Salty Medicine

According to Russian folklore, drinking vodka mixed with salt is great for curing a nasty bout of food poisoning. 

If you don't drink alcohol, drink a few glasses of well-salted water, and then try to regurgitate it (This is NOT an alternative to medical treatment!). 

 In case of a cold, drink a bit of vodka with salt. 

If your blood pressure is down, quickly drink a very salty glass of water.

A good way to increase the amount of stomach acids for digestion: 5-30 minutes after eating, put 1-2 grams of sea or cooking salt on the tip of your tongue. After the salt melts, swallow the salty saliva in your mouth. Such a small amount of salt won't harm you, but will cause an extra release of stomach acids. 

Salt is a great disinfectant - If you clean wounds with salt water soaked materials, they won't become inflamed. 

Granulomas of the tooth will be gone after two weeks of being cleaned with salt water. 

For a tooth ache - rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal and before going to sleep. 

For pneumonia and strong coughing, place a wash cloth soaked in salt water on the back of the person, on the area of the infection.

Adenomas can be treated by holding down a cotton wash cloth folded to four layers and soaked in salt water for two weeks. 

Salt helps in treating acne and boils. Place a little salt on a bandage and put it on the infected area for an hour. You can repeat the process a few times a day. 

When you have bruises, put a compress of salt and vinegar on it. 

It is also a useful way to treat headaches. 

To treat varicose veins, use a compress of salt water on the problematic vein, and on that, an elastic bandage. If you do this regularly, morning and evening, the veins will slowly return to normal. 

To treat foot fungus, soak your feet for 5-10 minutes in a mixture of two tablespoons of salt for every 0.5 liters of hot water. You can add some ground garlic to the mix. Repeat until fully healed. 

After getting stung by a bee, smear a bit of wet salt on the stung area - it will calm down the pain and the swelling. 

If you want smooth, healthy skin, rub your body with a salt stone before showering. 

In addition to a cosmetic treatment, you will also gain a medical benefit while ions of salt penetrate the skin and energize the body. 

A salt massage also helps to treat low blood pressure, chronic digestive problems, diabetes, and regular colds. That said, there are also possible NEGATIVE side effects, namely open wounds on the skin, rashes or bouts of eczema.

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

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All You Need to Know About Using Loofahs

We all enjoy a pleasant shower or a relaxing soak in the tub. But what do you usually grab to clean yourself up with? Chances are you use a loofah. It's the easiest and most relaxing way to clean yourself up. But, the loofah is actually not as clean as we would have hoped. It is a breeding ground for bacteria and has the potential to harbor pathogens like Staphylococcus, stenotrophomonas maltophila and group B streptococcus. While they may sound like big, fancy words, you cannot just brush it off. 

For starters, staphylococcus causes acne, stenotrophomonas matophila can result in a respiratory infection and group B Streptococcus which can cause pneumonia, bone, and joint infections. While this may not sound right, these nasty bacteria are lingering on your loofah. But, you may be wondering, how does this occur? 

 

 Ironically, it is us who make our loofahs infested with bacteria. These bacteria are lingering on your body and have been picked up somewhere we've been. When we shower, we rub off what we have collected onto our loofah. While this leaves us clean, it leaves our loofahs dirty. 

While it will unlikely cause you a life-threatening infection, it could infect others if you share your loofah or something else that has touched it, like your soap. How do you know if your loofah is infected? For starters, it will start to smell of mold. When you notice this, you can do two things: either toss it, or clean it. While it might seem difficult to clean something that is typically supposed to do the cleaning, there is a way you can get this done. And it isn't as tricky as you might imagine. 

 

The best way to clean your loofah is to submerge it in a mixture that is made of one part bleach and nine parts water for about ten minutes. Then remove the loofah and let it air dry completely. If this is too time-consuming for you, your best option would be to toss the loofah away. If you don't choose to dispose of the loofah, your only other option is to use a bar of soap instead, giving it a good rinse with water. 

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

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Myth or Fact? What's True about Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a prevalent respiratory infection that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia causes inflammation in the air sacs, known as alveoli, in either one or both lungs. When these alveoli become filled with pus or fluid, it hampers the intake of oxygen, leading to breathing difficulties. Pneumonia happens when the organism overwhelms the host's immunity, resulting in lung damage and compromised lung function.

Common symptoms include a dry cough or thick yellow, green, or blood-stained mucus, a high fever, trouble breathing, acute chest discomfort, sweating, and shaking. Experts believe that early detection and annual immunizations can help minimize the chance of acquiring pneumonia and the severity of the condition.

Even though pneumonia is so widespread and can strike anywhere and anytime, there are various myths and misconceptions about it. These myths can lead to misunderstandings regarding the disease's etiology, symptoms, and prevention. By addressing some common pneumonia myths in this article, we hope to increase awareness and understanding of this disease.

Myth 1: Pneumonia is just a severe form of common cold

 

While there is some overlap in symptoms, it is important to distinguish pneumonia from the common cold. Colds are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, as opposed to pneumonia, which is an infection of the lung parenchyma - a complex network of thin-walled alveoli that facilitate gas exchange. In addition to the usual cold symptoms, pneumonia can cause difficulty breathing, fever with chills, and the expectoration of phlegm, mucus, or blood. Furthermore, the approaches to treating pneumonia and the common cold differ.

The common cold usually affects the upper respiratory tract rather than the lungs, resulting in normal oxygen levels in the lungs and a milder duration of sickness. In contrast, pneumonia poses a greater threat, especially for people with compromised immune systems, and its symptoms are more severe and persistent than the typical cold. Seeking medical advice is crucial when experiencing persistent flu-like symptoms. 

 

Myth 2: Pneumonia is highly contagious

Generally, pneumonia is not considered contagious in isolation; its transmissibility depends on the specific germ responsible for the infection. Viruses like influenza (flu) and COVID-19, or bacteria from sinus infections, can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or contaminates surfaces. 

Aspiration pneumonia results from inhaling food, liquid, vomit, or objects into the lungs, which must be distinguished from non-contagious pneumonias such as fungal pneumonia. 

 

To reduce the risk of pneumonia, it is imperative to take precautions against the transmission of underlying infections. This includes observing practices like regular handwashing, practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and avoiding contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness. 

 

Myth 3: Bronchitis and pneumonia are the same disease

 

Although bronchitis and pneumonia can occur simultaneously, they target different segments of the respiratory system. Bronchitis leads to inflammation in the lung tubes, whereas pneumonia impacts the lung tissue responsible for oxygen absorption into the bloodstream. A precise diagnosis, often assisted by medical tests, is required for proper treatment. 

 

Myth 4: Pneumonia only affects children

Pneumonia is an infection that can affect individuals across all age groups. Young children and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to this disease, possibly due to the underdeveloped immune systems in children and the compromised immunity in older individuals, often compounded by comorbid conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Those over 65 years old with pneumonia are particularly at a heightened risk of facing complications, hospitalization, and mortality.

Myth 5: Pneumonia only happens in winter 

Although pneumonia, the flu, and RSV are more prevalent in the colder months, medical experts clarify that pneumonia can occur at any time. Pneumonia-causing germs persist year-round, so we must adopt preventive measures for overall well-being.

Myth 6: Antibiotics cure all types of pneumonia

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial pneumonia but not against viral pneumonia. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the most appropriate treatment depending on the specific cause of your pneumonia. It's crucial to avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily, as this can lead to antibiotic resistance. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor will most likely guide you on how to manage your symptoms at home, which may include over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

 

 In the case of bacterial infections, you must complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider. If you have fungal pneumonia, your provider may use anti-fungal medication to eliminate or prevent the growth of harmful fungi in your body. Hospitalization may be necessary if your symptoms are severe.

 

Myth 7: Pneumonia poses no risk to healthy people

A healthy person can get pneumonia if they are exposed to the pneumonia-causing organism for an extended period of time, although this is rare. When a healthy person's immunity is overcome by the pneumonia-causing bacterium, pneumonia may develop. In healthy people, the mild nature of pneumonia helps facilitate a faster recovery. The American Lung Association warns that, while most people recover from pneumonia within a few weeks, it can potentially be fatal. 

 

 

Myth 8: Pneumonia cannot be prevented

Pneumonia can be effectively prevented through various means. This includes receiving flu shots and annual influenza vaccines, which significantly lower the likelihood of contracting pneumonia. Additionally, antibiotics are often prescribed for pneumonia treatment. High-risk individuals can further reduce their risk by receiving the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), followed by the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), particularly effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common bacterial culprit of pneumonia. These vaccines are routinely recommended for children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Maintaining well-controlled comorbidities, such as diabetes, also plays a crucial role in reducing susceptibility to pneumonia.

Handwashing with soap, according to a 2005 study published in The Lancet medical journal, can reduce the incidence of pneumonia in children under the age of five by 50%. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular physical activity, having a balanced diet, stopping smoking, getting enough sleep, and wearing masks in public areas all help to prevent pneumonia.

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

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These Vaccinations Are Essential Over 50, Do You Have Them?

 Children need a host of vaccinations, which usually get done. But once we pass a certain age, we tend to forget and skip the needle entirely. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults aged 50 and up get four separate vaccines to protect against illnesses that hit older people particularly hard. While most people already plan on getting their annual flu shot, most older people skip the others, putting them at a greater risk for everything from tetanus to pneumonia.

According to Ada Stewart, M.D., a family physician in Columbia, S.C., and member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians, “As we get older, our immune system isn’t as well-functioning.” Therefore, this increases the danger that you'll contract a variety of ailments, but can also raise the risk for people you are in contact with too. 

 

It is therefore essential that you are up to date on these shots. With the exception of the shingles vaccine, they are typically fully covered by most insurance plans, with no copay or coinsurance due. So be sure to check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details. 

 

Below is a list of four vaccines any adult over 50 needs:

1. Protect yourself against shingles

Ask for: Shingrix, an approved vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration. It is more than 90% effective against shingles and its side effects, according to the CDC. 

 

For: Anyone 50 or older. 

 

Why you need it: Shingles is a painful rash with blisters caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. As you age, your risk for developing shingles increases, and if you've had chickenpox. In addition, after having shingles, some people experience long-lasting and sometimes severe pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can persist for months, or possible, years. 

 

What’s involved: Two doses, two to six months apart. 

 

What else you need to know: The CDC recommends you get Shingrix even if you previously got Zostavax, an older shingles immunization. Ditto if you already had shingles or are not sure if you had chickenpox. 

 

 

2. Ward off pneumonia and related diseases  

 

Ask for: Prevnar 13 (PCV13) and Pneumovax (PPSV23). They are two separate vaccines which when combined, provide greater protection against the pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections than if you had to take the shot alone. 

 

For: Anyone 65 or older. You are also a candidate for the vaccine (no matter what your age) if you have chronic liver, heart or kidney disease, HIV, diabetes or alcoholism, or if you have cochlear implants, or have had your spleen removed. 

 

Why you need it: Older adults are more likely to come down with pneumonia and related illnesses. Once you do get it, you become more prone to develop complications which can lead to serious health problems, hospitalization and also death. 

 

What’s involved: Two shots, taken a year apart.

3. Boost your immunity to tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis 

 

Ask for: The Tdap vaccine or a Td booster shot. 

 

For: You need the Tdap-booster shot for the childhood DTaP vaccine if you never got the vaccine as a teenager. This is especially true if you have contact with infants or young children. If you got a Tdap over 10 years ago, then you need a booster shot for tetanus and diphtheria only (Td). 

 

What’s involved: A one-time shot for Tdap, and a Td booster every 10 years. 

 

Why you need it: For people over 50, this shot is vital as it can guard against spreading the disease to a baby, such as a grandchild. Infants under six months of age are at greater risk of complications from pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This can be life-threatening. 

 

What else you need to know: You should wait at least two weeks before you have any contact with infants. 

 

4. Get a better flu shot 

 

Ask for: Any of the following vaccines will provide extra protection against the flu, these include: Fluzone High-Dose, which contains four times the amount of antigen (a substance that prompts your body to make antibodies against the disease) as a regular flu shot; or FLUAD, which helps create a stronger immune response; and quadrivalent vaccines, which protect against four strains of flu, as opposed to the usual three. 

 

For: Everyone older than six months should get the annual flu shot, and people over 65 should get one of the stronger vaccines. 

 

What’s involved: One shot per year which the CDC recommends you get by the end of October. Studies show the protection starts to wear off in four to six months, especially in older adults. Which means that if you get the shot too early, it may lose its effectiveness once the flu season hits its peak. 

 

Why you need it: As you get older, your chances of coming down with the flu are greater, and, if you 

forget it you are likely to get sicker. People aged 65 and older account for 60% of flu-related hospitalizations. 

 

What else you need to know: While it varies from year to year, the regular flu shot is only 40% to 60% effective. New, stronger varieties also don't guarantee you won't get sick. Nevertheless, some protection is better than none.

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

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