health issues
Cold & Flu
One day when you wake up you suddenly experience cough, sneeze and have high-fever. How would you determine if you really have a cold or flu? It is necessary to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms.
A cold is a mild viral infection of the upper respiratory tract lasting for few days while flu is an infection of the upper and lower respiratory tracts lasting for few days and weeks. However, flu can result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Both flu and colds are caused by identical viruses of which there are around 200 known. The walls of the upper respiratory tract engorge and generate excess mucus resulting in congestion.
Common symptoms of cold begin with a sore throat, which goes away after 1-2 days, runny nose, and general malaise. Cold symptoms frequently last for about a week. The flu is more devastating with symptoms that include sore throat, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, and fatigue. Most flu symptoms gradually improve in 2-5 days. Pneumonia is the most common complication of flu affecting mostly the young, elderly, and people that have poor immune system and those with lung and heart diseases.
Just like cold, flu viruses enter the body through the mucous membranes such as the nose, eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus, which makes it very significant to keep your hands bacteria-free with frequent handwashing to prevent both flu and cold symptoms. The mucus that forms is filled of viruses infecting the adjacent air when coughing and sneezing. Viruses can survive for several hours to several days outside the body mostly on inanimate objects. Individuals who do not develop colds following contact with a virus may have stronger immune systems and vulnerability to the illness is closely associated to stress levels.
As discussed, flu and colds are both caused by a virus, meaning it can only last for few days. Palliative treatment should be given appropriately. It is advisable to increase fluid intake to hydrate the mucus membrane as virus are known to live in dry environments. Hot liquids can also be applied to kill viruses. If possible, avoid drinking milk because it can suppress and thin mucus secretion while hot spicy foods are contrary. Rest is also necessary for fast recovery.
Nutritional Supplements:
- Vitamin C—1 to 3 g, lessens severity of symptoms and has antibacterial and antiviral properties, stimulates the immune system.
- Zinc—15 to 25 mg lozenges for several days, gluconate form.
Herbal Supplements:
- Echinacea—3 ml tincture three times daily or 300 to 600 mg capsules three times daily, use at first sign of symptoms daily for 10 to 14 days, has antiviral properties, reduces symptoms; may be combined with wild indigo, boneset, and homeopathic arnica that effectively reduce cold symptoms.
- Ginger—tea, grate fresh, steep and strain, add cayenne and honey.
- Goldenseal—tincture or 4 to 6 g powder three times daily, soothes mucous membranes of the throat, tea helps sore throat, has antiviral properties.
- Garlic—has antiviral properties, strengthens immune system.
- Licorice—has antiviral properties, enhances immune system.
- Elderberry—has antiviral properties.
- Willow bark, Meadowsweet—relieve symptoms of cold and flu, have aspirin like components.
- Slippery elm, Marshmallow—mucilagents, soothe mucous membranes.
- Red raspberry, Sage, Yarrow—for sore throat.
Aromatherapy:
- Tea tree, Peppermint, Rosemary—massage face and throat.
- Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea tree, Peppermint—as steam inhalation; add several drops to bath water.
- Cypress—one drop at sign of sore throat, repeat when soreness returns, an antibiotic.
- Lemon—use diffusor, an antiseptic, has calming effect.
- Thyme—has antiviral properties.
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Various treatments are used including ginger tea and breathing exercises.
Chinese Medicine:
- Yinqiao—effective for the first stage.
- Loquat syrup—relieves cough with phlegm and congestion.
- Bo ying powder—relieves symptoms for infants and children.
- Forsythia, Honeysuckle—herbs have antiviral properties.
- Plantain seed
- Peppermint
- Mulberry
- Skullcap
- Acupuncture—improves functioning of the immune system.
Homeopathy:
- Oscillococcinum—take at first sign of illness, reduces the symptoms.
According to symptoms:
- Aconitum napellus
- Allium cepa
- Arsenicum album
- Baptisia
- Baryta carbonica
- Belladonna
- Bryonia
- Dulcamara
- Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Euphrasia officinalis
- Ferrum phosphoricum
- Gelsemium
- Kali bichromicum
- Mercurius solubilis
- Natrum muriaticum
- Nux vomica
- Phosphorus
- Pulsatilla
- Rhus toxicodendron
Constipation
At one time in our life, we suffer from constipation. But what exactly is constipation? Constipation is commonly a symptom rather than a disease and is the most common digestive complaint of most people.
Constipation is a health condition that causes difficulty in expelling out stools by normal muscle muscles. The stool is usually hard and dry, difficulty and pain in expelling the stool is also manifested.
Normally, bowel movements differ from person to person. One may defecate daily, every 2 days or even thrice a week. Thus, the occurrence of passing stool and the firmness do not conclude if one is really constipated. A person would know if he is constipated by feeling exhausted, and bloated.
Person who are prone to experience constipation are those with poor diet and bowel movements, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, laxative overuse, menopause, old age due to loss of muscle tone, who uses over-the-counter medicines such as analgesics, antidepressant, antihistamine, antacids and iron. Inadequate fiber and fluid intake are the most likely cause of constipation.
Treatment include increasing fiber and fluid consumption as it can soften the stool which allows quicker passage by stimulating nerve reflexes along the colon wall. It is however advisable to take fiber with plenty of fluids otherwise, it can worsen constipation. Other known substances that stimulate bowel reflexes are coffee, yoghurt, tea and milk. Exercise can also be of great help as it increases muscular contraction along the gastrointestinal tract.
Nutritional Supplements:
- Vitamin C—1 g, can promote regular bowel movement.
- Magnesium—400 to 800 mg, helps regulate proper muscle contraction.
- Folic acid— 2 to 5 mg, if deficient.
- Pectin—500 mg, source of fiber
Herbal Supplements:
- Psyllium, Flaxseed, Fenugreek—high fiber and mucilage content; mild, best for long-term use.
- Senna, Cascara bark, Aloe, Rhubarb root—high in anthraquinone glycosides that stimulate contractions; use occasionally.
Aromatherapy:
- Marjoram, Rosemary, or Fennel—several drops in grape seed or other carrier oil as massage.
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Treatments may include herbs, medicated enemas, massage, and steam baths.
- Triphala
Chinese Medicine:
- Fo-ti—roots are a mild laxative.
- Ma Ren Wan
- Run Chang Wan
- Acupuncture— stimulates points along the large intestine and liver meridians.
Homeopathy:
According to symptoms:
- Alumina
- Bryonia
- Calcarea carbonica
- Causticum
- Graphites
- Lycopodium
- Nux vomica
- Opium
- Sepia
- Silicea
- Sulfur
