Archives for September 2021

Rheumatism

What is Rheumatism?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a medical condition that occurs when your own immune system wrongly attacks your own body’s tissues. This is an autoimmune disorder. This condition is a serious medical disorder as it may harm a large range of body structures, involving the eyes, skin, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. This condition causes a painful swelling that can ultimately cause bone loss and joint distortion.

What are the Symptoms of Rheumatism?

There are some typical symptoms of Rheumatism. The most common symptom is sore, warm, and inflamed joints with stiffness. The stiffness worsens after sleep or any post-inactivity phase such as sitting for a long time. You may also experience tiredness, fever, and even loss of hunger. Other than that, there may be some more symptoms that may affect your other body parts and organs such as skin, eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, etc.

What are the Causes of Rheumatism?

  • There is no evidence to prove what causes Rheumatism. However, there is a possibility that your genes sometimes may react to some environmental factors such as disease from specific microbes or viruses. These may trigger Rheumatism.
  • Let us understand some risk factors that may make you susceptible to this condition.
  • If you are a woman, you have a greater chance than a man to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
  • In case you are a middle-aged person, you are at more risk of developing this disease.
  • If there is a history of rheumatoid arthritis in your family, your chance of getting this disease is much higher than others.
  • Smoking cigarettes increases the possibility of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Individuals who are obese seem to be at a slightly greater chance of improving rheumatoid arthritis.

When to see a Doctor?

You need to see your doctor if you are suffering from irritation and pain with swollen joints.

Lifestyle Prevention of Rheumatism

  • Since the exact causes are unknown, preventing Rheumatism is not an easy task. However, it might help you to take some preventive measures in order to live a healthier life and avoid getting this disease.
  • Limiting exposure to environmental contaminants may decrease the risk of developing this disease.
  • Also, opting for a healthier diet can assist you with your treatment and make you strong from within. Sometimes being overweight may cause this condition so try to lose extra fat from your body. If you smoke, quit.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Rheumatism

There are some great herbal remedies to treat the inflammation caused by Rheumatism. Herbs and spices such as Ginger, Thyme, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Garlic, Blak-Pepper, Indian Frankincense, Chamomile tea, etc. are very effective on Rheumatism.
  • Ginger: Ginger is known to be one of the best herbs for treating inflammation. So adding ginger in your diet is very important. You can take ginger supplements or add chopped or grated ginger in your daily recipes. Sipping ginger tea is also very helpful. Make this tea by seething pieces of ginger for 15 minutes in a cup of hot water, and drink two times daily.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon has antioxidant properties that prevent cell loss. So try adding a pinch of cinnamon powder to your smoothies, oatmeals, stews and soups. However, never overuse cinnamon.
  • Chamomile tea: This is also very famous in treating any inflammation related disease for anti-inflammatory properties. Made from 3 g dried flowers in 1 cup of water, two or three times a day.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Rectal Bleeding (hematochezia)

What is Rectal Bleeding?

Rectal bleeding is a medical condition that occurs when you see blood on your toilet paper, the water in the commode, or your stool. It means any blood that passes from the anus is rectal bleeding. Rectal bleeding is a symptom of some serious health conditions, such as hemorrhoids, constipation, liver cirrhosis, anal fissures or polyps, etc.

What are the Symptoms of Rectal Bleeding?

  • The most obvious symptom of rectal bleeding is any blood that comes from the anus. When you notice blood in your stool or the toilet paper, you know you have rectal bleeding. The important thing is to keep a check on the stool color and blood color. That indicates different events.
  • If you notice bright red blood, it signals to bleed anywhere in the lower intestinal tract, for instance, the bleeding may be happening from the colon or rectum.
  • In case you see wine-colored blood, it may signal to bleed from your small intestine or the initial section of the colon.
  • Noticing tarry or black stools may be a sign of bleeding from the abdomen or it can be from the higher section of the small intestine.
  • Some more symptoms are associated with rectal bleeding. You may experience symptoms such as confusion, rectal pain, stomach aches, feeling dizzy, etc.

What are the Causes of Rectal Bleeding?

  • Rectal bleeding can be triggered by numerous factors. Some of the most usual factors are discussed below,
  • Anal fissures, which are caused by a tiny scratch in the coating of the anal passage may be the most common cause of rectal bleeding.
  • Constipation can be another main cause of rectal bleeding. When you strain too much to pass the stool, it may cause damage and eventually you end up with rectal bleeding.
  • When you have inflamed and swollen veins in your anus or rectum it is called hemorrhoids. This is also among the leading causes of rectal bleeding.
  • Other than these, there are some less common causes of rectal bleeding that include, Colon polyps, Diarrhea, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), Rectal and anal cancer, Colon cancer, Ulcerative colitis, etc.

When to see a Doctor?

Rectal bleeding sometimes may not be a severe condition and can be treated by some home remedies or over-the-counter medications. However, if you are experiencing rectal bleeding with other symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, sore stomach, fast breathing, serious anal pain, etc. then you need to see a doctor immediately.

Lifestyle Prevention of Rectal Bleeding

The best way to prevent rectal bleeding is to prevent its leading causes:
  • To prevent hemorrhoids, it’s essential to maintain supple stools so they can pass effortlessly. To work out this, drink lots of fluids and consume a diet high in fiber. Go to the toilet immediately after you sense the need and avoid straining while passing away stools. Additionally, restrict your time sitting in the bathroom.
  • Anal fissures can be avoided by preventing the irratation of the rectum and wiping with soft tissues, a dampened cloth, or cotton cloth. Don’t use hard or perfumed toilet paper.
  • People at elevated hazard for colorectal cancer should undertake routine inspections, mainly colonoscopy.
  • Colorectal cancer diagnoses can identify precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum to remove before they are turning into cancer. Tests can also detect colorectal cancer in the early stages when therapy is more expected to be effective.
  • Quitting smoking and drinking is also important to prevent rectal bleeding. Also try to maintain a healthy weight by regular physical activities, restricting red meat, and opting for a more plant-based diet.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Rectal Bleeding

Ayurveda has some great remedies for causes of rectal bleeding such as hemorrhoids, fissures, fistula, constipation etc. Some of the natural stool softeners are also very effective in treating rectal bleeding. Herbs and spices such as Triphala, Guggulu, Isabgol, castor oil, etc. work best to treat and prevent rectal bleeding.
  • Triphala: Triphala is very effective on constipation so taking 1/2 – 2 teaspoons once or twice a day will help you.
  • Isabgol:This is also a very effective herb for hemorrhoids, constipation etc. 2-3 tablespoons in a glass of water before bed.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Triphala | Guggulu Tablets | Hingwastak and Dashamoola mix | Isabgol | Sesame Oil | Castor Oil
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Poor Circulation

What is Poor Circulation?

Poor circulation is a medical condition that occurs when there is a decreased blood flow in any section of the body. The human body has a circulation system that is designed to send blood, oxygen, and important nutrients throughout the body. While there is a reduction of blood flow in a particular part of the body it is described as poor circulation. This may cause symptoms like swelling, numbness, and tingling mostly in the arms and legs.

What are the Symptoms of Poor Circulation?

  • The typical symptoms of poor circulation can be numbness, swelling, and tingling in the hands and feet. You may also experience cold hands and feet.
  • In some extreme cases, an individual can also experience loss of memory and may have trouble focusing.
  • Some physical issues might also occur, such as digestive problems, muscle spasms, varicose veins, fatigue, and joint pains.

What are the Causes of Poor Circulation?

The causes of poor circulation are widespread. It is mostly caused by peripheral artery disease. Some blood clots due to any underlying disease or any injury may also cause poor circulation. In some cases, obesity may trigger this condition. Varicose veins and Raynaud’s disease can be a cause for poor blood circulation as well.

When to see a Doctor?

As the major cause of the poor blood circulation is related to underlying heart condition, one should never ignore it if it happens frequently and experiencing multiple symptoms. Visit your doctor if you have circulation issues.

Lifestyle Prevention of Poor Circulation

  • Some great preventive measures can be followed to avoid poor circulation.
  • The most important thing is to have mobility. Poor circulation can be prevented by working out regularly. That is important. Exercise will help your blood flow and will prevent you from having this condition.
  • Quitting smoking is another way to avoid poor blood circulation. Smoking hurts the walls of your arteries and produces plaques that may lead to poor circulation.
  • A healthy diet is very important to treat any condition. So, there is no exception in this case as well. Eating clean is very important. Eating food that is rich in iron is a great choice.
  • In case you are seated for a longer period, keeping your legs in an elevated position can help you circulate the blood properly and you can avoid numbness in your legs due to poor circulation

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Poor Circulation

There are some great ayurvedic remedies which help you to treat and prevent poor circulation:
  • Herbs like Ginger, Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper, Guggulu, Manjishtha, Black Pepper, in your diet will help you deal with this condition.
  • Herbal Mixture: Mix 5 parts of Punavama, 3 parts of Manjistha, 3 parts of Gokshura and take half tsp of this mixture two times everyday with hot water post meals.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Nosebleed

What is Nosebleed?

Nosebleed is a condition that may be a symptom of many other medical conditions. However, there are some typical causes of nosebleeds, such as damage to the nose, the excessive dryness of the nasal pathway that causes the mucous tissues to break and bleed, some allergies, dehydration, elevated blood pressure. There may be instances of nosebleeds in case you go to a high-altitude place.

What are the Symptoms of Nosebleed?

  • The symptoms of nosebleed are very straightforward as you can see your nose is bleeding.
  • If you notice bleeding from one or both of your nostrils, along with a feeling of flowing fluid at the back of the esophagus and often have a desire to swallow, then you should visit a doctor to check the causes of these symptoms.

What are the Causes of Nosebleed?

  • There are many causes of nosebleeds. Some nosebleeds may be caused by external factors, and some may be caused by internal factors. Some of the major causes of nosebleeds are discussed below,
  • In most cases, it can be caused by colds and sinuses. Particularly when you are suffering from constant sneezing, blowing your nose hard, and coughing.
  • Nose picking or inserting any object into your nose may cause injury which will lead to nose bleeding. Or maybe any other injury to your nose or face may cause this as well.
  • In case you are addicted to cocaine or any other drugs and inhaling them through your nose, you may experience nosebleeds.
  • In case you are visiting a high-altitude place when the air is thinner because of reduced oxygen level, it can cause nosebleeds.
  • Certain medications which you are taking to treat itchy, stuffy, or runny nose may cause dryness in the nasal membrane and you end up suffering from nosebleeds.
  • Some other factors that may cause nosebleeds are excessive consumption of alcohol, elevated blood pressure, nose surgery, nasal tumor or polyps, pregnancy, leukemia, etc.

When to see a Doctor?

In most cases, nosebleeds don’t require any medical interventions. However, if it is caused by an injury to your nose, head, or face then you need to seek medical help immediately. Also, in case your nose is bleeding for more than 20 minutes, see your doctor.

Lifestyle Prevention of Nosebleed

  • Nosebleeds can be prevented by following some preventive measures. In case it is caused by some underlying diseases then it is a different scenario but if the causes are typical then these tips will be very helpful in avoiding such circumstances.
  • In most cases, nosebleeds occur due to dryness. So moisturizing is the key. So, keep the inside of your nostril wet and moist. You can use saline sprays to moist your nostril passages.
  • Using a humidifier can also be a good idea to keep your nose moist, especially during sleep when you will inhale through your nose for a longer hour. So, running a humidifier in the room will help.
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption is also one of the major causes of nosebleeds. So stop it immediately.
  • Nose picking should be stopped since it is also one of the most common causes of nosebleeds. Additionally, hard nose blowing also is avoided as that may cause injury to your nostrils and may trigger nosebleeds.
  • Using protective gears during a sport that may cause injury to your nose is also very crucial. Sports such as kickboxing, basketball, rugby, cricket, etc. have a very high chance of nose injury. So never forget to wear your protective gear.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Nosebleed

Some Ayurvedic remedies may help you to cure and prevent nosebleeds. Some of the Ayurvedic herbs and spices such as Manjishtha, Kama Dudha, etc. can be helpful.
  • Herbal Mixture: Mix one-third tsp of Manjistha and one-eighth tsp of kama dudha in a glass of warm water and drink daily.
  • Juice Treatment: Drinking cranberry juice and pomegranate juice mixture is a great way to prevent or treat nosebleeds.
  • Pomegranate Nose Drops: Pomegranate juice can stop the nosebleeds immediately. So place a few drops of pomegranate juice into your nostril and see the results.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Manjistha | KamaDudha | Apple Cider Vinegar
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that occurs when the bones become unstable and fragile because of bones becoming more porous.. This usually happens due to some hormonal variations and insufficiency of calcium and Vitamin D. This condition may fracture bones quite easily. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?

  • There are some typical symptoms of this condition. However, there are no such symptoms or signs in the early stages of bone loss. It may develop gradually with time.
  • A person with Osteoporosis may develop back pain. This is mostly caused by fractured or crumpled vertebra.
  • You also may notice a loss of height over time and may develop a crouched posture.
  • Shortness of breath due to reduced lung function as a result of dense disks.

What are the Causes of Osteoporosis?

  • There are some obvious causes of Osteoporosis. However, the major cause of this condition is the lack of calcium. A constant shortage of calcium plays a role in the progress of Osteoporosis.
  • Additionally, Osteoporosis may be triggered by some medical ailments, for instance, hyperthyroidism. Medications such as prednisone or cortisone can cause this condition.
  • Age is also a major factor in developing Osteoporosis. People in their 30s began to break down bone faster than it’s able to replace. This process may make the bones less impenetrable and fragile.
  • In women of age 45 to 55, menopause plays an important role in developing Osteoporosis. This is because of the change in hormone levels and hormone imbalance is one of the major causes of this condition.
  • Some other factors which cause Osteoporosis are poor nutrition, smoking, low body fat, small-bones frame, etc. Also if you have a family history of osteoporosis, you are at risk.

When to see a Doctor?

Osteoporosis signs can trigger pain and irritation. See a doctor instantly if you are suffering acute pain, especially of the back, neck, hip, or wrist. You might have a ruptured bone that needs medication and treatment.

Lifestyle Prevention of Osteoporosis

  • Your diet and lifestyle are two significant risk considerations you can manage to prevent osteoporosis. Substituting lost estrogen with hormone treatment also gives solid protection against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
  • Good nourishment and frequent workout are important for keeping your bones strong all over your life. To keep robust, nutritious bones, you should have a diet that is rich in calcium throughout your life. Getting an adequate amount of vitamin D is also very crucial. You should also avoid taking harmful ingredients. Do not have extreme quantities of caffeine.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Osteoporosis

Some of the ayurvedic herbs help you to have a stronger bone. So you should include herbs like ashwagandha, shatavari, jatamansi and bala in your diet to strengthen your bones.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Ashwagandha | Sesame seeds | Shatavari | Vidari | Wild yam | Jatamansi
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Vegetable Soup 101

This seasonal vegetable soup is a quick, easy-to-make recipe. This is one of the basic recipes that you can use to make any kind of vegetable soup for any seasonal vegetables. The preparation just involves chopping, cooking, blending, and the soup is ready to serve. Try adding a variety of colors and textures while choosing vegetables for this soup.
Good for all Doshas.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of roughly chopped seasonal Vegetables (Avoid Potatoes)
  • ½ cup of any kind of alliums (shallots or onions)
  • 2 cups of vegetable broth
  • 2 to 3 cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ T olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a soup pot and add the spices
  2. Once the spices are fragrant add the alliums (shallots or onions) and shallow fry for 3 minutes on high
  3. Add roughly chopped seasonal vegetables and stir fry for 5 mins
  4. Add broth and let it simmer till the vegetable are all mushy
  5. Remove the bay leaf and blend the soup in the blender
  6. Strain and add it back to the soup pot
  7. Add salt and pepper, mix well and turn off the heat. Serve hot.

Serving suggestions

In autumn, garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary
In spring, garnish with basil
In summer, garnish with dill or cilantro
In winter, garnish with a whole leaf of sage.
Or top with cilantro pesto or basil pesto for more flavors

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe