cells are destroyed and large quantities of uric acid freed from these cells enter the tissues after being neutralized by sodium.

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Home Remedies for Gout

1. Cherry

The cherry, sweet or sour, is considered an effective remedy for gout. This was discovered by Dr Ludwig W. Blan some forty years ago. Himself a gout sufferer, Blan found the use of cherries to be miraculously effective in his own case, and he published his own experience in a medical journal. Subsequently many people with gout used this simple therapy with great success. To start with, the patient should consume about fifteen to twenty five cherries a day. Thereafter, about ten cherries a day will keep the ailment under control. While fresh cherries are best, canned cherries can also be used with success. Helps to cure gout.

2. Vegetable Juices 

Raw vegetable juices are protective against gout. Carrot juice, in combination with the juices of beet and cucumber, is especially valuable. Beet juice – 100 ml and cucumber juice – 100 ml should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml of combined juice and taken daily.

3. French Beans 

The juice of French or string beans has also proved effective in the treatment of gout. About 150 ml of this juice should be taken daily by the patient suffering from this disease.

4. Apple

Apples are regarded as an excellent medicine for gout. The malic acid contained in them is believed to neutralize the uric acid and afford relief to the sufferers. The patient is advised to take one apple after each meal.

5. Banana

Bananas have been found beneficial in the treatment of gout. A diet of bananas only for three or four days is advised. A patient can take eight or nine bananas daily during this period and nothing else.

6. Lime

Lime is also used as a remedy in gout vitamin C is known to prevent and cure sore joints by strengthening the connective tissues of the body. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of this disease. The juice of half a lime, squeezed into a glass of water, should be taken twice daily.

Gout Prevention

Prevention is the best defense against gout. Some common gout prevention measures are :-

1. Drink plenty of fluids (especially water).
2. Exercise regularly.
3. Maintain a healthy diet and healthy body weight.
4. See a physician regularly.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/gout.html
• https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4100778/

What is Gonorrhea ?

Gonorrhea is a venereal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea. It usually affects the genital area, although the throat or anus (back passage) may also be involved. Gonorrhea affects both men and women and is easily transmitted during vaginal intercourse. It can also be transmitted during anal or oral sex. They can also be passed from a mother to her baby during birth. You cannot catch gonorrhea from a towel, a doorknob, or a toilet seat.

Young men aged 20-24 years and women between the ages of 16 and 19 are most commonly affected.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 7 days after a person has been exposed to gonorrhea. Approximately half the women and a third of the men do not show any symptoms.

In men the common symptoms of gonorrhea are :-

• Painful urination.
• Yellowish -white discharge may ooze out of the urethra (at the tip of the penis).
• Frequent urination.
• Pain during sexual intercourse

In women the common symptoms of gonorrhea are :-

• Consisting of painful urination
• An increasing amount of discharge from the vagina.
• Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhea Causes

Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. Some of the common causes includes :-

• Men have a 20% chance of getting the infection by having sexual relations with a woman infected with gonorrhea.
• An infected mother may transmit gonorrhea to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.

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Treatment for Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Some strains of gonorrhea are now resistant to penicillin and some other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin. It’s better to prevent gonorrhea than to treat it. The best way to prevent gonorrhea infection is to always use condoms when having sex.

If you think you may have been infected with gonorrhea or if you have had a partner who may have gonorrhea, you need to see your doctor or gynecologist.

Useful References

• https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea-detailed.htm
• https://medlineplus.gov/gonorrhea.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657229/
• http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70603/WHO_RHR_11.14_eng.pdf;jsessionid=08C817139F506B233D90F5FA4A94EC45?sequence=1

Alternative names:- Bone – broken; Fracture; Stress fracture

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone. If the skin over the bone remains intact, a fracture is referred to as a closed or simple fracture; if the bone breaks the skin, it is termed an open or compound fracture. A fracture may cause extreme pain and tenderness in the injured area; swelling; a protruding bone or blood under the skin; and numbness, tingling, or paralysis below the fracture. A major fracture, such as of ar arm or leg, may also cause a loss of the pulse below the fracture, as well as weakness and an inability to bear weight Broken arms, fingers, or legs may be bent out of alignment.

Fractures occur most often in the very young and in older adults. Indeed, fractures pose an increasing problems as we grow older and our bones become more brittle. Falls account for 87 percent of all fractures in people aged sixty­five or older. An estimated 300,000 hip fractures occur in people over fifty years of age each year. People aged eighty­five or older are fifteen times more likely to suffer from a fracture if they fall than people between sixty and sixty­five. Osteoporosis is a factor in many of these cases.

Hip fractures are by far the most troublesome fractures for older adults, and, unfortunately, many cannot live an independent life after a hip fracture.

Fracture Causes

• Fall from a height
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Direct blow
• Repetitive forces, such as those caused by running, can cause stress fractures of the foot, ankle, tibia, or hip.

Fracture Symptoms

• Intense pain
• Broken skin with bone protruding
• A visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
• Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
• Swelling, bruising, or bleeding

Home Remedies For Fracture

A broken bone calls for prompt professional help. After a bone has been set, the following supplements and other recommendations will aid in healing. Some of the home remedies are:-

1. Take Boron, is important for the health and healing of the bone.
2. Horsetail extract is a good source of silica, which enhances the utilization of calcium and promotes healing and repair.
3. Take Calcium + Magnesium + Potassium.  They are essential to repair bone damage and to maintain a good muscle and heart condition.
4. Dolomite and bonemeal supplements will help rebuild bones.
5. Take Zinc, helps repair tissue damage.
6. Turmeric paste makes a good poultice. Combine turmeric with a little hot water and apply it to the site of the injury on a gauze dressing. This is also good for bruises and helps to reduce swelling.

Diet and Prevention tips for fracture

1. Eat half of a fresh pineapple every day until the fracture is healed. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that acts to reduce swelling and inflammation. Use only fresh pineapple, not canned or processed. If you don’t like pineapple, the food supplement bromelain will provide the same benefits. Bromelain should be taken on an empty stomach.
2. Wear protective gear while skiing, biking, roller blading, and participating in contact sports. This includes helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and shin pads.
3. Avoid red meat, as well as colas and any other products containing caffeine. Foods with preservatives should also be avoided due to their phosphorus content. Phosphorus can lead to bone loss.
4. DO NOT move the person unless the broken bone is stable.
5. DO NOT test a bone’s ability to move.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/fractures.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259713/
• https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008579.pub3/abstract