Home Remedies for Children's headaches

Though rare, headaches can sometimes be symptoms of a serious problem such as meningitis, a brain tumor or bleeding in the brain, according to Loraine Stern, M.D., associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of When Do I Call the Doctor? She says you should call your doctor if your child's headache:
* Is accompanied by a fever, vomiting, stiff neck, lethargy or confusion.
* Follows a head injury.
* Occurs in the morning, accompanied by nausea.
* Increases in severity over the course of a day or from one day to the next.
* Is suddenly brought on by a sneeze or cough.
* Interferes with school or other activities.
* Is restricted to one side of the head.

Before attempting any of these home remedies, however, read the ''Medical Alert'' above to determine if your child's headache might be the symptom of something more serious.

Turn to a proven painkiller. ''Simple analgesics such as acetaminophen [Children's Tylenol] are perfectly acceptable and effective for children's headaches, just as they are for adults','' says Dr. DiMario. Check the package directions for the correct dosage for your child's age and weight.

Apply a soothing compress. ''Some kids like warm cloths on their heads, others like cold cloths. You just need to experiment,' ' says William Womack, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Child Psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine and codirector of the Stress Management Clinic of Children's Hospital and Medical Center, both in Seattle. ''Keep the compress on for about 30 minutes, rewetting it as necessary,'' he says.

Head for bed. ''Rest seems to be one of the most effective ways to reduce a migraine headache,'' says Dr. DiMario. ''Many school nurses allow kids with headaches to lie down for half an hour. Often that is all that's necessary. They don't necessarily have to go to sleep. Just a half-hour of lying quietly can help.'' If your child is very sensitive to bright light during a migraine episode, you should draw the shades so he can rest in a darkened room, adds Dr. Womack.

Rub away the ache. Like adults, kids with tension headaches can often find relief by reducing stress. ''If your child is stressed out, relaxing massage might help,'' says Alexander Mauskop, M.D., director of the New York Headache Center in New York City and assistant professor of neurology at the State University of New York Health Science Center.

''If the muscles around the scalp or temples are tender, gently rubbing them can be helpful,'' says Dr. DiMario. ''But some kids don't like it because the scalp is too tender to touch.'' If your child says stop, don't insist--but many children do like that soothing touch of a parent's fingertips.

Make meal-skipping a misdemeanor. Make sure your child doesn't skip meals, especially breakfast, which is the most important one, warns Dr. Mauskop. ''Going all day without eating is a good way to get a headache or aggravate one you already have,'' he says.

Watch that egg roll, hold that pizza. By paying attention to what your child eats and when he gets his headaches, you may be able to spot a link. ''In some susceptible children, headaches are triggered by certain things they eat, such as chocolate, peanuts, processed meat and aged cheese,'' says Dr. DiMario. ''Pizza and Chinese food, if they contain monosodium glutamate, can bring on headaches in some children.'' If you think you've uncovered a connection, have your child avoid the suspect food and see what happens.

Curb the caffeine. Like grown-ups deprived of their customary morning coffee, kids can suffer from withdrawal headaches when they don't get their daily ''fix'' of caffeine. ''Caffeine withdrawal headaches are common in children who drink cola and eat a lot of chocolate--both of which contain caffeine,'' says Dr. Mauskop. If your child is susceptible, you may need to strictly limit these items, offering them only as an occasional treat.

Chart those mood swings. Some kids' headaches have emotional rather than food triggers, says Kenneth Covelman, Ph.D., director of psychosocial services for the Pediatric Pain Management Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and clinical assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, also in Philadelphia. ''By charting not just your child's headaches but also his moods and activities for several days or weeks, you can sometimes see a pattern. For example, headaches may occur just before tests in school, or after arguments,'' says Dr. Covelman.

Have a plan to defuse tensions. ''If you've identified an emotional trigger of your child's headaches,'' says Dr. Covelman, ''help him formulate a plan for dealing with it.'' Your child may feel a lot better if he has more control over situations, he suggests.

Don't rule out random events. If no dietary or emotional triggers emerge after a few weeks of charting your child's headaches, broaden the scope of your search, suggests Loraine Stern, M.D., associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of When Do I Call the Doctor? '' Write down what the weather was like, how much your child slept the night before his headache. . . every possible factor you can think of.

Reserve some time for fun. Many children who suffer from recurring headaches have fallen into the ''all work and no play'' trap, according to Dr. Womack. They need to schedule some fun.

Conception Problems

The one thing that can be more frustrating than being a parent is trying to become one with no success. For one in seven couples, conceiving a child can be a long and difficult process-it can take at least one year and sometimes requires several.

Some "trying" couples are infertile because of physical problems. But most couples are simply "underfertile" --they are physically able to conceive but have to nudge the stork just a bit more than usual. Here's what experts recommend for them.

Take cough syrup. "Before we had high-tech measures, a lot of doctors would recommend that women take cough syrup containing guaifenesin about four times a day around the time of ovulation," according to Arthur L. Wisot, M.D., a fertility specialist who is affiliated with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Care in Redondo Beach, California. "And that's still sound advice, because guaifenesin thins the cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to swim through to meet the egg."

Don't lubricate with commercial products. When intercourse needs a helping hand, couples sometimes use a commercial lubricant like K-Y Jelly. But that can hurt your chances of conceiving. That's because these products can impair sperm, making them less able to reach the egg, says John Willems, M.D., associate clinical professor of obstetrics/gynecolo gy at the University of California, San Diego, and a researcher at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in LaJolla. "A woman's natural lubricants should be all you need."

But egg white may help. If you need a lubricant during intercourse, try using egg white instead of a pharmaceutical lubricant, suggests Andrew Toledo, M.D., a fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist who is assistant clinical professor of medicine in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University in Atlanta. Because the egg white lubricant is pure protein--as are sperm--it makes a better "carrier" than lubricants made from nonprotein substances.

If dryness is a problem, Dr. Toledo recommends using the egg white lubricant during the days when a woman is fertile and a regular lubricant the rest of the time. But don't use egg white if you're allergic to it, and be sure to separate the white from the yolk before applying it to either the penis or the vagina.

Take more vitamin C. Studies by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston show that large doses of vitamin C can reverse some cases of male infertility. The team there, headed by Earl B. Dawson, Ph.D., reported that men who increased their vitamin C intake to 1,000 milligrams daily (the Recommended Dietary Allowance is 60 milligrams) showed increased sperm count, motility and longevity.

Stub out cigarettes. Smokers' alert: Women who smoke have more difficulty getting pregnant, according to studies by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. "But we don't yet understand the biological reason why," says Allen Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Epidemiology Branch at the institute. So if you smoke, you may better your chances of conception by giving it up.

Practice clean living. Smoking isn't the only vice that hurts your chances of conceiving. Studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that women who drink just one cup of coffee daily may halve their chances of becoming pregnant each menstrual cycle (compared with those who don't get any caffeine). "Cutting out caffeine seems to help some women, but not others. It may be worth a try," says Dr. Wilcox.

And there are other factors to consider as well. "You need to get your act together--don' t use drugs, stop drinking, and avoid all unnecessary medications, " says Dr. Wisot. To add to their healthy lifestyle, he also recommends that women start taking prenatal vitamins.

Wear boxer shorts. For some men, fashionable underwear styles may be the shortcut to fatherhood. Tight-fitting jockey shorts pull the testicles close to the body, and body heat impairs sperm, according to Dr. Wisot. He recommends wearing looser-fitting boxer shorts.

Don't soak in a hot tub, guys. High-temperature water can also lower sperm count and motility, says Dr. Wisot, so the man who wants to be Dad should stay away from hot tubs.

Go missionary. Although sexual position usually has no bearing on conception, "the missionary position assures better contact of the semen with the cervix--and may make the difference in marginal cases," says Dr. Wisot.

Keep a calendar. Most fertility specialists say that you and your partner should try to conceive for at least one year before assuming you have a conception problem.
"Generally, if a woman has an average 28-day cycle, she will begin ovulating on the 14th day," says Dr. Wisot. "If she's on an irregular cycle, ovulation usually occurs 14 days before her next expected menstrual cycle." Keeping track on a calendar for a few months is a good way to see your pattern.

Get help from a kit. "There are several ovulation kits that you can buy over the counter that help tell a woman when she's ovulating," adds Dr. Wisot. "Starting on the 16th or 17th day before your period, you should test your urine each evening with these kits. When you get a positive test, have intercourse the next day."

Go for the gold the second time around. Probably the biggest mistake couples make is assuming that a man's first ejaculation is his best. Actually, a woman is more likely to get pregnant when a man ejaculates two days before she starts ovulation and then they wait until she is ovulating before they try to conceive. "Usually that second specimen is better, both in sperm count and motility," says Dr. Wisot.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Home Remedies for Breast Feeding Problems

Breast-feeding is the way that creates a bond of love between the mother and the child. Mother’s milk is the best for the babies. A baby who feeds on mother’s milk has fewer problems of stomach upsets, less diarrhea, and almost no constipation. He will also have less skin trouble. Breast milk is the best food for a newborn; nothing comes even closer to provide all the nutrients that the baby will need later in life. Breast milk is much easier to digest then any formula in the market, at the same time it provides protection against infections, prevents future food allergies, helps the growth of healthy teeth, and most important it improves brain development.
Breast-feeding not only benefits the child but also to the health of the mother. The pelvic organs will return to normal more quickly, and skin will glow. This is one of nature’s ways to keep a woman young and beautiful.

Breast-feeding is much easier than other formulas and bottles.
Breast engorgement is a common problem that occurs in the feeding mothers in the first two or three weeks after delivery and is more annoying to women with poor skin elasticity. Engorgement is due to increase in the milk filling the breast together with blood and fluid retention in the same area.
Usually the breast feels full, hard, tight, tender, painful, and hot to the touch and a fever may develop, the baby may have a hard time to suck.
Plugged duct is a problem that occurs when the baby does not empty the breast completely on each feeding, the milk remaining in the duct hardens and blocks the duct eventually plugging it. Tight bras can cause plugged ducts as well. If the breast feels sore it might be a sign of plugged ducts.
Feeding the child in the wrong position can crack nipples.


HOME REMEDIES FOR BREAST FEEDING PROBLEMS

1. If your breasts become swollen and painful, apply warm, moist packs two or three times a day.

2. If the nipples become sore, carefully sponge them with rubbing alcohol, and then rinse with clean water.

3. Change the position of child at each feeding. Rotate between various holds like the cradle, football, and laying down to find the most comfortable positions for yourself. Use pillows to bring the baby up to the height of your breast to reduce tugging and pulling on your nipple.

4. Eat alfalfa to stimulate the milk production or to increase the quantity of milk in the breasts.
Midwives have used goat’s rue for hundreds of years to improve breast milk production by as much as 50%.

5. Take a handful of Confrey leaves and steam them for a few minutes wrapped in gauze and placed on the breast is very helpful relieving engorgement.

6. Soak a towel in hot water and place it on the breast ten minutes before feeding.

7. Give your baby frequent feeds on both breast 10 to 15 minutes each.

8. Check your nipples every day, if you see dry milk on them or dark dots remove them with a cotton and warm water and feed your child as soon as possible from that breast.

9.Place the baby in different positions every time, this will ensure that all ducts are being used.

10.Elder is used to reduce swelling of breast infected with mastitis.

11.Take plenty of rest during day.

12.Drink large amount of fluids.

13.Gently keep some green cabbage leaves in your bra for 2 hours. This will relieve the engorgement of breast and this is an effective home remedy for breasts.

14.Apply some tea bags on the sore nipples. It will help to reduce the pain of the sore nipples.
Keep your nipples dry and expose them to air whenever you can. You might try drying them with low heat from a hair dryer.

15.Applying a small amount of breast milk when you are done nursing, then letting it air-dry before covering yourself up might help.

16.Avoid using soap on your breasts. It can be very drying.

17.Prepare a solution of salt and water (1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of water) and soak your nipples for 15 minutes or so between feeding. this is also an effective home remedy for breasts feeding.

18.Massage the lump on your breast firmly between and during feedings.

19.Sleep as much as possible. Vigorous arm movements may help loosen up the blockage.

20.Chaste tree increases flow of milk, by affecting pituitary's prolactin secretion.

21.Milk thistle promotes production of milk and decreases pesticide residues in breast and milk.
Soak one‑half cup (regular) barley in three cups cold water overnight, or boil the barley and water for 25 minutes. Strain out barley. Store barley water in refrigerator or cool place until needed. Then heat a cup or two to boiling and add fennel seeds - one teaspoon per cup of barley water. Steep for no longer than 30 minutes. This combination not only increases the breast milk, but also eases after pains and improves the digestion of mother and baby.

22. Cumin helps increase milk production.

23. Chamomile help control inflamed breast.

24.Dandelion is very helpful and popular herb to treat mastitis.


References:
Brent N., et al. Sore nipples in breastfeeding women. Archives Pediatric Adolescent Medicine Nov 1998; 152: 1077-82.
Buchko, B. L., et al. Comfort measure in breastfeeding primiparous women. Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology Neonatal Nursing Jan 1994; 23: 46-52.
Cable, B., et al. Nipple wound care: a new approach to an old problem. Journal of Human Lactation Dec 1997; 13(4): 313-18.
Hill, P.D. and Humenick, S.S. The occurrence of breast engorgement. Journal of Human Lactation June 1994; 10(2): 79-86.
Huml, S. Cracked nipples in the breastfeeding mother. Advance for Nurse Practitioners April 1995.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Menstrual Problems treatment using Hemp

• Hemp can be successfully used when menses do not start at the scheduled time. Five large heads of hemps should be boiled in half a liter of water till the water is reduced to half. It should then be strained and drunk before going to bed for two or three nights. This remedy seldom fails.

• Goldenseal with a very small amount of mistletoe is an effective remedy to reduce blood flow.

• To relieve menstrual cramps quickly and easily, wrap a hot, wet towel around mid-section and lay in the fetal position.

• Chamomile, parsley, safflower, and squaw vine is useful in cases of amenorrhea.

• Boil a teaspoon of saffron in a half cup of water until it reduces to a tablespoon. Divide into three portions and take three times during the day. This gives relief to cramps.

• Make a paste of six or eight almonds and mix with a cup of milk, an egg yolk, a half-teaspoon sesame powder, and a teaspoon honey. Take a couple of times a day to relieve cramps.

• Drink a glass of milk with a half-teaspoon cinnamon every night to relieve cramps.

• Place a pinch of dried ground ginger in a cup of hot boiling water for a tea (no sugar), and let steep for 5 minutes. Drink this tea. It will give relief to the cramps.

• Dissolve 2 aspirins, 1/2 tsp. of sugar and 1/2 tsp. of honey into 1/2 cup of water. Drink this solution if you are missing periods. This is very effective home remedy for menstruation and will lead to regular menstrual cycle.

• Take a teaspoon ground dried mint leaf and a teaspoon of honey twice a day to relieve cramps.

• Drink parsley, beet, carrot, and cucumber juices on a regular basis to relieve cramps.

• Dissolve half-teaspoon sesame seeds in hot water. Drink this twice daily to relieve spasmodic pain.

• Eat 5 raw adzuki beans will help to stop the heavy bleeding.

• Boil 1 cup of black beans in 5 cups of water and drink the juice half cup before your 3 meals this will help
regulate menstruation.

• Mix half a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of hot water and leave for half an hour; then drink (eat the seeds as well). Do this every morning with an empty stomach. This will give strength to the uterus.

• Most of the problems in women arise due to undue stress of life. Reducing stress may help resolve the disorder in some women.

• Being either over- or underweight is a contributor to menstrual disorders. Women should make every effort to maintain a normal weight.

• Low-fat vegetarian diet during menstrual cycles leads to less pain and bloating and a shorter duration of premenstrual symptoms than those who ate meat.

• Reducing caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake during menstruation may be beneficial.

• Massage lobelia extract into any area that is cramped. Drink a tea of red raspberry leaves to prevent and
reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.

• Drink a tea of comfrey leaves and alfalfa to lessen the pain of muscle cramps.

• Drink 1 or 2 glasses of tomato juice, every day. It will give significant improvement in your flow and fewer cramps in your next period. This is also very effective home remedy for menstruation.

• Parsley is one of the most effective among the several home remedies in the treatment of menstrual disorders. It increases menstruation and assists in the regularization of the monthly periods.

• The unripe papaya helps the contractions of the muscle fibres of the uterus and is very effective in maintaining a proper menstrual flow.

• Put an entire Bengal gram plant in hot water. Take a bath to get relief from painful menstruation.

• The herb Marigold, named after the Virgin Mary, is useful in alleviating any pain during menstruation and facilitating menstrual flow. One tablespoon of the herb should be taken twice daily for the treatment of these disorders.

• The use of banana flower is one of the most effective home remedies in the treatment of menorrhagia or excessive menstruation. One banana flower should be cooked and eaten with one cup of curd.

• Coriander seeds are also effective in the treatment of excessive menstruation. Six grams of these seeds should be boiled in half a liter of water. Boil the mixture till only half the water remains. Sugar candy should be added to it and the patient should drink it when it is still warm.

• The juice of the fresh mango bark is another valuable remedy for heavy bleeding during menstruation. The juice can be taken along with white of an egg or some mucilage- a kind of vegetable glue obtained from a plant, and a small quantity of the kernel of a poppy.

• The bark of the Ashoka tree is an effective remedy for excessive blood loss during the monthly period, which occurs due to uterine fibroids and other causes. About 90 gm of the bark should be boiled in 30 ml of milk and 360 ml of water till the total quantity is reduced to about 90 gm. This quantity should be given in one day, in two or three doses. The treatment should commence from the fourth day of the monthly period and should be continued till the bleeding is stopped. A fresh decoction should be made for use each day.

• The herb Indian barberry is also useful in case of excessive bleeding. It should be given in doses of thirteen to twenty-five grams daily.

• The herb rough chaff is also valuable in excessive menstruation. Prepare a solution by heating 15 gm of rough chaff in 250 ml of water and use for treating this condition.

• The herbal is useful in regulating the menstrual periods. It is especially beneficial in painful and difficult menstruation. Two tablespoons of the seeds should be boiled in half a liter of water, till it is reduced by one - third. This mixture should be given in 15 to 30ml doses.

• Hemp can be successfully used when menses do not start at the scheduled time. Five large heads of hemps should be boiled in half a liter of water till the water is reduced to half. It should then be strained and drunk before going to bed for two or three nights.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Home Remedies/Treatment for Menstrual Problems

Menstrual Problems treatment using Parsley
Parsley is one of the most effective among the several home remedies in the treatment of menstrual disorders. It increases menstruation and assists in the regularization of the monthly periods. This action is due to the presence of apiol, which is a constituent of the female sex hormone estrogens. Cramps, which are a result of menstrual irregularities, are relieved and frequently corrected entirely by the regular use of parsley juice, particularly in conjunction with beet juice; or with beet, carrot, and cucumber juices. The recommended quantity is 75 ml of each of the four juices.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Ginger
The use of ginger is another effective home remedy for menstrual disorders, especially in cases of painful menstruation and stoppage of menstrual flow. A piece of fresh ginger should be pounded and boiled in a cup of water for a few minutes. The infusion, sweetened with sugar, should be used thrice daily after meals as a medicine for treating this condition.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are valuable in menstrual problems. Half a teaspoon of powder of these seeds, taken with hot water twice daily, acts excellently in reducing spasmodic pain during menstruation in young, unmarried anaemic girls. Its regular use, two days prior to the expected periods, cures scanty menstruation. A warm hip bath containing a handful of crushed sesame seeds should be simultaneously taken along with this recipe.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Papaya
The unripe papaya helps the contractions of the muscle fibres of the uterus and is thus beneficial in securing a proper menstrual flow. Papaya is especially helpful when menstruation ceases due to stress or fright in young unmarried girls.

Menstrual Problems treatment using Bengal Gram
A bath prepared by putting an entire Bengal gram plant in hot water is beneficial in painful menstruation. The plant also may be used for a sitting steam bath.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Marigold
The herb Marigold, named after the Virgin Mary, is useful in allaying any pain during menstruation and facilitating menstrual flow. An infusion of the herb should be given in doses of one tablespoon twice daily for the treatment of these disorders.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Banana Flower
The use of banana flower is one of the most effective home remedies in the treatment of menorrhagia or excessive menstruation. One banana flower should be cooked and eaten with one cup of curd. This will increase the quantity of progesterone and reduce the bleeding.

Menstrual Problems treatment using Coriander Seeds
Coriander seeds are also beneficial in the treatment of excessive menstruation. Six grams of these seeds should be boiled in half a litre of water. This decoction should be taken off the fire when only half the water remains. Sugar candy should be added to it and the patient should drink it when it is still warm.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Mango Bark
The juice of the fresh mango bark is another valuable remedy for heavy bleeding during menstruation. The juice is given with the addition of white of an egg or some mucilage- a kind of vegetable glue obtained from a plant, and a small quantity of the kernel of a poppy. As an alternative, a mixture of 10 ml of a fluid extract of the bark, and 120 ml of water may be given in doses of one teaspoon every hour or two.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Ashoka
The bark of the Ashoka tree is an effective remedy for excessive blood loss during the monthly period which occurs due to uterine fibroids and other causes. It should be given in the form of decoction in treating this condition. About 90 gm of the bark should be boiled in 30 ml of milk and 360 ml of water till the total quantity is reduced to about 90 gm. This quantity should be given in one day, in two or three doses. The treatment should commence from the fourth day of the monthly period and should be continued till the bleeding is checked. A fresh decoction should be made for use each day.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Indian Barbery
The herb Indian barbery is also useful in case of excessive bleeding. It should be given in doses of thirteen to twenty-five grams daily.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Rough Chaff
The herb rough chaff is also valuable in excessive menstruation. An infusion of the herb should be prepared by steeping 15 gm of rough chaff in 250 ml of water and used for treating this condition.
Menstrual Problems treatment using Hermal
The herb hermal is useful in regulating the menstrual periods. It is especially beneficial in painful and difficult menstruation. Two tablespoons of the seeds should be boiled in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one - third. This decoction should be given in 15 to 30ml doses.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Menstrual Problems problems, symptoms & causes

The two major female sex hormones in the body are estrogen and progesterone. They are produced in a pair of organs in the abdomen, known as the ovaries. The ovaries start producing large quantities of estrogen when a girl reaches about 12 years of age. This enables her to grow rapidly and develop into a normal young woman. The commencement of menstruation at this time heralds the reproductive phase of her life, when she can have children. The main problems relating to menstrual flow are pre-menstrual tension, painful menstruation, stoppage of menstruation, and excessive menstruation. These disorders are not uncommon.

Menstrual Problems symptoms & causes

Premenstrual Tension and Menstrual Cramps
A few days before menstruation, some women become nervous and irritable. They suffer from depression, headaches, and fullness in the breasts, insomnia, and swelling in the lower extremities. This may be due to a hormonal imbalance. These problems cease within twenty-four hours of the start of the menstrual flow.
Dysmenorrheal
Painful menstruation, as it is called in medical parlance, is a common condition. The pain may be felt either two or three days before or immediately before or during the flow. This may also be due to a hormonal imbalance.
Amenorrhea or Stoppage of Menstrual Flow
This is natural during pregnancy and at the menopause, but abnormal at any other time. It denotes a debilitated and devitalized condition of the body. The main causes contributing towards this condition are anemia, worry, grief, fright, or other serious emotional disturbances; malformation of the womb; tuberculosis; displacement of the womb; and debility, especially after a serious illness.
Excessive Menstrual Flow
This is common in some women. A variety of causes may be responsible for this trouble, including fibroids.

Symptoms and Causes of Ear Infection

Human ear is divided into three sections - outer ear, middle ear and the inner ear. Ear infection is often the reason to visit an ear specialist. There are two main types of ear infection - otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis media is the infection of the middle ear, found mainly among infants and children. Otitis externa also known as swimmer’s ear is the infection of the external ear. Ear infection is more commonly seen in boys and in winter season. Ear infection is not contagious.

Symptoms for otitis media

Following are the symptoms for otitis media

• Pain and itch in the infected ear

• Fever and falling sick

• Hearing problem in the infected ear

• Dizziness in some cases

• Fluid discharge from the infected ear

• Vomiting.

Symptoms for otitis externa

Following are the symptoms of otitis externa • Itch in the infected ear • Discharge from the infected ear • Pain getting more severe by movement of the ear lobe or the jaw • Temporary reduction in hearing • Slight fever • Inflammation in the ear.

Causes for otitis media

The main cause of otitis media is blockage of the Eustachian tube due to cold, allergy or some foreign particles in the ear. This causes fluid to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can cause swelling of the ear drum if infected by the virus. If adenoid glands interfere with the Eustachian tube it will cause otitis media. Weak immune system will not cure the infection.

Causes for otitis externa

Otitis externa is caused by the bacteria or fungi. Moist and wet conditions are favorable for the growth of these bacteria or fungi. Frequent swimming or exposure to water increases the chances of infection. Skin allergies can also cause otitis externa.

Other causes of ear infection

Besides all these some other factors like nutritional deficiency, allergy and other infections may also cause ear infection.

Home Remedies For Eye Problems

How very precious our eyes and vision are to each of us. Agreed? Agreed! Then what have you done for your eyes lately? Do you know there's eye food, eye-strengthening exercises, an acupressure eyestrain reliever, eyewashes to help brighten those baby blues, browns, grays or greens, and natural healing alternatives?
We once noticed a sign in an optometrist’s office that said-"If you don't see what you want, you're in the right place.”
Likewise. So read the following eye care suggestions, or get someone to read them to you.

Bloodshot Eyes

• If you don't drink in excess and you get enough sleep, but still have bloodshot eyes on a regular basis, you may be bothered by your contacts, allergic to the eye makeup you wear or you may be deficient in vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Take 15 mg ofB2 daily. You might also want to have a tablespoon of brewer's yeast every day.
Use any of the eyewashes listed on page 80, and you might want to try the grated potato remedy listed under "Black Eyes" on page 29.

Cataracts

When the lens of your eye becomes opaque (cloudy)-which occurs from old age, injury or a systemic disease like diabetes-then you have a cataract.
There are revolutionary new methods of removing cataracts, where the patient walks in and out of the doctor's office within a few hours. Cataracts should definitely be treated and removed by a qualified health professional.

Natural Home remedies

While you're checking into today's modern techniques, you might want to try one or more of the following natural remedies to give you some relief until the cataract is professionally removed. . .

Mind Your Bs and Cs

• Research scientists have found that a deficiency of vitamin B2(riboflavin) can cause cataracts. So it serves to reason that B2 supplements should help to prevent cataracts and may also clear up existing conditions.
Brewer's yeast is the richest source of riboflavin. Take 1 tablespoon a day and/or 15 mg of vitamin B2. Along with a B2 vitamin, take a B-complex vitamin to avoid high urinary losses of B vitamins. Also, eat foods high in vitamin B2-broccoli, salmon, beans, wheat germ, turnip tops and beets.

• Vitamin C prevents damage in the watery portions of cells, particularly in the cornea and retina. A Tufts University study reported that women who supplemented their diets with 325 mg of vitamin C daily were 77% less likely to develop cataracts than women who did not supplement.
Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day or eat foods that contain it, such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits and bell peppers.

NOTE: To get the most benefit from eye drops, gently pull out your lower lid and let the liquid drop into the eye pocket. Then keep your eyes closed for about two minutes after putting in the drops. This will prevent the blinking process from pumping the drops out of your eyes.

• For five minutes each day, massage the base of the index and middle (second and third) fingers, as well as the webs between those fingers. The right hand helps the right eye and the left hand helps the left eye.

Common Causes or problems of Acidity

ACIDITY:

The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity. Dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers are some of the symptoms. It is more common in highly emotional and nervous individuals.

Common Causes of Acidity

• Consumption of Alcohol
• Highly spicy foodstuffs
• Non-vegetarian diets
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)

Most acidity problems occur
1. After meals
2. When lifting weight or straining and applying pressure in the intra-abdominal area.
3. At night when lying down.
Ulcers also occur as a result of over secretion of acid.

kidney problems

kidney problems

People with kidney problems and other digestive system ailments should use products with

preservatives, high salt content, and tomatoes sparingly. Such persons can make sauces in small

quantities without preservatives and enjoy them too.

Vaayu (Gas) Problems

Taking 4-5 pieces of cashew after meals is very helpful

in overcoming Vaayu problems.

Please note that eating more than 7 cashew pieces

in 24 hours is harmful for health.Potatoes are very harmful for people having

Vaayu problems

Home Remedies for Curing & Preventing Kidney Problems

There is a vegetable grown in India called
(Punarnava) in Sanskrit,
(Saatori) in Gujrati,
(Saattaa) in Punjabi
& (Lunrak) in Sindhi.
This vegetable looks very similar to spinach.
* When suffering from kidney problems,
one should take 50 gms. juice of this vegetable once everyday.
* In order to make kidney stronger than before,
one should cook & eat this vegetable once in 10-15 days.
Note: The first P.M. of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
had presented this plant to Queen Elizabeth of Britain
because of its great medicinal value