REMEDYING HEADACHES

Everybody has definitely experienced a headache once in his or her lifetime. Since it is one of the indispensable and common illnesses everyone experiences, people have learned to find ways to relieve the discomfort brought by headache.

REMEDYING HEADACHES

Headaches are usually caused by physical and emotional stress. If you are dying to find a solution to your persistent headache, try taking in over the counter remedies like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. But if you are not a big fan of prescribed or over the counter medications, try these home remedies for a change.

- Try using compresses or cold packs. For tension headaches—the most common form of headache—try applying a warm or cold compress to your forehead and the base of your neck to numb the pain.

- Try using heat. If cold compresses wouldn’t work out for you, try using a warm washcloth or a hot water bottle can ease pain.

- Develop a routine of deep breathing exercises. If you suffer from headaches very often, try sitting in a darkened room, take in deep breaths using your nose, and let it pass through your mouth.

- Experience the wonders of acupressure. By squeezing the web of skin between and the thumb through acupressure, it can reduce the pains and can help you relax.

- Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and biofeedback. By trying these relaxation techniques, the person who suffers from headache can feel the pain flowing out of the head. It can also help reduce stress.

- Relieve the affected area by applying ointment with heat. Ben-Gay or Icy Hot rubbed on forehead or on the base of the neck, can give a soothing warm feeling to your head.

- The power of music. Try listening to a relaxing music while lying down or resting.

- Exercise regularly. Physical activities like regular exercise can relieve stress because it can loosen up the knots and balls of pain in your head.

- Get enough sleep. Having six to eight hours of sleep can help you soothe your tired nerves. But, beware of sleeping more than 10 hours because it can cause major headache as well.

- If possible, use a neck pillow in bed. If you are prone to experiencing morning headaches, try using a neck pillow to your neck while you sleep.

- Totally eliminate caffeine, salt, MSG, and chocolate in your diet. Load up on lots of fruits, veggies, and water to keep your body well hydrated.

- If you can, avoid bright light because it leads to a major headache once your squint.

- Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar. When your sugar level goes down, your blood vessels in the brain tightens that leads to headache.

- Don’t eat foods that have nitrates, sulfites, and msg because these are primary headache causers. Also avoid aged cheeses and nuts so you won’t experience headaches.

- Don’t smoke and avoid smoke-filled rooms.

By: Low Jeremy -

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Low Jeremy maintains Headache.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

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treating mouth ulcers with coconut oil

A mouth ulcer is an open wound in the mouth where tender nerve endings are exposed and can often cause extreme pain to the person who is affected with them especially when they can become irritated. Often a person suffering from mouth ulcers will find it difficult to eat, drink and sometimes even talk and unfortunately these exposed ulcers are vulnerable to infection by bacteria that is find in our mouth and unfortunately create even more pain.

Many mouth ulcers often seem to start off as a small bubble or blister which then becomes open and ulcerated and this is when the pain really starts. However, they can be caused accidentally by someone biting themselves or there lips are so dry that they crack and then the ulcers begin to form on their lips.

Normally mouth ulcers are caused by either virus, bacteria or fungus and may result in the body’s own immune system attacking the mucosal lining of the mouth. In some cases people who suffer from either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease (intestinal conditions) may find themselves suffering from mouth ulcers also.

A good way of treating mouth ulcers is with coconut oil which kills the bacteria that causes them. It is also good for treating throat infections, gum disease and cavities. Certainly the Pacific Islanders who have a coconut based diet have excellent dental health and rarely suffer from mouth ulcers even when they have never brushed their teeth or used floss or anti-bacterial mouthwash.

Certainly coconut oil is ideal for helping to relieve the pain felt from mouth ulcers instantly all you need is get a tablespoon of coconut oil and hold it for a minute on the mouth ulcer. Soon you will feel the pain going away and this relief seems to last for quite a while because of the MCFA’s (medium chain fatty acids) find in coconut oil which are rapidly absorbed in to the body and thus the healing process is accelerated.

The way coconut oil works is that it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and which can help to combat viruses, bacteria and fungus that can be found in a persons mouth and will cause ulcers. The MCFA’s which are in coconut oil also help to enhance the body’s own immune system and thus help it to fight viruses, fungus and bacterial problems. Also coconut oil is great for helping a person’s intestinal system by killing any fungi found in the intestinal tract.

Above are a number of reasons as to why coconut oil can not only help to treat and heal mouth ulcers but also to help prevent them from forming. Also coconut oil is not messy to apply to the ulcer and is completely edible and natural.

By: Lee Dobbins -

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Lee Dobbins writes for ulcers.health-g8way.com where you can learn about treating ulcers and find more mouth ulcer cures.

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two of the most serious eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are two of the most serious eating disorders. It was seen that those who are affected by anorexia are having the obsession that they are fat, they permanently want to become thinner, even if they are underweight.
Bulimia is dealing with cycles of binge eating, followed by behavior to prevent weight gain. It was seen that some persons have a mixture of symptoms and sometimes, bulimia nervosa occurs after anorexia nervosa.
It is very important that those affected by these illnesses to search for medical help, the doctor will give them advices and help them to defeat the disease.

It is known that women, especially adolescent girls are affected by these illnesses, and about 5% of people with anorexia are men. It was also seen that 2% of teenage girls and young women have bulimia, and 1% have anorexia.
Science has not established yet the exact causes that lead to an eating disorder but it is thought that in many cases a distressing event can be a factor to it.

People with anorexia have a distorted perception of body weight or shape, they think are fat even if the truth is they are underweight, they develop a permanent fear of weight gain, and are too scraggy for their age and height.
They are also having some behaviors in order to control weight, like over-exercising, restricting food, vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics or diet pills. It was also seen that it is possible to appear a loss of monthly periods in women, and in girls delay in starting them.
People with bulimia, in order to prevent weight- gain, are using methods like self-induced vomiting, fasting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills and are doing excessive exercise. Those people are feeling out of control when bingeing, but after that they feel guilty, and although they are experiencing frequent changes in weight, we can say their weight is normal or a little above normal.

Anorexia and bulimia could be caused by some factors, like the psychological, social and emotional effects. We can include here family conflict, guilt, deceptions, depression, mood swings, social isolation. It was seen that the risk of suicide increases in persons having an eating disorder.
Physical problems that appear due to these disorders are growth of fine downy hair over the face and body, constipation, difficulty in thinking clearly, swollen salivary glands, osteoporosis, anemia, impaired kidney function, dehydration, abnormal heart rhythm and other.

It is important that these illnesses to be recognized in early stages, because in that way it will be easier to prevent long-term problems. The treatment can include counseling, dietary education for healthy eating, and if the patient is dealing with severe depression, some medication will be given. Sometimes medication is helpful in people with bulimia too. It was seen that early detection and treatment gives the best results.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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For more resources about girls with anorexia please review this page www.anorexia-center.com/signs-of-anorexia.htm, or even www.anorexia-center.com/anorexia-tips.htm

Discussing Acupuncture

Acupuncture was developed in China many centuries ago. The Chinese call acupuncture Zhue Jiao, which means "needle heat". The needle regulates an inner force called "Qi", which is responsible for the health of the body. The regulation of Qi using acupuncture can restore physical health, give a release from stress, or improve physical or mental health in other ways. A very healthy person should have Qi energy flowing freely in several distinct pathways, and these pathways are like the roads for maintenance crews. Freely flowing energy distributes all the cells necessitate, and take away what waste is produced. This produces not just physical, but also mental, health. If Qi is stopped at some point, there will be some symptoms, often a physical sickness. The acupuncturist will determine where the needles should be placed in order to return the flow to normal, or as close to normal as is possible. This might happen in one treatment, or a series of treatments. Many Chinese get acupuncture treatments regularly in order to stay healthy, to keep their Qi flowing at a nearly ideal level. In several places in China, a practitioner of acupuncture gets paid only as long as their clients remain healthy, not when they get sick.

China was where the technique of acupuncture and its medical foundations began. Japan also has an extensive history of acupuncture as an accepted and effective treatment for their people. Japanese acupuncture has the same foundations as Chinese acupuncture, but several interesting differences in technique. Acupuncture traveled to Europe in the seventeenth century, being brought back by Jesuit missionaries who had lived in Beijing. Acupuncture did not receive wide acceptance at that point, though there were pockets of practitioners in several places in the West. Acupuncture got significant attention here only when M. Morant from France published many writings on acupuncture in the 1940s. The detail and volume of his writings caught the attention of western physicians, who started considering it for pain control.

Nearly all acupuncture techniques use needles, though there are varieties that also use electric stimulation, burning, and herbs. The needles used are solid needles, not hollow tube needles like Western doctors use. In America, certified practitioners of acupuncture use pre-sterilized disposable needles. There is normally no medicine on the needles, for the needle itself acts on the Qi energy to make the change in the flow. The practitioner may use a particular angle to insert a needle, or may manipulate the needle a little (such as a small rotation) to get the best results for a particular client.

If you think like the Chinese, you may want to visit your acupuncture clinic regularly to maintain an optimal flow of Qi, and to maintain really good health. A particular health or emotional problem may need only one or two visits, or might require a series of up to eight visits or more, depending on the problem. During a visit, the acupuncturist may insert several needles, and not necessarily at the same points from visit to visit. As the condition improves, a different set of locations might be chosen to affect a change in Qi flow to move even more quickly to good health. Sometimes the needles are inserted just underneath the layer of the skin, while at other times some of the needles may be inserted up to a depth of three inches. Insertion of the needles normally does not hurt at all. Some clients remark on an occasional pinching sensation when a needle is inserted. Once the needle is in place it can easily be forgotten. Sometimes there is a pleasant relaxing or warm sensation around the insertion point, which is an indication that the Qi flow is being redirected in the right manner.

Acupuncture is a very good way to correct a number of illnesses, and one of the best ways to maintain health on a regular basis. This introduction gave a brief overview to encourage you to consider acupuncture as a health option. More and more insurance companies are giving coverage for visits to an acupuncture clinic, and this should be explored.|Currently, acupuncture is widely accepted by western physicians in several categories, including pain control and stress relief. Indeed, for some operations no anesthesia is needed at all, just the services of an acupuncturist. This is a distinct benefit, in that the normal operation of the patient's organs is not altered by an artificial anesthetic. This work in the west has caused new interest and study in the land where acupuncture originated, in China. They have discovered many old, previously unknown texts, and are working on extending the applications. It is an exciting time for the field of acupuncture.

By: Arron Avery

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Information supplied and written by Arron Avery runs an information site about Acupuncture Treatment acupuncture.usinfo.info

Good nutrition comes in the form of a healthy diet

Good nutrition comes in the form of a healthy diet; a diet focused around whole, natural foods such as fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. A healthy diet should resemble a colorful palette – deep, vibrant colors that reflect the concentration of vitamins and minerals essential to good health.

Protein, a part of good nutrition, can be found in foods such as lean meats, whole nuts, and soy products. Healthy carbohydrates are found in whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and wheat pasta. Low-fat dairy provides adequate reserves of calcium. And Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits. Many people choose to eat only organic foods as a way to minimize additives and ensure that the foods they eat contain the highest nutritional value possible.

Additionally, experts agree that good nutrition includes adequate hydration. The drinking of at least eight glasses of water a day flushes the body of toxins, speeds metabolism, aids digestion, and acts as a natural appetite suppressant.

In combination with this diet regime, it is essential to minimize – and even avoid altogether – foods that are fried, processed, and high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

In the search for optimum nutrition it is important to first analyze the diet you currently follow. Look for ways to gradually add more natural foods to your diet and minimize those foods that lack fundamental nutrients and are highly caloric. If you find it difficult to make these adjustments, it may be beneficial to work with a nutritionist who can tailor a diet to your particular lifestyle.

Take advantage of what the natural world has to offer

Generally, when you or your children are sick, you go to a doctor who will give you a looking over and prescribe medication. You then go to the pharmacy to have the prescriptions filled. You try to follow the label instructions and hope to get well. Quite often, you will eventually make another trip to see the doctor and he will prescribe a stronger anti-biotic or drug. This is basically how health care works these days, a never ending cycle of trips to the doctor and the pharmacy.

If someone were to suggest that you used natural herbs to cure a lot of your ills you might think they were crazy. For a long time medical science has been involved in an effort to eliminate and debunk the use of natural herbs to achieve health and healing. In recent years many studies have been done to test whether there are any benefits to what is referred to as natural herbs.

Natural herbs are now, often looked upon as being a lost art. It is simply the use of herbal remedies, or phytotherapy, and traditional methods to aid in healing and overall good health. Folk Medicine and other natural forms of Remedies have been used by every culture in the world and long before the appearance of modern anti-biotic or drug. Even today natural herbs are widely used in countries like China and Korea. Folk Medicine are often better than man-made medicine and rarely ever have side effects.

In ancient times shamans and medicine men performed the duties of a doctor. They passed their knowledge of natural healing methods to the next generation by training apprentice to continue their work.

With the arrival of the so-called modern medicine, health care professionals began to favor man-made medicines over Folk Medicine. Many of them did not realize that the medicines they were administering to their patients were often based upon compounds found in natural herbs. Medicines such as aspirin, digitalis, codeine and quinine were all derived from traditional medicine.

If you are considering the possibility of learning to use more natural methods to treat your ills it is important that you be made aware of the fact that not all so-called natural herbs are what they claim to be. There are many companies promoting cure-all products that are designed to prey upon a person's desire to decrease their dependency upon man-made drugs. For this reason it is highly recommended that you research and study a natural remedy before beginning its use or practice.

The effectiveness and safety of natural remedies is studied by many organizations. The more research and studies that are carried out the more natural herbs and natural treatments there are that are added to the catalog of accepted medicine. Of course, there are also some natural herbs and treatments that are proven to be false.

Even though there are many herbal remedies available that have been well studied and documented, medical professionals will rarely recommend their use, but will instead dispense synthetic medicine. Remember that the big drug companies are getting rich selling man-made medicines. It is not in their best interest for people to become aware of natural medicines and to make use of them.

In many cases, Folk Medicine should not be relied solely upon to treat your illnesses or conditions. In these cases you will want to supplement your medication with the use of herbs or other natural treatments. This will enable you to limit your dependency on modern medicine and perhaps help you to avoid unwanted side effects.

Take advantage of what the natural world has to offer and what our current culture seems to have nearly forgotten. Research and learn what you can about viable natural alternatives to living a happier, healthier life.

By: David Slone

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If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine and home remedies, visit Alternative Medicine. In particular, read the articles on Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice and Benefits of Mangosteen. Common every day foods are known to be one of the basic home cures.

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Today, many people in the world are suffering from hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension is the condition when the blood flow in the arteries and veins is forced under a higher pressure than normal. This can happen due to the weakness of the heart or due to the buildup of cholesterol in the coronary arteries, which can reduce their lumen. Today, most people in the world are suffering from hypertension, though it is not always fatal. Proper medication and a positive lifestyle can make people with higher blood pressures lead a long and happy life. However, neglect can cause severe fatal problems like myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

High blood pressure is known as Rakta Gata vata in Ayurveda. It can be caused due to vitiation of any of the three doshas, though the contribution of the vata dosha may be more, as it is responsible for the circulation of blood. The following are the main precipitating factors for people with different doshas:-

1. Vata type of Hypertension – This is caused by extreme emotions such as worry, anxiety and stress.

2. Pitta type of Hypertension – This is caused by negative emotions such as hatred, jealousy and feeling for revenge.

3. Kapha type of Hypertension – This is caused by problems with the digestive system.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of High Blood Pressure

1. Alfalfa (Medicago satina)

Alfalfa contains several elements which are needed in the softening of the hard arteries. This reduces the tension in the arteries and hence helps to treat hypertension.

2. Bloodwort (Achillea millefolium)

Bloodwort is a sweat-inducing herb. It makes the blood flow towards the skin for expelling the sweat. Due to this free movement of the blood, the high blood pressure is reduced. Bloodword contains an alkaloid which is effective in reducing high blood pressure.

3. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic is an antispasmodic agent. Hence it reduces the pressure in the arteries caused due to the pumping action of the heart during blood circulation. Garlic creates a rhythm in the pumping of the heart, which eases the pulse. Other high blood pressure problems such as dizziness, shortness of breath and indigestion are also taken care of by garlic. Garlic is widely considered to be the best remedy for high blood pressure.

4. Jaundice Berry (Berberis vulgaris)

Jaundice berry is another very effective remedy in the treatment of high blood pressure. It eases the tension in the arteries by making them dilate. Thus the blood flow in them is facilitated.

5. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Parsley is like a monitor of the blood vessels. It regulates the flow of blood in them and maintains easy circulation. It looks after the entire arterial system. Hence it is a very beneficial herb for people with high blood pressure.

6. Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

The effects of rauwolfia on the arteries and veins of the human system have been investigated in detail, and immensely positive results have been obtained. Rauwolfia has a treasure-trove of alkaloids for easing the arteries, synchronizing the blood flow in them, reducing palpitation and even removing the cholesterol buildup in the arteries. Hence, practitioners of all forms of medicine acknowledge the effects of rauwolfia. In Ayurveda especially, the root of the rauwolfia is prescribed for hypertension patients. The Ayurvedic name for rauwolfia is sarpagandha.

(2) Dietary Treatments for High Blood Pressure

A strict dietary regimen is important to seek early treatment from high blood pressure. The following points must be obeyed:-

1. Salt should be reduced or totally eliminated from the diet. Hot and spicy foods should also be avoided.

2. Instead of hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats must be used. These include oils of sesame, olive, flaxseed, mustard and groundnut. Ghee and butter made from cow’s milk are beneficial. Buffalo milk should be avoided.

3. Indigestion should be taken care of by consuming a good amount of leafy vegetables containing fiber.

4. Bitter gourd and drumsticks are advantageous vegetables for people suffering from high blood pressure. Colocasia must be avoided, but yellow pumpkin helps in reducing blood pressure.

5. Among fruits, bananas, oranges, guavas and apples are good. All kinds of dry fruits and nuts are good.

6. Sweets and chocolates must be avoided.

7. Red meats must be avoided. But white meats, especially fish are beneficial in lowering blood pressure.

(3) Ayurvedic Concepts for High Blood Pressure

Sarpagandha is the drug of choice in high blood pressure. Not only is this drug used in Ayurvedic medicine, but it is also used in allopathic medicine in the treatment of high blood pressure. In addition, the following herbal preparations are prescribed depending on the doshic cause of high blood pressure:-

a. For Vataja High Blood Pressure, jatamansi and brahmi are prescribed.

b. For Pittaja High Blood Pressure, sarsarapilla and sandalwood are prescribed.

c. For Kaphaja High Blood Pressure, calamus, arjuna, shilajit, guggulu and berberis are prescribed.

(4) Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

a. Have a spoonful of lemon juice mixed with honey every morning.

b. Oranges are very helpful in high blood pressure. Have a juice of two or three oranges every day.

c. Prepare a powdered mixture of cumin seeds, fennel seeds and sugar. Take one spoonful of this mixture in water every morning and evening.

By: tom alter

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Read More on high blood pressure cure and high blood pressure home remedies by Ayurveda at www.ayushveda.com
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