ITCHING

Itching can be best described as a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that creates a desire to scratch the affected area. Itching is a common problem faced by many people at some or the other point in life. Itching could be the result of a variety of reasons such as allergies (to food, plants or pets), insect bites, stings, skin disease or even poor hygiene. Itching can be annoying as the skin is irritated and gives you the constant need to scratch the affected area. Constant or repeated scratching can bruise the skin, making it sore and even painful. Itching could be generalized where in the whole body is affected or localized wherein a particular area is irritated.

Red spots, Scaly patches
Tendency to scratch continually to relieve itching sensation
Redness of skin
Scraped skin as a result of vigorous scratching
Prolonged scratching and rubbing can result in thick and scarred skin
Red spots
Scaly patches
Blisters

Dry skin is a common cause for itching
Itching can be caused by a plethora of reasons. Some of the most common causes for itching include -

Exposure or contact with chemicals.
Sunburn can cause itching.
Insect bites or stings.
Certain infectious diseases such as chicken pox cause itching on the skin.
Parasites on the body such as body, head or pubic lice can cause itching.
Itching can be the result of an allergic reaction to certain foods, plants or pets.
Dry skin is a common cause for itching. This is usually seen in older people as aging skin is often dehydrated.
Cold weather, overexposure to water and hot baths typically cause itching.
An unfavorable medication could cause itching as a reaction.
Itching can happen during the later part of pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin especially on the lower abdomen area.
Skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Seborrheic dermatitis, Urticaria, Pityriasis rosea can cause severe itching.

• Use of weak carbolic acid lotion
  Itching caused due to non-medical conditions can to a great extent be treated using home remedies. Some that can be used to control or treat itching are as follows -
  
  Take a bath in one can of evaporated milk; you can add other combinations such as oatmeal, baking soda etc. The milk works well to soothe the itching.
  
  Apply Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil, or witch hazel tea to the itchy area.
  
  Take burdock, chickweed, goldenseal, plantain, or yellow dock in capsule form.
  
  Cornstarch helps relieve itching. You can pour some into your bath water or dust it onto your body.
  
  Scrub the affected area lightly with a pumice stone. Then wash with soap, apply rubbing alcohol, and dab a thick layer of Vaseline over it. This will provide relief from itching.
  
  Take a bath with a little peppermint or yellow dock to relieve itching.
  
  Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your bath water to relieve itchy skin.
  
  Baking soda can be used in cool bath water to soothe other skin irritations and alleviate itching from prickly heat, bee stings, insect bites, and other minor skin ailments.
  
  Another trusted home remedy is to use a weak carbolic acid lotion or a solution of bicarbonate of soda (commonly known as baking soda) and applying it over the itchy part.
  
  Apply cold compress to the itchy areas, it is thought to bring relief from itching.
  
  Fresh stinging nettle oil can be used on the affected areas.
  
  Drinking 1 to 2 cups of Nettle tea daily is thought to help relieve itching. Add boiling water to 1 tsp of the dried leaves for each cup. Steep for 15 minutes.
  
  Apply Burdock root oil to the skin to help heal rashes and itching.
  
  Fresh Chickweed poultice is good for itching. This can be made by soaking 2 large handfuls in water. When the plants soften, cool them and apply directly on the skin.
  
  Take a diet rich in Vitamin C,beta-carotene, Vitamin E and zinc
  Diet can play an important role to combat itching that result from food allergies. If you have identified foods that cause itching, it's best to avoid them completely.
  
  Increase your intake of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and zinc through diet by having foods rich in the above mentioned vitamins and minerals.
  
  Avoid scartching or rubbing
  Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas as this worsens the problem. Keep finger nails short to prevent skin damage from scratching.
  Wear loose, light and cool nightwear. Do not use thick, rough clothing like wool over itchy areas.
  Take bath with lukewarm water.
  Apply a soothing lotion on to the skin after bath.
  Avoid exposure to heat and humidity.
  Keep your body and affected areas dry and clean at all times. Moisture can worsen itching.

ANGINA!

Angina attack is an acute chest pain or discomfort felt around the chest area on account of reduced blood flow to heart due to narrowing of the arteries of the heart. Angina could also be caused due to increased demand of blood supply for the heart, blockage of artery, or thickening of heart muscles. Supplying more blood through narrow arteries causes discomfort, sudden pressure, tightness, heaviness or squeezing pain in the chest area which leads to Angina.

Angina also called angina pectoris is broadly classified into three types:

- Stable angina or chronic stable angina
- Unstable angina – known to initiate a heart attack
- Variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina - a rare type caused by coronary artery spasm

Angina is a symptom of the most common heart disease known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and is relatively common considering more than 6 million people in US have angina

Symptoms of Angina
Common symptoms associated with Angina
- Pain and discomfort in the chest area
- Pressure, tightening, squeezing or burning sensation in the chest area
- Pain may also be experienced in the arms, shoulders, throat, neck, jaw or back regions
- May appear like indigestion and consequent discomfort
- Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, excessive sweating or nausea

Causes of Angina
The key causes that lead to the onset of angina
- Difference between blood demand and supply. Though demand is normal, supply of blood to the heart decreases due to narrowing of arteries or obstructive coronary vascular disease
- Fatty deposits on the blood vessels of the heart causing restriction of regular or required blood flow to the heart causing reduced blood supply to the heart
- Formation of blood clots that may partially or fully block the artery
- Other causes include: uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, polycythemia, heavy smoking or use of cocaine, heavy meals, physical exertion, emotional stress, diseases related to thyroid glands and other types of heart diseases

Remedies for Angina
The common remedies and preventive care associated with angina
- Initiating lifestyle modifications such as: eating healthy and well balanced meals, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and being physically active. It is also advisable to lose weight incase of obesity
- Treating existing disorders that may lead to angina such as: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other heart related conditions
- Medicines and other options in surgery are also available to treat angina in serious cases

Diet for Angina
Following are the suggested diet remedies
- Avoid eating cholesterol rich food and consuming light and preferably vegetarian foods
- Boost intake of Vitamin A, C and E rich foods to prevent and control the onset of angina
- Intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains ensure your body receives the required nutrients

Suggestions for Angina
Other suggestions and Tips
- A regular exercise program as supervised or indicated by the doctor
- Follow a weight-loss program for over-weight or obese persons
- Regular check to maintain levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- Avoid stress and ensure a relaxed sleep
- Eat a well balanced, cholesterol free meal

ALLERGY!!

The word 'allergy' means an altered or abnormal tissue reaction after exposure to an antigen (also called an 'allergen'). The allergic reaction occurs if the body tissues are sensitive to the allergen. The allergen may reach the tissues by direct contact with the skin or various mucous membranes of the organs or through the bloodstream after absorption. Almost any part of the body can be affected by allergies. Allergic reactions are caused by a wide range of substances and conditions. These include pollens, dust, cosmetics, and animal hair; poisonous plants, serums, vaccines, and drugs; physical agents such as heat, cold and sunlight, as well as a variety of foods. The foods that commonly cause allergic reactions are oranges, milk, eggs, wheat, fish and other sea foods, chocolates, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Symptoms of Allergies
Recurring headaches, hay fever, Vomiting etc
Allergic symptoms are manifested in various forms in different organs. These include recurring headaches, migraines, dizziness, irritability, nervousness, depression, neuralgia, conjunctivitis, eczema, hay fever, a stuffy or runny nose, diarrhoea, vomiting, urticaria, asthma, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face and eyes. The same substance can cause different symptoms in different people at different times.

Causes of Allergies
Dietetic errors and faulty living style
Allergy is an indication of disharmony caused by dietetic errors and a faulty style of living.

Refined, processed foods and stress
It is also caused by excessive consumption of refined and processed foods, loaded with numerous chemical additives, many of which cause powerful reactions. Emotional and psychological stress can also lead to allergies.

Allergies Home Remedies

Allergies treatment using Nutrients
Certain nutrients have been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of allergies. Often the intake of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid brings great relief to the sufferer. This vitamin may be taken in a dose of 100 mg daily for a month. In such cases, liberal amounts of pantothenic acid helps even though the recovery takes several weeks. A dose of 400 mg of vitamin E taken daily for four to six weeks is also beneficial as this vitamin possesses effective anti-allergic properties.

Allergies treatment using Castor Oil
It is found that five drops of castor oil in half a cup of any fruit or vegetable juice, or plain water, and taken on an empty stomach in the morning, is beneficial for allergies of the intestinal tract, skin, and nasal passages.

Allergies treatment using Lime
Lime is considered an effective remedy for any kind of allergy. Half a lime may be squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a teaspoon of honey. It can be taken once daily first thing in the morning for several months. This remedy not only flushes the system of toxins but also acts as an antitoxic and antiallergic agent. However, those who are allergic to citrus fruits should not take recourse to this remedy.

Allergies treatment using Bananas
One or two bananas a day are useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and who consequently suffer from skin rashes, digestive disorders, or asthma, The fruit does, however, cause allergic reactions in certain sensitive persons and they should avoid it.

Allergies treatment using Vegetable Juices
A quantity of 500 ml carrot juice or a combination of carrot juice with beet and cucumber juices, has been found beneficial in the treatment of allergies. In the case of mixed juices, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a litre of mixed juice. This should be taken once daily.

Allergies diet
Fresh fruit juices
The best way to prevent or overcome allergies is to strengthen overall physical resistance so as not to fall an easy prey to every allergen that one comes across. To start with, the patient should fast on fresh fruit juices for four or five days. Repeated short juice fasts are likely to result in better tolerance to previous allergies.

Mono diet of vegetables or fruits
After the juice fast, the patient can like a mono diet of vegetables or fruits such as carrots, grapes, or apples for one week, after that. After that, one more food may be added to the mono diet. A week later, a third food may be added, and so on. After four weeks, protein foods can be introduced, one at a time. In case an allergic reaction to a newly-introduced food is noticed, it should be discontinued and a new food tried. In this way, all real allergens can be eventually eliminated from the diet.

Avoid food like tea/coffee or containing chemical additives and preservatives
Foods which should be excluded from the diet are tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, sugar and products made from it, refined cereals, meal, fish, chicken, tobacco, milk, cheese, butter, smoked and salted pickled foods, and foods containing any chemical additives, preservatives and flavourings.

Other Allergies treatments
Avoid stress, do meditation,exercise and mind control
For allergic conditions in which an element of mental stress is present as well, it is essential to employ such methods as relaxation, exercise, meditation, and mind control. These methods reduce or remove stress and thereby contribute towards the treatment of allergies.

Yogasanas
Yogic asanas like yogamudra, ardh-matsyendrasana , sarvangasana, shavasana, and anuloma-viloma pranayama are beneficial in the treatment of allergy.

AMNESIA!!

Amnesia refers to partial or complete loss of memory. Different types and degrees of amnesia occur in old age and in some mental disorders.

Amnesia symptoms

Person forgets words or names
The most common form of this disease is verbal amnesia. In this condition, the patient forgets words or names. An uncommon form of amnesia is temporary loss of memory, in which a person even forgets his own identity, including his name, age, family background, and any recollection of the past.

Causes of Amnesia

Impairment of brain cells by diseases
The main cause of amnesia is the impairment of brain cells by diseases which affect them directly or indirectly, due to a poor blood supply caused by circulatory diseases.

Psychological causes, weakness of the brain
Poor memory also results from dullness of intellect and weakness of the brain. Many cases are, however, largely psychological in origin. They are caused by anxiety neurosis, resulting from attention-seeking in persons obsessed with their own problems. Temporary loss of memory may result from an injury.

Home Remedies for Amnesia
Amnesia treatment using Rosemary
The most remarkable remedy for loss of memory or forgetfulness is the use of the herb rosemary, botanically known as Romarinus officinalis. Rosemary has long been regarded as a herb for remembrance. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans prepared fragrant distilled water from the flowers of this plant and inhaled the odour so that 'the evils were destroyed from the mind and the memory no longer played tricks.' Rosemary is considered to be an antidote for mental fatigue and forgetfulness. A tea made from this herb, taken once or twice a day, is a refreshing drink and an effective natural remedy for enhancing mental agility.

Amnesia treatment using Brahmi Booti
Another herb useful in amnesia is brahmi booti, botanically known as Bacopa scrophulariaceae. About seven grams of this herb should be dried in the shade and ground in water, along with seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper. This mixture should be strained and sweetened with twenty-five gm of sugar. It should be drunk every morning for a fortnight on an empty stomach.

Amnesia treatment using Sage
The herb sage has also been found beneficial in the treatment of a weak memory or loss of memory. It acts on the cortex of the brain, mitigates mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate. A tea prepared from dried sage leaves can be used regularly for this purpose.

Amnesia treatment using Almonds
Almonds are very valuable for restoring a poor memory caused by brain weakness. They contain unique properties to remove brain debility and to strengthen the brain. Almonds preserve the vitality of the brain and cure ailments originating from nervous disorders. Ten to twelve almonds should be immersed in water overnight and their outer skin removed. They should then be made into a fine paste and taken, mixed with one teaspoonful of butter or even alone. Inhaling ten to fifteen drops of almond oil through the nose, morning and evening, is also beneficial in the treatment of brain weakness.

Amnesia treatment using Walnuts
Walnut is another unique dry fruit valuable in countering brain weakness. About twenty grams of walnuts should be taken every day. The value of walnuts is enhanced if they are taken with figs or raisins in a proportion of ten gram each, everyday.

Amnesia treatment using Apples
Apples are useful in amnesia. The various chemical substances contained in this fruit such as vitamin B1, phosphorus, and potassium help in the synthesis of glutamic acid. This acid controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple a day with one tea-spoon of honey and one cup of milk is beneficial in the treatment of loss of memory and mental irritability. It acts as an effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life.

Amnesia treatment using Other Fruits
All fruits which are rich in phosphorus are valuable mitigators of amnesia, as they invigorate the brain cells and tissues. Apart from apples, almonds, and walnuts, which have been discussed earlier, other phosphorus-rich fruits are figs, grapes, oranges, and dates. Their intake is highly beneficial in loss of memory due to brain debility.

Amnesia treatment using Cumin Seeds
The use of cumin seeds is another valuable remedy for amnesia or dullness of memory. Three grams of black cumin seeds should be mixed with two teaspoonfuls of pure honey and taken once a day, preferably, in the morning.

Amnesia treatment using Black Pepper
Five seeds of finely ground black pepper, mixed with one teaspoon of honey are also beneficial in the treatment of this condition. This preparation should be taken both in the morning and evening.

Amnesia diet
Phosphorus-rich food and cow's milk
The diet of a patient suffering from amnesia should consist of phosphorus-rich foods like cereals, pulses, nuts, egg yolk, fruit juices, and milk. Cow's milk is specially beneficial and the patient should take as much of this milk as he can safely digest.

Other Amnesia treatments
Sufficient sleep and rest
Ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under conducive conditions is very necessary.

Relaxation and meditation
The patient must also learn the art of relaxation and meditation, which can go a long way in curing amnesia.