Archives for July 2021

Constipation

Jul 18, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a condition that makes it laborious to pass stools. Normally, this condition means slow and sporadic bowel movements which last over a few weeks or more. This condition occurs because Vata is being expressed as hardness and dryness. Continue reading to learn how to treat constipation naturally.

What are the Symptoms of Constipation?

Difficulty and straining moving stools out of rectum
Moving 3 or fewer stools in a week
Hard or lumpy stools
Difficulty removing all stools out of rectum

What are the Causes of Constipation?

Blockage in rectum or colon
Nerve system problem
Muscle difficulty
Hormone imbalance
Improper diet
Dehydration

When to see a Doctor?

If you notice sudden changes in your bowel habits, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Regular screening: Not necessary.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Constipation

Try Vata-Pacifying Diet: If you have too much Vata system, try the Vata-pacifying diet. Try to avoid cold food, beans, salads, dried fruit, cold or warm drinks, and vegetables that have been overly cooked. Adding some oil to the Vata-Pacifying diet is a great idea.
Consume More Fiber: Eating more foods that have fiber will help your body be able to pass stools easier. Foods like oat bran, oatmeal, wheat bran, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are filled with fiber and would make a great addition to your iet.
Ghee and Milk: This gentle yet effective combination is great for Pitta and Vata types, but may increase Kapha too much for Kapha types. Warm a cup of milk and then add 1-2 teaspoons of ghee and stir. Consuming the formulation at night will help your body relieve its constipation.
Try yoga: Doing various yoga poses such as the Leg Lift, Sun Salutation (Twelve cycles daily), and Chest-Knee pose will help relieve your constipation.
Exercise Regularly: Staying active is a key part in relieving your constipation. Try swimming, walking, or yoga to help keep your body in great condition.
Drink More Water: Try to have 4-5 glasses of water daily. Water along with tea or juice will help provide your body with the nutrients it needs.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Constipation

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Ginger tea with Castor Oil I Flaxseed (in warm water) I Triphala I Roasted Fennel Seeds

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.

Dry Skin

Jul 17, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is Dry Skin?

Dry skin isn’t a diagnosable health condition, rather a more basic skin condition that is very common and not dangerous by any means. Especially prevalent in areas that are dry and cold, dry skin occurs when your skin cannot produce enough moisture to keep it healthy. This may lead your skin to crack, be irritated and scaly.

What are the Symptoms of Dry Skin?

Dry skin is normally temporary; however, it can be a lifelong condition or develop into eczema. Any of these symptoms can be a sign of dry skin:

Gray, tarnished skin
Peeling or Scaling
Red patches
Skin develops cracks that may have bled or dry blood
Skin looks and feels rough
Tightness around skin after being in contact with water

What are the Causes of Dry Skin?

Harsh Soap: Hand soap may have chemicals that target oil, including the natural oil your skin makes. Using these types of soaps will make the skin on your hands dry.
Heat: Being in or near hot places will dry up your skin. For example, being near stoves, outdoor fires, space heaters will reduce the humidity and dry up your skin.
Hot Showers and Pools: Swimming in pools that are strongly chlorinated or hot may make your skin dry. In addition, taking a hot shower for an extended period of time may dry out your skin.
Skin Conditions: Those that have psoriasis or eczema are more likely to have dry skin.
Weather Conditions: During the winter, cold and dry climates will make your skin dry. However, if you live in a place that has cold and dry conditions year-round, your skin may be dry year round.

When to see a Doctor?

The majority of people who have dry skin can cure it through home remedies. However, you should see a dermatologist if:

Difficulty sleeping because of dry skin
Dry skin begins turning red
Scratching causes infections and open sores
Skin begins peeling in large areas
Your skin remains dry after using home remedies

Regular screening: No regular screening is required, unless your doctor recommends that you do regular checkups with a dermatologist.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dry Skin

Dry skin can be mostly cured by implementing these basic lifestyle practices:

Apply Aloe Vera to sunburns
Apply lotion directly after showering and to dry spots
Avoid scorching hot showers or baths
If your home is dry, try a humidifier
Shower in under 10 minutes
Stay hydrated
Use a body wash that has moisturizes

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Dry Skin

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Sandalwood | Neem | Aloe Vera | Moringa | Jasmine leaves

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Aloe Vera

Cataracts

Jul 16, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Cataracts?

Cataracts is a health condition that makes your vision cloudy and difficult to see out of because particles of Kapha build in the eye, decreasing its transparency and translucency. Those that have had an eye injury, diabetes, or older age are more susceptible to having cataracts. As the cloudiness in the cataract grows, the blurriness increases making it even harder to see.

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Using a stronger reading light
Difficulty seeing in the night
Blurred vision
Seeing double in one eye
Colors begin to fade or turn yellow
Halos form around lights
Overly prone to changes in glare and light
Yearly changes in contact lens and glasses prescription

What are the Causes of Cataracts?

Diabetes
Prolonged use of steroids
Radiation therapy
Smoking tobacco
Ultraviolet light radiation

When to see a Doctor?

If you notice a sudden and noticeable change in your vision, consult your eye doctor immediately. Otherwise, your vision may change over time. Make an eye appointment to get your eyes tested and your glasses prescription adequately set.

Regular screening: If you don’t have any problems with your vision, you only need to see your eye doctor once every 2-4 years.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Cataracts

To reduce your risk of developing cataracts:

Wear sunglasses while outside
Visit an eye care specialist regularly
Avoid smoking
Eat healthy foods filled with antioxidants
Stay at your recommended weight
Stay on top of your diabetes or other health conditions

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Cataracts

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Saffron | Brahmi | Punarnava | Shatavari | Castor Oil

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.

Eczema (Atopic dermatitis)

Jul 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is Eczema?

Eczema, scientifically known as Atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition. Generally found in children, it makes the skin itchy and red. Although no cure has been discovered, there is a wide variety of treatments available such as cream that prevents outbreaks and relieves the itchiness. Avoiding harsh chemicals, applying eczema cream often, and moisturizing will all help to reduce and treat your eczema.

What are the Symptoms of Eczema?

Eczema symptoms include:

Itchy and dry skin
Brown to reddish patches, occurring on the eyelids, upper chest, neck, wrists, ankles, feet, hands, and in the creases of knees and elbows
Bumps that may release fluid if scratched
Scaly, cracked, or thickened skin
Swollen, sensitive, or raw skin due to scratching
In babies, the scalp and face are the predominant places to look

What are the Causes of Eczema?

Eczema is not contagious and therefore not spread between people. Rather, it is a gene variation or the result of an allergy (environment factors). Unfortunately, eczema can spread around the body if not properly treated.

When to see a Doctor?

Eczema starts to interrupt daily activities
Home treatment does not work
Infected skin: yellow scabs, pus or red streaks
Is so uncomfortable that the condition is affecting sleep and daily activities

Professional Medical Help: Get professional medical help immediately if your child has a fever and what appears to be infected eczema.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Eczema

Replenish your skin with lotion twice per day
Try to identify and avoid triggers that worsen the condition
Take shorter showers or baths
Take a diluted bleach bath no more than twice a week
Use gentle and light soaps
Dry off carefully
Avoid the following foods: Refined sugar, fried food, salty or spicy food, meat, processed food, yeast heavy, acidic fruits, tomatoes, and dairy products.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Eczema

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Cardamom I Turmeric I Triphala I Neem I Indian sarsaparilla

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.

Memory Problems

Jul 15, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is Memory Problems?

Memory problems, scientifically known as Amnesia, is a health condition that causes a person to forget specific memories or events that have recently happened. Memory loss is a scale ranging from forgetting a name or important date to Alzheimer’s disease that causes a person to forget and fail to recognize their family members.

What are the Symptoms of Memory Problems?

Memory loss is struggling to remember information like a person’s name or an important date. Generally, memory loss causes forgetfulness in facts and specific details, where a person struggles to recall the details. Memory loss rarely affects memories that had strong emotions attached, like the birth of a child or a wedding day. Although memory loss is a brain disease, it will likely not affect your physical or emotional abilities.

What are the Causes of Memory Problems?

Memory loss can occur because of any of the following reasons:

Alcohol and drug abuse
Cerebrovascular Disease
Chronic medical conditions
Disease infections
Head Trauma
Malnutrition
Medication side-effects
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Psychological conditions,
Sleeping Disorders
Untreated trauma

When to see a Doctor?

If your memory loss begins to affect your ability to accomplish daily activities, plan to visit your doctor, especially if your memory loss gets worse. They may perform testing based on what is the cause of your memory problem.

Regular screening: Although memory loss is oblivious, people or their peers can notice when they struggle to remember events and details.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Memory Problems

Since having a memory problem is a brain issue, no lifestyle change will quickly fix the problem. However, these lifestyle tips may help:

Engage and challenge your mind with puzzles
Ensure that you are exercising
Maintain healthy eating habits
Manage any chronic health conditions
Organize your home
Try socializing with others
Try to get a good night’s sleep every night

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Memory Problems

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.

Migraine

Jul 14, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Migraine?

A migraine is when a person has an extreme headache. Often, there is a pulsing sensation or a severe amount of throbbing. This extreme head pain usually has physical symptoms such as sensitivity to sound and light, vomiting, and nausea. The headache portion of a migraine usually lasts 4-72 hours and often interferes with daily activities because the pain is so extreme.

What are the Symptoms of Migraine?

Migraines typically have four (4) phases; however, a person may not experience all four phases during a migraine:

Prodrome: The first phase of a migraine begins nearly 24 hours prior to your migraine. Those that experience migraines often can recognize the symptoms and prepare for a migraine. The symptoms included: increased urination, yawning, fluid retention, mood changes, and cravings for food.

Aura: During this phase, you may see zig-zagging lines, bright or flashing light. Physically, you may feel like you have been grabbed or touched, although, in reality, no one has touched you. This Aura phase may happen during or before a migraine.

Headache: During the 3rd and most noticeable phase, a strong headache commonly occurs and begins to worsen. Usually, there will be pulsing or throbbing on one side of the head. If not headache is present, here are some other symptoms:

Painful to sneeze, cough, or move
Vomiting and nausea
Sensitivity to Sensitivity to odors, noise, and light

Postdrome: After the headache, this is your body’s recovery phase. Usually, signs of exhaustion, weakness, and confusion are common post-migraines symptoms, which may last for 24 hours.

What are the Causes of Migraine?

Migraines typically are triggered by an emotion, symptom, thought, or activity; however, this trigger is different for everybody. If you struggle with migraines, be aware of what may trigger than to happen. Once you discover your trigger item, avoid it if possible or seek help from a medical professional.Here is a list of some items that may trigger a migraine:

Anxiety
Flashing or bright lights
Excess caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
Women hormonal changes
Loud noises
Medication overuse
Medicines
Too much physical activity
Skipped meals
Stress
Strong smells
Sudden change in environment or weather
Tobacco
Too much or lack sleep

When to see a Doctor?

If you have one of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:

An extreme headache that comes suddenly
A headache could be a sign of a stroke because there is also weakness, numbness, double vision, seizures, confusion, a stiff neck, and fever.
Getting a headache after a head injury
A chronic long term headache that gets worse after sudden movement, straining, coughing and physical activity

Regular screening:

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Migraine

Reduce Your Pitta: You are likely experiencing Migraines because your pitta is out of control. Attempt to soothe your pitta by avoiding spicy and hot foods, citrus or sour fruits, or fermented food. Relieving your pitta is strongly recommended for migraine relief and prevent future migraines.
Proper Breakfast: Some people get headaches in the morning after breakfast, so you must eat a good breakfast that helps to prevent migraines. Try peeling a ripe banana, chopping it to pieces, and then adding a teaspoon of warm ghee to it. For flavor, add a teaspoon of date sugar and a pinch of cardamom on top. This particular breakfast should help to reduce pitta and prevent further headaches.
Avoid Harsh Sunlight: Since migraine headaches occur because of an overwhelming amount of pitta, direct sunlight can cause pitta to increase; therefore, try to wear a hat while outside.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Migraine

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

The following herbal compound will be beneficial: 5 parts Shatavari, 4 parts Brahmi , 3 parts Jatamansi, 3 parts Musta. Try ½ teaspoon twice a day after meals and consume it with water. This formula should reduce the pitta and pain from the headache.

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.