For many new mothers, it's a shock to discover that breastfeeding, which seems so natural, is not necessarily easy. You'll probably be given much useful advice by your midwife, health visitor and friends, but every newborn gives birth to a brand new nursing experience. When your breasts start producing a regular milk supply a few days after birth, they may feel painfully tight and your baby may have trouble latching on. Many other factors affect your baby's feeds - and your own comfort. When problems arise, like nipple soreness or a blocked milk duct, it helps to know a few age-old tricks.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
BOILS TREATMENT
There's only one thing to do with a boil: get rid of it fast. And you can, but not by squeezing it. Instead, use a combination of heat and moisture to bring it to a head, followed by safe and sterile methods to induce draining and provide pain relief. Alternatively, try drying treatments to shrink the offender to extinction.
BLISTER TREATMENT
What is the best thing to do with a blister? Drain it? Or leave it alone? In general, don't interfere with blisters that are small or those that probably won't pop on their own.They are less likely to become infected if you leave the natural covering of skin intact, and give the area time to form new skin under its protective cushion of fluid. Meanwhile, these tips will relieve the pain and itching and speed up healing. If your blister is large, or in an area where you can't avoid putting pressure on it, drain it the proper way. Never pop a burn blister, though, as there's a risk of infection if you do.
BITES AND STINGS
If you live near a polar ice cap, you'll never have to worry about mosquitoes, bees, wasps or jellyfish. For the rest of us, confrontations with these irritating predators are as inevitable as a wet bank holiday. Insect repellent is an effective deterrent for many airborne pests. Others, however, seem ever bold and their bites are worse than their buzz. Here's how to recover from an assault and protect your skin from further attack.
CHILD BED WETTING TREATMENT
BAD BREATH TREATMENT
Suppose you conduct a 'breath test' as you make your way to an important meeting, you fail. Don't worry - the following quick fixes can help to minimize your horrible halitosis. If your gums, tongue and teeth are harbouring odour-causing bacteria, you ll want to adopt some rigorous daily hygiene habits to inhibit them.That's when special rinses, attention to toothpaste and regular brushing and flossing can begin bad breath good.
BACK PAIN TREATMENT
Ow, my back hurts!' How many of us wish we never had to utter those words again?Take it easy for a couple of days while taking some ibuprofen or bed) naproxen sodium to ease swelling and relieve the pain. Also try the fast-acting solutions below — especially ice and heat — for immediate relief. Then, as soon as be, slowly get moving again. When your back is feeling moderately better, do the stretching and strengthening exercises starting — every day without fail — and in your to six weeks your back should be back in action.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
ASTHMA TREATMENT
For severe asthma attacks — the kind of tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath that can be really frightening — most people do as their doctor recommends. Often, means quick action with a prescribed inhaler. If this is what you do, and it works, t give it up. If you use a preventer inhaler, you should continue to use it as bed, as this will cut down your risk of attack. There is no cure for asthma, but are rots ofways to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms. Certain simple lifestyle changes can help most asthma sufferers to breathe more easily.
ARTHRITIS TREATMENT
Pain removers
- Take glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplements to reduce pain and slow down cartilage loss. Evidence suggests that this combination can be effective for people with mild to moderate arthritis. Follow the dosage directions on the label, and persevere: it may take a month or more before you begin to feel the benefits.
- Take a 3 teaspoon of powdered ginger or up to 35g (about 6 teaspoons) of fresh ginger once a day. Research shows that ginger root helps to relieve arthritis pain, probably because of its ability to increase blood circulation, and thus ferry inflam-matory chemicals away from painful joints.
- Take two 400mg doses of SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine) a day. Supplementing with SAM-e, a chemical found naturally in all cells of the body, has been shown to help relieve arthritis pain by increasing blood levels of proteoglycans — molecules that seem to play a key role in preserving cartilage by helping to keep it 'plumped up' and well oxygenated. SAM-e also appears to reduce inflammation. Research has found the supplement as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen in fighting arthritis pain
Seek heat relief and cold comfort
- Applying heat to a painful joint can provide significant relief. For heat sources, you can use electric blankets and hand warmers, heating pads or hot packs. Warm the achy joint for 20 minutes. Simply taking a hot bath can also be soothing.
- Cold treatments can work well when joints are inflamed. Wrap ice cubes in a towel or flannel and hold against the sore joint. Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen peas.
Wear gloves to bed?
- If you frequently have stiff, swollen hands in the morning, try wearing a snug-fitting pair of gloves to bed. They may help to keep the swelling in check. But stop if you find that wearing gloves to bed only makes morning stiffness worse.
Oil your aching joints
- Eat more oily fish. Many people who supplement their diets with omega-3 fatty acids — found in oily fish such as mackerel, pilchards, salmon and sardines — discover that pain and stiffness are lessened.These substances seem to discourage inflammation in the body.
- You can also take the oils alone or in capsule form. Research at Cardiff University has shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can slow and may even reverse the destruction of cartilage that leads to osteoarthritis.The recommended dose is 2000mg of an omega-3 supplement three times a day, with meals. But check with your doctor first before taking fish oil supplements if you are taking blood-thinning drugs, have high cholesterol or are diabetic.
- As an alternative to fish oil capsules, take 1 tablespoon of flax seed (linseed) oil a day. It's loaded with the same type of omega-3s. Take the oil straight from a spoon, mix it with orange juice or add it to your salad dressing.
- If you like nuts, indulge. They also contain beneficial oils.
Rub on relief
Eucalyptus oil can be effective. Put a few drops on the skin and rub it in, but don't use the oil under a heating pad or hot compress, as the additional heat can cause it to burn or irritate the skin.
- Capsaicin is a substance that gives chilli peppers their 'heat'. It is also the active ingredient in some products designed for ongoing joint pain. Capsaicin is a counter-irritant: it irritates nerve endings, diverting the brain's attention from arthritis pain. You will need to see your doctor for chilli creams such as Axsain and Zacin, as they are available only on prescription. Other counter-irritants can be bought over the counter: try Algipan rub, Ralgex cream or the delightfully-named Fiery Jack cream or ointment.
Keep those joints moving
- Whether it's walking, swimming, cycling or yoga, begin a gentle exercise regime. The better your physical condition, the less pain and stiffness you'll have. If you have arthritis in your ankle, knee or hip, you might need to walk with a stick — at least to begin with — to help stabilize the joints. If your joints are swollen and inflamed, don't work through the pain. Instead, take a day off.
- Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist about how to start a weight training programme. Strong muscles will help to support your joints and absorb shock.
Try to measure up
- If you have hip or knee arthritis, ask your doctor to measure the length of your legs. One in five people with arthritis in these joints has one leg that is slightly longer than the other. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a podiatrist to have corrective shoes made for you.
Listen to the weather forecast
Many people with arthritis find that their pain is triggered by changes in the weather. If you are one of them, it's not just your imagination: a sudden increase in humidity and rapid drop in air pressure affect bloodflow to arthritic joints. When storms are forecast, try turning on a dehumidifier to dry the air.
The power of prevention
- Maintain a healthy weight to help to prevent osteoarthritis of the knees. No matter what your current weight, losing just 5 kilos (101b) and keeping it off for 10 years will halve the risk of arthritis affecting your knees.
- If walking is part of your exercise programme, make sure you don't cover the same ground every day. Varying the kind of terrain you walk on will prevent you from repeatedly stressing the same joints in the same way.
- Invest in good walking shoes. The softer heels will lessen the impact of walking on your foot, ankle, leg and hip joints. Flat, supportive shoes are generally considered best for knees.
- Recent clinical studies have shown that vitamin C and other antioxidants can help to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and its progression. Antioxidants prevent bone breakdown by destroying free radicals — harmful oxygen molecules that cause tissue damage. Take 500mg of vitamin C every day.
- Take zinc supplements. One long-term study of nearly 30,000 women found that those who took zinc supplements reduced their risk of rheumatoid arthritis.Taking too much zinc may cause other health risks, however, so limit your intake to one 15mg dose a day and take it with food.
ANXIETY TREATMENT
If it feels as if the causes of your anxiety are all around you, take heart: so are the cures. There are herbs and oils to add to a soothing warm bath, worry-calming teas and even some classic comfort foods. For those times when you feel anxious, here are some ways to be kind to yourself and lessen the worries.