Ways To Manage Hand Pain

The human hand is made up of 27 bones and a number of tendons and ligaments. An injury to any one of these bones or a disease that affects the bones and ligaments can make you experience excruciating pain in your hands. This pain can affect your ability to perform simple day to day tasks like holding a spoon or writing. Some common reasons your hand may pain are muscle strains, fractures, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Apart from pain relieving medication, there are a number of ways you can deal with this pain.

1. Hot and cold compresses: Hot and cold therapy is ideal for any type of muscle or ligament injury. A cold compress helps in reducing the pain and inflammation by constricting blood vessels and numbing the area. On the other hand, a hot compress dilates blood vessels and increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area. Ideally, the two should be used alternatively for 10 to 20 minutes each. A bag of frozen vegetables or ice wrapped in a towel makes an easy cold compress. To treat your hand with heat, use a moist heating pad or a hot water bottle. You could also dip your hands in warm water.
2. Massage: A massage is a great way to treat hand pain that results from carpal tunnel syndrome. If the exact cause of pain is not known, massage the entire hand, wrist and forearm. A massage enhances blood flow to the area and hence improves flexibility and opens locked tendons. Using a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or  rosemary can also aid in relieving hand pain.
3. Hand exercises: If your work involves repetitive actions like typing, knitting or embroidery, the muscles in your hand can get locked into position thereby, causing pain and discomfort. To relieve this it is important to take a break from this repetitive exercise every hour and flex your hand. Try bending your fingers forwards and backwards and rotating your wrists in both directions to ensure that your joints remain smooth.
4. Epsom salt water bath: For instant relief from intense hand pain, soak your hands in a bath made of hot water and Epsom salts for 10 to 20 minutes. Follow this by wrapping your hands in a warm, wet washcloth and applying gentle pressure over the hand for 5-10 minutes. You should instantly feel relief from the pain and experience increased the flexibility of hand.

5. Injections :An injection of a corticosteroid into a joint can reduce inflammation. "The relief it provides can last up to a year," says Dr. For some people the amount of relief diminishes with subsequent injections.

   6. NSAIDs - A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) helps relieve hand pain by blocking enzymes that produce pain and swelling, but Dr.  says it's not effective for carpal tunnel syndrome. Long-term use of oral NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are linked to ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver damage, and increased risk of heart attacks. Topical NSAIDs, such as diclofenac (Voltaren), may pose less risk.

   7. Splinting :A splint stabilizes the position of your fingers, thumb, or wrist. "Wear a splint for a few weeks if arthritis flares, so the inflammation can settle down," says Dr.             

   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/  
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Don't ignore strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics to kill the germs and prevent complications.

To help soothe painful symptoms of strep, doctors have suggested the following-

take an over the counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Never give aspirin to children.

gargle with a warm salt water solution.

adults and older children can suck on a popsicle, piece of ice, lozenge or hard candy.

eat applesauce, yoghurt, other soft foods, cool beverages and warm liquids such as soup or tea.

get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water.

avoid foods or drinks that are acidic or spicy.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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Natural Ways to Prevent and Relieve Heartburn, Gas and Other Digestive Woes Read More http://www.ivillage.com/natural-remedies-prevent-and-relieve-heartburn-gas-and-other-digestive-woes/4-b-405446#ixzz1uHFvJtee Sign up for iVillage Special Offers

Sip Cider Vinegar

 If you struggle with heartburn, you might be hesitant to chug something acidic, like apple

cider vinegar. “Yet that’s what many people need to prevent heartburn from ever happening!”

says a gastroenterologist . The connection? Stalled digestion is what keeps food in the

stomach long enough for it to wash up into the esophagus and cause heartburn pain, he

says. “And cider vinegar contains malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed

up digestion so your stomach can empty quickly.” Dilute one tablespoon of apple cider

vinegar in an 8- ounce glass of water and drink before each meal -- you’ll see noticeable

improvements in as little as 24 hours. For the best results possible, pick up some

unpasteurized cider vinegar the next time you’re at a health or whole foods store. Malic and

tartaric acids can be damaged by heat, so you’ll get a heftier dose of these tummy-soothers

if you opt for cider vinegar that’s never been heated.

          

Dawdle at Dinner

If you’re tempted to drag out a meal so you can get a break from your hectic life -- do it!

People who take 30 minutes to eat their largest meal of the day are 32 percent less likely to

be hit with indigestion, gassiness and heartburn compared to people who finish in less than

10 minutes, according to studies . “Plus people who eat at a leisurely pace have less

swallowed air, bloating, cramping and intestinal pain,” adds a Dr.  “If you tend to eat quickly,

just slowing down could completely change the quality of your life.” Can’t seem to break your

speed-eating habit? Try dining in silence. Studies suggest that people who turn off the TV

and radio -- so they’re eating in a calm, quiet atmosphere -- naturally nosh at a more

leisurely, tummy-soothing pace.

Chew Gum

According to researchers, chewing gum after meals prevents heartburn by doubling the flow

of saliva down into the esophagus, where it neutralizes any stomach acid that’s leaking up

from your tummy. You don’t have to chew gum nonstop. Just pop a piece in your mouth

when you feel the first twinge, and chew until your heartburn disappears. That depends on

how the rest of your digestive tract functions! The artificial sweeteners in sugar-free gum

have an odd little quirk: They’re surprisingly good at getting the large intestines moving.

Have a Glass of Peppermint Tea

It’s packed with 40 intestine-soothing natural plant compounds, and sipping three cups daily

can reduce painful cramping and chronic bloating for up to 75 percent of women within 48

hours, say researchers. Time it right by drinking 8 ounces half an hour before each meal.

Peppermint tea can even prevent dyspepsia (that nasty upper-belly pain and bloating that

can drag on for hours after meals), say the researchers. Peppermint’s plant compounds can

make you less prone to embarrassing bouts of flatulence, because they break up large gas

bubbles in the intestines, plus stall the formation of new ones.

Soak in the Tub

Taking warm, soothing daily baths can reduce bloating in as little as 72 hours, according to

researchers at Logan’s University of Utah. The reason: Being immersed in warm water

relaxes the entire central nervous system, and when people feel more calm, cool and

collected, they swallow 67 percent less air than when they’re stressed to the max!  More

good news: A relaxing soak reduces your adrenal glands’ production of damaging stress

hormones -- as stress hormone levels drop, your stomach’s ability to properly digest and

absorb food naturally rises.

Munch Candied Ginger

Nibbling two slices of candied ginger quells the queasies for up to 88 percent of people within 30 minutes, say researchers. That makes this sweet, spicy treat as effective as Dramamine for easing nausea, but without this meds’ sleepy side effects. Bonus: Researchers at India’s Central Food Technological Research Institute say enjoying two slices of candied ginger daily can also help cut your heartburn flare-ups as much as 40 percent. Their studies suggest that ginger’s active ingredients (gingerols and curcumin) not only improve digestion and quell nausea fast; they also prod the gallbladder to produce more bile (a digestive aid that helps break down heartburn-triggering fats).

Eat Rye Bread

Munching on whole-grain rye bread relieves constipation more effectively than laxatives. Plus, it prevents future flare-ups, too, according to researchers . The credit goes to rye’s arabinoxylan -- dietary fiber that improves your belly’s ability to keep food moving at a reasonable clip. The study subjects enjoyed seven slices daily -- but just trading your usual dose of bread for whole-grain rye can do the trick.

Cook Fruits and Veggies

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) -- the most common digestive problem nationwide (at least one in five women struggle with it daily) -- can cause terrible bouts of pain, constipation, diarrhea and other symptoms. And while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps ease digestive upsets for almost 60 percent of women, there’s a pretty big catch: Raw produce releases irritating hydrogen gas when it reaches the intestines, which causes nasty flare-ups for IBS-prone women. If you suspect uncooked produce could be making your belly upsets worse, try this test: Only eat fruits and veggies that have been cooked, canned, made into soups or processed into juices. If you’re sensitive to fresh produce, you’ll see dramatic improvements in as little as one week.

Relax After Meals

If   If you’re prone to belly pain, bloating or other uncomfortable symptoms after meals, try relaxing in a comfy chair after eating. For five minutes, sit and visualize your symptoms gradually disappearing. Spending a few minutes daily picturing a positive, pain-free outcome helps up to 89 percent of women soothe bellyaches in as little as one week,. That’s because a post-meal serenity break switches on your enteric nervous system, a specialized group of nerves that nourishes your digestive tract, plus secretes the hormones your intestines need to function at their peak

.

    Practice Yoga

   Spending just 20 minutes daily practicing even the most basic yoga poses can reduce your bouts of indigestion by 70 percent in one week and cut your heartburn flare-ups in half, say doctors. Turns out these calming, body-bending moves act just like meditation, dramatically lowering your output of tummy-trashing stress hormones.