Tuesday, October 14, 2014

How To Get Rid Of Bulimia

Every living being eats in order to survive. It is a necessity—a basic fact of life. For humans, eating has evolved to the point that some have made it into an art. Unfortunately, modern times has also brought with it eating disorders that are essentially made worse by the demands of modern society and its perception.

Dying To Stay Thin

Bulimia is one of the eating disorders—together with anorexia—in which the person is so preoccupied about food and their weight that they lose any sense of focus on anything else. It is currently plaguing a lot of modern people today, most of them women. People with bulimia go on repeated food binges, usually in secret and in a small amount of time. The binge is then followed by a behavior to compensate, called “purging”. Purging is when the food is then forcibly thrown out of the body, either through self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, or excessive exercises and fasting. A potential complication is that most bulimic people are of normal weight or slightly overweight, so the problem is not readily apparent at first.

Like all other eating disorders, there is no exact cause of bulimia. Most physicians agree, however, that it can be a mental illness, stemming from psychological, biological, and social factors. Oftentimes, bulimia is related to feelings of lack of self control. The destructive cycle of binge-eating and purging is usually the manifestation or attempt at having some sort of control in their lives.

Biological angles are also being considered for possible bulimia causes. Some studies show that people who are connected biologically to a bulimic may develop the illness too, pointing to a possible genetic link. The brain chemical serotonin is also evidenced to have a possible link to bulimia since it has a connection to a person's regular food intake.

Finally, modern society's obsession and point of view that thinner equated to naturally better may heavily influence peer pressure to be “thin”. Such pressure may have a direct cause on bulimic people's obsession to their weight.

Ways To Get Rid of Bulimia

Once you're diagnosed with bulimia, all gloves are off. Don't attempt to get rid of it yourself. Don't think that it is something you can control or will, because it's not; it's actually the exact opposite. Bulimia is a serious psychological problem that needs professional attention the moment it is diagnosed or detected. Getting rid of it requires a combination of treatment that you should strictly adhere to. When diagnosed with bulimia, here are the things you have to do:

Treat any medical condition you may have. Before treating bulimia itself, you have to treat all other health complication arising from it first, such as anemia. It is important that you eliminate all other factors that may complicate your bulimia treatment, to ensure that your condition will not get worse.

See a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. Since it is largely agreed upon in the medical circle that bulimia is a predominantly psychological issue, psychotherapy will hopefully address it properly. In psychotherapy, you try to treat your condition by talking about it with a mental expert. Psychotherapy can either be counseling, talk therapy, or psychosocial therapy.There are many forms of talk therapy used to treat bulimia. A type of talk therapy called as cognitive behavioral therapy seems to have shown the most promise in treating bulimia. In it, you will identify the unhealthy beliefs and behaviors that prompt you to binge and purge, and then replace it with healthy ones. The main concept behind this treatment is that it's your thoughts and not your environment that determine how you behave. Think of it as mental conditioning to the extreme.On the other hand, there is also something called interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your relationship with the people around you. The goal for this therapy is to improve how you relate with others, like your family and friends. From this relationship point of view, it is hoped that you will then be able to come up with strategies to curb or eliminate your bulimic habits.

Take your prescribed medications. Antidepressants such are sometimes given by doctors to mitigate and control your bulimia. They do are not used to treat bulimia itself, merely lessening the factors that may compound your condition. For example, Prozac is an SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that controls your food intake and purging.

Consult a dietitian. A dietitian can help you meet your nutritional needs and help you plan a diet while you're trying to get rid of bulimia. Nutritional therapy will be a very useful tool in helping you get over your condition.

Have yourself be admitted to a hospital. Bulimia can be treated outside the hospital. However, these are for cases that are not that severe. For those that have become life-threatening, you really have to be in a hospital. There are specialized eating disorder clinics that can help with your condition and supervise you. These clinics offer intensive continuous treatment, usually lasting for several weeks. Checking yourself in the hospital will assure you that you will be monitored 24 hours a day.

Aside from the medical steps outlined above, there are several things you can personally do to cope with bulimia.

Identify any situations that may trigger or cause your bulimia and come up with a plan to deal with them. Also have a back-up plan to deal with the emotional repercussions that will inevitably follow after.

Resist the urge to skip meals or go on a diet. While these may be opposites of bingeing, your initial plan is to normalize your eating patterns. Dieting can also trigger binges, worsening the situation instead.

Busy yourself with activities. Find hobbies that will occupy your time andl., Consult a dietitian., Take your prescribed medications., See a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist., Treat any medical condition you may have., Ways To Get Rid of Bulimia, Dying To Stay Thin, How To Get Rid Of Bulimiabulimia, getting rid of bulimia, how to get rid of guide, eating disorder, psychological disorder, eating,How To Get Rid Of Bulimia,Diet And Exercise

How To Get Rid Of Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection that is usually caused by any of the Candida genus of yeasts (hence the name yeast infection or thrush), the most common of which is the Candida albicans. Candida fungi live on all surfaces of your body. Usually, they strike a commensal relationship with you—they don't harm your body while you provide them with nourishment. Under certain conditions, however, they become so numerous that they can cause several infections, particularly in areas of your body which are warm and moist. Examples of candidiasis infections include thrush, vaginal yeast infection, diaper rash, and nailbed infections. Usually, your skin blocks yeast infections, but if you get any skin breakdowns or cuts, the fungus may enter and start an infection.

In babies, candidiasis usually affects the mouth and diaper areas. In adults, oral infections occur more frequently with age. Yeast infections also happens on the lower abdomen, the breast, and beneath skin folds; they can even occur in dentures. Normally, candidiasis infections are superficial. They easily clear up with proper treatment. Candidiasis is only usually life-threatening when they are confined to severely immunocompromised people, like those suffering from cancer, HIV, or transplant patients. Systemic candidiasis infections also happen and they are very serious, with up to 75% of the patients in danger of dying.

Causes of Candidiasis

Yeasts fungi are the chief cause of candidiasis. Yeast overgrowth can be due to several reasons; the two most common is antibiotic, birth control pills, and steroid use. Natural occurrences like pregnancy, menstruation, and sperm, however, can also be a contributor. A weakened immune system can also make you more susceptible to candidiasis. That is why if you have a condition that cripples your immune system such as cancer, diabetes, or HIV, you will have greater chances of getting candidiasis, and a more dangerous one at that.

Candidiasis can also be transmitted sexually, although it is not considered a sexually-transmitted disease. One of the most common candidiasis infection is the vaginal yeast infection, and a small percentage of men who engage in sexual activities with women afflicted by it develop symptoms like rash and itching. Vaginal candidiasis is usually more troublesome to women than to the men who get an infection from it, but it is not life-threatening.

Tight fitting clothes and pants may also cause candidiasis. These kinds of clothings promote moisture, increase temperature, and induce irritation. Moisture and warm temperature are good places for fungi to grow in, and if you have a crack or cut on the skin in those areas, you will develop candidiasis.

Candidiasis Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of candidiasis will largely depend on the location of the infection.

Vaginal yeast infection for women usually manifests itself as a white cheesy discharge that typically makes the vagina itchy and irritated. The surrounding tissues are also affected. In some cases, the woman may feel pain during sexual intercourse or burning when urinating.

In oral candidiasis, symptoms may include thick, white patches on top of a red base in the tongue, the palate, or elsewhere inside the mouth. The patches can look like milk curds, but they can't be wiped away as easily as milk. Wiping the patches away with a razor or a cotton-tipped applicator may cause the underlying tissue to bleed. Eating is usually difficult if you have oral candidiasis.

Superficial skin candidiasis may appear as a red rash with sharp, scalloped edges. There may also be smaller patches of rashes appearing nearby, known as “satellite rashes”. The rashes may cause itching and pain.

Getting Rid of Candidiasis

Depending on what type of candidiasis you have, there are several treatments you can do to get rid of the condition, or at least reduce its symptoms. In treating candidiasis though, it is important to consider that the Candida species of fungi are part of the normal human body's intestinal and oral flora. If you're going to treat candidiasis with antibiotics, you will run the risk of eliminating the bacterias—the yeast's natural competitors for resources. The result will be a severity of the condition.

Use antimycotics. Antimycotics are drugs used to treat fungal infections. The antimycotics usually used to treat candidiasis clotrimazole, nystatin, and ketoconazole, all topical. You may also check for medications containing nitrate, butoconazole nitrate, and tioconazole. All are effective in removing the Candida fungus as well as restore your yeast levels to normal.

Keep yourself dry and clean. Keeping yourself dry and clean—especially areas that tend to gather moisture—is a good way to inhibit the growth of bacteria. If you have cuts and bruises in these areas of the body, then keep yourself clean at all times. If you're already infected, then constant cleaning will keep the irritation that comes with the infection at a minimum.

Wear comfortable and loose clothings. Avoid tight shirts or pants as these will further irritate any candidiasis you may have. Don't wear synthetic clothings; they do not allow your body and skin to breathe and they trap in moisture and heat—conditions that are very conducive to fungal growth and multiplication.

Maintain oral hygiene. For oral candidiasis, swish the antifungal nystatin around your mouth. Try to make it a habit to brush your teeth at least three times a day, to inhibit the growth of fungi. If you're the type who wears dentures, clean them thoroughly after each and every use.

Eat yogurt. Yogurt that contains the lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria can kill off the excess yeast fungi, stopping and controlling their growth. If you can't stand the taste ofp;camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00D17NRHC&linkCode=as2&tag=hotogeriofst-20">antimycotics., Getting Rid of Candidiasis, Candidiasis Symptoms, Causes of Candidiasis, How To Get Rid Of Candidiasiscandidiasis, get rid of candidiasis, candida, fungal infection, yeast infection,How To Get Rid Of Candidiasis,Fungal

How to Get Rid of Farmers Tan

If you can’t give up farming because you are making a living out of it, you should at least give up one thing that you get from it --- a farmer’s tan.

A farmer's tan is perhaps the type of tan line you wouldn't want to have, especially during summer. It doesn't show the area on your skin covered by your bikini or your trunks especially after going to the beach. A farmer's tan is a type of tan line covering only neck and arms. When you take of your shirt, the upper part of your arm, including your whole torso and chest, are white or unaffected. Your shoulders appear immaculately white while the rest of your arms are deeply tanned. You get a farmer's tan if you spend too much time under the sun with an A-shirt or a muscle shirt on. As its name implies, farmers are most likely to get this condition.

Looking sun-kissed is gorgeous but looking like you have been working too much in your backyard is not good at all. You need to get rid of your farmer's tan as soon as possible. You can't remove your farmer's tan overnight but you can do something. Here are a few tips.

Goodbye to the Marks of Farming

Speed up the process of removing a farmer's tan by exfoliating regularly. Soak in a hot tub or use a body scrub. Exfoliating is important in getting rid of a farmer's tan because you are gradually removing your dead cells. With this, the original skin tone comes out of your flesh earlier than you thought it will. Exfoliating is not difficult at do. You just need patience in scrubbing your body while taking a bath. A new loofah will be most effective, as it is still crunchy and rough. Your dead, tanned skin cells will surely have fun sliding from your skin down to your tub’s sink.
You can re-assign your farming activities to someone else if that's possible. No matter how much you exfoliate everyday and no matter how many times you apply a whitening cream on your skin, you won't see any changes until you finally decide to stop exposing your body under the sun. Prevent more damage by staying indoors especially during the hottest hours. If you desperately need to get your work done in your garden or in the farm, then you should at least bring an umbrella or wear sun screen while working.
You also need to get rid of blotchiness. The best way to combat this problem is to dampen your skin and massage it in a circular direction with dry baking soda. You can trust this method because aside from being safe and effective, it is also easy to do especially at home.
Soaking is another effective way of getting rid of a farmer's tan. Soak in the tub for long hours. Soaking helps soften the skin, making the dead cells easier to remove. In fact, soaking itself is an effective and effortless form of exfoliating.
Why don't you try using a self-tanner? If you want to try this, remember to use it only on the untanned area. If you use this on the already-tanned part of your body, you will only make the tanned area darker.
You can reduce your farmer's tan by using lotions with alpha hydroxy or AHA. Products with hydrogen peroxide should also be used. You can use this by applying a small amount in a swab of cotton and run it through the tanned areas, or simply apply it directly on your skin. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or lotions with AHA on sensitive areas since these chemicals are strong.
Look for a place to under the sun where you can spend time in without a shirt on. Make sure that it is a private place perfect for you when you are shirtless. If you are going to stay under the sun, use a better rated sunscreen than SPF 45 but if your local drugstore or grocery shop runs out of stock, then an SPF 45 will be fine.Apply your sunscreen protection starting from your tan down to your hands. Use also the same sunscreen on your neck, ears and face. In short, apply the sunscreen on areas above the tan line. As you spend time under the sun, apply your sunscreen again as often as necessary.

Summer Fun

Getting a tan is a good idea especially during summer. You just have to play it safe most of the time so you won't get any farmer's tan. If you enjoyed reading this article you might as well enjoy reading how to get rid of tan lines and how to exfoliate skin.

How to Get Rid of Fat Thighs

Why Are Your Thighs Fat?

During the evolutionary adaption years, labor was divided among men and women. All men took care of hunting, while women took part in gathering. For a very long time, this has always been case. Studies made by modern-day hunters, scientific theories and archaeology proved this to be true.

In those days, it was a requirement for men to be nimble. Men had to move like predators as they fought, jumped and ran for food. They would not have been able to do these if they didn't have athletic prowess, but they did it to hunt for food and of course, to impress women.

Because of this, men gain weight around the belly. The center of gravity in a man's body is behind his navel, slightly two inches behind. Interestingly, that is where excess fats go. Women, or the other hand, do not develop skinny legs and beer bellies. Women usually have fat backsides and thighs.

Gathering alone did not put too much pressure on women. they were were not athletic during the evolutionary era. When predators came, they yelled for help and did not run for their lives. Some threw pointed sticks or stones at enemies. In short, their activities and behaviors drove fat into their paunch, making them look pregnant. Women worked on it and after many years, instead of the fat getting into the paunch, the fat went straight to the thighs and backsides. Because of this, women no longer looked pregnant all the time but found it hard to run fast because of the weight on their thighs and backsides.

Then again, why would you let evolutionary tales or facts get the better of you? As a human being, you surely have the power to change the trend as women in ancient history were able to do the same. If you are tired of looking like an apple or a pear, you can follow these tips and say goodbye to urban legends about fat thighs.

Be a Fruit-Shaped No More

Women today complain too much about having thighs that are too big or hips that are too wide. You may be complaining about the same things too. You may be imposing draconi diets on yourself but that's being slightly suicidal. While having fat thighs can be entirely genetic, you can still do something about it. Then again, if you keep maintaining bad nutrition, your shape will only get worse day by day.

Here are some points you need to understand:

Under-Eating – It is important to know that fat is indeed emergency storage. If you take in enough food, your body burns muscle and holds fat. You then end up being skinny yet fat. In other words, your arms get thin while your thighs just expand for as long you are tolerate it.

Fat Deposit – Predominantly, fat deposit in women are located in their thighs. Once your upper body lacks mass, your hips will instantly look larger than life.

Genetics – While the amount of fat cells you have in your body can be inherited, you can do something about it. Lessen your intake of processed sugars and carbohydrates. Your metabolism and bone structure are hereditary, too, but some specific toning exercises will help you in the long run.

Getting Rid of Fat Thighs

Build Muscle – If you have more muscles, it only goes to show that you have burned more calories. You should keep building muscles to burn the calories you are storing in your body. Strength training is a good activity for you if you want to get rid of fat thighs. You can start by lifting weights.

Be Stronger – Being stronger is always easy as long as you have more muscle. Try doing presses, deadlifts, squats and other weight lifting exercises. Remember to start light to prepare your body for the workout. As you progress, add weight to each of your workout session. Don't worry about getting bulky --- it's just a myth.

Maintain a Healthy Diet – Meals that come from boxes are a big no-no. Unprocessed foods are always the best foods to eat. After each meal, drink at least two cups of water.

Every Three Hours – You need to eat every three hours to reach your desired body. Don't worry about gaining more weight from this since you are advised to eat only fruits, vegetables, fats, poultry and lean meat. Another purpose of eating only every three hours is to increase the rate of your metabolism.

Post Workout – You can also eat bread, pasta and rice. Just remember to eat these foods only a few minutes after your workout. Take advantage of your body while it burns the calories you have consumed quickly.

Getting rid of fat thighs is important for people who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Getting rid of fat thighs is an opportunity for you to finally say goodbye to insecurity. You can now say hello to skinny jeans, sexy skirts and a generally stronger and healthier body.

* Eliminating fat thighs is tough if you don't stick to your workout regimen, why don't you learn how to make a workout schedule and look fabulous. On the other hand, if you're skinny and want to gain weight, let the Monster Guide teach you how to gain weight

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How To Get Rid Of Carbuncles

Back in 1984, Prince Charles of Wales described the proposed Sainsbury Wing extension of London's National Gallery as “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much loved and elegant friend.” The quote has since become famous and it has come to be used to describe architecture that is a blight to its surroundings.

While using an infection like a carbuncle to describe a building can be quite harsh, the prince's metaphor is really spot on, so to speak. After all, having a carbuncle growing on the back of your neck isn't exactly attractive.

Anatomy of a Carbuncle

A carbuncle is a skin infection that is larger than a boil. Usually, it has one or more openings that drain pus onto the skin. The most common cause of a carbuncle infection is the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the same bacteria responsible for boils. Since a carbuncle is just a meaner and larger version of a boil, the formation of a carbuncle is also the same. It forms when one or more of your hair follicles get infected by the bacteria. Normally, the bacteria inhabits your skin and sometimes, the throat and nasal passages. However, when the skin gets cut or scratched, there's a chance that the bacteria can enter through it, starting the infection. When this happens, your body sends out specialized white blood cells called neutrophils to fight the infection. Inflammation occurs and the mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria form to become the pus—the aftermath of the battle.

A carbuncle is made up of several skin boils. The difference between a carbuncle and a boil is that the former causes a deeper and more severe infection than the latter. Also, carbuncles tend to develop more slowly, and heal slower as well. They are also likely to leave a scar, especially if you scratch them during the height of the infection. They are most common on the back and on the nape, and men are more likely to develop them than women. Like boils, carbuncles are contagious, and several family members may develop the infection at the same time. A carbuncle's size can range from a pea to the size of a golf ball, depending on the severity of the infection. When touched, it can hurt.

Sometimes, a carbuncle can be accompanied by an onset of fever and fatigue. Such a development usually indicates that the infection is bigger than originally thought and may require medications and other medical help to heal.

Getting Rid of Carbuncles

Since carbuncles are really nothing more than boils on steroids, the same steps you will use to get rid of boils will also be applicable to treating carbuncles. Normally, however, a carbuncle will usually resolve by itself after a week or two. Here are some remedies and tips you can do to speed up the healing process and alleviate symptoms:

Use a hot compress on the abscess. Using a hot compress over your carbuncle will lessen the pain that usually accompanies it. The compress will also draw the pus to the surface faster. When the carbuncle brings to a head and breaks, use an antibacterial soap and running water to wash away the pus. Once that's done, cap it off with a clean medical bandage and medicated ointment. For progress, continue to wash the carbuncle two to three times a day until it fully heals.

Keep your wounds clean. The staph bacteria causes carbuncles through a wound or break on your skin. In order to prevent carbuncles from happening, it is important that you clean all your skin wounds with antibacterial soap and running water. If you already have a carbuncle, keeping it clean through washings and dressings will prevent it from spreading to the other parts of your skin.

Refrain from popping your carbuncle. Even though it's tempting to do so, don't, under any circumstances, pop your carbuncle unless it's the doctor who does it. Forcefully breaking the abscess will result in spreading the infection further. As much as possible, contain the carbuncle. Popping the carbuncle may also result in unsightly scars after it has healed. You may also cause damage to the lower layers of your skin. It's even more dangerous if you'll try and use unsanitized objects such as pins or needles to do the bursting. Instead, coax the pus out naturally.

Consult the doctor for recurring carbuncles. Recurring carbuncles are not uncommon. They are usually signs of something more serious though so have it checked by a doctor. A bacterial culture or swab is usually taken from the abscess and then analyzed. From there, the appropriate antibiotic treatment is given.

For serious and deep carbuncles, consult a doctor. If normal methods of treating carbuncles do not work, then it's time to have it checked by your doctor. It won't normally be a life-threatening problem though, so you don't need to worry. The doctor will just drain the pus out of the abscess manually by anesthetizing the area and then cutting through it using a lancet or a scalpel. If the abscess is too deep to be completely drained of pus in one sitting, he will cover the incision with a sterilized gauze and let the pus continue draining. After a few days, the gauze can be removed.

Since carbuncles are generally contagious it's always a good idea to make sure that your family members are also not suffering from it. If your members are carriers and you don't know it, you might end up in an endless cycle of carbuncle infection. Don't share towels or clothing and make sure that everyone washes themselves properly, and ensure that everyone gets a bacterial culture. Carbuncles are not life-threatening but they are very unsightly. Keep your family free from its ugliness by practicing healthy living.

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How To Get Rid Of Cardiovascular Diseases

When you speak about cardiovascular disease, you are discussing not one specific disease but a whole range of diseases that affect your heart or the blood vessels. These diseases include heart attack, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke (which does not include the heart but still involves the arteries). In practice, cardiovascular diseases are treated by cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and neurologists, depending primarily on what organ is affected. Since cardiovascular diseases tend to have similar causes and mechanisms, there is a tendency to overlap in specialties and it is not uncommon for a procedure to be performed by several specialists in one hospital.

Cardiovascular diseases are a great risk, especially to people living in Western countries. In the United States alone, cardiovascular problems are the number one cause of death according to a survey done in 2007. Heart diseases alone caused 30% of the deaths, while the other cardiovascular diseases caused substantial death and disability.

Causes of Cardiovascular Diseases

While there are many diseases that fall under the umbrella of the term cardiovascular disease, the term is mostly used to describe the damage caused to your heart or blood vessels by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the chronic inflammation of the walls of your arteries, mostly due to the accumulation of fats and cholesterol. It leads to a narrowing of the arteries, resulting in less blood to the organs. Since arteries are responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygenated blood to the the organs, a hardening and blockage of them will lead to complications and health issues. Accumulated plaques may also break off, totally blocking blood flow to the organs, which is more severe. If atherosclerosis affects the arteries leading to the heart, you may develop a heart attack. If the blockage occurs in the arteries to the brain, you will have a stroke.

The usual suspects for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases remain the same: unhealthy diet, unhealthy lifestyle, being overweight, and smoking. All the risks and causes of various cardiovascular and heart conditions are almost always the same, since the system tends to have the same mechanism. Conversely, their treatment and prevention are also similar.

Types of Cardiovascular Diseases

The cardiovascular system is made up of your heart and the blood vessels all around your body. Diseases such as aneurysm or stroke are still considered cardiovascular in nature even if they're nowhere near the heart since they involve the arteries. Cardiovascular diseases can be congenital (meaning you're born with them) or you may acquire them later in life. There are many types of cardiovascular diseases. The most common are:

Heart Attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot obstructs or cuts off the flow of blood through the coronary artery. The artery is any of the blood vessels that feed blood to any part of a heart muscle. When blood flow is interrupted, it damages or destroys a part of the heart muscle, causing it to function improperly. The medical term for heart attack is “myocardial infarction”.
Aneurysm. An aneurysm is any bulge in a blood vessel wall. Over they, they get bigger and they have the potential to rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding. Anurysm can occur anywhere in your body, although the common is the abdominal aorta and the arteries at the base of the brain.
High blood pressure. Your heart is constantly pumping blood throughout your body. The pressure needed for this function is usually regulated and maintained. When the force gets to be too excessive, you will have high blood pressure.High blood pressure is the most common cardiovascular problem today. Although it can potentially be life-threatening, it is also very treatable and preventable. High blood pressure can lead to other cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and stroke and that is what makes it dangerous.
Heart failure. When your heart can't pump enough blood to support the various organs of your body, you will have heart failure. The signs and symptoms usually include shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. It can develop suddenly, or over the years. It can also be the result of another cardiovascular disease that caused the heart to function below the normal level.
Stroke. When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, you will develop a stroke. Both are very serious and will cause the death of cells in the immediate area. Stroke is both considered a neurological and cardiovascular disorder because it causes many complications.

Getting Rid of Cardiovascular Diseases

Most of the diseases under the cardiovascular umbrella are very treatable and, most importantly, preventable. Since the diseases tend to have roughly similar causes, you can take several steps that will effectively decrease or eliminate their symptoms.

Stop smoking. Smoking increases blood pressure by at least five to 10 mmHg, as well as induce secondary cardiovascular problems. Nicotine creates spikes in both blood pressure and heart. Smoking also causes the arteries to constrict, decreasing blood flow and increasing pressure.
Exercise. The importance of exercise on your cardio-respiratory system cannot be stressed enough. Exercise makes your blood flow more freely throughout your body. It widens the arteries so the blood will have more room to flow in improving your overall circulation and rour life.
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How To Get Rid Of Cataracts

The eye is a very wonderful organ, and how it works so you can see is equally marvelous. Inside your eyes are natural lenses that are made mostly of water and protein. The natural lens is found behind the iris (the colored part of your eye) in the pupil area. One of the lens' major functions is to focus light on the retina. The retina transforms the light into signals to the brain which then interprets it as vision. That is how you are able to see.

Sometimes, however, you develop certain health conditions that impede this process, leading to failing vision, or even blindness. Cataract is one of the most common example of these health conditions.

Clouded Visions

Cataract is simply the clouding of the eye's lens. Normally, the eyes' lenses cannot be seen by the naked eye unless they become extremely cloudy, a feature that is found in all cataract cases. People with cataracts often describes their vision as looking through a fogged glass—a result of the light passing through the lens being distorted and blocked. The main problem associated with cataracts is usually with regard to distance vision, as well as problems with glares. Normally, there is no pain or irritation involved.

Normally, cataract is the result of aging, affecting roughly 60% of all the people over the age of 60. They can occur rapidly, however. In fact, many people do not know that they're already suffering from cataracts simple because changes in their vision are gradual. In the earlier stages, prescription eyeglasses and stronger lighting can help you deal with the vision problems. As the condition progresses, however, and it starts to affect your normal lifestyle, then you might need to resort to surgery. The good news is that cataract surgeries are relatively common (about 1.5 million being performed in the US each year alone) and safe. It is a very effective solution, too.

Causes and Types

There are three layers on your eye's lens. The outer layer is called the capsule and it is a thin, clear membrane. The next layer is a soft, clear material called the cortex. The last layer is the nucleus, and it is the harder center of the lens.

As you grow older, the lens in your eye becomes less flexible and they thicken. The composition of the lens also changes and the structure of the protein fibers that makes the lens do its job starts to break down. Some of these fibers clump together, causing the small areas of the lens to cloud over. As the cataract progresses, the clouding becomes denser and starts to encroach on the other part of the lens. Also, a cataract can form in any part of the lens.

There are three types of cataracts:

Nuclear – A cataract that occurs in the center of the lens is called a nuclear cataract. With this kind of cataract, you may experience shortsightedness or even an improvement in your reading vision as your lens changes how it focuses light. However, this doesn't last long as the lend turns yellow, and even brown. People who have this type of cataract will have trouble seeing at dim lights and distinguishing between shades of blue and purple.

Cortical – If you see a whitish, wedge-shaped streak of the outer edge of your lens cortex, you might be suffering from cortical cataract. As the cataract grows, the streaks extend to the center and that is when people experience vision problems. Glare problems are usually what people suffering from this kind of cataract experience.

Subcapsular – People suffering from subcapsular cataract often have problems with their reading vision, reduced vision in bright lights, and have problems with glare or halos forming around bright lights. The cataract usually starts as a small, opaque part just under the capsule of the lens. It can usually be found at the back of the lens.

Getting Rid of Cataracts

If you think you're experiencing symptoms of cataract, then try the following tips:

Consult with an optometrist. First of all, make sure that you have yourself checked by a qualified optometrist. You can drastically slow down cataracts when treated at an early age. Your optometrist will also be able to tell you if what you really have is just cataract and not something far more serious.

Use a magnifying glass when reading. Don't strain your eyes more if you're having trouble with cataracts. Use magnifying glasses or prescription glasses to help you with reading or any activity that requires full use of vision.

Use proper prescription glasses. If you're using glasses or contact lenses, make sure that they're the correct prescription. The wrong ones can exacerbate your vision problem, and may even lead to serious injury. Seek the help of an optometrist for the correct ones.

Improve lighting. Improve lighting in your home or in places where you work. Use lamps that can accommodate halogen lights.

Limit your night driving. Night driving especially with an eye problem can be very dangerous. Limit your driving or, if possible, have someone do the driving for you.

The above tips are helpful for a while, but if your cataract worsens, then you will have to resort to cataract surgery. The surgery involves removing the clouded lens, and then replacing the lens with a clear implant. In cases where the lens are not replaced with an implant, vision is corrected through the use of glasses or contact lenses. The success rate of cataract surgery is 95%.

There is no diet, medication, or optical devices that can cure cataracts. It is advisable that when you get the first symptoms of the condition, consult with your optometrist right away. He or she will then be able to give you the best course of action to take in saving your precious eyesight.

How To Get Rid Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

When you perform many tasks throughout the day, you slowly wear out, especially if the tasks are particularly strenuous. By the end of the day, you get home, plop down on your sofa, and just bask in the afterglow of having done a hard day's work. Most people call this being fatigued; essentially, your body has used up all the energy it has obtained from the food and rest. The most common way for people to replenish their spend energy is, of course, rest, either through taking a breather or getting sleep. A body normally needs 8-10 hours of sleep in order to repair everything in your body and get you fully recharged for another day. With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, however, this is not so.

Low Battery

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that is characterized by a state of chronic or extreme fatigue that doesn't go away or improve even after sufficient bed rest. When you exert effort doing any physical or mental activity, the condition may worsen. People with chronic fatigue syndrome appears fatigued without any explanation, for a period that is longer than six months. The following criteria, while not definitive, may indicate that you're suffering from CFS:

If you're experiencing chronic fatigue for six months or longer, and all the known conditions that may cause chronic fatigue have already been ruled out by your physician;

If you have four (or more) of the following symptoms simultaneously:

- short-term memory or loss of it, or lack of concentration;

- tender or enlarged lymph nodes;

- sore throat;

- joint pains that move from one joint to another, without any redness or swelling;

- muscle pain or soreness;

- headache that is not usual with what you would normally have;

- easily disturbed when sleeping;

- tiredness and fatigue that lasts for more than 24 hours after exercise.

There are also non-official symptoms of CFS. While they may also be symptoms of other ailments, these, in conjunction with the two main ones above, can provide physicians a better diagnosis of CFS. These various symptoms include irregular heartbeat, nausea, visual disturbances, and weight loss or gain.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is one of the most mysterious of all chronic illnesses. There is no clear cause for it, unlike other illnesses. It has been supposed that it is the result of an infection with effects to the immune system, like an inflammation of the nervous system pathways as an autoimmune response. The problem is that there is nothing to measure in the blood like the other autoimmune diseases so there is no definitive way to be sure. Several viruses as well as bacteria have also been studied as possible causes of CFS but no cause-and-effect relationships have been found. To compound things, lack of medical knowledge and understanding of CFS has made determining the characteristics of the illness difficult.

Ways To Get Rid of CFS

Despite your symptoms, learning how to manage your fatigue will give you a modicum of normalcy and help you improve your level of functioning, and overall quality of life. These are self-care tips that will help you maintain good general health:

Reduce your stress. Limit overexertion and emotional stress. Relax. Take a break if you're subjecting yourself to a rigorous and stress-inducing workload. Don't change your daily routine totally, however. It has been shown that people who drop all their activity tend to end up being worse than those who kept on being active. Just change enough to allow yourself a breather.

Exercise regularly. It might seem counterintuitive, expending more energy when you're feeling fatigued. However, regular exercise often improves your CFS symptoms. Start slow, and then gradually build up. Many people find that walking, aerobics, or swimming help make them feel better. Stretching, relaxation exercises and proper posture are reportedly very helpful. Consult with your physical therapist for a good exercise regimen.

Get enough rest and sleep. Build up energy by getting enough rest and sleep. Aside from this, practice good sleeping habits. Remember that when you sleep is just as important as how many hours you sleep. Limit daytime napping. Make it a point to go to bed and wake up roughly the same time each day. Doing so will keep your internal body clock on the level.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get a balanced diet and reduce or avoid caffeine, smoking, and drink plenty of fluids. Find a hobby or career that's fulfilling.

Moderate your daily activities. Too much or too little activity can worsen your long-term symptoms. Strike a balance between the two. Work a regimen with your doctor and gently increase your stamina over time.

Other Forms of Treatment

There are a lot of therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome. Since the cause of the illness is generally unknown, these therapies are primarily designed to offer relief of the symptoms rather than cure it. The ultimate goal is to maintain a rather normal or otherwise healthy lifestyle. Some of the therapy treatments include:

Cognitive behavior therapy. Often used with graduated exercise, the therapist tries to identify the negative behaviors and beliefs that prevent you from achieving recovery. Once identified, the therapist tries to replace them with healthy and positive ones.

Depression treatment. Therapy for depression is often accompanied by medications and antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications may also improve sleeping and act as pain relievers.

Acupuncture. While not directly used for CFS, acupuncture has been studied as a possible cure for fibromyalgia symptoms, a disease that is similar to CFS and is also characterized by fatigue and muscle soreness.

The symptoms and experience of chronic fatigue syndrome differs from eprson to person. Some recover over time while some are finding it hard to deal with the illness. If you or a loved one are suffering from CFS, emotional and physical support is a very important factor in recovery and self-coping. After all, sometimes, medicine is not enough.

Click here for more information on how to get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome.

How To Get Rid Of Cirrhosis

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. Among its many functions are making proteins needed for the body, waste elimination, producing cholesterol, and the storage and release of glucose energy. The liver also metabolizes many drugs used in medicine. More importantly, the liver produces bile that is useful for digesting food. The liver also has the remarkable ability to regenerate if it is injured or a part of it is removed. There will be times, however, when an injury to the liver can cause complications. In such cases, you will have is called cirrhosis of the liver.

Liver Let Die

Cirrhosis is a chronic (meaning long-term) disease of the liver that causes irreversible scarring of the organ. When the liver is damaged or injured, scar tissue replaces the normal tissue that is lost, during which blood flow through your liver is affected. If the damage is continuous and is not stopped over time, the liver gradually loses its ability to carry out its functions properly. In very advanced stages, the only resort would be to have a liver transplant.

There are a number of conditions that can cause cirrhosis. The primary cause of cirrhosis in many developed and developing countries is rampant alcohol abuse. Excessive alcohol can damage all living cells, especially the liver which filters such substances from your bloodstream and breaks down alcohol into highly toxic chemicals. Some of the chemicals cause inflammation that will eventually destroy the liver cells, leading to scarring. The severity will depend on how long you have been abusing alcohol. Alcohol cirrhosis usually happens after a decade or so of heavy drinking, although how much alcohol is required to injure the liver permanently will vary from person to person.

Some diseases can also be causes of cirrhosis. Chronic Hepatitis B and C are good examples; in fact, C is the second most common cause of cirrhosis, next to alcoholism. Hepatitis causes an inflammation of the liver which damages it over a period of years. Most hepatitis are caused by viruses (viral hepatitis) but your own body can cause it as well, in what is known as autoimmune hepatitis. Aside from this, some inherited diseases are also culprits. These include certain diseases that can cause unusually high concentrations of minerals to accumulate in the liver, such as Wilson's disease (high production of copper) and hereditary hemochromatosis (high levels of iron).

Watch the Signs

Cirrhosis takes years, even decades, to develop. There is usually no outward or sudden symptoms during this time. However, those suffering from cirrhosis tend to be overly tired or fatigued, suffer from weakness, and have loss of appetite and sex drive. Once complication sets in, more tell-tale signs and symptoms start to appear. Among them:

Jaundice – The liver normally produces bile that is coursed through the small intestine. With cirrhosis, however, bile can back up into the blood, causing your skin and eyes to turn yellow as well as darken the urine.

Gallstones – Since cirrhosis causes abnormal metabolism of bile pigment, gallstones tend to develop twice as much as people who don't have the condition.

Swelling in the abdomen and legs – One of the chemicals the liver produces is a protein called albumin, which holds fluid in blood vessels. Without albumin (due to liver failure), fluid seeps out to the tissues into the abdomen and legs, causing swelling and edema.

Sensitivity to medications – The liver is responsible for filtering medications from blood. A breakdown in that function will lead to you being unusually sensitive to medications.

Encephalopathy – You will also have confusion and delirium or some personality changes due to the buildup of toxins and drugs in your blood, affecting your brain, that are supposed to be filtered by your liver.

Getting Rid of Cirrhosis

Damage to the liver cannot be reversed by any form of treatment or self-help. However, if controlled at an early stage, the liver can heal itself without any complications. If you're suffering from cirrhosis, here are some things you can do to reduce further damage to your liver.

Stop alcohol consumption. The single most important step you can take is to stop taking alcohol. In the United States, it is the number one cause of liver failure. Stopping your intake of alcohol will drastically reduce the load on your liver, giving it time to recuperate.

Limit your medications. One of the primary functions of the liver is to detoxify and eliminate drugs from your blood. Obviously, with your liver not functioning up to par, taking in drugs that may harm it will only exacerbate the situation. Talk to your doctor about what medications to avoid. In general, it is wise to avoid aspirins and NSAIDs. Remember not to combine any analgesic with alcohol, even if you're taking the proper drug dosage.

Eat a healthy diet. Cirrhosis can cause nutritional deficiencies leading to weight loss. Therefore, you should have a well-balanced diet; it is especially recommended that you get one that is high in calories and nutrients, especially protein. Include fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. You can also try asking your doctor for any vitamin supplements you can take.

Restrict your salt intake. Cirrhosis causes fluid retention in your body, leading to swelling and edema. Salt, also, causes your body to retain water, further aggravating the situation. Avoid high-sodium prepared foods such as cold cuts and canned goods, and cut back on condiments. You can instead use lemon juice and herbs as salt substitutes.

Cook shellfish thoroughly. Raw oysters, clam, and other shellfish contain bacteria that may be hazardous if you have cirrhosis. It's better to just avoid them altogether but if it's not possible, then be sure to thoroughly cook them.

Your liver is an indispensable organ, and while you can have it replaced via a liver transplant, good livers are still hard to come by. Take good care of it by having a healthy lifestyle, and you can assured that it will serve you properly until the end of your days.

Click here for more information on how to get rid of cirrhosis.

How to Get Rid of Cold Sweats

Cold sweats, also referred to as clammy skin, happens when the skin becomes cold, damp, and pale due to excessive perspiration. Unless you are shirtless in the middle of Greenland, swimming during wintertime, or acting like Gandhi, your skin should be warm and dry.

However, there are various types of illnesses that may cause your skin to turn clammy, even if you cover yourself with a plethora of fur coats and decide to bask in the desert sun. Donning the whole animal kingdom or exposing yourself to heat may cause heat exhaustion, which in turn cause cold sweats.

The condition is not really a matter of climate change or superficial cause and effect principle -- it is about health conditions that may require medical attention.

Psychological stress and anxiety may also provoke physiologic changes that translates to perspiration and clamminess. Lack of normal skin color normally accompanies cold, clammy skin. Depending on the cause, other symptoms may manifest as well.

Having a cadaver for a body may suggest nothing serious; however, such a body condition may raise health concerns. Understanding this medical condition and its causes and symptoms, can help you reach a definitive answer.

Causes and Signs of Cold Sweats

Anxiety. This emotional disorder, characterized by unreasonable fears and feelings of impending doom, may trigger various physical symptoms, including heart palpitations, dry mouth, indigestion, and cold sweats. (For dry mouth treatments, learn how to get rid of dry mouth)

Acute Gastritis. It usually occurs in a sudden and violent fashion, but only lasts for a short time. There are two types of acute gastritis: acute simple gastritis and acute erosive gastritis. The former may be caused by excessive intake of spicy food, alcohol, aspirin, or other drugs, which is often marked by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The latter is a medical emergency that may be caused by swallowing a poisonous substance, often marked by severe stomach pain, rapid pulse, excessive thirst, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting of blood, and cold sweats.

Heat Exhaustion. When heat is accompanied by high humidity, exhaustion becomes a common sight. People suffering from heat exhaustion sweat profusely, which turns their skin pale and clammy. The condition is marked by faintness, poor coordination, dizziness, thirst, nausea, and vomiting.

Shock. This condition occurs when blood pressure is too low to maintain the body's vital functions. Such occurrence is marked by a fast, weak pulse, disorientation or confusion, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, lack of urination, and a sense of impending doom. Shock may also be the result of fluid loss, such as severe burns and certain cardiovascular conditions like heart attack.

Hypoglycemia. When the level of glucose in the body becomes abnormally low, symptoms of cold sweats manifest, such as dizziness, faintness, hunger, nervousness, irritability, and mood swings. Hypoglycemia can occur due to excessive production of insulin, which is why diabetic people should be careful with their medicinal dosage. Insulin overdose can be life-threatening.

Quick Care Tips

For someone suffering from heat exhaustion, have him or her drink plenty of fluids and move to a cool shaded environment. Meanwhile, for people who are suffering from shock, let him or her lie down on the back with legs elevated about 12 inches. You should probably consult a doctor through the phone, or better yet, call an ambulance or bring the person straight to a hospital.

As much as possible, stabilize the person before medical aid comes. If upon first aid remedy, the symptoms have improved, you may not necessarily need to bring him or her to a hospital; however, people with any of the following symptoms should immediately be given medical assistance:

Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort
Signs of shock, such as low level of consciousness, confusion, or weak pulse
Repeated occurrence of cold sweats
Anxiety-related symptoms
Heat-related symptoms
Sickle cell disease or a condition that impairs the immune system

If you are not familiar with any first aid procedure or unable to contact a doctor, call for emergency help or take the person to a hospital right away.

Before heading to a hospital, you may want to prepare answers for certain medical questions to help the doctor diagnose. If you are on your way to a hospital, try to compose yourself and go through these questions:

Time Pattern

How quickly did the symptom(s) develop?
Did it develop suddenly?
Has it ever happened before?

Medical History

Is the person ill?
Is the person in pain?
Has there been an injury?
Does the person seem anxious or stressed?
Has there been a recent exposure to high temperature?
What other symptoms occurred for the past few hours? Days?

Tips to Prevent or Remedy Cold Sweats

Change your exercise routine from hot,hock should be dealt with immediately. Before any medical aid, be sure to keep the person lying down with legs elevated. Cover the person for warmth and stop external bleeding by applying pressure. Make sure the person is able to breathe freely. If breathing stops, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR (Learn how to do CPR) if both breathing and pulse stop.

Resort to medication and behavioral therapy. If you have a great deal of anxiety problems, consult a doctor for medication and psychological treatment. Behavioral therapy gradually exposes you to frightening situations in order to eliminate any fear response, and eventually control anxiety.

Cold sweats is a condition that may be life-threatening if not given attention right away. As much as possible, avoid situations wherein you are risking cold sweats, or any medical condition for that matter. Cold sweats may sound trivial but it can prove to be fatal so do not ignore it by all means.

Click here for more information on how to get rid of cold sweats.

How to Get Rid of Fever

You're dizzy, your head aches, and your whole body feels warm: these are all the classic symptoms of a fever. Everyone experiences getting a fever every now and then, for different reasons. It's one of the most common health ailments in the world.

A fever is uncomfortable, but do you know that it's actually a sign of something good? It means your immune system is working normally. When the body becomes sick, whether because of an infection or another cause, the body thermostat makes the temperature go up, causing fever. The intense, high heat is unbearable for viruses and bacteria, since they can only stand normal body temperature. These intruders are then killed. A fever is not a symptom, but a sign that your body functions properly.

No matter how normal or needed a fever is, you can't deny the fact that it's annoying and troublesome, taking you away from your everyday obligations. If you want to get over this health condition immediately, there are effective tactics you can try.

Fever Causes And SymptomsExperts say you have a fever when your body temperature goes beyond 100.4 to 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 to 39 degrees Celsius. Aside from the added body heat, there are other common symptoms associated with the condition. (Learn about the kinds of fever that you can have)

Sweating
Aching muscles
Dry mouth
Headache
Chills
Sleepiness and fatigue
Body weakness
Dizziness
Slurred speech and delusion (In severe cases)

You can get a fever because of different reasons, like:

Bacterial or viral infections – When these invade the body, the immune system fights back, causing fever. Examples of these include chicken pox, mumps, pneumonia, measles, the flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis and the common cold.
Heat – Staying in a hot place for too long can cause exhaustion and extreme sunburn, sometimes leading to fever.
Side effect of medications – Drugs and antibiotics for seizures or high blood pressure sometimes cause fever.
Inflammatory conditions – These can also trigger a fever. One example is temporal arteritis, or the inflammation of an artery in the head.

Now that you know what are the symptoms and causes of a fever, you can now proceed to the crucial part of this condition: getting rid of it. Here are some ways how.

Cool DownWhen they get feverish, some people turn to the “sweat it out” tactic: they bundle themselves up in thick clothes, wrap sheets all over their bodies, and let their body become soaked in sweat. For some people, this is effective, but it's not recommended, especially if you've got a very high temperature. You should do the opposite, and cool your body down. Make it as comfortable as you can by lowering the temperature.

One very simple, but effective way is by getting an ice pack and placing it over your forehead, on the the groin, crotch or even in the armpit. This cools the body temporarily. Another tactic is by soaking a clean washcloth in bowl of cool water and placing it over the forehead. You can also wipe it all over the body, to lower the temperature and reduce the fever faster.

Here's another tactic many find helpful when alleviating fever: suck on a Popsicle or eat a bowl of ice cream. Doing this can lower body temperature.

When all these fail, you can also take a lukewarm bath. Since there's a lot of water washing over a big body surface area, this is the most effective tactic to cool your body. The water shouldn't be too hot, so you won't scald your skin, and it shouldn't be too cold, so you won't go into chills.

Stick To A Fever DietWhat you ingest affects the course of your fever and how quickly it'll pass. Remember, the body is fighting the infections, so you have to assist it, by strengthening your immune system more. Most people lose their appetite when they have a fever, but this is okay, since it allows the digestive system to rest, and the immune system to work without distraction.

One effective tactic to cure a fever is by taking in plenty of fluids. Bacteria and viruses grow faster in dehydrated body cells, so you have to keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Sports drinks are also recommended, since they contain more electrolytes. If the body gets all the water it needs, the toxins are removed faster and white blood cells work better. The faster the fever will pass.

Although fluids are good for fever relief, not all liquids are recommended to treat the condition. Refrain from ingesting drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Drinks with too much sugar, like soda or undiluted fruit juice, should also be prohibited since these slows down the white blood cells' ability in killing bacteria.

When your fever starts to subside, the appetite comes back. You can then eat vegetable soups and drink diluted fruit juices. Opt for simple foods like whole grains. Cooked foods are also better than raw ones.

Turn To MedicationsIf cooling down and drinking plenty of fluids does nothing for your fever, then it may be better if you take medications. There are numerous brands of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that work well to relieve fever. These fever reducers consist of either ibuprofen or NSAIDS, acetaminophen or aspirin. They are cheap, and they also cure other ailments like joint pain and swelling. Just remember to take the prescribed dosage obediently, so your condition will improve faster.

The choice of fever medicine doesn't matter too much, unless you have a drug allergy or a sensitive stomach. If you're under 18 years old, you should also remember not to take in aspirin. It might result in Reye's syndrome, a severe ailment that causes liver disease and brain damage.

Home RemediesMedications, proper diet, rest and cooling down all work great, but do you know there are other alternative remedies that can help remove fever without any worries? Some of these are herbal, but some can be found all around your home. Here are alternative fever remedies you can try:

Ginger - This herb contains some compounds that can treat fever naturally. Try making ginger tea. You can also use plenty of ginger for cooking, although this might destroy the plant's medicinal properties.
Garlic - Soak some garlic in hot water for a few minutes, then sip it slowly. This will not only alleviate the current symptoms, but also prevent the fever from coming back.
Willow Bark - This is where salicylates or Aspirin is derived from, so it makes sense that this herb makes an effective fever remedy. You can either get the extract or make tea out of the bark. It's a great fever reducer, but just like aspirin, it's not recommended for kids, since it can also cause Reye's syndrome.
Raisins - Extracts from raisins work well in curing fever. Get 20 to 30 raisins and soak them in water. Crush them after. Let the crushed raisins overnight, and the next day, strain the water and throw away the skin. Drink the raisin water to lower your fever. Add a bit of lime juice to make it more effective.
Holy Basil or Tulsi - Get some holy basil leaves and boil them in two cups of water. Mix some sugar and milk into it. Adding a small amount of honey while it's boiling is also good. This concoction helps lower body temperature.
Angelica root – Boil and infuse the roots in water. It's effective in bringing down a fever.

Curing a fever is no sweat. You just need to know the right tactics so this ailment won't annoy you anymore. Try these methods the next time your temperature goes up. The fever will go away quicker, and you'll be back on your feet in no time.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy how to cure a headache naturally.

Click here for more information on how to get rid of fever.

How to Get Rid of Fever Blisters

If there is one thing that will prevent you from kissing the man of your dreams, it is probably not his ex-girlfriend nor his "monster" mom ---- it is the severity of the fever blisters on your lips.

Sounds nasty? Don't fret. Understand what fever blisters are and help yourself get rid of it after mastering some quick-fix tips.Fever blisters are a type of facial lesion spotted on areas near your mouth or on the lip itself. Some equivalent terms are “recurrent herpes labialis”, “canker sores”, “mouth ulcers” and “cold sores”. A fever blister is a painful blister filled with fluid. The blister is the result of the infection from the virus that usually appears around the mouth area, but can also affect your fingers and other parts of your body. Hope and pray that the blisters do not reach your ears, because this happens to some people.

Fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus, but don't jump off your seat yet because this does not necessarily mean that you have a sexually transmitted disease. Herpes simplex virus has two types Type 1 herpes simplex virus affects the body tissues above your pelvic area. You also develop fever blisters with this type of herpes virus. The second type of herpes simplex virus is the sexually transmitted one, also known as “genital herpes.” This type of virus causes fever blisters only on very rare instances. (For herpes simplex treatments, learn how to get rid of herpes simplex)

Treat and Retreat

Fever blisters are not fatal. These are just manifestations of a more serious infection or health problem that you are currently suffering from. To lessen the pain and remove the blisters, here are some tips you can follow:

Over-the-Counter Medications – Docosanol-based over-the-counter medications are proven to effectively suppress the outbreak of Herpes Simplex Virus 1. If your local drugstore does not have a Docosanol-based medication, you can try other medications with compounds like tannic acid, phenol, lysine and zinc – all of which stop the herpes virus from producing fever blisters.

Valtrex is a popular over-the-counter medication for fever blisters, along with Zoviraz and Famvir, because these are known to diminish the damage the virus does to your mouth. With Valtrex, Zoviraz and Famvir, you are getting your money's worth for buying effective yet affordable medicines.

You can also dab on anaesthetic ointment to relieve you from the pain. If the pain is difficult to endure, reach for an ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Home Remedies – Aside from these over-the-counter medications, you can also go for home remedies using tea tree oil, aloe vera and sage, known to fight the virus that causes fever blisters. Before using these herbs, try using a cold compress where you wrap a piece of ice in a cloth and hold it against your lips. Repeating this process several times a day should help you stand the pain. Your blisters should subside, too. You can also try using medicinal herbs.

Herbs like aloe vera can be used by rubbing its gel on your fever blisters. Aloe vera does not smell good but expect it to work wonders. Break off a leaf and apply its gel on the affected area several times a day. In a few days, your fever blisters will dry up. It is best to have an aloe vera plant around the house because you are going to use several leaves per day. Use the same method when using tea tree oil and sage.

Petroleum Gel – You need to protect the area where fever blisters developed because the blisters can break out anytime again. Protect it with petroleum gel as this helps speed up the process of healing. Petroleum gel also shields the affected area from bacterial infection.

Watching Your Diet – The food you eat also affects the healing process. Avoid citrus, spicy and salty foods because these encourage further irritation, making your fever blisters even more painful than they already are. Natural drinks also help speed up the healing process, like buttermilk and water. About 500 milligrams of lysine will help you prevent an outbreak. As you watch your diet, you need to avoid dusty environments too, to prevent bacteria from entering into your skin.

Avoiding Stress -- Stress can make the condition worse, so stay away from anything that may cause you physical or emotional stress. Stress initiates the onset of fever blisters so learn how to deal with stress properly. Minimize your chances of developing fever blisters by engaging in yoga, meditation or the simple act of reading.

Don't Spread the Virus -- Fever blisters are most contagious on the first days and as the blisters heal so make it a point to always wash your hands. Do not expose yourself too much under the sun, especially not for several hours. Heat and sunlight triggers the growth of fever blisters. Treating yourself is a wise step to make, but do so without transmitting the virus to other people.

Let It Be

If you don't do anything about your fever blisters, they are most likely to go away after two weeks. In fact, after the blisters subside, they don't leave any scar on the affected areas. You only need to wait until the fever blisters disappear on their own.

On the other hand, if two weeks is too long for you, then feel free to use any of the tips above. To make the treatment more effective, administer a cure as soon as you feel the attack. The sooner you deal with your fever blisters, the less complications you are bound to have. If you have learned from this article, you might as well read how to treat a cold sore.

How To Get Rid Of Fibromyalgia

Among the more unusual and certainly uncomfortable illnesses a person can have, fibromyalgia is arguably up there in the upper tier of the list. Feeling chronic pain in every part of your body and not knowing why you do can really be a pain (no pun intended) in the proverbial behind.

King of Pain

Fibromyalgia is an illness that is characterized by the presence of chronic pain on all your muscles and ligaments, effectively making you hurt all over your body. You may also feel fatigue and multiple tender points. These points are places in your body where even the slightest pressure can cause you pain. Fibromyalgia was previously known by many names, among them fibrositis, psychogenic rheumatism, and chronic muscle pain syndrome.

It is not a contagious disease, nor is it directly life-threatening. The intensity of the pain may also vary from day to day, with flare-up periods or remissions. It is generally considered as non-progressive though, although pain may never disappear completely.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

There is no known cause of fibromyalgia. The current theory that is being proposed by researchers concerns what is known as the “central sensitization theory”. The theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower tolerance or threshold of pain because there is an increased sensitivity to pain signals in the brain. The researchers also believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes a change to the brains of people with fibromyalgia. They believe that there is an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals found in the brain that signal pain, called neurotransmitters. The brain's pain receptors (called neurons) also seem to remember the pain and become much more sensitive to it, causing them to overreact to the pain signals. In this way, an application of pressure on spots where you normally wouldn't feel any pain can be very painful if you have fibromyalgia. The question of what initiates this theory, however, is still not known.

There are other proposed causes of the development of fibromyalgia too. They include:

Sleep disturbance. Studies conducted via electroencephalograpy (ECG) have shown that people who are suffering from fibromyalgia are laching in the slow-wave sleep department (the phase where the deepest sleep happen). Feelings and circumstances that interfere with the stage four sleep such as depression and anxiety are believed to worsen the situation. There is a sleep disturbance hypothesis which states that trauma or illness causes sleep disturbance that may give initial chronic pain that may initiate the disorder. The hypothesis also states that deep sleep is critical in order to reset a substance called substance P which is released when you feel pain. The substance has the effect of amplifying pain and causing the nerves near those that initiate it more sensitive to pain. Deep sleep resets the substance P mechanism so this effect will not go out of control.
Injury and trauma. A trauma particularly on the upper spinal region may trigger the formation of fibromyalgia on some people. The nervous system—the system that is in charge of sensations including pain—may also suffer an injury that will cause you to get fibromyalgia.
An abnormality in the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is in charge of the bodily functions you don't consciously control such as sweating, heart rate, salivary flow, and intestinal movement. It is thought that a dysfunction of the system leads to fatigue, dizziness, stiffness, and other symptoms that are associated with the condition.
Infection. There is also a theory that a viral or bacterial infection causes fibromyalgia.
Changes in muscle metabolism. Decreased blood flow to muscles may contribute to a decrease in strength as well as fatigue. An abnormality in the hormonal substance that influence the nerve activities may play a role in the development of fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia is, of course, pain. The pain is not conentrated in the joints, like arthritis, but rather in the muscles and ligaments. The most common locations of the pain are in the neck, the back, and shoulder, and the hips. The pain is worse in the mornings, with some people describing it as throbbing or flulike.

Another common symptom that sufferers of fibromyalgia complain of is fatigue. It is so common that some doctors confuse the condition with chronic fatigue syndrome. The severity can range from mild to debilitating. In the most extreme form, the fatigue can keep some of the people from doing their jobs. Like chronic fatigue syndrome, no amount of sleep and rest can make it go away.

Other people also report a condition some have called fibrofog. It is a mental haziness that makes the people unable to concentrate, have memory losses, and depression.

Getting Rid of Fibromyalgia

In general, the treatment of fibromyalgia hinges on minimizing the symptoms and improving the patient's general health. Self-care is particularly important for the management of fibromyalgia. These include:

Reduce stress. Reducing the stress will have an over-all calming effect on your system and will allow you to sleep better, without being disturbed (a probable factor for developing fibromyalgia). Allow yourself to relax for some time each day. Avoid stress-inducing situations. You can also try stress-management exercises and techniques, such as meditation and deep-breathing exercises.

Get enough rest and sleep. Fatigue is one of the effects of fibromyalgia. Getting enough sleep and rest is therefore important. Also, practice good sleep habits. Go to bed early and try not to oversleep. Limit daytime napping.

Exercise. It may be painful at first exercising those ligaments and muscles, but regular exercises will often decrease the disease's symptoms. Light exercises such as walking, biking, or water aerobics are recommended. You can also hire a physical therapist to help you develop a good exercise program suited to your condition.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid habits such as smoking or substance abuse. Eat lots of healthy foods and try to limit caffeine intake as well as fats. Pretty soon, you will find your disposition becoming more and more positive.

Consult your doctor for medications and therapies. Your doctor will be able to provide you with the newest medications for fibromyalgia as well as some therapies and programs to help you manage the condition.

Fibromyalgia may sound scary at first, but with proper treatment and lifestyle management, you will be able to live life like a normal person would. Also, as they say, pain makes a man grow stronger.

Click here for more information on how to get rid of fibromyalgia.

How To Get Rid Of Colitis

Abdominal pains are one of the most common ailments you can have at any given day. Often, the problem is that abdominal pains can be caused by so many things, from common gas issues to serious cancer-related conditions. Due to this, most people take abdominal pains for granted, especially if they tend to just flare up every now and then. What people don't realize, however, is that abdominal pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong, and that what you have can potentially affect your way of life for as long as you live. An example of this would be colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes an inflammation in the lining of the membrane in your colon, or your digestive tract. It causes ulcers to form on top of the layers of the lining of your large intestine. The disease is characterized by abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, since it causes the colon to empty frequently. The ulcers bleeds, producing pus and mucus, and you may find yourself experiencing rectal bleeding. Fever, lack of appetite, and fatigue can also be present.

Since the symptoms of ulcerative colitis are similar to other inflammatory bowel diseases, diagnosis can be difficult, especially Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon, but Crohn's also affects the mouth, esophagus, and duodenum.

Generally, ulcerative colitis is found in people under the age of 30, but it can occur in the later stages of a person's life. Both men and women are affected and it tends to run in the family. There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, but therapies can reduce the symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission.

Causes and SymptomsThere are theories about what could cause ulcerative colitis but so far, none of them has been satisfactorily proven. Currently, researchers are focused on two factors: the immune system, and genetics or heredity. Some scientists think that the immune system may cause an inflammation of the colon by attacking invading pathogens that may not be there. Heredity is also being looked into since it has been observed that you're more likely to develop ulcerative colitis if you have a parent or sibling that also suffers from the disease. Currently, research to isolate the gene mutations that make a person more susceptible to the disease is ongoing.

Depending on the severity of the colitis, signs and symptoms can vary. The more common ones include frequent bowel movement (diarrhea) that may come with blood, lower abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. If you have the rare, life-threatening form of colitis called fulminant colitis, you'll feel severe pain, dehydration, and shock.

Getting Rid of ColitisYou have to remember that colitis cannot be cured; it can only be controlled. Aside from medical treatments that will be outlined later to more aggressively address the disease, there are several things you can do for yourself that will help ease the symptoms you get:

Watch your diet. While there is no evidence that what you eat will cause colitis, there are certain foods that will aggravate your symptoms. For example, dairy products often make inflammatory bowel conditions worse. You may also be lactose intolerant—that is, your digestive system can't properly process milk products. In such cases, substituting yogurt for milk can be a good idea.Other examples of problems foods include spicy foods, citrus, or those that can cause gas, such as broccoli and beans. Caffeine intake should also be limited.
Drink plenty of liquids. Liquids help in hydration, especially if you lose too much water because of diarrhea. Stay away from caffeine and sodas, though. Drink water instead.
Treat immediate symptoms. If you're suffering from diarrhea, then treat it as much as you can. Drink fluids for hydration and avoid foods that may exacerbate your condition. As your diarrhea symptoms improve, introduce low-fiber foods to your diet.
Eat small meals. Instead of getting two or three large meals every day, eat small meals scattered all throughout the day. That way, your digestive system will have enough time to deal with the food that you're eating.
Manage your stress. Stress does not directly cause colitis. However, it can exacerbate the disease's symptoms and may trigger flare-ups. Manage your stress by exercising regularly, avoiding any situations that upset you or stress you out, and taking relaxing breaks every now and then.
Take multivitamins. Ulcerative colitis can interfere with the digestive system's ability to absorb nutrients from the food that you eat. Supply those missing nutrients with multivitamin supplements. Just remember that multivitamins don't provide calories and proteins so you will still need to eat foods rich with those.

Treatment for colitis is aimed at reducing the inflammation that causes the signs and symptoms. In the best case scenario, the treatments will cause a long-time remission of the disease. Usually, the treatments for colitis are drug therapy and surgery.

Anti-inflammatory medications. Often the first step to treating inflammation in the colon, anti-inflammatory medications include sulfasalazine, which is effective in treating colitis but has side-effects, including vomiting, nausea, and heartburn. If you're allergic to sulfa drugs, don't take this medication. Balsalazide is similar to sulfasalazine but may produce fewer side effects.
Immunosuppressors. One of the main theories that scientists are working on regarding possible causes of ulcerative colitis is an attack by the body's own immune system. Immune system suppressor drugs have been found to not only reduce inflammatisors., Anti-inflammatory medications., Take multivitamins., Manage your stress., Eat small meals., Treat immediate symptoms., Drink plenty of liquids., Watch your diet., How To Get Rid Of Colitiscolitis, getting rid of colitis, getting rid of guide, colon diseases, digestive problems, digestive system diseases,How To Get Rid Of Colitis,Digestive

How To Get Rid Of Conjunctivitis

It is often said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Most people often remark about how it's a person's eyes that catch their attention the most, and it's no wonder why. Eyes are one of the most expressive parts of your face. In paintings, the eyes are usually the parts that are meticulously detailed by the painter. Eyes can convey feelings even if your face is a solid mask of blankness. When your eyes are afflicted by a disease, then, it is to your benefit that you will know what to do. Otherwise, the windows of your soul will be blocked by ugly curtains

The Eyes Have It

One of those “ugly curtains” is the infection known as conjunctivitis. Commonly known as “pink eye” or “red eye”, conjunctivitis is an infection of the conjunctiva, the part of the eye that is in the innermost surface of the eyelid, and the outermost layer of the eye.

Those suffering from conjunctivitis usually exhibit the following symptoms:

Redness in the affected eye or eyes.
Itchiness in one or both of the eyes. Acute allergic conjunctivitis, typically, is sometimes distressingly so, and there might be some swelling on the eyelid.
A gritty feeling in the eyes. Typically, this is most common in bacterial conjunctivitis.
A stringy, gray or yellowish discharge that is almost always opaque. The discharge may oftentimes cause the eyelids to stick together and crusts, usually during the night. Again, this is most typical to bacterial conjunctivitis.

Pain can be present, although it is usually mild. A better description would be a burning sensation in the eyes. The only time where severe pain may be experienced is when the patient has irritant or toxic conjunctivitis, when the infected eye or eyes are pointed far up or down.

The most common types of conjunctivitis are allergic reactions and/or infections (both bacterial and viral). They are categorized by their causes.

Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes. It is usually the body's response to an allergen such as a pollen, or dust. The body produces an antibody, the immunoglobulin (IgE), which triggers special cells called mast cells in the airways and mucous lining of your eyes. Inflammatory substances, such as histamines, are then released that produce several allergy signs, including red eyes.
Conjunctivitis caused by infections, on the other hand, may affect one or both of your eyes. Bacterial conjunctivitis may produce a thick, yellow-green discharge while viral conjunctivitis produces a watery or mucous one. Both can be associated with colds. Both are also very contagious.

Each of the types require a somewhat different treatment.

Getting Rid of Conjunctivitis

Depending on your conjunctivitis, there are several things you can do to ease or eliminate the infection. There are also general things you can do that are applicable to all types.

Use antibacterial medications. If you have antibacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointment to you that covers a wide range of bacteria. You should see an improvement within two to three days, if not sooner. In order to prevent the recurrence of the infection, be sure to follow your doctor's advice on how long to use it.
Use compresses and artificial tears. For viral conjunctivitis, it is advised that you use a cool or warm compress to alleviate the symptoms, as well as artificial tears found in most pharmacies. Since there really is no medication to completely kill viruses, you may just have to let the viral infection run its course. If the condition is worse, your doctor may suggest a topical corticosteroid medication. It usually takes three weeks for a viral conjunctivitis to clear.
Don't rub your eyes. Sure, conjunctivitis is usually itchy. However, rubbing your eyes may worsen the condition, especially if it's an allergic conjunctivitis, since doing so will produce more histamines. You can also use antihistamine eye drops to soothe your eyes.
Don't wear contacts. Avoid putting anything in your eyes during the duration of your condition, including contact lenses. They may contain other bacteria that will worsen your condition. They may also irritate your already irritated eyes. Thirdly, doing so may increase the chance of spreading the infection.

Prevention and Notes

Since conjunctivitis can be contagious (the viral and bacterial ones, at least), it is imperative that if you're suffering from it, you must practice proper hygiene. Here are several things you can do to contain and prevent getting the infection.

Stay away from allergens. The best way to not get allergic conjunctivitis is to stay away from the allergens that may cause it. Identify the things that trigger your allergy and avoid them. You can do this through the process of elimination. Most times, you'll be allergic to certain things, and these allergies usually manifest in many forms, not just conjunctivitis. Think back about your past allergic reactions and try to see what could have caused them. Then stay away.
Don't touch your eyes. Touching your eyes means you risk spreading the infection when you touch common household items like doorknobs, keyboards, or other things.
Don't share your items. Items like towels or washcloths shouldn't be shared to minimize the risk of spreading the infecvitis, getting rid of conjunctivitis, how to get rid of guide, pink eye, red eye, eye problems, eye infections,How To Get Rid Of Conjunctivitis,Infection

Acute Stroke: Causes and Treatment for Sudden and Server Stroke

Acute Stroke: Causes and Treatment for Sudden and Server Stroke

In medicine something which occurs abruptly and suddenly is referred to as acute.

Acute stroke is a condition of sudden and severe loss brain function when the blood supply to a part of brain is cut off. It is characterized by paralysis, loss of muscular control, loss of sensation and other symptoms, which vary according to severity and damage caused to the brain. The condition is also called cerebro-vascular accident (CVA).

Acute stroke is a medical emergency which requires immediate medical attention. The morbidity and mortality are high in acute stroke.

Some of the risk factors associated with it are advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking etc.

Acute stroke can be caused due to cerebral hemorrhage, thrombosis and embolism.

Symptoms of Acute Stroke

The onset is rapid with focal signs according to site of hemorrhage.

Headache

Vomiting

Neck stiffness.

Loss of muscle tone and paralysis of limbs mostly one sided.

Dilated pupils.

Difficult breathing

Blindness or flashing light in the visual field of the eye.

Confusion.

Loss of consciousness and coma.

Seizures.

Rise in body temperature if there is pontine hemorrhage.

Acute Stroke Treatment

The patient should be shifted immediately to the hospital.

Doctors will shift the patient to an intensive care unit.

The patient is put on emergency management profile.

If there is high blood pressure, it is brought under control.

Arrangements are made for CT scan.

Other necessary medicines are given according to the condition of the patient.

When the patient settles down, after few a week he may require physiotherapy and other rehabilitation treatment.

Also see Complex and Simple Focal Seizures