Muscles Spasm And Chest Pain: Overview And Remdies For Chest Spasm

What Is Chest Muscles Spasm

A sudden or spontaneous contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles is called a spasm. Emotional outbursts, anxiety, stress and overexertion are common causes for a muscle spasm in the chest. A sudden sneeze or a coughing fit could also be responsible for the contraction. In addition, spasms in the chest could be a result of lifting up something heavy or due to trauma to the chest, caused by a blunt object. Pain in the chest could also be the result of indigestion.

A spasm in the chest is usually accompanied by a shooting pain in the centre of the chest and generally subsides in a few minutes. This stabbing pain may also be experienced at intervals depending on the degree of strain and exertion. In some cases, a person with a spasm may find it difficult to move due to the severity of the contraction and at times, the pain may travel from the chest to the shoulders and back, thus causing the person experiencing it to start panicking. However, muscle spasms are usually harmless. Nevertheless, no pain in the chest should be taken lightly as it could be serious, as pain in the chest is also characteristic of cardiovascular disorders resulting from blockages in the blood vessels leading to the heart, or due to increased strain on the heart as a result of hypertension.

Rest is crucial for relaxing the affected muscles and recovering from the spasm. Sleeping or sitting down and breathing deeply as soon as the pain is experienced will help in easing the muscles. If overexertion has lead to a strain on the muscles or on the nerves, complete rest is the best remedy as it ensures that the body has time to rejuvenate through internal healing mechanisms. A warm fermentation through the use of a hot water bag is beneficial as it helps in relaxing the muscles thus reducing the pain experienced. A hot, moist towel placed on the chest will also work as efficiently. After fermenting the chest, keeping the chest covered is recommended so as to keep the chest warm. Alternately, the application of pain relieving ointments followed by keeping the chest warm will also be useful in reducing chest pain owing to spasms. Drinking a concoction made by boiling 3-4 garlic pods in milk is also believed to be beneficial in relieving chest pain. Deep breathing exercises and meditation prove especially beneficial in the treatment of muscle contractions in the chest as they help in reducing stress and anxiety that in turn cause the muscles to relax.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones For Women And Affects On Kidney Functions

Functions Of Kidney

The kidneys play a vital role in the elimination of liquid wastes from the body. They assist in the purification of blood by drawing out chemicals and other harmful matter from the blood and disposing it off through the urine that they produce. Sometimes, the chemicals present in the urine crystallize and form small stones similar to grains of sand mainly made of calcium. Over a period of time, a tiny stone gradually increases to a noticeable size. If left unattended to, the stone may become the source of excruciating pain, serious infection and kidney disorders.

Kidney Stone Symptoms

There are no symptoms as long as the stone stays put. When the stone moves within the kidney, a mild pain is often experienced in the lower back and it gradually progresses towards the lower abdomen, similar to the pain experienced during menstruation. Hence, the pain usually goes unnoticed. However, as the stone starts moving towards the ureters, excruciating pain is experienced. When in the ureter, the stone tends to block the flow of urine thus causing a backlog of urine in the kidneys and a buildup of pressure that result in the swelling of the kidneys and bacterial infection. Sometimes, blood may be seen in the urine as the stone scraps against the walls of the ureter as it proceeds towards the urinary bladder. Pain during urinating, urinary tract infections and change in urine color could be linked with kidney stones. Dullness, nausea, vomiting and a low grade fever could also be caused by the existence of renal calculi.

Diet For Kidney Stone

Water plays a vital role in the treatment of kidney stones. Kidney stones are usually caused by dehydration which leads to a concentration of calcium in the urine. Hence, drinking plenty of water throughout the day ensures that the chemicals do not remain in the kidney. It also helps in dissolving or flushing out already formed calculi. Barley water and tender coconut water are also useful in flushing out calculi. Calcium renal stones can be dissolved through the intake of citrus fruit juices like grapefruit and lemons, as these juices have the ability to increase the excretion of chemicals. High protein diets should be avoided as they can cause crystallization of salts in the urine. A person prone to kidney stones should avoid the intake of foods rich in calcium as it may result in an increase in size of an existing stone or may be the cause of the formation of a fresh one. The consumption of alcohol and aerated beverages can also aggravate the condition.

How To Get Rid Of Canker Sores And What Food You Should Eat

Canker Sores Home Remedies

Canker sores are an ulceration occurring especially on the lips or lining of the mouth. While no one has been able to point out the exact cause for canker sores, some of the factors that often trigger its appearance are injuries, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, infections, hormonal changes or malfunctions of the immune system. Luckily, canker sores don’t last too long and can be treated at home.

Try some of the following home remedies to effectively treat these sores. Dab some alum onto the sore and rinse after about ten seconds. This can be done twice a day. You could also apply baking powder on the sores or mix 1 tea spoon of baking powder in half cup tepid water and use it as a mouthwash. Rinse your mouth around 5 to 6 times a day with this solution. Another simple remedy that works as a cure for still young sores is a salt water mixture. Mix two tea spoons of salt in a cup of warm water, you could also add a small piece of alum to the mixture. Rinse with this mixture 4 to 5 times a day. A less painful and readily available remedy is fresh papaya leaves; chew on these to relieve the sores. You can also crush some grapefruit seeds and mix about a teaspoon of this extract with water. Use this to rinse the mouth at least once a day. Use a small amount of aloe vera extract and mix it with water to create a mild mouth wash. Frequently rinse your mouth with this to get rid of the sores.

Foods While You Have Canker Sores

Besides mouth washes and rinses, you could also eat the right foods when suffering from canker sores. Eat papaya or chew on some papaya tablets to help soothe the sores. Try to include green leafy vegetables in your diet. Eat foods that are easy to chew and digest. Yogurt acts as a deterrent to canker sores, so if you are prone to getting canker sores, consume yogurt as part of your regular diet. Foods that are crispy or salty tend to aggravate canker sores, therefore avoid chips, nuts, processed snacks and such others, to allow the sores time to heal. Smoking and drinking are other irritants that causes canker sores, therefore, try to abstain from these till the sores subside. Also watch out for foods that cause the sores and try to avoid them. Brush lightly between meals. However, if the problem persists see a doctor.

Dog Bites Treatment: What You Should Do When Dog Bites

Care And Treatment For Dog Bites

More often than not people are bitten by their own pets. Small children are more prone to being bitten because they tend to treat animals as toys. Unfortunately, if provoked, the animal’s natural instincts would cause it to bite or scratch in retaliation. In case someone has been bitten by a dog, the first thing to note is whether the dog has been vaccinated or not. If the dog is feral, look for signs of rabies, such as if the dog appears to be foaming at the mouth. If there is no way of finding out whether the dog has been vaccinated, report it to the proper authorities and keep a check on the animal for signs of rabies or other infections. If the attack was unprovoked, the animal should be confined and monitored for at least 10 days and then checked for rabies.

Calm the victim and take him or her to a safe location. Wear latex gloves before handling the injured area. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 3 to 5 minutes. Rabies is contacted through saliva therefore, make sure you remove any traces of saliva from the wound; also wash off all the soap from the wound or it will cause irritation. Check to see how deep the injury is. A deep wound would require immediate medical attention from a licensed practitioner. In some cases, stitches would be required. Look out for signs of infection in the form of swelling, pus, bleeding, or discoloration around the injury and in some cases even fever. Make a note of what you see and inform the doctor about what you have noticed. Dry and bandage the injured area with sterilized gauze; tape or tie the bandage loosely to keep it in place. Don’t use a tourniquet unless the bleeding is very severe. Keep the injured part elevated and use a cold compress to stem any bleeding or swelling. Then rush the victim to a nearby doctor.

For minor wounds, wash and dress the area. You many give the victim an over-the-counter analgesic to relieve the pain. Additionally, a vitamin B capsule can be given to help generate antibodies and a vitamin C capsule to help the body fight infection. Ask the doctor whether the victim needs a tetanus shot or a tetanus booster. If the victim is a child find out whether any special medication needs to be given.

Benefits Of Papaya: Nutritional Value Of Papaya For Your Health

Health Benefits Of Papaya

There are many health benefits attributed to the papaya fruit. While eating papaya is good for you, its seeds, peels and leaves also contain health rejuvenating properties that could benefit you. Dubbed as “the fruit of angels” by Columbus, this humble fruit contains minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that promote health and slow down the ageing process. Regular consumption of papaya aids digestion. The enzyme ‘papain’ contained in papaya is often extracted and then dried to form a powder that is used to treat digestive problems. Papain is also good for weight loss because it increases the metabolism. It helps the body digest fats and absorb carbohydrates. The fruit itself is low on calories you can therefore include generous portions of papaya to your diet to help reduce and manage weight. Papaya is also high in fiber content, which prevents constipation. The juice of green papaya when mixed with the juice of pineapple is also good for cleansing the system from within. However, unripe or green papaya is also known to induce labor, it is therefore not advisable for pregnant women to consume papaya.

Papaya For Skin

You can also boost your immune system by regularly consuming papaya. It contains a good supply of vitamins A, C, and E, and also carotene. Vitamin C protects against polyarthritis, a type of rheumatoid arthritis. While vitamin E helps retard the aging process. Papaya contains carpain, which is good for the heart. It also contains arginine, which is said to be good for male fertility. You can also use the skin, leaves, and flesh of the fruit to treat burns and wounds on your skin. Its anti-bacterial properties help accelerate the treatment of skin ailments. The seeds can be used as an effective de-worming medicine. Take two teaspoons of papaya seeds with honey after each meal to effectively treat intestinal worms. You can create your own skin cleanser at home by using papaya juice. Extract and apply the juice to the selected area or use the pulp of the papaya as a face pack, to reduce wrinkles; the papain helps remove dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new cells, giving the skin a refreshing glow. Keep in mind that a ripe papaya loses enzymes, so it’s best to buy green papayas and use them immediately. Today, these are easily available at any store that sells Asian food ingredients. Try to include some amount of papaya in your daily diet to enjoy the health benefits of this fruit.

Stomach Flu: Early Signs And Treatment Of Food Poisoning

Signs Of Stomach Flu

Stomach flu is a certain kind of stomach infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the intestines. Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis is a very common stomach infection; however, it should be treated immediately. The virus that generally causes infection of the intestines and stomach is the rotavirus. The major symptoms of stomach flu are fever, nausea, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea and these symptoms may even last up to three days. If your symptoms carry on for longer than three days and if diarrhea or vomiting is accompanied by bleeding, then contact your doctor immediately. A person can contract stomach flu by consuming food that has been contaminated by the virus through unclean utensils, contaminated water or unhygienic surroundings. It is therefore advisable to practice safe cooking habits and maintain a high level of hygiene while caring for stomach flu at home. Ensure that you wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the virus. Ensure that you clean all garments and sheets well to avoid contaminating others with the virus.

Treatment For Food Poisoning

Your diet should ideally include bland foods with rice, bananas or dry toast. You should start by drinking plenty of clear liquids to restore the fluids in your body. If your symptoms are really severe, you can try drinking small sips of water or suck on ice chips. Once the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting stop, and you are able to keep food down, then you can start on rice and dry toast. Ensure that you eat small portions of food but at regular intervals, as this will be easier on your stomach and will solve digestive problems. Ensure that you give your stomach time to recover after a meal. Avoid consuming food that is excessively spicy or oily as this will aggravate your stomach problems. Avoid beverages that have high caffeine content as this only aggravates stomach flu. Reduce your intake of dairy products as this may irritate your stomach and cause discomfort. Avoid consuming alcohol as it is known to aggravate stomach disorders.

Since stomach flu results in diarrhea and vomiting, ensure that you replenish your body with plenty of water and other essential fluids. This is essential while caring for stomach flu at home as it could lead to severe dehydration. One of the simplest ways to treat dehydration caused by stomach flu is to drink oral rehydration fluids at least every two hours. This will ensure that your bodily fluids are replenished.

Bone Spurs Treatment: How To Get Comfort With Natural Remedies

What Is A Bone Spur

A bone spur is also known as an osteophyte and is characterized by the growth of another bone on the normal bone. This condition generally affects bones of the joints, like the hips, knees, spine, hands, shoulders and feet. While the condition itself does not cause any pain, the extra bone may rub against the normal bone and nerve endings causing pain and discomfort. Bone spurs sometimes increase with age and is an indicator of spine degeneration. One of the most common symptoms for bone spurs is a pain while walking and standing on account of friction with normal bones. Pain could manifest in the neck, back, shoulders, thighs, arms or legs, depending on where the spurs have formed. Bone spurs sometimes result from underlying problems like osteoarthritis. People who suffer from osteoarthritis tend to lose cartilage in the joints of the bone. In such cases, the body covers up for this lack by forming an extra bone along the normal bone. In the case of those who are aging, the body creates an extra bone to provide strength and support to aging joints. Disorders like plantar fasciitis, spinal stenosis and spondylosis are also frequent causes for bone spurs. A lack of nutrition, trauma or injury to the bone and an unhealthy lifestyle may also contribute to the formation of bone spurs.

Treatment For Bone Spurs

One of the simplest ways to care for a bone spur at home is to apply a cold compress to ease pain and inflammation. Cumin is an effective method of treating pain resulting from bone spurs. Take at least 1000 mg of this before meals at least four times a day for relief from discomfort caused by bone spurs. You can also apply a hot pack made of flaxseed on the affected area to help reduce pain and swelling. If you suffer from bone spurs on your feet, take care to wear footwear that is comfortable and does not cause too much friction with other normal bones in your feet. Immerse your feet in a hot foot bath to help relieve pain and stress.

Cheesecloth dipped in linseed oil that is lukewarm is an effective remedy for treating bone spurs at home. Wrap the affected area with the cheesecloth and then cover with a hot pack. Leave this on for at least ten minutes to help reduce symptoms like swelling. Washing the affected area with chamomile tea helps alleviate symptoms like aching joints and inflammation.