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Cataracts

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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)

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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

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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:

Brahmi | Jatamansi | Bhringraj | Shanka Pushpi | Ginkgo | Gotu Kola | Saffron

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not known.

Migraine

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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: If you think you have or have had a migraine, consult your doctor. They may prescribe you medicine that reduces your risk of having a migraine.

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.

Insomnia

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What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for some people to fall asleep and stay asleep, which often leads to daytime drowsiness. Oftentimes, Insomnia is a side-effect and complicates other health conditions. If a person is over tired, Insomnia will only worsen their conditions, creating a harsh quality of life. If one is dealing with depression, Insomnia may worsen the feelings and condition of their depression.

What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?

Insomnia symptoms may include:
  • Struggling to go to sleep
  • Waking up during sleep
  • Waking up earlier than you wanted
  • Not feeling fulfilled after sleep
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Symptoms of anxiety or depression
  • Struggling to focus on a single task or recalling information
  • More like to make an accident at work
  • Persistent concern about sleep

What are the Causes of Insomnia?

Common causes of chronic insomnia include:
  • Eating Too Late: Eating before your bedtime is OK as long as it is done in moderation. If you have any discomfort after eating late, stop eating so late in the evening.
  • Bad Sleep Habits: Not getting enough sleep often forms from unintentional poor sleep habits. Avoid having an irregular sleep schedule, taking unneeded naps, or consuming drinks that have caffeine in the evening. Try reading before bed or making non-caffeinated tea before going to bed.
  • Sleeping Disorder: Insomnia is often created by sleep disorders like sleep apnea (periodically stop breathing during the night) or restless legs syndrome (legs must constantly be moving while sleeping)
  • Over-stressing: Although it’s essential to stay focused on your activities, over-stressing about your family, finances, health, schoolwork, or work may cause you to overthink, leading you to develop Insomnia.
  • Work Schedule: Some people work during the night, which will likely affect your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural sleep clock). Disrupting your circadian rhythm may lead to insomnia.

When to see a Doctor?

If you begin to notice persistent sleep deprivation or struggle to get a good night’s rest constantly, contact your doctor to get their advice. They may recommend that you see a sleep specialist for testing or prescribe you medicine to help with your drowsiness.

Regular screening: Since insomnia can be genetic, contact your doctor if insomnia runs in your family.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Insomnia

Here are some lifestyle tips to help you overcome your insomnia problems:
  • Try to develop a constant time to go to sleep and wake up every day (including weekends). Although it may be challenging to establish, this sleep schedule will help your body develop a natural circadian rhythm. In addition, avoid taking naps in the day because you may not be as sleepy when it’s time for bed.
  • Try avoiding the screen 30 min before your desired bedtime. The blue light found in screens is known to stimulate the brain, making it difficult for you to sleep.
  • Exercising often will help your body to use its natural energy. Avoid exercising 3-4 hours before bedtime because it may make it more challenging to go to sleep.
  • Let dinner be your last big meal. If necessary, have a light snack in the evening, for this will fill your hunger and not alter your sleep schedule.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Insomnia

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Ashwagandha | Jatamansi | Brahmi | Chamomile | Shankhpushpi | Vacha | Sarpgandha | Nutmeg
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not known.

Dandruff

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What is Dandruff?

Dandruff, scientifically known as Seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition where your body sheds dead scalp cells which then fall out of your hair. It isn’t serious nor contagious; however, it is known to be embarrassing in common culture.

What are the Symptoms of Dandruff?

Typical: Dandruff signs and symptoms tend to flare in the cold and dry seasons, as well as when you are more stressed. Symptoms and signs include:

  • Dead skin flakes (Dandruff) on your shoulder, mustache, bear, eyebrows, or scalp.
  • Irritated scalp
  • Infants show signs of scalp irritations (crusty and scaly)

What are the Causes of Dandruff?

Dandruff is most commonly caused by a lack of blood supply to the scalp. Since there is a lack of oxygen and protein, the scalp becomes dry and flaky. Less commonly, dandruff can be caused by a lack of Vitamin B-6 or an excess Vata Dosha, which makes the skin dry. Dandruff has various causes such as:

  • Dry scalp
  • Oily and Irritated skin
  • Not using enough shampoo
  • Adverse reaction to certain hair products
  • Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis

When to see a Doctor?

The majority of dandruff cases don’t require a doctor’s visit. See your dermatologist if your dandruff doesn’t improve after trying over-the-counter dandruff shampoo and trying these Ayurvedic remedies.

Regular screening: Not required because dandruff is self-diagnosable.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dandruff

  • Wash and clean scalp often
  • Maintain a healthy diet
  • Use an anti-dandruff shampoo
  • Talk with your dermatologist about a haircare regime.
  • Avoid long sunlight exposure on the scalp
  • Avoid stressful situations or activities

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Dandruff

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Fenugreek | Citrus Lemon | Green Gram | Neem | Aloe Vera | Amla
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not known.