Sunday 27 December 2009

Your Child's Whooping Cough At Night

Coughs are one of the most common symptoms of childhood illness. Although a cough can sound awful, it's not usually a sign of a serious condition. In fact, coughing is a healthy and important reflex that helps protect the airways in the throat and chest.

But sometimes, your child's cough will warrant a trip to the doctor. Understanding what different types of cough could mean will help you know how to take care of them and when to go to the doctor.

"Barky" Cough



Barky coughs are usually caused by a swelling in the upper part of the airway. Most of the time, a barky cough comes from croup, a swelling of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).

Croup usually is the result of a virus, but it can also come from allergies or a change in temperature at night. Younger children have smaller airways that, if swollen, can make it hard to breathe. Kids younger than 3 years old are at the most risk for croup because their windpipes are so narrow.

A cough from croup can start suddenly and in the middle of the night. Often a kid with croup will also have stridor, a noisy, harsh breathing (some doctors describe it as a coarse, musical sound) that occurs when a child breathes in.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is another name for the pertussis, an infection of the airways caused by the bacteria bordetella pertussis. Kids with pertussis will have spells of back to back coughs without breathing in between. At the end of the coughing, the kids will take a deep breath in that makes a "whooping" sound. Other symptoms of pertussis are a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low fever.

Although pertussis can happen at any age, it's most severe in infants under 1 year old who did not get the pertussis vaccine. Your child should get the pertussis shot at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, and 4-6 years of age. This shot is given as part of the DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis).

Pertussis is very contagious. The bacteria can spread from person to person through tiny drops of fluid in the air coming from the nose or mouth when people sneeze, cough, or laugh. Others can become infected by inhaling the drops or getting the drops on their hands and then touching their mouths or noses.

Cough With Wheezing

If your child makes a wheezing (whistling) sound when breathing out, this could mean that the lower airways are swollen. This can happen with asthma or with a viral infection (bronchiolitis). Also, wheezing sometimes can happen if the lower airway is blocked by a foreign object.

Nighttime Cough

Lots of coughs get worse at night. When your child has a cold, the mucus from the nose and sinuses can drain down the throat and trigger a cough during sleep. This is only a problem if the cough won't let your child sleep.

Asthma also can trigger nighttime coughs because the airways tend to be more sensitive and irritable at night.

Daytime Cough

Cold air or activity can make coughs worse during the daytime. Try to make sure that nothing in your house — like air freshener, pets, or smoke (especially tobacco smoke) — is making your child cough.
Cough With a Fever

A child who has a cough, mild fever, and runny nose probably has a common cold. But coughs with a fever of 102° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius) or higher can sometimes mean pneumonia, especially if a child is weak and breathing fast. In this case, call your doctor immediately.

Cough With Vomiting


Kids often cough so much that it triggers their gag reflex, making them throw up. Also, a child who has a cough with a cold or an asthma flare-up may throw up if lots of mucus drains into the stomach and causes nausea. Usually, this is not cause for alarm unless the vomiting doesn't stop.

Persistent Cough


Coughs caused by colds can last weeks, especially if your child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or airways might also cause persistent coughs. If the cough lasts for 3 weeks, call your doctor.

When to Call the Doctor

Most childhood coughs are nothing to be worried about. However, call your doctor if your child:
  • has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe
  • is breathing more quickly than usual
  • has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue
  • has a high fever (especially if your child is coughing but does NOT have a runny or stuffy nose)
  • has any fever and is less than 3 months old
  • is an infant (3 months old or younger) who has been coughing for more than a few hours
  • makes a "whooping" sound when breathing in after coughing
  • is coughing up blood
  • has stridor (a noisy or musical sound) when breathing in
  • has wheezing when breathing out (unless you already have a home asthma care plan from your doctor)
  • is weak or cranky

What Your Doctor Will Do

One of the best ways to diagnose a cough is by listening. Knowing what the cough sounds like will help your doctor decide how to treat your child.
Because most coughs are caused by viruses, doctors usually do not give antibiotics for a cough. If the cough is caused by a virus, it just needs to run its course. A viral infection can last for as long as 2 weeks.
Unless a cough won't let your child sleep, cough medicines are not needed. Cough medicines sometimes help a child stop coughing, but they do not treat the cause of the cough. If you do choose to use an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine, call the doctor to be sure of the correct dose.
Do not use OTC combination medicines like "Tylenol Cold" — they have more than one medicine in them, and kids can have more side effects and are more likely to get an overdose of the medicine. Cough medicines are not recommended for children under age 4.

Home Treatment

Here are some ways to help your child feel better:
  • If your child has asthma, make sure you have an asthma care plan from your doctor. The plan should help you choose the right asthma medicines to give.

  • For a "barky" or "croupy" cough, turn on the hot water in the shower in your bathroom and close the door so the room will steam up. Then, sit in the bathroom with your child for about 20 minutes. The steam should help your child breathe more easily. Try reading a book together to pass the time.

  • A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help with sleep.

  • Cool beverages like juice can be soothing. But do not give soda or orange juice, as these can hurt a throat that is sore from coughing.

  • You should not give your child (especially a baby or toddler) OTC cough medicine without first checking with your doctor.

  • Cough drops are OK for older kids, but kids younger than 3 years old can choke on them. It's better to avoid cough drops unless your doctor says that they're safe for your child.

source: kidshealth

Thursday 10 December 2009

Homemade Hair Mask- How to Prepare Homemade Hair Mask

How to Prepare Homemade Hair Mask

The easiest of these is the application of raw egg on your hair. You can break a raw egg in a bowl and beat it well. Add a few drops of lemon juice to this and then apply on the hair and scalp. This will dry in a short while and can then be washed off with warm water. You can also use plain water instead of the lemon juice and then apply on your hair and scalp. You can use coconut cream, softening it in your hands and then applying to the hair and scalp.

Dip a towel in warm water and wrap this around your hair. You can leave it on for at least an hour for best results and then wash your hair with a good quality shampoo. Use a ripe banana and mash it well. To this you can add three tablespoons of honey, three tablespoons of milk and five tablespoons of olive oil. Mix it well and then apply on your hair.

This can be left on for about half an hour and then washed off. You can also use a ripe avocado to achieve healthy shiny hair. Remove the flesh from the ripe avocado and mash it well. To this add two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix it well, till it looks creamy. This can then be applied to your hair and left on for twenty minutes.

Tuesday 1 December 2009

About Passing Kidney Stones

Passing Kidney Stones
If you have a kidney stone, you may already know how painful it can be. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not pass. It may even get larger. Your doctor can help.
You should call a doctor if you have any of the following signs:
  • extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away
  • blood in your urine
  • fever and chills
  • vomiting
  • urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
  • a burning feeling when you urinate
These may be signs of a kidney stone that needs a doctor’s care

What do my kidneys do?

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They are located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors. Every day, your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The wastes and extra water become urine, which flows to your bladder through tubes called ureters. Your bladder stores urine until you go to the bathroom.

Saturday 28 November 2009

The Common Fever Cause Information

Common Fever

Fever is an important signal that there's something wrong in the body. Treatment of fever should be based primarily on lowering the setpoint, but facilitating heat loss may also contribute. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen Motrin or Advil. If you child has an infection, using a fever reducer will not help your child to get better any faster.

Drugs to lower fever antipyretics can be given if a patient (particularly a child) is uncomfortable. These include aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofin (Advil). Aspirin, however, should not be given to a child or adolescent with a fever since this drug has been linked to an increased risk of Reye's syndrome. Bathing a patient in cool water can also help alleviate a high fever. Wet cloth or pads are also used for treatment, and applied to the forehead.

Heat loss may be an effect of possibly a combination of heat conduction, convection, radiation or evaporation (sweating, perspiration). There are several things you to help bring the temperature down and make the person more comfortable.

Read More On Common Fever

Thursday 26 November 2009

Arthritis Causes, Symptoms and Arthitis Diet

What causes arthritis?

What causes arthritis? If you’ve ever experienced the painful swelling of your joints or vertebrae in your spine, you’ve surely asked this question. Arthritis is an uncomfortable swelling of the joints or vertebrae that can be accompanied by a stiffening and decrease in range of motion of a joint or multiple joints. Arthritis is a common, irritating medical condition that can seriously hamper your mobility or lifestyle if left untreated.

Arthritis Causes:


The pain of arthritis might come from different sources. These might include inflammation of the synovial membrane (tissue that lines the joints), tendons, or ligaments; muscle strain; and fatigue. A combination of these factors contributes to the intensity of the pain. The pain of arthritis varies greatly from person to person. Variables that contribute to the pain include swelling within the joint and damage that has occurred within the joint.

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Wednesday 25 November 2009

Sunburn Causes, Symptoms, Sunburn Home Remedies Cure

Sunburn is a red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. Sunburn usually appears within a few hours after sun exposure and may take from several days to several weeks to fade.

Causes of Sunburn:

Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours.

If you do get a sunburn:

  • Try taking a cool shower or bath or placing wet, cold wash rags on the burn.
  • Avoid products that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (like Vaseline).
  • If blisters are present, dry bandages may help prevent infection.
  • If your skin is not blistering, moisturizing cream may be applied to relieve discomfort.
  • Over the counter medications, like ibuprofen, may help to relieve pain from sunburn. DO NOT give aspirin to children.


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Tuesday 24 November 2009

Heartburn Indigestion Causes, Treatment & Cures

Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful and burning sensation in the esophagus, just behind the breastbone mostly associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux). The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw. Heartburn is a major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease; acid reflux is also identified as one of the causes of chronic cough, and may even mimic asthma.

Despite its name, heartburn in reality has nothing to do with the heart; it is so called because of a burning sensation next to to where the heart is located although several heart problems may give rise to a related burning sensation. Compounding the confusion is the actuality that hydrochloric acid from the stomach comes back up the esophagus because of a problem with the cardiac sphincter, a valve which misleadingly contains the word "cardiac," referring to the cardia as part of the stomach and not, as might be thought, to the heart.

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Body Odor Treatment - Body Odor Remedies

Body odor is the unpleasant smell caused by the mixing of perspiration, or sweat, and bacteria on the skin. Sweat is generally an odorless body secretion. When bacteria multiply on the skin and break down these secretions, however, the resulting by-products may have a strong and disagreeable odor. This odor is often due to poor personal hygiene, but excessive perspiration or some other underlying disease is sometimes involved.

Causes & Symptoms of Body odor

People produce two kinds of sweat, eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine sweat glands secrete a mixture of water, salt (sodium chloride), urea, and lactic acid onto the skin. When a person is overheated, sweat seeps over the body, especially where the eccrine glands are numerous. These glands are concentrated in the armpits, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the forehead. As the sweat dries off, the skin is cooled by the surrounding air. Eccrine glands do not release any tissue cells or cell contents into their watery secretions.

In contrast with eccrine sweat, apocrine sweat is a heavier liquid containing various organic substances, including pheromone hormones. These glands are found mostly under the arms and around the groin. They develop during puberty, and are thought to serve a biological function in sexual attraction. Apocrine glands take their name from the fact that these glands release the apical portion, or tip, of the secreting cell into the liquid along with the other substances.

Sweat is essentially odorless when it is secreted, and the sweat from the eccrine glands remains so. It creates, however, a moist environment in which some of the bacteria that naturally occur on human skin can multiply. These bacteria are attracted to the sweat produced by the apocrine glands, and a strong odor is produced when these substances interact. On the other hand, however, the eccrine sweat glands may also help to regulate the types of bacteria on the body surface. Researchers in Germany have recently discovered that these glands secrete a peptide that has antimicrobial properties strong enough to kill some disease bacteria.

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Monday 23 November 2009

Toothache Pain Relief Home Herbal Remedy


Toothache Pain Relief Home Herbal Remedy

Well, teeth being one of the most important organs of body and due to the tender and delicate nature of the gums encapsuling their bases, you should be extremely cautious while making experiments with your own teeth. The remedies illustrated here are not dangerous as most of the remedies involve treatment with natural products carrying no side effects. Here are some of the remedies which are easily accessible to every one offering great deal of relief from tooth aches. Many say they help! Let us have a look at them.

1. Using Icepack: Ice offers excellent numbing properties. Hold the ice around affected area and try to compress it there. Most often, the pain gets reduced as it is excellent in suppressing pain at nerve endings.

2. Get fresh peppermint (approximately 5 grams), add it in one cup of water and boil it, add half table spoon of salt. Make the water lukewarm and drink it. When ingested, this solution acts as pain killer and can eradicate other pains like headaches.

3. Using cucumber: Get cucumber from any vegetable stores, cut it into thicker slices. Hold these pieces on and around the tooth that is paining and it will start working to give soothing effect. If cucumber is refrigerated, it is better as its very chillness acts as catalyst to its soothing effect.

4. You can try out swig of whiskey over the irritating tooth. Once the gums surrounding absorb some quantity of alcohol, it delivers a kind of anesthesia to the affected area which results in lessening the pain.
 
5. Using oats: If toothache is experiencing the presence of abscess at gums then holding oats there can draw out the puss. The pain will be reduced.

6. Using dried peppermint leaves: Place a small stack of dried peppermint leaves around the aching tooth for 15 minutes and then spit out. Repeat this procedure10 to 15 times a day. Peppermint acts in a dual way. First, it brings the abscess to the upper surface if there any and then acts as pain killer.

>>Click Here To Read More On Toothache Pain<<

Saturday 21 November 2009

Hair Loss Information Guide

Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or all over (diffuse). You lose roughly 100 hairs from your head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs.

Each individual hair survives for an average of 4 1/2 years, during which time it grows about 1/2 inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss.

Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Baldness is not usually caused by a disease. It is related to aging, heredity, and testosterone. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

Cause of this type of hair loss are:

  • High fever or severe infection
  • Childbirth
  • Major surgery, major illness, sudden blood loss
  • Severe emotional stress
  • Crash diets, especially those that do not contain enough protein
  • A number of medications, including retinoids, birth control pills, beta-blockers, certain antidepressants, NSAIDs (including iburpofen) and calcium channel blockers

    Friday 20 November 2009

    Acne Rosacea - What causes rosacea

    Acne Rosacea

    Also called: Acne rosacea

    Rosacea is a long-term disease that affects your skin and sometimes your eyes. It causes redness and pimples. Rosacea is most common in women and people with fair skin. It usually starts between age 30 and 60.

    In most cases, rosacea only affects the face. Symptoms can include

    • Frequent redness of the face, or flushing
    • Small, red lines under the skin
    • Acne
    • A swollen nose
    • Thick skin, usually on the forehead, chin and cheeks
    • Red, dry, itchy eyes and sometimes vision problems

    No one knows what causes rosacea. You may be more likely to have it if you blush a lot or if rosacea runs in your family. Rosacea is not dangerous. It can be treated with medications and sometimes surgery.

    Thursday 19 November 2009

    The Appendix Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    The Appendix

    Appendix is a small, tube-like organ attached to the first part of the large intestine, also called the colon. It is located in the lower right area of the abdomen. It has no known function. A blockage inside of the appendix causes appendicitis. The blockage leads to increased pressure, problems with blood flow and inflammation. If the blockage is not treated, the appendix can break open and leak infection into the body.

    Symptoms may include

    • Pain and/or swelling in the abdomen
    • Loss of appetite
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Constipation or diarrhea
    • Inability to pass gas
    • Low fever

    Not everyone with appendicitis has all these symptoms.

    Appendicitis is a medical emergency. Treatment almost always involves removing the appendix. Anyone can get appendicitis. It happens most often to people between the ages of 10 and 30.

    >>Click Here To Read More On Athletes Foot<<

    Wednesday 18 November 2009

    Fungal Athletes Foot Treatment


    Athlete foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, and itch of affected areas. It is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses. Although the condition typically affects the feet, it can spread to other areas of the body, including the groin. Athlete's foot can be prevented by good hygiene, and is treated by a number of pharmaceutical and other treatments.

    Athlete Foot Symptoms

    • itchy,
    • scaly,
    • flaky,
    • dry, and
    • red.

    You will usually notice that the rash begins in the spaces between your fourth and fifth toes. If the infection is left untreated, you may also notice a rash forming on the bottom and sides of your feet. Sometimes the infection can also spread to your toenails, causing them to be dry and crumbly.

    >>Click Here To Read More On Athletes Foot<<

    The Best Way For Treating Bed Sores

    Bedsores, more properly known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are lesions caused by many factors such as: unrelieved pressure; friction; humidity; shearing forces; temperature; age; continence and medication; to any part of the body, especially portions over bony or cartilaginous areas such as sacrum, elbows, knees, ankles etc.

    Treating bed sores

    The most important thing to keep in mind about the treatment of bedsores is that the most optimal outcomes find their roots in a multidisciplinary approach; by using a team of specialists, there is a better chance that all bases will be covered in treatment.

    There are seven major contributors to healing.

    >>Click Here To Read More On Bedsores<<

    Tuesday 17 November 2009

    Anemia Causes and Anemia Symptom Information

    Not having enough iron in your body causes iron-deficiency anemia. Lack of iron usually is due to blood loss, poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough iron from the foods you eat.
    Blood Loss

    When you lose blood, you lose iron. If you don’t have enough iron stored in your body to make up for the iron loss, you’ll develop iron-deficiency anemia.

    In women, low iron levels may be due to blood loss from long or heavy menstrual periods or bleeding fibroids in the uterus. Blood loss that occurs during childbirth is another cause for low iron levels in women.

    Internal bleeding (bleeding inside the body) also may lead to iron-deficiency anemia. This type of blood loss isn’t always obvious, and it may occur slowly. Some causes of internal bleeding are:

    • A bleeding ulcer, colon polyp, or colon cancer
    • Regular use of aspirin or other pain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen and naproxen)
    • Urinary tract bleeding

    Blood loss from severe injuries, surgery, or frequent blood drawings also can cause iron-deficiency anemia.
    Poor Diet

    The best sources of iron are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and iron-fortified foods (foods that have iron added). If you don’t eat these foods regularly, or if you don’t take an iron supplement, you’re more likely to get iron-deficiency anemia.

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    Monday 16 November 2009

    Home Remedy for Back Pain

    Back Pain often occurs in younger people whose work involves physical effort and in people of retirement age. It is one of the generally widespread ailments of mankind. It can also be defined as a degenerative disorder in which the vertebral bone or the intervertebral disc becomes soft and loses shape. As a result the spine loses its flexibility causing acute pain in the back. Some women are vulnerable to back pain throughout pregnancy. This is for the reason that during pregnancy there is stretching of the ligaments around the uterus and pressure on the lower back.

    >>>Click Here To See Home Remedies for Back Pain<<<

    Sunday 15 November 2009

    The Acid Reflux Remedies

    Acid reflux is a condition that affects the body parts belonging to the gastrointestinal group. It is the main cause of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It mainly involves the backing up of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. This happens when the muscles at the stomach end of the esophagus called the sphincter fails to prevent the reflux of acid.

    Acid Reflux Home Remedies to Try:


    1. Honey is a great acid reflux home remedy to start with. Because acid reflux disease is caused by the damaged tissue of the sphincter and esophagus, you can begin to heal the tissue today with honey. Honey is a great remedy for healing any type of tissue. Take 1 teaspoon a honey before bed and 2 other times during the day.

    2. While your esophagus and sphincter heal, you need to avoid all foods that are crunchy and acidic. Soft foods tend to go down smoothly without scratching
    tissue. For 3 days you should try to keep a soft and nonacidic food diet. (Avoid alcohol, coffee and cigarettes for those 3 days too.)

    3. Another simple thing you can do is drink water after every meal or snack. Water will give the sphincter a tight seal over the stomach leaving less of a likelihood that stomach acid can be refluxed up.

    >>>>Click Here To Read More Acid Reflux Remedies<<<<

    Saturday 14 November 2009

    The Best Way For Removing Acne Scars

    Acne scars are one of the largely familiar skin disorders amongst young people. Acne rears its unattractive head mostly between 12-24 years of age and is well-known to cause a immense deal of concern and embarrassment to young people at an age when they are most concerned regarding their physical appearance.


    Home Remedies for Acne Scars



    Acne Scar Remedies
    There are various acne scar treatments that help banish acne and resulting acne scars.

    Common home remedies for acne scars are:

    • Eating a balanced and health diet devoid of excessive starch, sugar and fatty foods.
    • Hot fomentation to open pores and rinsing the skin with cold water after squeezing waste is an effective remedy.
    • Sun and air baths for the body are beneficial to the skin.
    • Healing packs of grated cucumber, orange peels, lemon peels are effective remedies when applied on affected areas.
    >>>Click Here To Read More<<<

    Home Remedies For Acne

    Acne is a common and chronic skin disorder. It is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The lesions are regularly found on the skin of the face, neck, chest and shoulders. Almost six out of ten young people among the ages of twelve and twenty-four suffer from some degree of acne. Acne causes a huge deal of embarrassment at an age when people tend to be hypersensitive about their personal appearance.


    Home remedies for Acne

    Acne Vitamin Treatment
    Two vitamins, namely, niacin and vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. Vitamin therapy should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily. Continue this therapy for a month.

    Zinc Treatment for Acne

    Zinc is another effective remedy in the area of nutrition that seems to offer new promise of help for acne. It has shown dramatic results in some cases. Take zinc in therapeutic doses of 50 mg three times a day. Zinc is available in tablet and in capsule form. In tablet form, it is available as Zinfet – 200 mg. The patient can take a quarter tablet so as to get 50 mg of zinc. In capsule form, zinc is available as Ulseal 220 mg. One-fourth of the powder inside the capsule can be taken as a single dose. The patient can take a dose of 50 mg daily upto one month or till there is noticeable improvement and then reduce the dose to 25 mg.



    Orange Peel Remedy for Acne

    Homemade Acne Treatment with orange peel has been found very effective. Pound the orange peel with water on a piece stone and apply on acne affected areas.

    >>>Click Here To Read More<<<