Posts Tagged ‘stress’

Head Ache

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

In this modern and fast growing world we come across many people complaining of headache. Due to psychological overload or heavy physical work without any proper rest, one of the body’s most powerful alarm signals, headache may peep out. There is no age limit to this problem. Either a child or an adult may suffer from this problem.
Headache comes in unlimited forms and a variety of causes. According to how and in which part the pain occurs, the type of headache may differ from person to person. Tense muscles in the head or neck are the common cause for the headache. Headache may also be a symptom of stress, caffeine withdrawal, allergies, certain infectious diseases or the result of taking in too much alcohol. Contracted or expanded blood vessels or altered pressure in the head due to the change of weather can also produce headache.
Types of headache:
·        Simple headache
Hammering, buzzing, pulsing in the head is caused by stress, sensitivity to weather or changes in the atmospheric pressure, high blood pressure, fever or lack of oxygen
·        Tension headache
It is caused due to tight contracted muscles in your shoulders neck, scalp, and jaw.The pain begins at the back of the head and neck or in the forehead and spreads throughout the head. It is often related to stress, depression, anxiety, overworking, not getting enough sleep, missing meals, and drinking too much alcohol. This can also bi triggered by chocolate, cheese and mono sodium.
·        Cluster headache
In this case piercing, burning pain occurs on one side of the head, always in the same place for several times per day for months.
·        Migraine
In this case pain is severe recurrent on the one side of head only. Nausea, vomiting, throbbing, pounding, and pulsating and vision problem accompany it. The circulatory disturbances in the brain or hereditary factor may also be cause of migraine pain.
·        Sinus headache
The pain is felt in front of head and face. Due to inflammation in the sinus passages that lye behind the cheeks, nose and eyes. The pain becomes severe if bent forward and also early in the morning after waking up. Sore throat and nasal discharge may also occur in this .If you have cold, flu, fever or premenstrual syndrome, this type of headache may occur.
·        Combination headache
It’s cause is unknown and usually begin in the morning and reoccurs between migraine attacks.
Helpful Remedies:
·        Relaxation Techniques-
Relax by practicing YOGA in a soothing environment free of light and noise . Turn off the radio , TV and unplug the phone.
·        Acupressure
Use thumb and index finger to press against the bridge of your nose at the corners of your eyes. Or, rub the center of the fleshy webbing between index and thumb.
·        A soothing footbath
A footbath diverts the blood supply from head to feet. Bathe  feet in the basin of  hot water and after every five minutes add a mug of hot water for four to five times. After soaking the feet for fifteen minutes pour in cold water until the temperature is lukewarm . Then put on woolen socks and lie down for twenty minutes.
Home and Herbal Remedy:

  • Kava kava can relieve tension headache.
  • Gingo biloba may prevent migraine.
  • Mix three drops of chamomile oil, three drops of lavender oil and three drops of rosemary oil with honey. Add this mixture to lukewarm water and have warm bath with it.
  • Cold compress: Moisten a cloth with cold water, put 2 drops of peppermint oil on it and apply it to the painful area for about 15 minutes.
  • Potato poultice : Boil 2 unpeeled potatoes cut into quarters   until tender Mash them and after removing the excess moisture wrap the mixture in a cloth and place it on the back of the neck for about 15 minutes.
  • Put a few drops of lemon juice in a cup of black coffee and drink it in small sips.(This is not for people with sensitive stomachs.)

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Posted in Diseases | 12 Comments »

How to tackle Knee pain

Monday, December 21st, 2009

From dusk to dawn while moving along the road, we encounter innumerable people walking with a limp almost everywhere. The cause is severe pain in the knees incidentally the most vulnerable joints in the body. The knee is the largest and most complicated and unstable joint in human body where two bones are placed over one another and held together by ligaments. It is a weight – bearing joint that straightens, bends, twists and rotates.
The knee is used for everything such as standing up, sitting, walking, running, jogging, jumping, climbing etc. All these motions put the knee joint under stress and increase your risk of acute knee injury. Most sudden injury of the knee is caused by overuse or overload. Women suffer more frequently as compared to men because of their weak muscles and wider hips, putting more pressure on the knee joint.
The common symptoms are swelling, difficulty in straightening the knee joint i.e. locking, sound like click, feeling of giving away.
Swelling occurs due to the accumulation of sensorial fluid or  blood inside or outside the joint. Acute swelling is due to injury to ligament. Chronic swelling is due to chronic arthritis, or infection. Knee might give away for a moment while walking or climbing down the stairs when one is forced to stop. Reason may be due to loose body in the joint, injury to ligament or weakness of surrounding muscles. If we hear the only click sound and if it doesn’t accompany any pain or swelling we need not have to worry.
Factors  helping  in reducing stress:
·        Walking is very good exercise  for the knee joint. The walking distance should be increased gradually.
·        Should run on a soft surface and avoid an uneven surface.
·        Proper footwear help in curing the pain.
·        Increase in body weight is a major contribution to knee problem as it places more stress on knee joint. Therefore weight reduction may help in reducing stress on the knees.
·        Lying on the back and moving both legs like cycling in both clockwise and anti clockwise direction.
Most knee pain is treated conservatively but there are situations in which surgery is required. Athletes are at an elevated risk for sudden injuries that may require surgery such as torn ligament in the center of the knee or certain type of fractures. For advanced knee osteoartherisis knee replacement is the last resort.
Early symptom of knee problem is commonly ignored due to various reasons resulting in long –term suffering, permanent disability and also inevitable surgery. In order to save one self from pain, long-term suffering, decreased mobility and feeling of helplessness, one should seek treatment in the initial stages of knee problem so that disability and surgery can be avoided.

Some herbs used in treating Knee pain:

Aloe vera—This plant contain an enzyme called bradykininase that helps in reducing the  swelling of the knee caused by injury and water retention. It is also believed to help relieve pain.

Cabbage Leaves–Although a tasty vegetable, cabbage leaves also have cooling effects and serve as a slight anti-inflammatory for hot, inflamed knees

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Posted in Healthy tips | 17 Comments »