Home Remedies for Knee Aches and Pains

As we age, we notice more aches and pains than ever before. The most common complaints doctors and physical therapists hear about are knee pains. The knee is particularly vulnerable to pain and damage due to its high wear and tear factor. The knee takes the full impact of a person’s body weight, or any added force from running or jumping. However, there are plenty of natural treatments and alternative therapies that can stop you from living at the doctor’s reception room

Assess your pain 

For any moderate to severe pain, you should get medical help because some injuries require physical therapy, a brace or even surgery. Successful home treatments can be done for mild to moderate knee pain. This can be for both pains caused by sprains or arthritis. If you think the pain is due to inflammation, arthritis or minor injury, you can choose from several effective home remedies. 

 

How to treat pain due to injury 

If you have suffered a twisted leg, fallen or strained your knee in other ways, a useful mnemonic to remember is ‘RICE’.

Rest - Stay off your feet. 

 

Ice - Apply a bag of ice or a cold compress (a bag of peas also works).  

 

Compression - Wrap a compression bandage around your knee. This prevents swelling. Make sure it’s not too tight otherwise you might cut off circulation. 

 

Elevation - Lie on a bed or keep your foot elevated with a foot stool or ottoman. 

 

How to treat pain due to arthritis  

As people age, the lubrication and padding around their joints deteriorates. Without cartilage cushioning the joints, they will suffer bone-on-bone contact and can become inflamed, causing much pain. This is known as Osteoarthritis. For more severe cases, doctors might suggest replacing joints or inserting artificial cartilage. While there is no way of reversing the damage, there are ways to treat mild to moderate pain with natural dietary supplements or alternative therapies. 

 

Try willow bark 

You wouldn’t think that a piece of tree bark could offer so much relief, but research has found that willow bark’s active ingredient is salicin, which acts similarly to aspirin. This natural painkiller has been commonly used since the time of Hippocrates. It is used to treat fever and inflammation, as well asheadaches, muscle pains, spine disease, arthritis, and osteoarthritis.  

 

Use ginger extract

Another pain relief option that grows naturally is ginger, which can be ingested in several different ways. You can use the fresh root, drink it as a tea, eat it as a dried spice or take prepackaged supplements. Research has discovered that the phytonutrients in ginger reduce the production of chemicals in the body that promote joint inflammation. Together with prescription arthritis medication, ginger can greatly reduce joint pains, since it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Be cautious if you take blood thinners, as ginger has the risk of increasing bleeding. 

 

 

Apply herbal ointment 

A salve made from cinnamon, ginger, mastic, and sesame oil was found to be just as effective as over the counter medicine, in a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. Traditional over the counter ointments used to treat arthritis usually contain salicylate, which is used topically to relieve pain.

 

Heat and cold therapy 

It’s worthwhile investing in a heating pad, gel-style cold pack or cool compress for chronic pain. These can easily be found at a drug store, or ordered online. Heat is used to keep joints from stiffening while cold therapy can reduce pain and swelling.

Practice Tai Chi 

This ancient Chinese practice is a mind-body exercise, which helps improve balance and flexibility, works twofold for those who suffer from arthritis. A study published in Arthritis and Rheumatism (a journal), highlights that the mental aspect of the practice promotes coping mechanisms for chronic pain, and the physical exercise helps reduce pain and increases range of motion.

Consider exercise and weight management  

For some people, knee pain is reduced by moving the joint, so daily exercise is recommended. Keeping a leg stationary can stiffen the joint, and reduce the range of motion. Consider swimming or water walking as these exercises have less of an impact, together with offering countless other health benefits. Carrying excess weight can also aggravate the impact on joints, so it’s important to try and keep off any unnecessary weight. Here are some weight loss management tips. 

 

Finding care - final note  

Your health is important, and sometimes dietary supplements and alternative therapies can conflict with any other medication you might be taking. It’s important to talk to your doctor and find the cause of any pain. Sometimes this might involve X-rays and blood work, but it’s necessary to get on the road to recovery.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Respiratory distress management in paediatric care

Respiratory system in the human body starts from the nose, pharynx [throat], windpipe opening [glottis], wind pipe [trachea, bronchus] and its branches [bronchioles] to the lungs full of alveoli, which are grape-shaped. A disease of any part of the respiratory system due to swelling, or obstruction or compression or aspiration; this is going to give you respiratory distress.

Few other medical problems of the heart, brain or even fever can also trigger respiratory distress. A Senior Consultant, Paediatricians and Neonatal Intensivists, shares some signs and symptoms of respiratory distress in children.

How will you come to know?
When you see a child or a person breathing faster, if breathing is deeper with or without retractions in the chest, in rib cage or upper abdomen or neck; with or without different kind of audible breath sounds associated with fatigue and sweating, should be considered as alarming sign to approach closest casualty and find immediate treatment.

Why does this happen?

The human body is made up of cells. Our cells need oxygen to stay alive and to remove carbon dioxide from the blood by breathing. This normally happens with the use of diaphragm unconsciously throughout the day in a normal healthy child or person. But due to any medical diseases, if enough oxygen does not reach to the cells, due to increased utilisation or decreased supply; or if lungs are not able to remove carbon dioxide, it leads to change in blood pH level.

Thereby, using all backup accessory muscles as auto compensatory mechanisms; our body tries to meet increased demand or decreased supply to prevent tissue death. This reflects through rapid breathing, deep rasping, with retractions, nasal flaring and audible noisy breath sounds sometimes. Untreated severe respiratory distress can lead to cardiac arrest if not treated in time.

What are the common medical problems leading to respiratory distress?
Respiratory Distress can happen due to various medical conditions like pneumonia, pleural effusion, lung malignancies, acute exacerbation of asthma, bronchitis and lung abscess, presence of foreign bodies in the respiratory system, severe laryngitis, peritonsillar abscess and others.

What can be done?
An obvious next step upon experiencing or witnessing respiratory distress is rushing the child to the nearest emergency room. Treatment is to supplement oxygen, to reduce work of breathing; followed by investigations to find the cause of respiratory distress by X-ray, blood tests and USG. Treatment depends on the cause. Many patients with respiratory distress not only require hospitalisation, but also monitoring in pediatric or adult ICU, and sometimes even ventilator care, if the disease evolves rapidly and severely.

Which age groups are more susceptible?
Respiratory distress can happen due to infections as well as be a part of a generalised illness, due to non-infectious diseases. Susceptibility for respiratory tract infection depends on the type or nature of infection and host response. Children can be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases if vaccinated in time adequately. But younger children have a low threshold to deteriorate, compared to older children or adults.

Most respiratory diseases are acute, screening is not required. But when you see your child breathing at a faster rate, deep rapid or laboured breathing, you should seek consultation by a doctor. Don’t delay, if the child’s distress progresses faster and further, reversibility will be slow and difficult. Here is how you can take care of respiratory distress.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement            

From weight loss to better digestion, 6 benefits of litchi!

The only good thing about summers is delicious and irresistible summer fruits. And litchi is one summer fruit, which is loaded with multiple health benefits. From boosting your immunity to keeping your skin healthy, the pulpy fruit is a great fruit to keep you hydrated during this hot weather. 

Here are 6 health benefits of litchi:
Helps in digestion Loaded with fibers, litchi helps in smooth bowel movement. It adds bulk to the stool and is effective in overcoming the problem of constipation and other stomach related issues.

Boosts immunity The juicy fruit is packed with vitamin C and has more than 100 percent daily requirement of ascorbic acid (ABA). ABA is excellent to boost immunity and vitamin C present in the fruit stimulates the activity of white blood cells and protects our body from foreign harmful bacteria.

Good for blood circulation The copper content in litchi is excellent for boosting blood circulation throughout the body. Increase in copper intake helps in the formation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). RBC carries oxygen to different parts of the body and increase in its number means faster oxygen flow to different parts of the body.

Regulates blood pressure The fruit helps in regulating the flow of fluid throughout the body. Rich in potassium, litchi helps to control the blood pressure. Potassium reduces compression of the arteries and blood vessels and also helps to keep your heart healthy. 

Good for skin Litchi slows down skin ageing and blemishes. Vitamin C and antioxidant present in this fruit can give you clear and healthy skin.

Helps in weight loss Litchi is a good source of dietary fiber and is excellent for weight loss. High in water content and low in calories, it is an ideal fruit for weight loss. The fruit also contains other essential minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper, which are great for stronger bones. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                      FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                     https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

What To Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you ever experienced numbness in your hands and fingers as you fell asleep it might be an early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects an estimated 4-10 million Americans. If ignored it can cause long-term damage, so it's really important to take preventive measures against it. Here are six effective ways to treat numbness in hands, which we recommend you give a try as soon as you experience the early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. But first, let's take a look at what carpal tunnel syndrome is.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also known as a median nerve compression. The first symptoms that occur are numbness and tingling in the hands and wrists at night. As the condition progresses, the symptoms may worsen during the day. Furthermore, carpal tunnel syndrome is more common among women than men and is more likely to affect middle-aged people. Here's what you can do about it:

 

 

1. Take frequent breaks
Carpal tunnel symptoms are especially evident among people whose jobs require a lot of repetitive motion in their hands and wrists. Your hands need regular breaks between working sessions, so be sure to set a reminder every two to three hours and do a little exercise. 

2. Keep wrists straight while working

There is a positive association between wrist posture and carpal tunnel syndrome, studies show. Adjust your chair so that your forearms are level with your keyboard and try to keep your wrists in a neutral position without bending them.  

3. Consider wearing a wrist splint
Wearing a splint will hold your wrist in a neutral position. It is especially important to wear one if you do a lot of typing or while sleeping at night, so wearing a wrist splint can make a significant difference. 
4. Do wrist exercises
Focus on exercises that will stretch the muscles surrounding the wrists to help ensure that the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel stay in good shape. Include a variety of stretches, bending, and flexing your wrists when doing these exercises. 

5. Use correct posture
Using correct posture while working is important for more than just your back. If you succumb to poor posture on a regular basis, your shoulder nerves tend to be compressed, which ultimately affects your wrists and hands. Make sure that you sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor. 
6. Ice your wrists
Ice will help relieve the pain in your wrists and hands. So ice your wrist or soak it in an ice bath for 5 to 10 minutes. While it won't prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, it will alleviate the pain that it causes.
 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

                   FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

 

 

What To Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you ever experienced numbness in your hands and fingers as you fell asleep it might be an early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects a lot of people around the world. If ignored it can cause long-term damage, so it's really important to take preventive measures against it. Here are six effective ways to treat numbness in hands, which we recommend you give a try as soon as you experience the early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. But first, let's take a look at what carpal tunnel syndrome is. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also known as a median nerve compression. The first symptoms that occur are numbness and tingling in the hands and wrists at night. As the condition progresses, the symptoms may worsen during the day. Furthermore, carpal tunnel syndrome is more common among women than men and is more likely to affect middle-aged people. Here's what you can do about it:
1. Take frequent breaks
Carpal tunnel symptoms are especially evident among people whose jobs require a lot of repetitive motion in their hands and wrists. Your hands need regular breaks between working sessions, so be sure to set a reminder every two to three hours and do a little exercise. 

2. Keep wrists straight while working

There is a positive association between wrist posture and carpal tunnel syndrome, studies show. Adjust your chair so that your forearms are level with your keyboard and try to keep your wrists in a neutral position without bending them.  

3. Consider wearing a wrist splint
Wearing a splint will hold your wrist in a neutral position. It is especially important to wear one if you do a lot of typing or while sleeping at night, so wearing a wrist splint can make a significant difference. 
4. Do wrist exercises
Focus on exercises that will stretch the muscles surrounding the wrists to help ensure that the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel stay in good shape. Include a variety of stretches, bending, and flexing your wrists when doing these exercises. 

5. Use correct posture
Using correct posture while working is important for more than just your back. If you succumb to poor posture on a regular basis, your shoulder nerves tend to be compressed, which ultimately affects your wrists and hands. Make sure that you sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor. 
6. Ice your wrists
Ice will help relieve the pain in your wrists and hands. So ice your wrist or soak it in an ice bath for 5 to 10 minutes. While it won't prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, it will alleviate the pain that it causes. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/       
                                                                                                                                                                      FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           
                                                                           FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com