Showing posts with label treat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label treat. Show all posts

 


The road to recovery after an injury does not need to be long and arduous. For those with active lifestyles, it can be a challenge to cope with a different workout routine. These few methods can be used to quickly recover from injuries of almost any kind and return back to perfect health.


 


1. Create a Strict Diet


For many, injuries seem to go hand-in-hand with an unhealthy diet, but this can dramatically slow down the recovery process. It is often difficult during this period to be able to pick up on physical cues for hunger or thirst, so injured individuals should begin to eat and hydrate by the clock, not by feelings of hunger. Protein, healthy fats, healthy oils, and complex carbohydrates have all been shown to speed up this process.


 


2. R.I.C.E.


The R.I.C.E. method is one of the oldest systems for recovering from an injury and is generally a good idea for 24 to 72 hours after minor to moderate trauma such as a sprained ankle. This includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation to help reduce inflammation and improve the blood flow while managing pain and allowing the tissue to heal. The R.I.C.E. method should never be used on more serious injuries and patients should take care to limit how long ice is exposed to their skin to prevent nerve damage.


 


3. Heat, Cold, and Minor Stretching


After the first few days it is time to start thinking about long-term healing in addition to managing the pain and inflammation. Heat packs should not be used for the first two or three days of healing, but after the third day alternating hot and cold packs can be beneficial. This is also a time for gentle and light stretching. If any movement is still causing intense pain it is important to quit immediately and contact a medical professional.


 


4. Get Accurately Tested


It is vital to always skip the hearsay from family and friends and go straight to the professionals that can accurately assess the damage and create a treatment plan. Organic Motion and their partner Dari Sports have purpose-built scanners and motion capture technology that can carry out non-intrusive testing with almost immediate results. This means more time recovering and less time waiting for a second or third opinion.


 


5. Psychological Recovery


A serious injury may also come with some psychological issues such as a lack of confidence in addition to the physical problems. Injured patients may want to speak with a professional such as a sports psychologist about their options for recovering emotionally and psychologically with stress management tips or even visualization sessions.


 


Injuries can happen to anyone at any age, and this means everyone should be prepared with at least a few methods for a quick, healthy, and permanent recovery. These tips can help you get started on accurately treating your injuries so you can continue living your active lifestyle soon.


 

 


Dermatophytes are the organisms that cause toenail fungus, feeding on keratin, a protein produced by nails.


Such fungus is usually transferred to the foot from public showers, pools, hot tubs, restrooms and locker rooms. The situation can be exacerbated by too-tight shoes, wet socks or excess moisture clinging to the foot.


Though the fungus itself is not painful, it can make nails thick and brittle, which in itself can be uncomfortable or painful. The nails can also turn a yellow or brownish color.


There are a few ways to prevent fungus and keep nails clean and healthy. Visit a qualified foot clinic like the Dalhousie Station Foot Clinic to treat nails that have already been infected.


 


1. Clip your nails regularly. 


Never cut your nails in a rounded or oval shape—always trim them straight across. Be aware of jagged edges that can penetrate your skin or cause infections. Always use scissors or clippers that have been sanitized in hot water or rubbing alcohol to kill bacteria.


 


2. Choose the best shoes for your feet.


The right fit can help keep fungus and infections at bay. Shoes that are too small will cause your nails to penetrate your skin and encourage infection. Keep your feet as dry as possible to discourage fungal infections. Try to wear breathable shoes made of materials like canvas or leather. This will prevent your feet from getting wet with sweat. Shoes that are sweaty from a workout should be air dried or placed in the dryer to discourage bacteria from forming in excess moisture.


 


3. Use shower sandals. 


Bacteria can hide in public showers (especially gym showers) and public pools and hot tubs—basically, anywhere that bacteria can get trapped in moisture. Always wear shower sandals at the gym or when staying at hostels, as these places cannot clean between every use and may not clean facilities every day.


 


4. Keep your shower clean. 


You may not be able to control how often a public shower is cleaned, but you can control how your own shower is cleaned.


Disinfect your tub or shower with a cleanser that has bleach in it. Clean your shoes with antibacterial spray and always try to wear clean, dry socks with shoes whenever possible. Always wash your socks in hot water to kill bacteria. Dry socks in your clothes dryer—the less time socks are wet, the less likely they will attract bacteria.


Your feet need the same TLC that your shower, shoes and socks do. Keep your feet clean with an antibacterial soap and keep them as dry as possible—especially when wearing shoes or rain boots that cant trap moisture and bacteria.


 

 


Dry eyes are caused by inadequate or poor quality tear production. Most people experience the discomfort of dry eyes occasionally, but some people develop chronically dry eyes. Medical conditions such as diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and lupus can lead to dry eyes. Some medications can cause dry eyes too. Older people, particularly older women, may develop chronic dry eye for no apparent reason. Individuals who experience dry eye symptoms frequently should seek medical help for five reasons:


 


1. Comfort


The primary motivation for individuals to seek treatment for dry eyes is to relieve the discomfort. Dry eyes sting, burn and turn red. Some individuals with chronically dry eyes experience unpleasant episodes of excessive tearing as well.


 


2. Difficulty working


Individuals who have to use a computer or read for long periods of time as part of their job may find it very difficult to complete their tasks if they have untreated dry eyes. Staring at a computer screen with dry eyes can cause severe eye pain.


 


3. Visual acuity


Dry eye sufferers may experience a decline in visual acuity. Blurry vision, particularly towards the end of the day, is a common complaint. Individuals who rely on contact lenses to correct their vision may find it difficult or impossible to wear their lenses due to the discomfort.


 


4. Infections


Chronic dry eye sufferers tend to have frequent eye infections. One of the major functions of tears is to protect the eye from infection. This could cause other health problems if not treated promptly.


 


5. Scarring


If chronic dry eye isn’t treated, the damage caused by the dryness can lead to scarring of the cornea. Scarring of the cornea can cause significant vision problems. The only treatment for a scarred cornea is a corneal transplant.


 


Treatment for mild dry eyes consists of applying lubricating eye drops. If an underlying medical condition is causing the dry eyes, treating the condition may cure the problem. If the oil glands are blocked, a special procedure to unblock them may be very effective. Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements can improve dry eye symptoms in many people.


 


 


For other cases, prescription eye drops that control inflammation or promote tear production may be recommended. Special inserts that protect the surface of the eye are also available. These inserts are tiny devices that are placed under the eyelid once a day. They slowly dissolve and create a protective layer over the cornea.


 


 


If the condition is more severe, surgery on the eyelids or tear ducts may be recommended. It’s important to see an optometrist regularly to help treat dry eyes and prevent further problems. Informational credit to Optometrists Clinic Inc.


 


 


 

With modern life, many new behaviors and substances have emerged that have caused more addictive behavior in society. There are few families who have not had a member or several members struggle with addiction of some sort or another. Addictions to pornography, drugs, alcohol, eating, and electronic devices are among the most common addictions, but an addiction can be anything that you habitually do and is disruptive to the productivity of your life. Treating an addiction the right way is the best hope to recovery.


 


Recognize the Impact of Your Addiction


You’ve recognized your addiction, and that’s why your looking for more information about how to address it. Recognition and acceptance are the first steps to recovery. Once you realize you have an issue, you need to determine the seriousness of your addiction. Some addictions are more annoying than seriously disruptive. Essentially, any addiction that is harming your health, preventing you from working, or harmful to others requires treatment. You will want to seek medical help to determine what kind of treatment will be best suited to your current situation.


 


Get Treatment Promptly


Any addiction that is stripping you of dignity and the ability to function normally should be treated immediately. When something becomes dangerous to your physical health, such as drugs, you could be putting your very life in jeopardy. Addictions that affect both physical and mental health should be treated through dual treatment programs, which are available at rehabilitation centers like the INSynergy Rehab Treatment Center. Such programs aim to heal the physical ailments and correct the mental disorders that affect people with addictions.


 


Follow the Path You’ve Been Given to Recovery


Through dual treatment, you may be given medication and different psychological treatment to follow. By following the instructions of your physicians and implementing the tools they give you when you are back in the real world, you will have a much better chance of staying clean. Finding positive activities to replace bad habits that lead to your addiction will also help you remain on the path your physicians give you.


 


Determining how serious your addiction is, seeking treatment, and staying on the road to recovery will help you remain in a safe place. It’s best to act quickly and to do what you can to distance yourself from thoughts and actions that may lead you back to addiction behaviors. With modern treatment centers, there is compassionate and effective help available to all who seek it.

Sleep is essential to the human body’s ability to function, yet there are millions of people who struggle to fall asleep every night due to insomnia. There are few things more frustrating than lying in bed, exhausted, without being able to fall asleep. While there are many different insomnia treatments out there for sufferers of the condition to try, these are six of the most effective:


 


Melatonin Supplements


Melatonin is a natural hormone your body produces at night to make you fall asleep easier. Inadequate production of melatonin often manifests in difficulty getting to sleep and insomnia. This problem is easily treatable with a melatonin supplement. The normalized levels of melatonin in the body help sufferers of low melatonin-induced insomnia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.


 


Sleeping Pills


While sleeping pills are not a long-term solution to insomnia, they can be used to provide sleep during your worst nights. There are prescription sleeping pills specifically made to treat insomnia, but prolonged used of these drugs can result in dependency and worsen the insomniac’s condition.


 


Proper Sleep Hygiene


Designating a specific time and place to go to sleep—and sticking to your designations—is one of the best ways to practice good sleep habits. When you go to bed at different times, or in different locations, your body’s sleep schedule and recognition response get confused. A sleep systems expert from Crowley Furniture Mattress Store often advises people to set aside their bed for sleeping purposes only, as reading, eating, etc. on your bed causes your body to respond to it as it would an active place, rather than a restful place. Only use your bed when you go to sleep at night, and be sure to keep roughly the same sleeping hours every night. This will restore your body’s natural sleep-recognition cycle and help you get to sleep faster.


 


Avoiding Alcohol


Many people think that a drink or two will actually word as a sleep aid, since it relaxes and tires the drinker out. While a drink will make you sleepy, alcohol actually prevents the body from sleeping properly by blocking the REM cycle. Since this cycle is necessary for deep sleep and a sense of restfulness, those who drink before bed will usually wake up feeling as if they did not sleep at all.


 


Getting Out of Bed


A common habit of many insomniacs is rolling around in bed for hours, trying to fall asleep. Doing this, however, raises stress levels, making it even harder to get to sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, try getting out of bed and participating in a relaxing activity until you feel tired. Read a book, take a bath, or drink a cup of tea—do whatever you find works to lower your stress levels and allow you to get back to sleep.


 


Abdominal Breathing Exercises


 


Relaxation techniques are a great way to prepare the body sleep. Deep breathing with your chest, stomach and back will slowly help you become more relaxed. Breathing exercises like this clear the mind and send calming signals through the body, stopping the release of the stress hormones which are often responsible for insomnia.


 


There are many possible causes of insomnia, so it may require a lot of trial-and-error with treatments to determine what, exactly, works for your insomnia.

Many people dismiss complementary therapies as mere quackery, ignoring the well-established benefits that many of them have for one’s wellness and wellbeing. The use of botanicals is actually very well rooted in medical practice. Going back to ancient times, doctors would collect information about herbs and collate detailed books about how to treat various ailments. Flash forward to modern times, and over a quarter of all drugs used in medicine contain active ingredients which have been derived from the same ancient plant.


 


It is thought that around 80 percent of the world’s population uses herbs in some area of their health care. In the United States alone, over 1,500 different types of botanicals are sold in the form of dietary supplements. The top-selling of these are herbs and supplements, including garlic, Echinacea, goldenseal, ginkgo, ginseng, aloe, saw palmetto, ephedra, cranberry and Siberian ginseng.


 


Before using any herb or supplement, however, you should consult a healthcare provider, to make sure that this is the most appropriate one for you to take, and that there are no interactions with other medications that you may be taking.


 


Chamomile is one of the most popular herbal remedies, frequently used to treat anxiety, muscle pain and cramping. It is usually ingested in the form of tea but is also used in combination with other herbs, too.


 


Echinacea is also commonly used, as it is believed to have properties that can help to fight off colds. People take Echinacea in the winter time, to help them boost their immune systems.


 


Ginkgo, also known as ginkgo biloba, is also commonly taken, as it is believed to improve the circulation and boost brain activity.


 


Those looking for a natural energy boost often turn to Ginseng. This herb has gained popularity in recent years.


 


Finally, the levels of use for St. John’s Wort remain high, as people use it to help treat their anxiety and depression.

Everybody knows that hitting the gym or pounding the pavements can be great for your wellness and wellbeing; it improves fitness, tones muscles and helps to shed fat. The darker side to this, however, is that many people injure themselves in the course of taking exercise – especially when they are exercising for the first time after a break. Sprains, strains, tears and torn muscles are all commonplace, but fortunately mother nature provides us with all kinds of natural remedies to help us get back on the treadmill as soon as possible.


 


Acupuncture is commonly used, and whilst the idea of sticking needles into yourself may sound like a terrible idea, it is actually a very effective way to treat sports-related injuries. In particular, it is great for an inflammation of the heel and sole called plantar fasciitis, which is suffered by many runners. It can also be used to help treat rotator cuff injuries, which are generally caused by repetitive exercises such as lifting weights, rowing or playing tennis.


 


Massage is also a popular way to help treat injuries. Athletes use massage to improve the blood flow, reduce muscle spasms and decrease the build-up of lactic acid in the body. It is especially helpful for any kind of lower back injuries.


 


We always think of the benefits of putting ice on an injury, but warm can actually be even better than cold, when it comes to the healing process. Heat producing oils are often used to massage a painful area. These promote the circulation of blood, which helps the area to heal as quickly as possible.


 


Arnica is also an old favourite, generally used to promote healing and help to reduce bruising. It can be taken as a tablet or spray, internally, or rubbed directly onto the injured area in the form of a cream.

Lasers are now being used more in anti-aging treatments, particularly when it comes to improving the wellness and wellbeing of your skin. Sufferers of acne in particular are turning more and more to lasers, not just to treat their acne but to treat the unsightly scars that they are left with after the acne.


 


Dermatologic technology now offers all kids of new possibilities to those suffering from acne, and yet all these decades later, acne still remains one of the most difficult and stubborn conditions to treat.


 


Others steer clear of treatments altogether and simply try to cover up the unsightly craters and potholes in their skin using thick layers of makeup. Scars can vary from mild to severe, but even those with the mildest scarring can feel upset and lacking in self confidence when they look in the mirror.


 


The various treatment options on the market can go some way to remedying the situation, but little is known so far about Fraxel, a laser treatment that is available in ‘repair’ and ‘restore’ modes.


 


Fraxel Repair is the more aggressive of the two, and you need to have at least a week between treatments for your skin to recover. Fraxel Restore is a little gentler, and is the first non-ablative laser to work in the same way as the old fashioned lasers, without burning through the skin. It requires only a couple of days downtime between the treatments as you do not wound the upper layer of skin. You can even wear makeup between treatments as there is no top layer damage. Five to seven treatment sessions is recommended, with each session spaced around a month apart to achieve the best result.


 


The laser is safe for all different skin types, but it is not recommended by anyone who uses tanning beds or who have active cold sores. Smokers also won’t see as good a result as their skin doesn’t heal as well.

If you are amongst the many millions of men who suffer from an enlarged prostate, you could look to more than just medication to improve your sexual wellness and wellbeing. There are other ways to help boost your health and treat an enlarged prostate, including foods, supplements and herbs.


 


Red clover, for example, is rich in something called isoflavones, which are a type of protein also found in soya beans which can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. It is believed that isoflavones can prevent the development of cancers of the prostate and other cancerous growths, and this protein may also treat an enlarged prostate.


 


Linked to this, soy can also be used to help treat an enlarged prostate. In Japan, men follow a diet that is high in soy, and there are very low incidences of prostate cancer. Some believe that this may be directly linked, and that the isoflavones in the soy are responsible for this. Soy can be a great overall health booster, anyway, so it’s a good idea to make sure you include plenty in your diet.


 


Something that you probably don’t include a lot of in your diet is African tree bark. Some studies have shown that pygeum africanum (the tree bark) can help to decrease inflammation, reduce the swelling of the prostate and block the growth factors that are responsible for prostate tumours and enlarged prostates. Many people in Europe and Asia swear by this treatment – so much so that the tree has been overharvested and is now on the Endangered Species list!


 


Lycopene is another thing to try. It is a type of antioxidant typically found in foods such as watermelon, grapefruit and tomatoes. Many studies have shown that by eating a diet high in fruit and veg, you can increase your intake of lycopene and reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.

A strict regiment of healthy eating and regular exercise is difficult for anyone to follow, but this is especially the case in the early stages of weight loss. Not only are you beginning new habits revolved around better wellness, but you’re also trying to avoid the unhealthy behaviours that you’ve been participating in for years. However, it’s important to note that just because you will soon be on a path to lose weight that does not mean you can never eat a hamburger again.


This may be surprising to hear, but going “cold turkey” is actually less effective than slowly weaning yourself off the habits that are detrimental to your wellbeing. Statistics show that 80% of cigarette smokers who try to quit altogether, rather than using nicotine patches or gum, return to smoke within thirty days – and the same goes for food.  Yes, cake doesn’t contain nicotine but, in essence, you have become addicted to the wrong types of food, and simply cutting out what your body has become used to will be a difficult feat to accomplish.


So how do you lose weight in a way that sticks? Implement a treat into your weight loss routine, so that you can indulge in your favourite food once a week. For the first few months of your weight loss journey, it’s important to reward your efforts of staying healthy for six and a half days out of seven. After a while, you can prolong the time between treats – going from a treat once a week to once a fortnight, and then to once a month.


Let’s say your favourite food is pizza. Each slice of your average pizza contains 300 calories – but you know you’d never stop at one slice! If you ate a medium-sized pizza, you could almost achieve your daily calorie intake with just one meal, so obviously this is an important food to cut back on when you’re dieting. However, if pizza is the goal you want to establish for yourself, then that’s what you can earn on a Sunday afternoon, but only if you stick with healthy eating all the way from Monday to Sunday morning. Yet, even though it is a treat, just have two or three slices and don’t waste your calories on fizzy drinks. Why not get a friend to do the pizza diet with you? That way you can split one on Sunday evening, and talk about how it’s all going.


 

First-generation antihistamines


Avoid drinking alcohol when taking first-generation antihistamines because this will make the feeling of drowsiness worse.


The same is true for other types of medication that are known to have a sedating effect, such as:


  • sleeping tablets

  • benzodiazepines, which are often used to treat anxiety disorders

  • tricyclic antidepressants, which are used to treat a range of mental health conditions, such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as a number of chronic pain conditions

Seek advice from your GP or pharmacist before taking a first-generation antihistamine if you’re taking any of the medications listed above.


You shouldn’t take a first generation antihistamine if you’re also taking a type of antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). This is because the combination of the two substances can have unpredictable effects.


Second-generation antihistamines


Most second-generation antihistamines do not have important interactions when they’re taken with other medications. However, the exceptions to this are:


  • rupatadine – this can cause unpredictable effects if taken with some types of antibiotics or grapefruit juice

  • mizolastine – this can cause unpredictable effects if taken with nifedipine (used to treat high blood pressure), cimetidine (used to treat heartburn) and ciclosporin (which is often used to treat people who’ve had an organ transplant)

Cough and cold medicines


Many cough and cold medicines that are available over the counter at pharmacies contain a mixture of different medications, such as paracetamol, decongestants and antihistamines.


Don’t take cough and cold medicines if you have recently taken other antihistamine medication because there’s a risk of taking an excess dose of antihistamine.


These types of cough and cold medicines aren’t recommended for children who are under six years old because the risks of treatment are thought to outweigh any benefits.



Interactions with other medicines

When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of one of the medicines can be altered by the other. This is known as a drug-drug interaction. Some antifungal medicines can interact with other medicines.


Tell your GP or pharmacist what other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, so they can decide whether an antifungal medicine is safe for you to take.


Medicines that antifungal medicines may interact with include:


  • benzodiazepines – a group of medicines used to help sleep and reduce anxiety

  • ciclosporin – a medicine that suppresses the immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection)

  • cimetidine – a medicine used to treat indigestion

  • hydrochlorothiazide – a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)

  • oestrogens – hormones found in some contraceptives

  • phenytoin – a medicine used to treat epilepsy

  • progestogens – hormones found in some contraceptives

  • rifampicin – an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis

  • tacrolimus – a medicine that suppresses the immune system

  • theophylline – a medicine used to treat asthma

  • tricyclic antidepressants – medicines used to treat depression

  • zidovudine – a medicine used to treat HIV and AIDS


Interactions with other medicines