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Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

I have oily/combination skin on my face and the texture seems to be getting worse. I’ve noticed that my pores are getting bigger, the complexion drier and I have more wrinkles. I can’t afford expensive face treatments or products. I know the drill of fruits, water and leading a healthier lifestyle but it isn’t easy to follow consistently. I’m worried and upset that in no time I’d be old and wrinkly-looking!

answer:
You have a situation where you have a lot of oil secreted on your skin, but the surface is dry. Your skin is not getting enough moisture (bear in mind that facial oil does not hydrate your skin), that’s why your complexion is getting drier. On the other hand your sebaceous glands are very active, producing too much oil, and that is the cause of the dilated pores. You need to get the right skincare products that are able to deeply moisturize your skin (an oil-free formula is better to prevent clogged pores) and at the same time control the production of sebum. Exfoliation is important too to encourage product absorption. And yes, diet and exercise is important in maintaining good skin, get sufficient rest as well. It’s difficult, but you have to make a lifestyle change if you want good skin throughout the year. It’s worth the effort, believe me.

My privates seem to smell bad all the time. I wash it with feminine wash but it does not seem to be working. What is wrong?

answer:
Bad smells down south is often caused by bacteria and this is exacerbated by a constant state of wetness at the groin as a result of sweating and vaginal discharge. To control this, always wipe after urinating (from front to back), wear a panty liner  but be sure to change it at least twice a day, avoid wearing too tight clothing and make it a point not to wear underwear that’s made of synthetic fabrics that tend to trap moisture. Try this first but if the situation still does not improve, you might actually have an infection that needs medical attention.

1. Take care of your depression and anxiety. It is vital to have a disease-free mind before you go into fixing your other body problems. Depression and Anxiety are quite easy to treat; all you really need to do is sit down and think about who or what is causing your depression and anxiety , what you can do about it, and then actually do something about it. Ask a family member or a specialized to help you figure that stuff out. One time you are completely sure that you know what is causing you mental grief – then try your hardest to reverse it. Several things you can do while treating your anxiety and depression are: meditation, deep breathing, relaxation, praying, swimming, hot tub/sauna/steam room, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, spas, exercising, daily walks, daily exposure to the sun, organic food and supplements/multivitamins. The idea is to figure out what your problems are.

2. Energy is found in the optimal supply of the raw materials of life— food—ALL the nutrients the body needs, not just some. Pay attention of your body. Frequently getting sick is a sign of a weak immune system. Start workout regularly (swimming and biking are good for this purpose), start using a multivitamin and some specific supplements geared towards enhancing your immune system (b vitamins, vitamin c, zinc, l-glutamine, Echinacea, etc.), and fix your sleeping pattern and hygiene.

3. Antibiotics are more commonly prescribed for infectious diseases. In order to find out which bacteria you might currently be infected with, you need to get some blood tests done. If you haven’t done those already, then inquire your doctor about getting checked out as soon as possible. You can also drink Japanese mushroom teas and take daily detoxification formulas to clean out any of the less threatening bacteria while you are waiting for your blood test results.

Strike the chest smartly over the heart. This may be enough to start the beat. If not, quickly place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone and cover it with the heel of the other hand. Press down firmly on the lower part of the breastbone by rocking forward with your arms straight. Do this about once a second for an adult. For a child, use one hand only and press more rapidly—about 80 times a minute. For a baby, use finger tips only and press 100 times a minute. Meanwhile, you must continue giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you are alone, alternate two inflations of the lungs by mouth-to-mouth breathing with 15 heart compressions. Counting aloud will help you. If you have help, one person should do mouth-to-mouth breathing only; the other should do the heart compressions. The two of you should not act simultaneously, but alternate one air inflation with six heart compressions.

What if someone just doesn’t start breathing? Is there anything else I can do?

If a person is not breathing, it may be because his heart has stopped. This is particularly likely in cases of severe electric shock. If, in spite of your efforts, the first four breaths produce no result, continue to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but between breaths, check that his heart is beating.

How can I tell if his heart has stopped beating?

Feel for the pulse to the side of, and behind, the Adam’s apple. If you can feel no pulse, the heart has stopped. The patient will be blue-gray in color and his pupils will be dilated.

Anyone who is with you should immediately summon emergency aid, but don’t waste a second shifting the patient or calling for help yourself. Your one aim is to get air into his body as fast as possible, and you have three priorities: make sure his air passages are clear; breathe air into his lungs; and stimulate his heart if it has stopped beating. In a baby or small child who has been choking or gasping for breath before becoming unconscious, the air passage is probably blocked by some object stuck in his throat, so immediately hold the child up by the heels, or over your lap with his head down, and slap his back sharply several times. This alone will probably be enough to dislodge the object and enable breathing to start again. In an adult, clear the air passage by bending the patient’s head back as far as it will go, pressing firmly on the forehead or pulling on his hair. At the same time, push the lower jaw upward and forward until the teeth meet. (Don’t be afraid to pull the head really well back—it is surprising just how far back the neck can stretch). In this position, the tongue cannot fall back and block the back of the throat and that may be the only reason why an unconscious person cannot breathe. He may now gasp and start breathing. If not, quickly check the inside of his mouth for any other obstructions—false or broken teeth, blood, vomit, or mucus—that may be blocking the air passage. If this happens, reach into his mouth with your fingers and scoop out the contents fast. If he still doesn’t start to breathe, you must start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately.

Does this have the same dangerous effect on the body?
True shock is always caused by a serious shortage of blood supply to the brain, usually due to the kind of emergencies . However, severe fright, extreme pain, a horrifying sight, or other violent emotional experience can cause a kind of shock. Known as nerve shock, this usually causes fainting, due to an impairment of the nervous system, but it may result in many of the symptoms of shock already described. In nerve shock, blood tends to pool in the blood vessels, so that there is less blood available for general circulation. The big difference between this kind of emotional shock and serious physical shock, however, is that nerve shock can almost always be quickly and simply relieved by treating the patient for fainting. In this case, too, it will do no harm to give the patient a warm, sweetened drink—but not alcohol—once he is conscious and has started to recover. However, it is vital to remember that these measures apply only where the cause of shock is purely emotional, and can be dangerously time-wasting if the patient is suffering from true shock following some medical emergency.

No. On the contrary, such drinks may be positively harmful. The heat from a warm drink, just like that of a hot-water bottle, will tend to divert much-needed blood away from the brain to other parts of the body. Alcohol, too, causes the blood vessels in the skin to open up and carry more blood to the skin (that is what produces the familiar feeling of warmth we experience after a drink). Unconscious casualties could choke to death if forced to drink. Those with chest, abdominal, or internal injuries could be further injured. And many casualties will need an anesthetic after arrival in hospital, for which it is necessary to have an empty stomach. Even burn victims, who need fluids, should be given only cool water drinks.

Stop any bleeding by direct pressure and call urgently for medical help. Remember, shock is caused by a shortage of blood to the brain, and without blood the brain cannot function for long. Treatment must therefore be directed toward restoring the blood supply to the brain as quickly as possible. In the case of heavy bleeding or loss of body fluid, medical treatment will probably involve a transfusion to replace the blood or fluid lost. That is why it is vital to get the patient to hospital as fast as possible even when bleeding has been stemmed.

While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, keep the patient quiet, comfortable, and reassured. Above all, keep his head low, so that blood can reach the brain more easily. If possible, arrange the patient so that he is lying down with his legs raised (on pillows, cushions, or folded coats) and his head turned to one side in case he vomits. If he is unconscious, use the coma position. Loosen any tight clothing and cover him with a blanket or coat. Keep the room warm, but do not overheat the patient or use a hot water bottle to warm him. The heat from this will divert blood away from the brain, where it is vitally needed, to the skin, where it is not. Give nothing to eat or drink, except to a conscious burned casualty.

Shock is a dangerous state of collapse, which, if not controlled, can be fatal.

What causes shock?

Shock occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is reduced to such an extent that the brain cannot operate efficiently, and the vital body functions that it controls are disrupted. Shock may therefore arise in any condition that upsets the circulation of the blood, such as heavy loss of blood or body fluids (as in serious injuries, large fractures, and burns); internal bleeding from a burst appendix or perforated ulcer; heart attack, or stroke. If the blood supply to the brain is cut off entirely, the brain cannot survive for long, and the person may easily die.

How can I tell if someone is suffering from shock?

When a person goes into shock, he may feel giddy and nauseous, grow extremely pale, and perspire profusely. His skin may be cold and clammy, his vision blurred, and his breathing rapid but shallow. He may complain of thirst, become restless and anxious, and possibly lose consciousness. However, the vital thing to remember is that shock is likely to occur in any serious medical emergency and should be treated urgently without waiting for specific symptoms to appear.